Did the Transformers movie suck or not? [Archive] - HissTank.com

RolandofGilead

07-28-2008, 06:59 PM

I loved the movie. I'm not much of a TF fan. I have a feeling that if I was as die hard about TF that I'm about GI JOE, I prolly would have hated it.

I think you've hit the point. My wife loved this movie and that's rare for her because she doesn't like most sci-fi/fantasy films at all and she's never been a Transfoermers fan. Meanwhile, I'm a huge Transformers fan, and I really didn't like much of the film. Perhaps I'm just carrying around too much baggage where the Transformers are concerned to see it as just another action film, but there you go.

C.I.A.D.

07-28-2008, 06:59 PM

As a pretty big Transformers fan, I can say that while it was not perfect, it was still pretty good.

My feelings exactly. I'll be the first to admit that I was a BIG TIME hater when I first saw the pre-lim pictures that were floating around the 'net.

After seeing the movie though, it was very fun to watch. Sure, it wasn't the TF I grew up with and it wasn't what I was expecting, but it was a fun movie to watch none-the-less. I'm really looking forward to pt. 2.

As for how it will relate in the Joe Movie...Delta, not sure if you saw the TF movie, but there are scenes when the Military is fighting the TFs, and I kept thinking to myself how wicked it was because you can "see" those being Joe characters & Joe vehicles. That's just me though, people may have thought of it differently.

Deckard

07-28-2008, 07:00 PM

well given everything i have seen read and heard on the new joe movie, im equating it to the ranks of Resident evil. IMO those movies sucked hoprribly but many people liked em. I think the Joe Movie will be the same. Now had resident evil not been called resident evil but not even tried to be part of the Resident evil universe the movies may have had a much more positive review and i think the same can be said of GI JOE. IF they had not tried to tie it into or make it in the joe universe I think the movie may have had a lot less cirtical reviews from many a fans and non fans alike. I mean lets face it most action films get crapped reviews but I do Remember when the First Pitch Black movie came out...it was actually given GOOD critical review and was one helluva kick ass film. But given this movie carries the name GI JOE and has really met sub-par standards at best I think those who know NOTHING of joe history in any way will enjoy it and That is who their target audience is. Those who know JOE history but just wanna see a film may also find it enjoyable wereas many, myself included, feel personally disgusted with the changes made and will never step foot ina theater to see this. Other may..I personally will not. Its too non-joe for me to enjoy it and I cannot stand the changes to character history and back grounds, interwovens stuff etc... that they have made. Just my View on it all.

Duffmann

07-28-2008, 07:00 PM

I liked the movie it was pretty good but I was never a huge TF's fan.

apacolypse

07-28-2008, 07:02 PM

I liked it...but as others have stated I am not a big TF fan.

I'm not too enthused with the animated toon though.

gba88

07-28-2008, 07:03 PM

I'm a huge TF fan, and I thought the movie kind of sucked. I voted neutral though because it wasn't unbearable or anything. My biggest gripe was with the alien looking take on the TFs themselves.

What made the movie cheap IMO was the "comic relief" they tried to inject into it. Kind of stupid sexual oriented jokes and things like that.

Bermuda Mohawk

07-28-2008, 07:03 PM

I thought it was an entertaining movie, worth the $5 I paid.

As a Transformers film I thought it was crap.

gunslingercbr

07-28-2008, 07:09 PM

it was good. delivered what I expected from a Transformers movie.

Cavbeast

07-28-2008, 07:12 PM

It was a good popcorn movie. The End.

As a Transformers Fan, it sucked.
The autobots were hunting the Decepticons, only to get their butts handed to them in the big battle only to have the day saved by Even Stevens.
The death of ...excuse me stasis lock/damaging effects/offline of Jazz (due to the rumors that he's coming back) was a minor footnote and there was no sense of loss for a fallen comrade.
Anthony Anderson's annoying role, we have people in movie theaters for that role, get it off the screen.
Barricade disappearing at the end of the film, he was not in the final city battle, Spike outs him on the highway and he takes off, WTH people ?!?!

And the most unforgiveable sin...Frank Welker nor David Kaye was the voice of Megatron. We did not get the DIE!!!!!! from the Transformers the Movie nor the chewing the scene Beast Wars Megs. Nooooo we got Agent Megs Smith. If they cast Keanu Reeves as Beachcomber I will laugh my butt off in the theater when he says "Whoa!"

TheTransTorture

07-28-2008, 07:13 PM

I'm a TF fan.
I'm not much of a movie buff.
I'm not big on internet hype & other peoples opinions on things they've never seen before.
I wanted to see the movie without a polluted frame of mind.
So I ignored any & all discussion about it.
I went to go see it with an open mind, expecting to see a good movie - NOTHING ELSE.
I enjoyed it & went to see it again @ IMAX...and bought the DVD.
I will do the same for the GI Joe movie.
I will expect to see a good movie - NOTHING ELSE.

Ronnie Dobbs

07-28-2008, 07:36 PM

I'm a Ginormous TF fan. Equally a fanatic to TF as I am to G.I.JOE. They are equal in my book.

The TFs movie could have been soooo much better if they had followed the originals just a little bit more. There were aspects of the movie that could have been changed to more resemble the original TFs. (not just looks, but concepts as well)

The movie would have been just as successful even if they would have made it a little more G1.

I enjoyed the movie to a degree, but it was not what I wanted in terms of live action TFs. They fucked it up quite a bit, but it's still an entertaining movie.

G.I.JOE will be better IMO. However the part that bothers me is that the actors don't seem to be taking it very seriously.

Joseph Gordon Levvit says I'm playing an action figure in this movie.
To me that is a retarded statement.

But that's just me.

spacemonkeymafia

07-28-2008, 07:41 PM

Cavbeast

07-28-2008, 07:47 PM

Joseph Gordon Levvit says I'm playing an action figure in this movie.
To me that is a retarded statement.

But that's just me.

Actually that's not just you, that would happen when the cast includes a child/tween actor (JGL), a model/dancer turned actor, and a dj/comic/WRITER of 2 out of insert number of the Scary movies. Quaid is a mixed bag but gives me hope, and bringing in Ray Park as Snake Eyes is a no-brainer.

