Transformers: Dark of the Moon Review Thread

[Mike F]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

And I hope this point is not forgotten from my OP. Even if you hate the story, hate the acting, hate the tone, what can't be denied is the visuals. Look at the attention to detail that goes into making something like this. It's pretty amazing. No, that doesn't make the movie good, but it shouldn't be forgotten either.

They may put a lot of time and care into designing the Transformers, but they then throw them into massively kinetic, completely incomprehensible action scenes that are impossible to focus on or follow.

The Louvre may house the greatest collection of art in the world, but if you mount the pieces on the side of a high speed train and just run it at full speed past bystanders, you'll have one shi**y art exhibition.

[speede5]

It was quite a spectacle, probably some of the best 3D work iv'e seen to date. The action was overwhelming, and almost to much to bear, but that's the point for Bay. It still annoys me how many of the charachters are over played and quite silly, especially since it is usually U-14 inappropriate, but overall this was quite a fun show to watch. Turn the brain off, and just go for the wow factor. The jump suit scene was so friggin cool.

Downside was the video feed cut out and the theater went dark in the last three minutes, so we missed the ending but caught all the audio. I have never seen a full theater turn into a mob, the manager almost got lynched, because by the time she got in there the feed was back on (credits) and she didn't want to give anyone free passes.

Anyway I think I'll save my pass for Capt. America, cause as good as it was, I don't think the brain can handle a second go, at least not in the theater.

One thing I find with most of these movies, xformers, superhero flicks, is they are a lot of fun the first time, but hard to watch repeatedly.

[zamler]

Missed the last 3 minutes of the movie and the manager didn't want want to give out free passes? What kind of crap house theater was this? I would have demanded my money back.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

How come I'm a Transformers fan and the only reason the first movie isn't the worst piece of garbage made is because Transformers 2 was released.

Did you watch the original cartoons thinking that there was a good story, good characters?? Did you think everything was well thought out and executed?? No, because it was a cartoon!! It was made for children in the 80's.....it was some pretty awful tv if you go back and watch it now.

I don't get the people who loved the cartoons growing up but get all upset that the movie doesn't have the substance that some of the other superhero stuff does. Ironman, Nolan's Batman movies etc have a lot more to work with than just toys and campy 80's cartoons. The cartoons were crap, but because it brings you back to Saturday mornings in your pajamas in front of the tv, it puts it in a good light. It brings back good memories. But go back and watch some of the old cartoons and take away the nostalga factor, it's some pretty awful tv, so the movie being a silly mess should come as no surpise to a Transformer fan. The movie is based on cartoons and toys afterall.

If someone who hadn't watched the cartoons growing up watched them as an adult, they would think it's crap. Because it was! But it's fun crap nonetheless and that's why I like this stuff. It's a guilty pleasure more than anything.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by zamler

Missed the last 3 minutes of the movie and the manager didn't want want to give out free passes? What kind of crap house theater was this? I would have demanded my money back.

That happened to me for Ocean's 13. Missed the last 10 minutes, so pretty much the twist. They said we could either wait 45 minutes or take a pass for another movie. If I felt inclined, I would have bitched and complained. But the next I was there, I just snuck into the theatre to catch the final minutes.

[CaptainCrunch]

Michael Bay is one of those rare talents that makes what he does look effortless.

Hence why all of his movies follow the same formula.

He's a corporate film maker, not a great creative mind and he knows what the rubes like.

[Shasta Beast]

Nope. This is still the best Transformers movie;

[speede5]

Originally Posted by zamler

Missed the last 3 minutes of the movie and the manager didn't want want to give out free passes? What kind of crap house theater was this? I would have demanded my money back.

Galaxy, it was kind of funny, someone went to complain, and by the time she got up to the booth the credits were rolling and all looked good, so apparently she didn't see what the issue was. As soon as the entire theatre was at the counter, being quite impolite, I think she realized it was time to get out the passes.

They are usually really good there, It's happened to us a few times where the movie cuts out, and they will not only get it rolling again but you get the passes as well. My kids think it's great cause of the pass. It happened to us at the premier of Spiderman 3, Trans 2 and a couple others.

[Yasa]

Originally Posted by mike f

the louvre may house the greatest collection of art in the world, but if you mount the pieces on the side of a high speed train and just run it at full speed past bystanders, you'll have one shi**y art exhibition.

That's BRILLIANT!

[van fan down by river]

So many good movie coming out this summer. So little time.

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by van fan down by river

So many good movie coming out this summer. So little time.

Exactly, so feel free to skip Transformers.

