Transformers is a 2007 American science fiction action film based on the Transformers toy line. The film, which combines computer animation with live-action, is directed by Michael Bay and produced by Steven Spielberg. It stars Shia LaBeouf as Sam Witwicky, a teenager involved in a war between the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons, two factions of alien robots who can disguise themselves by transforming into everyday machinery. The Decepticons desire control of the AllSpark, the object that created their robotic race, with the intention of using it to build an army by giving life to the machines of Earth. Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Jon Voight, Anthony Anderson and John Turturro also star, while voice-actors Peter Cullen and Hugo Weaving voice Optimus Prime and Megatron respectively.

Producers Don Murphy and Tom DeSanto developed the project in 2003, with a treatment written by DeSanto. Executive producer Steven Spielberg came on board the following year, hiring Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman. The United States Armed Forces and General Motors (GM) loaned vehicles and aircraft during filming, which saved money for the production and added realism to the battle scenes. Hasbro organized an enormous promotional campaign for the film, making deals with hundreds of companies. This advertising blitz included a viral marketing campaign, coordinated releases of prequel comic books, toys and books, as well as product placement deals with GM and eBay.

Transformers was a box office success despite mixed critical reaction to the radical redesigns of the characters, and reviews criticizing the focus on the humans at the expense of the robots. It is the thirty-seventh most successful film released and the fifth most successful of 2007, grossing approximately US$709 million worldwide. The film won four awards from the Visual Effects Society and was nominated for three Academy Awards for Best Sound, Best Visual Effects, and Best Sound Editing, which it lost to The Bourne Ultimatum and The Golden Compass, respectively.

A sequel, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, was released on June 24, 2009 to negative reviews but was a commercial success and grossed more than its predecessor. A third and final film, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, is set to release on June 29, 2011 in 3-D.

It's a pretty solid movie, but in all honesty I have no interest in seeing it again.

The best things were Shia's excellent performance, and some hilarious supporting roles, like the mother and Torturro's goverment agents. The film has a huge amount of goofy, offbeat humor. It's basicly just as much of a comedy as it is an action film. Effects were also very well done, as expected.

On the downside, the main storyline just isn't that interesting or involving. The film reveals it's mysteries way too early - It opens with Prime's backstory voiceover and shows the first robot battle in the first minutes. Too much to early, IMHO. It just takes off suspense from the story. And during the 3rd act it's clear what the good guys are trying to do, but it's not clear WHY they are trying to do it. They are trying to take the McGuffin from point A to point B, but why? It's not any safer in point B. And why exactly is Shia carrying the McGuffin, and not Prime? It would be much safer with Prime. It's just all really badly motivated, and as a result the story just goes meanders without proper emotional connection.

But I guess the biggest letdown is that the action scenes are essentialy quick cut collections of blurry close-ups. I'm not kidding when I say that 95% of action is like that. You get the general idea of what is supposed to be happening, but you don't actually SEE it. And that just kills all the fun. The action in this film NEVER made me go "wow". Because mostly all I could see was just motion blur. The action was also rather blandly written, there were no proper story beats in the scenes. It was just generic punch-shoot-punch-shoot stuff. I like to see a bit more imagination, coreograpy and smarts from my action

I guess it should also be mentioned that the suspense and tension were non-existant. I did like the characters, but the combination of constant goofy humor and lame action.

Meh. It's not a bad movie at all, but it's something that is instantly forgettable.

6.5/10.

No Sppoilers.

Agree with Tuuka - the action strangely was one of the most lacking aspects of the film - all because of the Bay quick cuts. Its disturbing and you can barely see which robots are battling in some instances. That prevents it from being "great" IMO. Thats why some of the Machine vs human scenes - ie. in the desert tend to work better than machine on machine. It also shows how Bay managed to keep the budget down compared to say Spidey or Pirates. The suspense is there early on - but it does lose steam when the big action scenes hit.

Funnily the action sequences reminded me of posters here on KJ because they were HUGE versions of the little avatars that have been on the site for the last two months

Well thats the bad news really.

The good news is that the film looks good. Transformers in motion (especially deseptacons) are stunning. Starscream a standout - but unfortunately doesnt get much screen time. That honour goes to Bumblebee and OP. OP is exactly how i'd imagined him to be and Bumblebee is really the heart of the film. All scenes involving him are gold IMO. Megatron is impressive - though would have liked to see more character development there.

The human story - in the desert or back in the US is actually entertaining. Shia is great in the role and Megan Fox is just stunning (especially when she opens up the hood of the Camaro )

John Turturro is a surprising delight in this. Whacky in his Pacino impersonation.

A word of caution - lower you expectations just a tad. I dont like saying that - but the film will be more enjoyable that way.

Grade : A (Overall its still satisfying). I will view it again and then re-assess the grade.

Informative review.

Glad to see you enjoyed it Gez

Am I the only one who thought that the best part of this movie was not the action or F/X, but the comedy? Seriously...like, if it wasn't for the comedy, I think I wouldn't have actually liked the film.

Because it's already at 2

Did anyone else's crowd go nuts when Bernie Mac came on screen? Mine went nuts.

Bernie Mac >>> Larry The Cable Guy

BTW, Frenzy/Shockwave was fuckin' strange. I understand the attraction of having a human-sized decepticon but still, fuckin' strange.