So I'm predicting this is better than Transformers.

Ronnie Dobbs

07-28-2008, 07:53 PM

What killed me was Bay saying something about them being Blocky and it wouldnt work......so he made them look the way they did...........but take this Video with some more money it could have been fine tuned to be just as good as the bots we got..........

YouTube - Transformers Universe - They were always real to me! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sad0wmAcRzQ)

If you hadnt see it give it a sec to switch over from cartoon to CGI......

Well he didn't say it wouldn't work. He said he just flat out didn't like the Blocky designs, so he ignored them. He also said he wanted the robots to be fast and fluid. Able to move around like a Ninja, instead of a hulking clunky mass of metal.

I myself personally wouldn't want a carbon copy of the cartoon. I just think that Bay could have met the fans half way in terms of Blocky-ness. A cross between Blocky and the sharp sleek movie styled bots.

It could have totally worked, but Bay didn't even think twice.

Here's a perfect example of what I'm talking about when I say a cross between.

This would have been 1000000 times better, and the movie still would have made a boat load of money.

Movie Hound Prelim. Sketch by ~Jamie-Egerton on deviantART (http://jamie-egerton.deviantart.com/art/Movie-Hound-Prelim-Sketch-83708686)

Omegawrath

07-28-2008, 07:56 PM

Transformers was an enjoyable film. It wasn't a very faithful adaptation of it's source material and for that reason it was not the Transformers movie I wanted.

This is also the reason that I have been so vocal about the GI Joe movie and the choices that have been made.

The only thing it would take at THIS point to satisfy me is a morror-mask and/or hood on a certain Commander of Cobra.

That's not gonna happen. I mean it's conceivable, but I find that I am constantly shouted down as a hate-filled rabble-rouser if I try to open up those sorts of discussions.

This will not be the GI Joe movie I wanted. It will PROBABLY be more faithful and more fan-friendly than Transformers, but only by a narrow margin.

The Transformers movie showed us that they will make small but important changes up to the 11th hour.

Personally, I would have preferred another G1 Animated film to the movie that was made. Maybe a CGI movie entirely on Cybertron or in space.

As for GI Joe? Same thing. I guess Resolute kind of fills that gap, so I'm looking forward with anticipation to this weird but cool looking GI Joe movie.

Ronnie Dobbs

07-28-2008, 07:57 PM

Actually that's not just you, that would happen when the cast includes a child/tween actor (JGL), a model/dancer turned actor, and a dj/comic/WRITER of 2 out of insert number of the Scary movies. Quaid is a mixed bag but gives me hope, and bringing in Ray Park as Snake Eyes is a no-brainer.

So I'm predicting this is better than Transformers.

At the core of it, G.I.JOE is pretty good ongoing story. It could translate well into reality, if you don't look at it as only a toy. IMO.

Larry Hama is a genious.

Ronnie Dobbs

07-28-2008, 08:01 PM

TheLongestDay

07-28-2008, 08:02 PM

loved it-accepted the changes and had fun with it.

Its funny,i think the whole argument for fans saying Ripcord should be Stalker is like saying Frenzy should have been Soundwave...

Ronnie Dobbs

07-28-2008, 08:05 PM

loved it-accepted the changes and had fun with it.

Its funny,i think the whole argument for fans saying Ripcord should be Stalker is like saying Frenzy should have been Soundwave...

Personally I see no reason to change ethnicity of a character who's been established already for the past 26 years.

It's totally unneccesary IMO.

Omegawrath

07-28-2008, 08:18 PM

Omega!

What's happnin?

So this is where you've been hiding. lol!

It's me Brawn.

NICE!

I thought I told everyone I was over here. I was kind of wondering why I hadn't run into you.

No one cares enough to make the Motor Pool go. So I kind of gave up and came here.

They only delete some of my posts here, and most of the people are pretty friendly most of the time.

The format here is great and the news rolls in. The staff rocks when they're not expunging posts that took me an hour to type.

Crimson Rage

07-28-2008, 08:21 PM

I enjoyed Transformers. I can't say any more than that.

I also loved "Fiend Without a Face" and "Trollenberg Terror" - Were they great films in the accepted sense? Hardly.
I hated the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy - Does that mean it 'sucked'? Probably not.
So I'd never presume to judge 'quality' by my own personal tastes. If I derive pleasure from a film I consider it a success.
That's how I rate any movie and GI Joe will be no different, no matter what's been changed.

Omegawrath

07-28-2008, 08:29 PM

The Ripcord thing is easily dismissed. He's a great character, but if we all can't even agree whether HAWK is blonde or brown-haired, then I don't see a reason why Rip can't be a black dude.

That doesn't bother me in the slightest except for another small inconsistency with my figures. There's a blonde and Native American version of Airborne for that matter.

I just think that taking a look that is COMPLETELY UNIQUE to ALL OF COMICDOM, CARTOONDOM AND ACTION FIGURE-DOM and abandoning it for something that some hollywood dude decides "looks cool" would be a hideous mistake. The Joker still has his white face and purple suit. Magneto had a variation on his classic helm. The Punisher wore a skull. Doc Doom had his mask (or Destro's).

Why take a character that is JUST finally receiving recognition as an icon and discard his unique appearance in favor of making him resemble something else?

The greatest successes come from the most practical of risks.

TheLongestDay

07-28-2008, 08:30 PM

Personally I see no reason to change ethnicity of a character who's been established already for the past 26 years.

It's totally unneccesary IMO.

that wasnt the point i was making,it seems just because Wayans is in the movie and hes a black guy people think he should be stalker even though his character is NOTHING like Stalker.

Its like Frenzy,he was a boombox like Soundwave but his character was totally different.