[Mazrim]

Is there dubstep in this movie? This is important.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

I know several people who were HUGE Transformers fans in the 80s who hate Michael Bay's films.

The unbolded portion of your quote doesn't really make sense. Terminator 2 seems pretty comparable to Transformers as the plots are loosely the same (science fiction films set on present-day Earth featuring sentient robots fighting each other with the assistance of a few human characters).

And what exactly is the cross-over appeal of a film like Die Hard? It's pretty much non-stop action after the first 15 minutes.

Die Hard and Terminator 2 are both movies that have reached iconic status. They are both movies with great writing and plots. The plots of these movies have been copied so many times that they've become parodies of themselves, but they're still great. I also think the list of action movies that do please critics is going to be relatively small, despite the fact pure action fans will still get enjoyment out of a much larger body of film.

As for transformers fans not liking the new movies, that's because they are geeks. I'm a huge transformer fan myself, I know. The transformers genre has produced a plethora of fiction, toys, and comic books all aimed at nerdy adults. This movie is aimed at the general public. Obviously writing a movie contrary to existing geek canon is going to upset us geeks.

Nobody is making the case that the transformers movies aren't hollow. You go to see them so you can watch to 80 foot robots fighting in the middle of new york city. The movies may be missing the dramatic elements and story elements of iconic action movies like Terminator 2 and Die Hard. That doesn't mean they aren't entertaining. Critics giving negative scores to transformers is pretty ridiculous IMO. Everyone knows what they are getting with these films, giant robots and Meghan Fox/new girl occassionally bending over in cut offs.

[ernie]

Haven't seen transformers yet and perhaps not at all but just wanted to respond to how Fast Five could be at 78% on the tomato meter and Transformers at 37%.

My guess is a big part of it was that Fast Five had action sequences that used storyboards and, while certainly far fetched, put together honest to goodness fun action scenes you could (a) watch without getting a headache and (b) actually follow because it didn't depend on a shaky camera and quick edits to make it seem like an action scene was going on....an action scene was ACTUALLY occurring. I have no idea if those techniques were used in this Transformers but most action sequences nowadays are and it's painful to watch. The Terminator 3 film was not a great movie but at the time I was so happy to see an action movie put together a proper street, car smash-em-up action scene with long extended shots etc.

BAck to Fast Five....while the dialogue was bad, "acting" generally over the top, and situations preposterous that is par for the course in that type of movie. It did justice to the genre and I found it to be quite fun. Not a perfect example of but a good one. Change the action sequences to a fast edit mess and the movie would likely be terrible.

Also it wasn't in 3D which quite frankly has been a complete waste of money for any movie I've seen.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by ernie

Also it wasn't in 3D which quite frankly has been a complete waste of money for any movie I've seen.

I would normally agree with you here. I've been cursing 3D as a huge gimmick for a couple years now and really dread shelling out the extra cash to see something i would rather watch without the glasses. But Dark of the Moon really got the 3D right. It was actually a pretty cool ride. A lof of fun.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Dark of the moon earns 37 million on opening day yesterday. Just under half of what RotF made on its opening Wednesday, but slightly more than the original.

Think about how ridiculous that sounds, a movie generates 37 million dollars in one day and it's dubbed a disappointing number. That's outrageous.

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3197&p=.htm

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Whats a Cylon doing in a Transformers movie?

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by Since1984

I thought it was awesome!!! Main reasons for me enjoying the movie:
1. I like Transformers
2. I like explosions
3. I LIKE TRANSFORMERS!!!!!


Honestly...go watch the cartoons again....and tell me they aren't crap! If you grew up watching the Transformers and playing with Optimus Prime then you will love the movie...except for maybe the crappy love side story.
.

Forcing my kids to sit through them with me if they want to stay up late.

[olygoalie]

Took my son to the movie....he and I had a blast. It was exactly what we thought. Explosions and action and a hot chick. If your looking for more, you’re not really getting the thought of what Transformers from 80's crap cartoon into big budget action flick is....pure adrenaline action and effects. That’s what it was and what I expected. We loved it!

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by blankall

Die Hard and Terminator 2 are both movies that have reached iconic status. They are both movies with great writing and plots.

That's exactly my point.

Special effects action extravaganza films don't have to be awful like Michael Bay's Transformers movies. It's completely possible for talented filmmakers to produce movies with exciting action and amazing special effects while ALSO having good stories, writing, acting, directing, and cinematography. This is why I don't give the Transformers movies a free pass because "they're just action movies about giant space robots, what were you expecting, Citizen Kane?"