Transformers Dark of the Moon

Now that’s what you call a partnership!!! We are talking about Steven Spielberg and Michael Bay. And the reason I am gushing over this is because of the common sensical approach to making sequels which most people seem to have forgotten. Retain the director for all parts!!!! The same reason why an X Men turns out to be average is the reason why Transformers turns out to be executed with a significant amount of consistency. By now, Bay knows the concept of The Transformers so well that making one more would be a mechanical effort – almost robotic. One may argue that it gets boring for audiences but it would be quite contrary. A person who knows the concept inside out would be able to experiment equally well and do justice to the end product. On the other hand, someone who comes in fresh not only may struggle to do justice but also be working under the pressure of the performance of the previous movies. I take X Men as a classic example because it is just obvious. The last 3 directors have failed to get X Men upto the level that Bryan Singer took it to.

Transformers : Dark of the Moon, in all honesty has one of the corniest build ups that I have seen in cinema to date. It starts off on the premise that the mission to put man on the moon wasn’t driven by some desire to see the moon but more so because of an alien aircraft crashing into it. This was way back in the 60s. It also puts forward that the Russians could not get man on the moon but did get a camera which got some good shots of this space craft. The last corny part was that the Chernobyl disaster was caused by Aliens. Once we get these trivial parts of the build up out of the way, the movie picks up pace. And how. The space craft is actually an Autobot craft designed and piloted by the legendary Sentinel Prime (Leonard Nimoy) and the mission is initiated to retrieve the aircraft. It leads to the discovery of 5 pillars but when Sentinel awakes he informs the team that there were hundreds of these pillars. No wonder that Megatron is interested in the entire concept. Probably his last chance to take control of Earth or Cybertron.

Like the previous 2 movies, this one too is nearly 2.5 hours and the first 30 minutes is quite wasted in the long build up. As mentioned earlier, it does pick up pace but I personally believe that neither of the movies deserved more than 90 minutes of overall time. That Michael Bay can hold your attention for so long is credit to his directing capabilities. Also, I wonder what was the need to end the relationship that Sam (Shia Le Bouf) had with Mikaela (Megan Fox) and replace it with the fresh and “amazingly hot but don’t know whats wrong with her face” Rosie Huntington-Whiteley – don’t get me wrong folks, I think she is hot alright but was there a need to change the eye candy as such. Didn’t quite understand the reason. Overall, entertaining and as good as the first part, Transformers Dark of the Moon is a must watch @ 7 on 10

Watch the trailer at http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi543989017/

Transformers Revenge of the Fallen

It was quite obvious at the end of the first edition of Transformers in 2007 that the sequel was only a matter of time away. And 2 years from the original is near perfect timing for any sequel. Not a rocket scientist in these matters but it kind of gives enough runway for the movie to settle down in people’s minds and with the correct marketing that starts about 6 months before the sequel you have created a solid platform to cash in on the hype that is created. All of this of course on the back of a successful first movie of course. And Transformers 1 left quite a mark on most of its audiences with superb use of special effects and more importantly, a tech breed of super heroes which no one has seen before. And especially so in India where the Hasbro Toys probably went on sale only after the movie released. I am not sure if the comic books were in circulation before. I hadn’t heard about the Transformers till I saw the movie – probably a deprived childhood I guess ;).

Transformers – Revenge of the Fallen (TROTF) takes us back a few millennia where the ancestors of the current Transformers have been searching the universe for more sources of Energon - Energon is the life source of inhabitants of Cybertron in case you have forgotten, through something called the All Spark. The Dynasty of Primes as they are called – probably because they were the first few ones – built a machine that would go from planet to planet and harverst / drain the energy from the suns / stars of the respective planets and convert it to Energon which would power the All Spark. They also decide that all life bearing planets would not be used for this purpose. However, one Prime decided that it was a silly rule and constructed a harvester on earth. Needless to say, the rest of the Dynasty wasn’t too pleased with this and tried to stop him. Left with no choice, they take the Matrix of Leadership – the key to the harvester – and hide it in a secret location. To protect it further, they build a tomb around it with their own bodies thereby making it untraceable. The defector Prime has since been dubbed – The Fallen. The dynasty does leave some clues about its existence through some markings and that’s where our heroes Sam (Shia LeBouf) and Optimus Prime (Peter Cullen) come in. The former to crack the code and find the matrix. The latter because only a Prime can kill The Fallen.

TROTF would make one believe that it has almost been inspired in Star Wars style where in Episode 5, The Empire Strikes Back. Also clearly indicating in Star Wars style that there will be another one to follow where the “Jedi Return” in all probability. One would not be too far away from the truth but the essence of the 2nd edition, I believe is to familiarize people with what happened before and more importantly set you all up for a fantastic 3rd edition. Not a movie with stellar performances in any way. Just brilliant effects on lines of the first edition. Continued emphasis on sound which was the hallmark of the first edition and continues to be so even in TROTF. Whether the 3rd one turns out to be as good as part 1 or better remains to be seen. Transformers – Dark of the Moon releases today in India. Considering that the combination of Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg are still involved, I am betting on it being as good as the ones before. TROTF gets a 6 on 10 from my side. Little lower than the first part but quite solid.

Watch the trailer of TROTF at http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2982019609/ and TDOTM at http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi543989017/

Transformers

Four years since the first edition of Transformers too this world by storm if I were to put it very mildly. The world was introduced to characters which weren’t seen before and which were fascinating and unimaginable to say the least. Cars which converted themselves to robots which were larger than life itself and ditto for airplanes and cranes in fact anything to do with automobiles. We were introduced to the fascinating existence of Cybertron and its inhabitants – The Autobots led by Optimus Prime and The Decepticons led by the vicious Megatron. As the story goes, a war between the 2 major tribes or so to speak in a galaxy far far away leads the Autobots to flee with their immense source of power – the AllSpark – and hide it in our very own planet earth. The All Spark has the immense capability of giving life to all technology be it a mixer grinder or an air conditioner or a computer. All of this was over 150 years back. In the current day, the Autobots are back to claim what was rightfully theirs in the first place – The All Spark – and yet again, they are not alone coz the Decepticons have gladly joined the party. Fasten your seat belts folks cause if you haven’t seen this one then you have missed one of the best ever Sci Fi / Action movies made to date.

Steven Spielberg could not have picked up a better person to direct the first of his trilogy (to date and hopefully many many more to come). Michael Bay shot to fame with Bad Boys and then The Rock. It wasn’t surprising because not too often do you see a director of an action movie paying as much attention to detail as Michael Bay. He makes use of sound like very few other directors that I have seen – not that I have seen too many very honestly but the use of sound in Transformers especially when the Autobots actually Transform themselves is quite superb. The special effects with Michael Bay are unquestionable and without them it would obviously be impossible to get Transformers to life. All of this was from a bunch of toys which eventually got converted to a comic book series – Incredible!!!!

Don’t look out for much on the acting front although Shia Le Bouf is definitely quite solid. Wonder how they got Hugo Weaving’s voice to sound like it does through Megatron. Amazingly eerie. Megan Fox provides the required levels of eye candy (sizzling eye candy actually).

All in all, Transformers has shows right from the first release that there is room for a sequel and considering that Spielberg had the foresight to sign up Bay for 3 editions, we are on the verge of the release of Transformers Dark of the Moon tomorrow. Have a wonderful time folks. Transformers I gets a 7 on 10 from my side. Hope TDOM is as good.

Watch the trailer at http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi973209625/ and that of and TDOTM at http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi543989017/