I see the Ripcord character as a very unimportant one so i dont really care how hollywood uses him-they obviously needed a character type and had the actor they wanted and couldnt find a pre-existing character that really fit the bill so they just picked a name of a relatively unknown joe.Its just not a big concern for me-everything else seems spot on IMO

spacemonkeymafia

07-28-2008, 08:39 PM

Well he didn't say it wouldn't work. He said he just flat out didn't like the Blocky designs, so he ignored them. He also said he wanted the robots to be fast and fluid. Able to move around like a Ninja, instead of a hulking clunky mass of metal.

I myself personally wouldn't want a carbon copy of the cartoon. I just think that Bay could have met the fans half way in terms of Blocky-ness. A cross between Blocky and the sharp sleek movie styled bots.

It could have totally worked, but Bay didn't even think twice.

Here's a perfect example of what I'm talking about when I say a cross between.

This would have been 1000000 times better, and the movie still would have made a boat load of money.

Movie Hound Prelim. Sketch by ~Jamie-Egerton on deviantART (http://jamie-egerton.deviantart.com/art/Movie-Hound-Prelim-Sketch-83708686)

How would being blocky slow them down though??? They are robots from another planet reality at least in Bays mind went out the window..........Beside they are giant robots....Im sure the gears and pullys in there legs would make them faster than anything on earth.........

Golobulous

07-28-2008, 08:54 PM

i agree with the above post although i loved transformers

this is how i feel about gi joe as well. so okay we they are all wearing power suits and such, why not let them wear something "similar" to there original uniforms at some point in the movie, or at least have destro in his mask. i just wonder why destro can't be in his mask, that makes no sense. i guess snake eyes wearing his original gear is joes "optimus prime". which to me the best part of the transformers movie was optimus prime. again i am going to withhold judgement on the rise of cobra until i see it. then i will know if it is crap or not. i thought from all the pre movie picks of tf that it was going to stink and it was awesome

delta

07-28-2008, 10:34 PM

Wow the results of this pole suprise me to say the least.

Zefram

07-28-2008, 10:43 PM

Okay, everyone just explain to me one thing.

How is it the only Autobot to die was the black dude (Jazz)?

I mean, seriously?

TheTransTorture

07-28-2008, 10:53 PM

Okay, everyone just explain to me one thing.

How is it the only Autobot to die was the black dude (Jazz)?

I mean, seriously?He wasn't "a black dude" he was a robot that chose the voice of "a black dude".
Thats like saying Darth Vader was a black dude.

doomed huh

07-28-2008, 10:58 PM

I thought that it sucked.

It was an hour into it before the transformers really show up in the movie. Most of it didn't really feel like a transformers movie.

The villains were poorly developed. Megatron was reduced to a screaming monster.

I didn't like the designs. They were too busy and over thought. Too many of the transformers looked like a big glob of jagged metal. They needed to be a little more simple and iconic looking.

Zefram

07-28-2008, 11:05 PM

He wasn't "a black dude" he was a robot that chose the voice of "a black dude".
Thats like saying Darth Vader was a black dude.

You're splitting hairs, dude. Me and every single friend I have in the hood were either laughing or just shaking our heads when we saw that. It's so blatant it was almost self-parody.

Jazz: "Wait! I'm not even black! I'm a robot with a cartoonish parody of what white people think black folk sound like! Why do I have to die?"
Bay: "Sorry, brother, unwritten Hollywood rule #64." :D

Monkeywrench

07-28-2008, 11:08 PM

Personally I see no reason to change ethnicity of a character who's been established already for the past 26 years.

It's totally unneccesary IMO.

I agree completely. I don't mind that a wayans bro is in the movie but why can't he play Stalker or even Roadblock.

Monkeywrench

07-28-2008, 11:09 PM

Okay, everyone just explain to me one thing.

How is it the only Autobot to die was the black dude (Jazz)?

I mean, seriously?

one could only hope they kill off ripcord so we can get better "black dudes" in the sequel. For christ sake I'll take iceberg.

Monkeywrench

07-28-2008, 11:13 PM

that wasnt the point i was making,it seems just because Wayans is in the movie and hes a black guy people think he should be stalker even though his character is NOTHING like Stalker.

Its like Frenzy,he was a boombox like Soundwave but his character was totally different.

I see the Ripcord character as a very unimportant one so i dont really care how hollywood uses him-they obviously needed a character type and had the actor they wanted and couldnt find a pre-existing character that really fit the bill so they just picked a name of a relatively unknown joe.Its just not a big concern for me-everything else seems spot on IMO

I understand your point. What I don't get is that they have 26 years of history and after reading the script online, they basically just pissed on that 26 years and did there own thing.

Golobulous

07-28-2008, 11:15 PM

i thought the human element of the film was not overdone, also how do you figure the robots did not show up until halfway through the film, bumblebee was there from the beginning, as well as the attack on the middle eastern base with blackout and scorponok. it made sense that all the autobots wouldn't be here until they were sure the all spark was on earth. sorry i loved the transformers movie and i love g1 transformers. i know most people think it is impossible to love both but that is false.

jaxscorpio

07-28-2008, 11:18 PM

The movie was stupid. Sure, the special effects were great but then that's the only thing Michael Bay is good at so they damn well better have been great. The acting was terrible, the plot was retarded and the movie, in general, crapped on the TF we knew from the 80s. It's hard to overlook these things and say the movie was great just because it had some nice special effects.

Monkeywrench

07-28-2008, 11:22 PM

Gung.Heaux

07-28-2008, 11:30 PM

yes, it didnt.

jjk1120

07-28-2008, 11:50 PM

I liked it a lot.

I've been a Transformers fan since '84 and I have to admit they did a good job. I agree with C.I.A.D. in that when I first saw pics of the characters I was real disappointed. Guys like Barricade & Blackout had almost insect-like faces. And what the hell was Frenzy?

But then I saw the trailer that showed them transforming & fighting for the 1st time and I was hooked. Seeing Bonecrusher transform and slam into Optimus Prime almost made me wet my pants.

Are they the Transformers I grew up with? No. Would Frank Welker's voice been better for Megatron? I think so. Did Prime look stupid with a mouth? Hell yeah.

But I really enjoyed it. And when the military was fighting Skorponok, the first thing I thought of was GI Joe.

