Jon Peters Reviews: “Transformers” (Blu-Ray)

The Film:

I want to post my initial reaction to ‘Transformers’ when I saw it last year, before I conclude with my thoughts on the film as of today. Here it is:
When the Hasbro logo flashed on the screen, I had to laugh. What a long way these outdated ’80s toys came from. Sure there were cartoons, but a big budget Hollywood tent pole film? Wow.

While it doesn’t sound like a promising idea, a movie based on a toy line, we are living in post-Pirates of the Caribbean world, where talented enough writers, directors, and crew can make a solid movie out of anything. Where “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe” crashed, “Pirates of the Caribbean” succeeded (even though that was based on a theme park ride, but hey, the point is there).

Let’s get one thing out right off the bat: the Transformers themselves are badass. The design, the look, the CGI, everything is just right. ILM has again outdone themselves with the special effects; most notably give these robots inertia and mass. Anytime the robots clash, it’s worth the ticket price. The action gets so chaotic its dizzying at times (typical Bay) but it’s all kind of fun.What isn’t fun is the hackneyed plot and campy acting. Sure the film is based on toys, but it relies too much on humor, bad humor, so much so it was too light-hearted and cheeky for its own good. Humor can be wonderful or even powerful, depending on how it’s used, but having Bernie Mac and Anthony Anderson give comedic cameos, ruins it. They’re just playing themselves.

The story seems a little too convoluted for its own good. We’re introduced to the military’s point of view, a shy nerdy kid whose family might have ties with Megatron, hackers trying to figure out a code, the Autobots back-story, and this Cube thing everyone’s after. It’s too much. It buckles and in hindsight, it should just focus on Shia LaBeouf’s character and the Autobots. The military segments seem almost obligatory in any ‘end of the world’ story and are here strictly here for padding.

My biggest pet peeve in film is when there’s an action sequence, instead of using a score or silence, filmmakers use the hottest new rock song or rap song. Same with “Transformers”. It’s not used for anything else, except to sell soundtracks. Look at Scorsese or Wes Andersen to see how using a pop song can be used to great effect.
More annoying that the Jar Jar Binks robot (I’m not even going to complain about him), is director Michael Bay. He’s the human punching bag on the internet; it’s easy to do and he subjects himself for us to do it, but I have to call him out. He’s essentially the greatest second unit director working, but is just a hack when there’s no action on screen. His greatest sin is being a sellout and using product placement. He was a product placing whore in “The Island”, and while not as bad here, there’s still eBay, Mountain Dew, iPod, Porsche, and video game references throughout. It’s all about the money and what the corporations wants, I guess, but for an audience, it’s too much consumerism.
Bay tops himself in creating top notch action but blows while trying to explain a compelling story. With Steven Spielberg as an executive producer, I’d thought he would teach him, guess not. Humans are cardboard cut outs to Bay. I can’t get too bent on Bay directing, we all knew what he is and not capable of.

What it all comes done to, is an over-hyped product, mass produced for all to consume, even though, sadly (I really mean it) the finished result was pretty generic. It makes a bold attempt to ascend above the dumbness, by having Optimus Prime sprout jumble about life and things, but at a time when its okay not to over think a film’s meaning, it adds that component in there, when all it really is, is a loud, dumb, toy movie. Wow.
Back to today: I still find the film silly and campy. Perhaps that was the intention of Bay and Paramount all along, but I just can’t stand how people so fiercely defend this. Granted, I’m not talking to film scholars, so I have a little fun with them on this (aren’t I a film snob?). For the general movie-going public, this film is absolutely awesome. I can easily see why; there’s humor, non-stop action, some favorite actors, and it’s a loud, simple movie to enjoy.

I have caught up with it again and I really hate the action scenes at the end. It’s overly flashy; loud and dumb, cruelly edited to a near incomprehensible state. I guess people love it, so have at it, but I hope they understand that loud, good action films can be funny and intelligent too, as seen in ‘Iron Man’ and ‘The Dark Knight’ this summer.

The Blu Ray:

Audio/Video: One of the feathers in the cap of the now dead HD-DVD was ‘Transformers’. The HD-DVD was true demo material and for some, the specifications here on the BD are vital. Luckily, there have been some awesome additions like a Dolby Digital Lossless track which simple rocks. This will beat your ears into submission. Visually, the details are impressive and clear. A possible re-mastering job was rumored and I personally do not know it that is the case, but this is one sweet looking disc. Bravo!

Commentary: Bay goes solo for this track and while I personally rip on him, he’s quite knowledgeable on filmmaking and provides a pretty good track.
Our World: This is a near hour long documentary on all things ‘Transformers’ from Hasbro executives discussing the development of the film over the years, with key players like Steven Spielberg and Bay weighing in on the film. If you’re a huge fan of the film, check this out.

Their War: This feature is longer than ‘Our World’ and covers the initial ideas for a toy line like ‘Transformers’ and the allure and coolness of it. I’m a child of the eighties and had numerous ‘Transformer’ toys. This is a bit long but equally cool and well worth the time watching.

More Than Meets the Eye: This is your usual effects piece covering the impressive work ILM did.

Other features include Tech Inspector, which you can use the remote to see different angles of the ‘bots, trailers, and the In Movie Experience, which is a pop-up video trivia track with interviews and comments during the film.
‘Transformers’ isn’t my film. It was my toy line but the chaotic editing and pop music over shots of Megan Fox ruin it for me. But as a Blu Ray, this is one incredible disc, filled with good extras, eye popping visuals, and room destroying audio. Paramount kindly rewards patient fans with a coupon to help ease the pain early Blu Ray adopters had when they bought the standard DVD since at the time Paramount was exclusive to HD-DVD. The coupon is a $10 back kind. Pretty cool.