Transformers (Two-Disc Special Edition)
by Michael Bay
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DVD details
Actor: Hugo Weaving, Jon Voight, Megan Fox, Shia LaBeouf, Tyrese GibsonDirector: Michael Bay
Brand: TransFormers
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 5.1; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; Spanish (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; French (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 5.1; Spanish (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 5.1
Format: NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 144 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-10-16
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Dreamworks Video
DVD Reviews of Transformers (Two-Disc Special Edition)
DVD Review: [TRANSFORMERS] - [DVD REVIEW]
Summary: 5 Stars
When the time finally came for this film to come out, the euphoria of the hype had suddenly left my system and thus the all to familiar feeling of dread overcame me. Part of me told me 'not to worry, its Transformers. How can it suck?' Nevertheless I dove into the shallow pit of the abyss and plunked my bottom in a seat unoccupied by bubblegum and the movie began.
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[The Plot]:
The plot is true to Transformers mythos; Two factions (Autobots and Decepticons) battling over one powerful source necessary to either's agenda and survival. Immeasurable years ago, an artifact known only as the "All Spark" created the planet Cybertron and with it the life forms that would be known as "Transformers". For time there was peace, but through a series of unseen events, a civil war breaks out and consumes the world of Cybertron. The Autobots launch the All Spark into the farthest reaches of space, in hopes that the Decepticons would never find it.
But fate had other plans, it seems...
Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) is on a mission to get his very first car; Bobby Boliva (Bernnie Mac) --- despite not knowing the origin of the vehicle --- sells him a rusty and faded 1977 Chevrolet Camaro, which ironically turns out an Robot in disguise. With a wreck of a car in hand, Sam attempts to win the heart of the high-school beauty, Mikeala Banes (Megan Fox), a longtime crush of his. However, one night Sam wakes up to his car being 'stolen' and ends up bearing witness to his vehicle transforming into a giant robot. Things from there, don't go so well for Sam.
Meanwhile, the Decepticons finally pinpoint the location of their desired target and his Ancestor's [Archibald Witwicky] glasses. Sam and Mikaela find themselves caught in the middle of an age old war that will decide the fate of their and the Transformer's planet alike. Thus, the movie introduces a frenzied host of characters, Decepticon, Autobot, and Human alike. All of which play more or less important roles in the film.
[Overview]:
Sufficed to say, Transformers, is one amazing movie, by far the best film released in 2007. Michael Bay has finally hit his highest mark and is nearly welcomed by Transformer Fans and general audiences alike. He, along with help of others, bring this movie to life in such an unimaginable way, I was left reeling from shock and amazement. The action sequences are absolutely stunning and true to Michael Bay's style of direction. The very moment Barricade transforms and Bumblebee comes racing out of the smoke to the instrumental version of "Pretty Handsome Awkward", the entire theater, including myself, went wild. Jason Broune movies aside, it was like the freaking revitalization of the Car Chase, man!
The CGI utilized in this film blows everything else past and present, out of the water. The way the Transformers seamlessly blend in with real world environment was stunning, notably during the scene in which the Autobots stand atop the observatory, debating over Bumblebee and the fate of the human race. They moved flawlessly, and rapidly during battles. Certainly a Oscar worthy animation, though I doubt the suits would even give it an honorable mention. On that note, the revamp of the overall look of the Transformers, was a smart move on Michael Bay's part. Illustrator, Ben Procter, creates stunningly realistic models of our heroes and villains, that are equally majestic and menacing in their own way.
The emotional impact, coupled with the score composed by Steve Jablonsky is simply breath-taking. He knows what mofits or themes to use in every scene. The emotional range of his music if felt in sequences using themes like "Arrival", "Bumblebee's capture" (a powerful moment between Sam and his guardian), and the major and most original theme I've heard this year, "Decepticons". Thankfully, though, Jablonsky is not all action and drama. A quirky theme, via "Sam at the Lake" is a joy to listen to. Overall, it mirrors the humor and drama, along with militaristic atmosphere of Bay's previous films as well as Hans Zimmer's other compositions, but never detracts from the fact that its Jablonsky own composition. I totally recommend picking up the score, its an excellent standalone.