If they do GI Joe as well as they did Transformers, we should be in for a treat. As we all know, it's Hollywood. It'll never be like we remember it. I doubt they'll be a YO JOE battle cry. The characters will be a bit different. Some different enough to make you cringe.

But I'm going to stand by my prediction that the Joe movie is gonna rock.

At least I hope it does...

slim19722

07-29-2008, 12:33 AM

I was never into the TF toys, growing up, but I did like the cartoon and at first, seeing the pre-production pic's of the robot's and the plot, I thought the movie would suck and I didn't see when it was released. I rented it when it came out on DVD and I actually enjoyed the movie. Ripcord being black isn't a big deal, cuz when the scrpit leaks came out back in december, it was said Wayan's Ripcord was only connected to the white ARAH Ripcord, by code name only, that they are 2 different people. And it was pointed out, that's not the first time GI Joe recycled a code name. And if the Joe movie turns out the TF movie, I'll be happy and will enjoy watching it.

Skywarp

07-29-2008, 12:53 AM

One main reason the movie was not good, was because Michael Bay wasn't a fan. He relied on others to tell him about it. He didn't care about sticking to the original show. So if someone like Michael Bay directs GI Joe, you might have some Major changes(like Cobra being Aliens or dumb stuff like that).

Shin-Gouki

07-29-2008, 01:04 AM

I voted neutral because on a whole I thought it was good (Minus the way un-needed Australian girl and and Comic Relief boy) but the designs for the robots SUCKED!

Headman

07-29-2008, 01:06 AM

Huge TF fan here. I wanted to hate it, but I ended up enjoying it. The easiest way for me to handle this is by remembering there is movie canon, cartoon canon, comic canon, and Nick Cannon.

Crimson Rage

07-29-2008, 02:45 AM

Okay, everyone just explain to me one thing.

How is it the only Autobot to die was the black dude (Jazz)?

I mean, seriously?

Seriously (whether you choose to believe it or not it another matter)

Hasbro wouldn't let the writers kill Prime or Bumblebee, so they considered Jazz the next most 'loved' character.

Jazz died because he was 'important'. It had NOTHING to do with him being "black" and I find the notion that people believe otherwise rather unsettling. The idea never even crossed my mind (I'd never apply 'race' to robots).
Did Sergeant Epps die? No, Sergeant Donnelly did so the idea is absurb.

Shin-Gouki

07-29-2008, 03:15 AM

Besides it's the guy doing the Joe Movie that wants everything black.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/Shin-Gouki-2005/2008-06-16.jpg

Ronnie Dobbs

07-29-2008, 03:16 AM

You guys have nothing to worry about.

Jazz is back in the sequel.

Believe it bitches!

Dark 5cythe

07-29-2008, 03:53 AM

what the hell? there are people who didnt like transformers? Oh right those are the people "whose childhood dreams were crushed" lol

Lo-Wan Bing

07-29-2008, 04:45 AM

Loved the TF movie. Saw it 3x at the movies (at that was pretty long movie) I loved TF as a kid and had hours and hours of fun battling with friends reading the comics and watching the cartoon. But the toys looked nothing like the cartoon and the cartoon was nothing like the comic book. And each re-do of TF had their own look and even new characters with names of old characters that were nothing like the original... So I was plenty open to a Hollywood version and I thought it was pretty freakin' sweet! And for the missing characters and story holes so wide you could drive Optimus Prime through them... you can't even pretend to think they weren't building this as a new on-going franchise with more of the story to come out in following films :) Yeah!

jaxscorpio

07-29-2008, 11:52 AM

what the hell? there are people who didnt like transformers? Oh right those are the people "whose childhood dreams were crushed" lol

I'd say the very bad acting and retarded plot have a lot more to do with my hating this movie than Bay crushing my childhood dreams. As I said, the special effects in the movie were great but special efects, in and of themselves, do not make a great movie. All they did was help folks look beyond the really poor parts of the movie.

Crimson Rage

07-29-2008, 12:00 PM

Cavbeast

07-29-2008, 12:09 PM

what the hell? there are people who didnt like transformers? Oh right those are the people "whose childhood dreams were crushed" lol

Wow that's reaching out there. And if Michael Bay could EVER crush my childhood dreams you'll be the first to read my obit. :)

I checked with Bay's secretary and he's way too busy writing himself into corners so I'm good for the next 100 years.

sharke

07-29-2008, 12:37 PM

what the hell? there are people who didnt like transformers? Oh right those are the people "whose childhood dreams were crushed" lol

slight correction, Bay "raped their childhood", not "crushed their childhood dreams"

sba

07-29-2008, 12:40 PM

As a movie it was good.

As a TF fan, it was meh.

jaxscorpio

07-29-2008, 01:13 PM

The whole thrust of G1 (comic and cartoon) involved the Transformers coming to Earth in search of 'energy'. I don't see how that being changed to the 'Allspark' for the movie suddenly makes it "retarded"

They didn't come to Earth in search of energy, they left Cybertron in search of energy and crash landed on Earth.

In Bay's version, however, Megatron leaves Cybertron in search of this all spark. He crashes in the arctic and becomes the world's first transformercicle. He's found a million or so years later and hauled out to Nevada where the Hoover dam has been built to conceal him and the all spark. The Hoover dam? Come on. The autobots find out where the all spark is by examining an impression left on a pair of glasses? Yeah, ummm, I can totally buy that one. About as much as I buy the whole, we found out about the glasses by visiting your page on EBay. Sure, I mean it's logicial. If you're looking for something that was believed lost on this planet over a million years ago, the first place you're going to check is EBay. Now toss in the whole nokia phone turning into an anklebiter/gremlin and the horrid, horrid, horrid acting done by most of the people in the movie and it's kind of easy to see why I believe this movie was retarded.

You're entitled to believe the movie was great but it really wasn't. The special effects were great. The movie itself was mediocre at best.

delta

07-29-2008, 01:15 PM

The whole thrust of G1 (comic and cartoon) involved the Transformers coming to Earth in search of 'energy'. I don't see how that being changed to the 'Allspark' for the movie suddenly makes it "retarded"

Enegon being used as a energy source, and the Autobots & Decepticons fighting a war over Cybertrons deplinishing supply of it, would have made a better plot IMO. That plus WAY less humans, and pay James Cameron whatever he wants to direct it.

