Transformers (DVD, 2007)

Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman (screenplay and story) have outdone themselves with their take on the Transformers (For the purists out there, Orci and Kurtzman were able to simplify matters by consolidating the proverbial “seat of power” – The All Spark Cube – into one gigantic cube that conveniently has the ability to transform itself into a tiny cube for logistics purposes (In the 80’s cartoon, a number of the Decepticons had the ability to generate cubes which they “fill with energy,” creating “energon cubes.” as well as give each of the Transformers the power of Teletran 1 (basically the ability to select their earthly “disguise” on their own (e.g., Camaro, truck, helicopter, cell phone, etc.)

The Transformers Movie was generally an entertaining, but lacked sufficient emphasis to develop any of the characters outside of Optimus Prime (18-Wheeler Truck), Baracade (Police Car), and Bumblebee (Camaro). When they transformed to their robotic forms, it was pretty difficult to determine who was an Autobot from a Decepticon. Towards the end of the film, when both the Autobots and Decepticons were locked in battle, an unfamiliar audience couldn’t tell who was Ratchet from Bone Crusher, Frenzy from Jazz, Iron Hide from Devastator, etc.

In addition, the finale fight sequence was a “migraine waiting to happen” as Michael Bay placed a lot of emphasis on the speed and agility of the Transformers. It’s funny really; you have the Autobots, that value human life and the Decepticons who don’t really care, one way or another. In that battle (though not depicted), I am pretty sure their were human casualties…How could their not be, the Transformers were going through buildings as if it were tin foil. Well, just a thought.

The Transformers Movie is one of those films that you watch once (due to the potential migraine issue) and maybe after a couple of years, you can wipe away the dust of your copy from you DVD collection and reminisce that Bay’s film may have truly been “beyond our wildest imagination.”