[Voice Acting]:
The opening narrative sets the mood for the entire movie and to hear Optimus Prime's (Peter Cullen) voice echoing around me was like listening to an old friend you hadn't seen in ages. He certainly sounds different from when I last heard him (2003 officially), wiser I suppose, but I'm not complaining. At first, I was disappointed that didn't use the equally charismatic Gary Chalk of Beast Wars Fame (he was my favorite before I remembered Cullen), but when watching this movie, I understand why Peter Cullen was recruited to reprise his role as the sympathetic leader of Auotbots. His deliverly of the quote "Sorry, my bad", had me doing a double-take, big time.
When introduced, it takes a while to get used to the voice actors for the other Autobots. I found it ironic that I immediately took to Jess Harnell as Barricade but took my time getting used to him as Ironhide. I loved Robert Foxworth as Ratchet, his gravely-like tone just suited the character so well. Darius McCrary as Jazz was the one I had the hardest time accepting. It wasn't his acting, that was fine, it was more or less his accent --- "What's crackin', little bitches?" had me frowning immediately ---, was more akin to the 'ghetto accent' I've heard all my life (no racism implication intended). I wondered why they didn't use "Scatman" Crothers, until my parents informed me that he had died in 1986. I felt kinda silly then.
But on my second viewing, I was more or less used to McCary as Jazz, it suits the personality overall. Mark Ryan as Bumblebee, which is only heard for a few seconds, threw me for a loop. Given his seemingly energetic and youthful behavior --when he's not kicking Deceptichops --- supposedly based on Michael J. Fox's performance in Back to the Future, I thought the youngest Autobot would've sounded like Judd Nelson's Hot Rod in the 1986 movie. Instead you hear this cultured, aged voice coming out his repaired voice box. It takes some getting used to, but in retrospect, I think it suits his character quite well now.
When concerning the Decepticons the voices used are few and sometimes not heard long enough to judge properly. Hugo Weaving as Megatron, though distorted, suits the more menacing version of Megatron. The first time I heard him, I couldn't believe it was him. However, there are moments in which you can hear Weaving's accent in lines like "Is is fear or Courage that Compells you?". He was the perfect counterpart to Cullen's Prime. Charlie Adler as Starscream was a decent portrayal, though like Ryan, has a few lines, so I cannot properly gauge his performance beyond 'decent'. Reno Wilson as Frenzy, was entirely enjoyable. From his indecipherable gibbering, and high-pitched screams, I just couldn't get enough of him, he was a riot! And lastly, Jamie Wood .... as, well, Bonecrusher, makes a perfect guttural growl for the violent Decepticon, given he has no lines whatsoever. He sent shivers down my spine, that much is for certain. The electronics provided for Blackout, Scorponok, and Devastator, were only just too cool.
[Live Action Acting]:
With Shia LaBeouf's enormous success in the movies, I am simply amazed by how far he's come since Even Stevens. As Sam Witwicky, his comedic and dramatic performances shine through and were simply enjoyable. His interaction with the CGI Bumblebee and the Autobots/Decepticons was utterly convincing. You could actually sense a relationship between him and his non-existent counterparts. His chemistry with Megan Fox was believable, quirky even, at times.
Megan Fox herself defies the limitations of her role as Mikeala Banes, time and time again, dramatically, comedic-wise, and especially in action sequences. I've never liked Josh Duhamel, but as Capt. William Lennox, I can easily say its the only time I found myself enjoying his presence on the screen. Tyrese Gibson as Sgt. Epps, was just as likeable, especially. Thankfully, his performance keeps away from Will Smith-like characterizations in movies like "Independence Day" and "Bad Boys."
Jon Voight and John Turturro as Secretary of Defense John Keller and Agent Simmons played decent government officials; Turturro was a riot, Voight's accent reminded me far too much of our President (who even makes a mock-appearance in the film). Rachel Taylor and Anthony Anderson as Maggie Madsen and Glen Whitmann, made decent characters you would've liked to see more of. Anderson made more of a convincing Hacker than Talyor did an Annalist, though the way she rambled things off in her Aussie Accent, which I'm glad they let her use, is simply a joy to listen to.