Speilberg wanted a story "About a boy, and his car" Screw that! We already have 'Christine'
YouTube - Christine (1983) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIdLfwQ8JmI&feature=related)

I wanted a story about "Transformers" Not some crappy young actor with talent that stinks.

Syn3sthesia

07-29-2008, 01:18 PM

I went in not knowing anything about it, the plot and whatnot. It did not ruin the experience so I was surprised by it and like it.

Crimson Rage

07-29-2008, 01:31 PM

They didn't come to Earth in search of energy, they left Cybertron in search of energy and crash landed on Earth.

I'm aware of that. I watrched the cartoon during it's original UK transmission and bought issue #1 of the comic. But the distinction doesn't really matter. In both cases it was a "maguffin" to get them here and continue their war.

You're entitled to believe the movie was great but it really wasn't. The special effects were great. The movie itself was mediocre at best.

In other words "You're entitled to your opinion but it's wrong". Wow, thanks!
I enjoyed the film, ergo to me it was 'great' and that's all that counts to me.

jaxscorpio

07-29-2008, 02:23 PM

I'm aware of that. I watrched the cartoon during it's original UK transmission and bought issue #1 of the comic. But the distinction doesn't really matter. In both cases it was a "maguffin" to get them here and continue their war.

In other words "You're entitled to your opinion but it's wrong". Wow, thanks!
I enjoyed the film, ergo to me it was 'great' and that's all that counts to me.

Sorry. I meant you're entitled to believe the movie was great just as I am entitled to believe it wasn't. I won't say your opinion is right or wrong. Personally, I don't understand how anyone could get beyond the bad acting in the movie or the poor storyline but if the special effects were enough to blow you away and make this a great movie for you, wonderful. They weren't enough for me which is why I only saw it once and vowed to never spend another dime on anything TF related.

Vindicare1986

07-29-2008, 02:29 PM

It was a summer movie, I wasn't expecting Citizen kane. I went in wanting explosions and transforming robots, I was not dissappointed.

thunderdan19

07-29-2008, 05:11 PM

SPECTER

07-29-2008, 05:13 PM

Not a big TF fan but I really liked the movie.

sharke

07-29-2008, 05:51 PM

5. Rejuvenate a long forgotten enterprise to the mainstream.

I wouldn't qualify it as long forgotten. granted it was not as big as say G1 or Beast Wars days but it was still fresh with a tv show and product line

What TF did badly (IMO):
1. Dedicated comic relief characters: Simmons, Hacker dude/chick.
2. Develop the decepticons and their personalities/motivations.
3. Stay close to reality with some of the weapons choices.
4. Keep the plot fully viable (megatron origin, allspark).
5. Provide any significant depth, character empathy.

couldn't have said better though I would argue there was no Decepticon motivation or personality at all

darth_henning

07-29-2008, 06:03 PM

Although not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, Transformers was exactly what it needed to be: a huge, fun, explosive spectacle, tailor made for the mid-summer crowd.

What TF did well (IMO, of course):
1. Special effects, explosions, pulse beams, giant ****-ing robots.
2. Bring cartoon robots from the '80's to life in 2007.
3. Show off some cool military hardware/special forces.
4. Appeal to kids enough to sell tons of toys for Christmas 2007.
5. Rejuvenate a long forgotten enterprise to the mainstream.

What TF did badly (IMO):
1. Dedicated comic relief characters: Simmons, Hacker dude/chick.
2. Develop the decepticons and their personalities/motivations.
3. Stay close to reality with some of the weapons choices.
4. Keep the plot fully viable (megatron origin, allspark).
5. Provide any significant depth, character empathy.

All that said, I liked the movie, enough to see it at the theater, IMAX and buy the DVD. In fact, seeing Transformers had a whole lot to do with my nostalgia kick, which ultimately led to my re-discovery of GI Joe. If the Joe movie can do what TF did well and avoid at least a couple of the "badly" items, it will be even better.

That is the best summation of the good and the bad that I have seen here. Though in the badly category, I didn't mind the comic-relief hackersI quite enjoyed them. As for realism with weapons choices, I don't really think many people would know the difference, but its a valid point. 2,4, and 5 are all ones I fully agree with. Hopefully they'll be addressed in the sequel. I'm just happy that the movie did well so that Transformers is back like it was in the 80s. Ergo I'm hoping that G.I. Joe does well too, even if it isn't perfect, sequels can fix many of the problems if they have the chance.

Zefram

07-29-2008, 06:06 PM

Seriously (whether you choose to believe it or not it another matter)

Hasbro wouldn't let the writers kill Prime or Bumblebee, so they considered Jazz the next most 'loved' character.

Loved? Important? Jazz? He was always a tertiary character at best. Hell, Starscream had more fans.

Jazz died because he was 'important'. It had NOTHING to do with him being "black" and I find the notion that people believe otherwise rather unsettling. The idea never even crossed my mind (I'd never apply 'race' to robots).
Did Sergeant Epps die? No, Sergeant Donnelly did so the idea is absurb.

I'd be more worried if you DIDN'T find it unsettling! And the idea doesn't cross a lot of peoples' minds until it's pointed out to them. It's not quite as bad as it used to be but I imagine on some unconscious level you're going to start seeing a pattern in action/horror/monster movies from now on.

And while you may not have thought to apply race to a robot, somebody sure as hell did! Jazz's FIRST LINE in the movie was "What up, bitches?!". I know part of the characters' charm is that they're painted with broad strokes, but that'd be borderline offensive if it weren't so laughable!

spacemonkeymafia

07-29-2008, 06:20 PM

Okay, everyone just explain to me one thing.

How is it the only Autobot to die was the black dude (Jazz)?

I mean, seriously?

