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Last Updated: Jun 14, 2008 - 9:44:13 AM

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Transformers: The Movie (2007) By Julie Gray Jul 2, 2007 - 2:57:56 AM

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TRANSFORMERS THE MOVIE: 2007

Optimus Prime Transformers the movie 2007

DISTRIBUTOR: DreamWorks SKG
DIRECTOR: Michael Bay
WRITERS: Robert Orci, Alex Kurtzman
PRODUCERS: Don Murphy, Tom DeSanto

Starring: Shia  LaBeouf, Megan Fox, John Turturro, Jon Voight, Josh Duhamel
Voice Actors: Hugo Weaving (Megatron), Peter Cullen (Optimus Prime)

Rating: M (NZ) for Medium Level Violence
MPAA: Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action violence, brief sexual humor, and language.

Running time: 144 minutes

Why you might like this:
- It's the Transformers!?!
- The action sequences, CGI and special effects are over the top and out of this world
- The slap stick humour in the movie is actually really funny
- It's the Transformers?

Why you might not like this:
- If you're not an action fan, you probably won't enjoy this. Nuff said.
- Don't worry about Michael Bay, he did GREAT in this!

Living in little ol' New Zealand was definitely a bonus this time around since we were allowed to see Transformers: The Movie (2007) on the 28th of June, a whole week before the USA and pretty much the rest of the world. As my fellow Transformer fans await the July 4 release of this year's super-hyped movie in the US, here's a litte tasty morsel for you to feed that hunger... if you're okay with spoilers, that is.

The plot for this movie has a few interesting facets to it that might just bring out both the best and worst in Transformer fans, especially those hardcore G1 (Generation One) fans who are expecting this movie to be a remake of the 1986 classic. This is anything but a remake and is probably closer to a complete and utter overhaul. And with overhauls come changes; some of them subtle, some of them not so subtle. As both a fan of the Transformers and a loyalist to the original series, I found the changes wonderfully refreshing with just enough of the 'old school' flavour left to give me shivers of delight.

Relatively new acting sensation (penned in Hollywood to be the 'Next Big Thing') Shia labeouf does good as boy-next-door type Sam 'Spike' Witwicky who deftly delivers his performance with finesse. As the teenager looking to buy his first car, Sam's in for one helluva joy ride. He suddenly finds himself caught up in something well beyond his or anyone else's wildest dreams when his beat up, yellow Camaro has the ability to transform into a bio-mechanical sentient being. His reply - "Who knew?". Megan Fox features as the eye candy and Sam's ideal girl. Jon Voight appears as Defense Secretary John Keller and still shows alot of kick for an aging actor and John Turturro is delightfully 'Agent-like' as Sector 7 FBI Agent Simmons.

But it's the Transformers themselves who are the real talent in this movie, or should I say the animators and CGI special effects team who created the Transformers as we see them in this 2007 adaptation. If the action sequences in this movie don't have you gasping for air or jumping outta your seat with glee, check if you've got a pulse. The calibre of the special effects in Transfomers: the movie 2007 is phenomenal. When you think of one entire frame of CGI animation requiring 38 hours to render, you understand what I mean by 'phenomenal'. It has to be seen to be believed.

The obvious focus of the story (taken from a human point of view and primarily revolving around Sam, his girlfriend, and the military) may come across as a little weak. Personally, I would have liked to have seen more of the Transformers and more of the movie told from perhaps the point of view of Optimus Prime and Megatron.

I felt that without the beautifully crafted CGI and special effects that went into this movie, Transformers would still be a wonderful story, reminiscent of the original television series where at the heart of it lies planet earth and the fragility of the human race brought to the forefront. As the classic tale of good versus evil ensues, the strength, faith and honour of both human and robot brings a sense of emotional depth to the movie, making it more than just a 'silly movie about robots' but a story of survival and triumph over evil and adversity.

The good news is that a green light has already been approved for a sequel so hopefully, we'll get to see alot more of the same wonderous stuff. One thing's for certain, I bet Michael Bay will be pretty happy he decided to direct this movie and no doubt, so will his bulging bank account once all the hype subsides... if it ever does.

Rating: 9/10

Contact the author of this review: Julie@comicbookbin.com

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