Others like Kevin Dunn, Julie White (Ron and Judy Witwicky), Michael O'Neill (Tom Banachek, The head of Sector 7), and Bernie Mac (Bobby Bolivia) were all convincing in their contrasting roles that either moved to the film forward or just made you laugh. Even Amaury Nolasco (Figueroa) with his quirky Spanish speaking character and Zack Ward (First Sgt Donnelly), who gets killed yet again, were enjoyable characters in their brief appearances.
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All in all, if your looking for the ultimate Summer Movie, Michael Bay's Transformers is the one to watch. If not, stick to the movies before and after its advent. --- [a 5 out of 5].
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Theatrical Review (For: 7/6/07 and 7/19/07 viewings)]: Written: 8/1/07
Description of Transformers (Two-Disc Special Edition)
From director Michael Bay and executive producer Steven Spielberg comes a thrilling battle between the heroic Autobots® and the evil Decepticons®. When their epic struggle comes to Earth, all that stands between the Decepticons® and ultimate power is a clue held by young Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf). Unaware that he is mankind?s last chance for survival, Sam and Bumblebee, his robot disguised as a car, are in a heart-pounding race against an enemy unlike anything anyone has seen before. It?s the incredible, breath-taking film spectacular that USA Today says "will appeal to the kid in all of us.""I bought a car. Turned out to be an alien robot. Who knew?" deadpans Sam Witwicky, hero and human heart of Michael Bay's rollicking robot-smackdown fest, Transformers. Witwicky (the sweetly nerdy Shia LaBeouf, channeling a young John Cusack) is the perfect counterpoint to the nearly nonstop exhilarating action. The plot is simple: an alien civil war (the Autobots vs. the evil Decepticons) has spilled onto Earth, and young Sam is caught in the fray by his newly purchased souped-up Camaro. Which has a mind--and identity, as a noble-warrior robot named Bumblebee--of its own. The effects, especially the mind-blowing transformations of the robots into their earthly forms and back again, are stellar.
Fans of the earlier film and TV series will be thrilled at this cutting-edge incarnation, but this version should please all fans of high-adrenaline action. Director Bay gleefully salts the movie with homages to pop-culture touchstones like Raiders of the Lost Ark, King Kong, and the early technothriller WarGames. The actors, though clearly all supporting those kickass robots, are uniformly on-target, including the dashing Josh Duhamel as a U.S. Army sergeant fighting an enemy he never anticipated; Jon Voight, as a tough yet sympathetic Secretary of Defense in over his head; and John Turturro, whose special agent manages to be confidently unctuous, even stripped to his undies. But the film belongs to Bumblebee, Optimus Prime, and the dastardly Megatron--and the wicked stunts they collide in all over the globe. Long live Transformers! --A.T. Hurley
On the DVD
The special edition of Transformers is packed with extras (and more than a few product placements for Hasbro). The entire second disc is devoted to featurettes on aspects of making the technical tour-de-force--and the land mines involved in tinkering with a beloved '80s franchise. Executive producer Steven Spielberg is very much a part of the proceedings, from his introductory comments ("I think everybody likes the idea of taking something you're familiar with and turning it into something you're not so familiar with--like an 18-wheeler become Optimus Prime") to mentions of his films that influenced this one, like E.T. and Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
Director Michael Bay is brash and entertaining as he talks about his initial reluctance to take on the project, his indoctrination at "Transformers U" at Hasbro, and his enthusiasm for guerrilla-style action filmmaking. Star Shia LaBoeuf says, "He is the sickest action director" out there, and there's plenty of evidence here to support that. Other great highlights include features on how key scenes were shot, including the heart-pounding desert battle and the shootout in the streets of downtown L.A.--adrenaline-pumping stuff, even without the Transformers CGI'd in. --A.T. Hurley
More Than Meets the Eye
 The Original Movie |  Transformers Mania |  The Soundtrack |
Transformers Image Gallery (click for larger image)
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