There is no color in robots dude.....

oldtimer48

07-29-2008, 06:22 PM

Huge TF fan here. I wanted to hate it, but I ended up enjoying it. The easiest way for me to handle this is by remembering there is movie canon, cartoon canon, comic canon, and Nick Cannon.

Now this is an interesting take on these beloved shows & toys of our youth!! I was willing to accept the changes that were made to TF and I am a huge fan of of G1; Beast Wars and all of the Japanese 80's shows ( I was stationed in Okinawa from April 90 to March 91 and I saw these shows without English dubbing and I was still able to follow them)

I did look at a lot of the stuff on the net before the movie came out and I was very happy with the end result. I was not looking for a rehash of G1 but something more that included not just G1 fans but everyone. I mean come on this is a business right!?! And Hasbro has been getting my money for some 24 years now and I am not complaining....not yet anyway!!! So I hope that GIJOE will do the same for me next year because rank #2 right behind TF's!!!! SGS)

spacemonkeymafia

07-29-2008, 06:22 PM

You're splitting hairs, dude. Me and every single friend I have in the hood were either laughing or just shaking our heads when we saw that. It's so blatant it was almost self-parody.

Jazz: "Wait! I'm not even black! I'm a robot with a cartoonish parody of what white people think black folk sound like! Why do I have to die?"
Bay: "Sorry, brother, unwritten Hollywood rule #64." :D

R...i...g....h...t..........just like all those white people that say some of their best friends are black...........lol

spacemonkeymafia

07-29-2008, 06:29 PM

what the hell? there are people who didnt like transformers? Oh right those are the people "whose childhood dreams were crushed" lol

Ahh what some of us are mad about (and I liked the movie) is the changes that were made........the only smart thing Bay did was Special Effects....and primes voice which he didnt want in the first place........give that movie and budget to someone who was a fan and I bet we get a better movie that the fans love and new comers.......also the Movie is called Transformers....not Humans staring The Transformers..........less humans more bots.........

spacemonkeymafia

07-29-2008, 06:34 PM

I imagine on some unconscious level you're going to start seeing a pattern in action/horror/monster movies from now on.

Say what? They have been doing this concept of black people dying first since jeez I dont know when...........Not every movie has it out for black people.........

spacemonkeymafia

07-29-2008, 06:34 PM

How do you multiquote?

darth_henning

07-29-2008, 06:36 PM

Say what? They have been doing this concept of black people dying first since jeez I dont know when...........Not every movie has it out for black people.........

Ahh what some of us are mad about (and I liked the movie) is the changes that were made........the only smart thing Bay did was Special Effects....and primes voice which he didnt want in the first place........give that movie and budget to someone who was a fan and I bet we get a better movie that the fans love and new comers.......also the Movie is called Transformers....not Humans staring The Transformers..........less humans more bots.........

R...i...g....h...t..........just like all those white people that say some of their best friends are black...........lol

How do you multiquote?

You click multiquote on each of the posts that you want to multiquote, then click quote on one of them.

spacemonkeymafia

07-29-2008, 06:41 PM

Thanks will make me look less stupid now.....

delta

07-29-2008, 11:56 PM

In other words "You're entitled to your opinion but it's wrong". Wow, thanks!
I enjoyed the film, ergo to me it was 'great' and that's all that counts to me.

Your too sensitvie CR. Lighten up :) it's all in good fun.

delta

07-30-2008, 12:22 AM

what the hell? there are people who didnt like transformers? Oh right those are the people "whose childhood dreams were crushed" lol

Don't make fun :(

The movie cost $7
BUT MY CHILDHOOD IS WORTH MORE THAN THAT!!!! j/k :)

IMO The movie did suck, but my childhood is intact

sharke

07-30-2008, 10:37 AM

dude you only pay 7 to see a movie?

delta

08-01-2008, 12:06 AM

I made 3 poles this week, the results of ALL the poles surprised me.

apparently ....
The Tank liked the Transformers movie. = Surprise to me

The Tank dose not think GI.Joe would make a good comedy movie. Also = a surprise to me

The Tank liked the WWII Transformers crossover = pleasant surprise to me

*By "The Tank" I mean those who voted*

spacemonkeymafia

08-01-2008, 12:07 AM

Sounds like those votes need to be shot out of a Tank....get it.....lol...I kill me.....

redstripe

08-01-2008, 12:30 AM

as a film, transformers was a steeming pile of dung. as a TF movie, it was worse. the special effects were pretty cool, but they shot the robots so tight w/ super quick cuts that the action had no rhythm or weight...

gi joe would make a great comedy... especially if they play up the sexual tension between destro and CC, and make it a rom/com.

karamazov80

08-01-2008, 12:35 AM

I am a pretty big Transformers fan, and I disliked it. . .but it had less to do with the treatment of TFs than with the movie viewed on its own merits. I really, really dislike the Michael Bay style and attitude, the way he portrays "characters", the stereotypes, the "jump-cuts", the "dramatic" camera movements and slow motion, the things he values (explosions. . .and lowest-common-denominator humor), and just what he stands for I guess. I liked Cullen's voice, and I thought the Megatron personality was dead-on excellent, but that was about it.

Plus, I am a huge John Turturro fan, so seeing him :SPOILER: pissed on by Bumblebee (which I felt Bay did, unconsciously or otherwise, to symbolically represent his feelings toward independent cinema and "serious" actors and film) :END SPOILER: wasn't particularly appealing to me.

I kept hearing the "have low expectations and enjoy the movie for what it is" argument when it came out. . .but that's just not how I treat the movies that I see. Can't do it. I expect to see quality stuff, and if it isn't good, then I can't just "enjoy" silly, mindless special effects showcases. I wish that I could, frankly.

delta

08-01-2008, 12:36 AM

gi joe would make a great comedy... especially if they play up the sexual tension between destro and CC, and make it a rom/com.

What about something like this?:)
YouTube - Ambiguously Gay Joe (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEVrbV2ljBk)

delta

08-01-2008, 12:45 AM

Plus, I am a huge John Turturro fan, so seeing him :SPOILER: pissed on by Bumblebee (which I felt Bay did, unconsciously or otherwise, to symbolically represent his feelings toward independent cinema and "serious" actors and film) :END SPOILER: wasn't particularly appealing to me.

