Transformers (2007)

Directed by: Michael Bay | 143 minutes | action, adventure, science fiction | Actors: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Rachael Taylor, Tyrese Gibson, Jon Voight, Anthony Anderson, John Turturro, Michael ONeill, Charlie Bodin, Andrew Caldwell, Bryan Cox, Peter Cullen, Frederic Doss, Kevin Dunn, Chris Ellis, Joshua Feinman, Colin Fickes, Jerald Garner, Laurel Garner, Sean Hampton, Jesse Heiman, Nicole Randall Johnson, Jeremy Jojola, Ashkan Kashanchi, Tom Lenk, Bernie Mac, Rizwan Manji, JP Manoux, Jamie McBride, Andy Milder, Carlos Moreno Jr. Glenn Morshower, Brad Newman, Mark Ryan, Frank Welker, Zack Ward, Amaury Nolasco

Michael Bay must have had some good advice from his producer Steven Spielberg, along the lines of: “blow the viewer off his/her seat with fast-paced action and jaw-dropping special effects, but don’t lose the human face” and “don’t use all your trumps in one trick.” And Bay listened carefully. Because ‘Transformers’ is not only a great action film, but has a nice story, excellently interpreted by good actors. It shows clear similarities with Spielberg’s classic ‘ET’.

It is inevitable that Shia LaBeouf breaks through as a fresh Hollywood star with his role as Sam. He is excellently cast, perfectly in his place as a semi-nerd who nevertheless goes for what he wants and thus finds his strength. A role he was allowed to practice in the nice ‘Disturbia’ (DJ Caruso, 2007). The relationship with his parents is nicely written and yields some delightful scenes, such as the one where Sam’s mom brings up masturbation at the wrong time.

So much humor in the film. Especially in the first half, where the human story predominates. A few actors have been specially cast for this, such as Sam’s parents and a surprising John Turturro (“Do the Right Thing”, “Barton Fink”, “The Big Lebowski”), who doesn’t often show his face in big productions like this one. . The ‘bad’ robot, which makes sounds a bit too human, is unbelievable and superfluous. This is where the old R2D2 trick has failed.

Of course the special effects are mindblowing. Never before have digital robots been visualized in such detail and so sharply. Best of all, they don’t look like animations at all (except when their ‘mouths’ move, small minus). The music is cliché, but fits the genre, deliberately over the top, and it starts before the opening credits. All the action is basically over the top, Michael Bay likes that, even more than Spielberg. Viaducts, houses and many other things are crushed as if it were nothing. It often rains cars and other vehicles, which is impressive in itself, but it gets boring after a while.

And something else that doesn’t detract much from the quality of the film, but which is worth mentioning in this time of war and violence: ‘Transformers’ does next to one big commercial for CMG, Nokia, Apple, Pontiac, Hummer, Pioneer, Ebay and not to forget Camaro, as a real propaganda film for the American army. This can give the film an aftertaste that is difficult to wash off. The army comes off great, is glorious, human and powerful and above all very often portrayed, of course supported by the appropriate music. Leni Riefenstahl would suck at it. Is ‘Transformers sponsored by the US Department of Defense? Who knows.

Finally: especially among the old Transformers fans there is a discussion about the fact that Michael Bay has neglected the construction and content of the ‘real’ Transformers from the popular 80s series on many fronts. But yes, the old series was intended for children. Not this new movie. And Michael Bay’s film is not looking for the audience then, but the audience of today, and rightly so. It produces a fine film, which, supported by a solid body of ancient storytelling techniques, takes the time to tell its story and keeps you on the edge of your seat for more than two hours. Top entertainment.