Transformers Movie Reviews

The Story

First thing's first: You get the back story. Even if you're too young or too old to have really gotten into the cartoons during the 1980s, you get a basic understanding of the battle between the Autobots (good guys) and the Decepticons (bad guys). From there, the story progresses and becomes the tale of a boy and his car. What Sam, the main character, doesn't realize when he gets behind the wheel of the little yellow Camaro, also known as an Autobot named Bumblebee, is that he's now right in the middle of a battle between good and evil (luckily his car's one of the good guys!).

While selling things on eBay to try to raise money and help pay for a car, Sam attracts the attention of the robots from both sides. Apparently one of the items he's selling holds key information at the base of a robot war. His eBay sales made him easy to track down.

The robot war eventually involves the United States military, thanks to an attack by a Decepticon. It's Sam, his friends, the U.S. military and the Autobots against the evil Decepticons.

The Best Acting

According to quite a few Transformers movie reviews, the best acting was done by the robots. Director Michael Bay was blamed for only bringing the robots to life, leaving the actors to stand without animation in the enormous shadows of the metal giants. The movie left some viewers wondering if the cast was chosen based sheerly on eye candy status. Others blame the writing for the one-dimensional human crowd that contrasted wildly with the robots that practically stomped their heavy metal feet right out of the screen.

Special Effects and Action

Michael Bay himself is a bit of a mega-presence in the world of special effects, even if he's not the most well-loved director in Hollywood. The movie, though it may have flopped in the acting department, was a hit in the CGI and action categories.

From the first transformation of a robot, viewers were enthralled by the mechanical beauty of the movie. Critics came away breathless, reporting the movie was "exhilarating," "fun," "dizzying" and a "powerhouse." How's that for an action film with amazing graphics?

And the effects? They look real. These boys aren't the same old guys you wanted to be when you were five years old. You still want to be them or maybe just hang out with them, but there's nothing that screams animation or just pretend about them, aside from the fact that they are oversized, human-like robots after all.

Find More Transformers Movie Reviews

Want more Transformers movie reviews? Well, you've got 'em. The movie was so hyped, so anticipated, everybody has an opinion about it now that the wait is over. And, of course, the first place they went (after work and school) was the Internet to spew love, hate and the occasional tomato at the final product.

• Rotten Tomatoes gives you the good, the bad, and the ugly. This one's multiple reviews from various moviegoers all in one.

• MovieCritic.com.au likens the movie to the epitome of the MTV generation's ultimate summer film—action, action, and more action. On criticism's side of things, he isn't fond of a few components of Michael Bay's style.

Bottom Line

If you have yet to see it, snag yourself a ticket before it's gone. This is one to see on the big screen—-not to be saved for a Blockbuster night. If you're in your 20s and watched the cartoons as a child, enjoy your trip down memory lane. Let the night transform you into a carefree kid again—-at least for a few hours.