Love the guy myself, but you gotta admit he probably did not take the situation he was in very seriously. That being said how could he though?

I feel the same about John Voight in the film. Both Turturro (or the Jesus if you will), and Voight phoned it in, and then danced around the pay checks.

VIPER 48

08-01-2008, 12:48 AM

I liked it. It wasn't what i expected but i thought it was great. I can't wait to see the 2nd one...

theprocess

08-01-2008, 01:05 AM

is there an option for "it SUUUUUUUUUUCKED!!!

Plus, I am a huge John Turturro fan, so seeing him :SPOILER: pissed on by Bumblebee (which I felt Bay did, unconsciously or otherwise, to symbolically represent his feelings toward independent cinema and "serious" actors and film) :END SPOILER: wasn't particularly appealing to me.

The angle that scene was shot in gave me the impression that they were pissing on the fans. I moved out of the way, not a fan of transforming cars.

spacemonkeymafia

08-01-2008, 01:07 AM

Did McBeth suck? I think not......

tile_mcgillus

08-01-2008, 02:02 AM

I totally hated it. I am a transfan and a cinefile. So this movie is my kryptonite.

The script was laughably bad with GAPING holes in logic. (SAm must get to roof to avoid all the flying Decepticons!?!?! Away from his only protection the non flying autobots!?!?)

The direction was so terrible that central characters disappeared from scenes and then the entire movie without resolution or explanation. (Cop car anyone!)

The designs of the robots were so cluttered and the editing so hectic that I literally had no idea was on the screen during several action sequences. Although I loved the optimus prime and Bonecrusher fight and the Starscream squadron fight.

To illustrate my hate for this movie I will discuss the complete lack of understanding of the entire concept in one shot. Sam and Mikeala making out on the hood of bumblebee. There. Anyone? See how the basic premise is completely ignored...Michael Bay had no idea what on Earth he was doing.

I don't think I am being harder on this film than any other movie I watch. If it was just a movie with explosions and robots fighting (which would have been great!) then why spend 1 and a half hours with extraneous characters and convolute a simple story.

Man. What a bad taste in my mouth. Lowered expectations are for school plays not 150 million dollar movies.

delta

08-01-2008, 02:14 AM

I totally hated it. I am a transfan and a cinefile. So this movie is my kryptonite.

The script was laughably bad with GAPING holes in logic.

The direction was so terrible that central characters disappeared from scenes and then the entire movie without resolution or explanation.

The designs of the robots were so cluttered and the editing so hectic that I literally had no idea was on the screen during several action sequences. Although I loved the optimus prime and Bonecrusher fight and the Starscream squadron fight.

To illustrate my hate for this movie I will discuss the complete lack Even 'of understanding of the entire concept in one shot. Sam and Mikeala making out on the hood of bumblebee. There. Anyone? See how the basic premise is completely ignored...Michael Bay had no idea what on Earth he was doing.

I don't think I am being harder on this film than any other movie I watch. If it was just a movie with explosions and robots fighting (which would have been great!) then why spend 1 and a half hours with extraneous characters and convolute a simple story.

Man. What a bad taste in my mouth. Lowered expectations are for school plays not 150 million dollar movies.Great explination. Coulden't agree more.

Even 'Robot Jox' was better than that POS. At least the cheese in 'Robot Jox' Was unintentionally funny.
The intentionally funny parts of Transformers were just lame, and as uncool as my Dad wearing Oakleys, and a members only jacket.

(if you haven't seen 'Robot Jox' dig this. It's like Transformers meets a Mystery Seince Theater movie, Meets Kick ass!!)
YouTube - Robot Jox - Highlights (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07F7DGcVcsc)

Lantern_Lad

08-01-2008, 02:25 AM

I totally enjoyed it... when Barricade chased after Bumblebee while transforming in mid-lunge, I was sold.

Reznor

08-01-2008, 03:03 PM

I was skeptical of the new designs, not because they differed from what I was used to, but because they just looked ugly and like a mish mash of metal. The thing I always love about transformers, was that even when they were in robot mode, you could kinda tell what they were supposed to be as a vehicle. The first photos of the Movie robots, to me, just looked like a mess.

Now I will admit, when I watched the movie, and first heard Peter Cullen, I was sold, and then the first time you hear the "wikky wak wak" or whatever you would call that transforming noise, I had goosebumps. Also had goosebumps the first time you see Optimus transform, the way the camera panned across the body following all the little movements of the body, I about geek-asm'd right there.

Now looking back at it, I still have to say I enjoyed it quite a bit, I still have issues, primarily with Megatron never getting out of his "Cybertron" look, and Prime rarily using his mouth guard, but all in all, I thought it was a very solid popcorn flick.

I try to take that in account whenever I say something negative about the GI Joe movie, but transfomers had Bay, who like him or hate him, knows how to blow shit up.

GI Joe has Sommers, who I am not a big fan of, and in my opinion, can't handle action very well (arguable I know, but it's just my opinion).

So all in all I liked TF a lot.

harkiri

08-01-2008, 04:07 PM

I enjoyed it thoroughly. As a popcorn flick, as a transformers flick, as a comic book movie, what ever you want to call it. This is coming from a fan who's Transformers collection almost equals my Gi Joe and Star Wars collection. I watched the cartoons when I was a kid, I had the comics. I have the entire IDW series to this point... to put it simply, I am a fan, a true fan if you will. And I liked the movie. no, they did not keep things the same as they were in the originals. nor should they have. the cartoon was made in the 1980's this is 2008. things changed, cars change.

The Spirit of the movie characters was the same as the old ones.

Autobots=protectors, Friends to the humans, even though the are not entirely trusted by all of humanity.

Decepticons= evil, manipulators, tricksters, no regard for humanity except as slaves.

These things werent changed, I call that faithful to the source. they did take some liberties, but they also took the script for the end fight scene straight from the old tf movie. My friend beside me almost cried when he heard "At the end of today, one shall stand, one shall fall."

harkiri

08-02-2008, 10:04 AM

you know, after rereading my post, I want to clarify the "true fan" comment.

I am NOT implying that only true fans like the movie. I was trying to say that you can be a true fan and like the movie, but you can also be a true fan and NOT like the movie. I always hate the arguement that if you dont like something or do like something, you are not a true fan, so I wanted to clarify that.

delta

08-02-2008, 09:38 PM

Barefoot Jedi

08-07-2008, 05:34 PM

Now that Shia Labeouf seems to be turning himself into the male equivalent of Lindsey Lohan, maybe Michael Bay will have a Decepticon step on Sam and let Mikaela be the central human character in the franchise.

spacemonkeymafia

08-07-2008, 05:47 PM

Or he could step on him also..........

Flame Viper

08-08-2008, 12:24 AM

Personally I loved it. Although I was never TF fan. So maybe that would make a difference.

TheBaroness

08-08-2008, 08:29 PM

WillyK

08-15-2008, 02:34 PM

My biggest problem with the movie is how they made Megatron seem so much more powerful than Prime. In the comics and cartoon, they're typically equal with a slight edge to Prime.

nightforceoutback11

08-18-2008, 04:01 PM

It was so-so for me.

Megan Fox was utterly useless in the movie and was just put there to give the guys a hard on. Shia LeBeouf is a "meh" actor, imo. Didn't like him much, either.

The Transformers themselves looked awesome and the storyline wasn't bad. My other problem; too much human time, not enough Transformers time.

I so would have marked though if Soundwave was in it <3

If Megan Fox was onscreen to give hard-ons it worked for sure!! As the baroness said way to much human drivel. Esp all the tomfoolery with the parents, cut me a break. While the Tfs looked awesome they were only about 20% of the story. It sucked for sure!!!!!!!!!!

CaptainDinobot

08-21-2008, 02:49 PM

As a pretty big Transformers fan, I can say that while it was not perfect, it was still pretty good.

This is where I stand too. I would rather have had the Autobots had more screen time but I still really enjoyed the movie. After Megatron was freed it was just awesome.

paulpratt

08-21-2008, 03:06 PM

The film was a typical origin movie. You have to establish and ground your characters first. Transformers fans are the minority of people that actually saw it. So, a lot of time has to be taken to accommodate the unwashed masses.
The next one will be the real judge of how they will handle this franchise on the big screen.

MTN

08-21-2008, 08:17 PM

I thought it was awesome. I saw it a whole bunch of times and I bought it when it came out.

SportingViper

08-21-2008, 10:45 PM

The movie was a good "big transforming robots come to earth" movie but not a good Transformers movie.If this movie was called Gobots it would have made just as much money.
It had terrible writing and huge plot holes.One of them being that the robots are taken down by "cold " weapons that the humans use on them.Meanwhile they fly in super freezing temperatures when they are travelling through space to get here and at the end of the movie Starscream flies off to outer space!!!!
Also, Bay didn't give a sh#t about the history or characters.If it were up to him the Transformers wouldn't talk.Hasbro MADE him change that idea.

green firefly

10-04-2008, 11:41 AM

I would give it an 8 out of 10 and I am a big 80's TF fan. I was oddly disappointed with the faces of the TF's. They were too "busy". But whatever you might think, Megan Fox makes it worth watching.

arizona444

10-04-2008, 12:04 PM

yes! the only thing good about the transformers movie was megan fox's sweet @$$

toolrocks302

10-04-2008, 12:26 PM

Transformers rocked!!! This is coming from someone who likes Transformers just as much as GI Joe; I can't decide sometimes what I like better, so I go back and forth. Yeah, it's not the TF I knew as a kid, but I like the adaptation.

Certain things weren't that cool like OP's flames and such, but others like Bumblebee being a kicka$$ Camaro instead of a bug was better then the original. I'm on the fence about Megatron, but a menancing alien aircraft seems scary then a gun I guess; and it worked so I'm not complaining. As far as some saying the CG sucked.......what? Did you even watch the movie, the CG was awesome.

As far as GI Joe goes, I can't say I'm as excited. The deal killer for me was the Gordon whatever playing Cobra Commander. CC is a ruthless terrorist who inspires many to follow him on his conquest to rule the world. I just can't see this kid pulling it off, but the again I said that about Heath Ledger so I hope he surprises me.

TANK_DRIVER785

10-04-2008, 12:51 PM

For all the haters and lovers i always look at movies made from comics and cartoons and video games as a kinda what-if type of comic or a alternate reality theme when you get hollywood involved and directors things are going to change thats theway it is
i mean look at "doom" genetic mutatation as oposed to evil demonic beings from another dimension
as for the transformers movie loved it despite the flaws the cube thing iritating wished the autobot matrix would still have been the right choice and cybertron could have looked better who knows the piece prime pulled out of megatron might turn into the matrix???? One can only hope
the gi joe movie has potential but like most have said
it will appeal to a more broader audience to make bank$$$$$ and with the movie toy tie in its all about pulling in cash

Headman

10-04-2008, 12:54 PM

yes! the only thing good about the transformers movie was megan fox's sweet @$$

HAHA! Yes.

THALASTDRAGON

10-04-2008, 12:56 PM

i was never a huge tf fan, it was just some ok stuff to me. but tha movie was decent, tha worst part about it to me was tha actual battles between autobots and decepticons were limited and tha humans had too big of a role in takin out tha decepticons

butter_the_pure

10-04-2008, 12:57 PM

man, that movie was junk. Transformers that didn't even look like Transformers. No Spike. No Soundwave. No interplay between Megatron and Starscream. A love story. The only thing it had that was anything close to the feel of Transformer was the transforming vehicles. Lame, and a waste of time.

4/10

spacemonkeymafia

10-04-2008, 01:02 PM

Sucked it was not TF........like with GI Joe if you wanna make a movie and use Names Like SE...Op...Megs....Star Scream...Duke....Scarlett...CC....Have the Characters act the way they were in the comics and cartoon.......if you dont want to go that route still call it TF or GI Joe but use new unheard of characters.........