Movie Review - Transformers: Age of Extinction

Just when you thought the Transformers franchise had come to an end with Dark of the Moon (2011), the master of slow-motion explosions, director Michael Bay, returns with Transformers: Age of Extinction! Longer, darker and with even bigger Transformers than ever seen before, Age of Extinction is the fourth in the franchise of Transformers movies which began in 2007. With the trilogy ended, so did the involvement of actor Shia LeBeouf, who starred as Sam Witwicky in the first three Transformers movies. Age of Extinction takes place several years after the events of Dark of the Moon, dubbed the "Battle of Chicago", where the Transformers have now become public knowledge and are now feared and hunted down by the government. Particularly one Black Ops team known as KSI, led by CIA Agent Harold Attinger (Kelsey Grammer), is in charge of destroying both Autobots and Decepticons, having allied themselves with a group of ruthless Transformer bounty-hunters led by Lockdown (voiced by Mark Ryan). Along with the government's involvement, a wealthy techno-industrialist Joshua Joyce's (Stanley Tucci) company is developing their own Transformers reverse-engineered from the captured remnants of the Transformers to build Stinger and Galvatron (voiced by Frank Welker)! Meanwhile, in rural Texas, Cade Yaeger (Mark Wahlberg), an unemployed salvager and robotics inventor has found what is left of Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen) after a battle which left him nonfunctional. As Cade tries to repair Optimus, the government becomes aware of Optimus' location and send the Black Ops team to destroy him. Now Cade, his daughter Tessa (Nicola Peltz), and her boyfriend Jack (Shane Dyson) are on the run with Optimus to try and find what is left of the Autobots and stop Lockdown!

Along with Autobot favorite Bumblebee, there a few new additions to the Transformers roster including original G1 favorite Hound (voiced by John Goodman), the samurai-bot Drift (voiced by Ken Watanabe) and Crosshairs (voiced by John DiMaggio) not to mention this movies biggest surprise is the inclusion of the Dinobots, (fan-favorites from the cartoon/toys) including Grimlock! Despite all the violence, explosions, exotic locations (Hong Kong) and all-out Autobot-action, this movie seemed to be a much more satisfying successor to the last few Transformers movies, especially the disappointing sequel Revenge of the Fallen (2009). Aside from the obvious improvements, this movie however has a very ominous and darker tone than the other movies some of the humor that pervades the movies is lessened somewhat in favor of a much grittier feel as the Transformers, particularly the Autobots were regarded as heros in the others, now they are fugitives! Even Optimus Prime, whose character has always been the honorable, stalwart protector has been defeated both physically and in spirit that he has become an angry killer, bent on revenge for his fallen comrades. The dark/violent atmosphere is present in the more-violent battles, and the surprising repetition of lines like "I'm going to kill you!" and "Die!" from Optimus himself! While it is understandable how Optimus must feel after the literal genocide of his Autobot allies, it is to some extreme how his character has changed drastically. As for fan-service the inclusion of the Dinobots (which I myself have been looking forward to seeing ever since the trailer: Optimus riding Grimlock! Awesome!) is very satisfying as well as the inclusion of celebrity voices like John Goodman and Ken Watanabe in the cast. The biggest surprise was the return of famous voice actor Frank Welker to the Transformers cast who was the voice of Megatron in the cartoons (in the last three movies Megatron was voiced by actor Hugo Weaving) now as Galvatron, ironically played by Leonard Nimoy in the 1986 animated movie, who voiced in Sentinel Prime in Dark of the Moon. While I am pleased to no longer have to see Shia's hyperactive screaming on screen I was not too excited to have Marky Mark be the new human star of the Transformers franchise for his former failures in movies like Planet of the Apes (2001), The Happening and Ted, he has more popular screen credits than Shia anyway. Overall Age of Extinction is an impressive, action-packed, special-effects nightmare, thrill ride! As a fan of the Transformers since my childhood in the 80's I can see these movies not as the over-budgeted, CGI-crazy blockbusters that they are and relish in the pure fun and excitement that my inner child and adult self can enjoy and have fun watching them.I still smile every time I see a Transformer transform, and I cheer quietly to myself when I see Optimus defeat a Decepticon. While the success of these films may vary from movie to movie and Michael Bay enjoys the mixed criticisms of his film franchise, I will still keep wanting to come back to see them. (unless he tries to kill off Optimus again!)

LINKS: TransformersMovie.com, Hasbro, BotCon

MOVIE REVIEW: TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON

Back in the Summer of 2007, one of the most anticipated blockbuster movies of all time hit the screens: Transformers, creating a hype the likes of which have never been seen before! Starring Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox, along with state-of-the-art CGI robots, big-budget action-movie director Michael Bay brought the beloved 1980's toy/cartoon, giant robots to life! Earning over $318 Million in the U.S. it started a new blockbuster franchise and reignited the Transformers popularity. Then in 2009 came the sequel: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, although despite mixed reactions from fans and critics, it surpassed it's precursor earning over $402 Million. Audiences and fans knew that a third movie was inevitable but due to issues between Executive Producer Steven Spielberg and Megan Fox, not to mention the "bold" comments she made about Michael Bay, she was eventually "canned from Transformers 3"!
TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON is the third and final chapter in the Transformers Trilogy. Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) is now out of college and living in Washington D.C. (of all places?), while desperately searching for a job, he now lives with his NEW girlfriend Carly (Rosie Huntington-Whiteley)! As tensions between the U.S. Government and the Autobots worsen, they discover that the government have been withholding knowledge of the Transformers from a crashed Cybertronian spacecraft found on the moon back in 1969. Also, as battle with the Decepticons continues, Megatron seeks to claim a secret device found on that ship in order to create a space-bridge to begin the invasion of Earth and rebuild Cybertron!
The newest addition to the Transformers cast is Sentinel Prime, (voiced by Leonard Nimoy, who also provided the voice for Galvatron in the 1986 animated Transformers: The Movie) who they find unconscious on the moon. Apparently he is the only one who knows the secret of the space-bridge. Other additions to the Decepticons is a very impressive and frightening Shockwave and very vocal Laserbeak (Keith Szarabajka), who originally was a sidekick of Soundwave (now a BMW car instead of a satellite as he was in the last movie or a tape player in the cartoon/toy. Thankfully, the movie is without the two overly-racist twins: Mudflap and Skids, from the last movie, although we still have Wheelie (tolerable) and other mini-transformers. The most puzzling and frankly insulting to the story is the new girlfriend Carly, as we are told that Mikaela (Megan Fox's character) simply "broke-up" with Sam even after everything they've been through (even leaving her dog with Sam?)! Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, a former British, Victoria-Secret Model is bland and uninteresting (plus she looks like a rabbit!). There are several surprising new characters in this movie, despite other human characters that are present who have been in the movies, namely Sam's parents, while annoying, thankfully have very little screen time. Also the members of the NEST such as Capt. Lennox (Josh Duhamel) and Sergeant Epps (Tyrese Gibson) provide support as well as the indomitable Agent Simmons (John Turturro) whose character is now rich after exploiting the government secrets about the Transformers, along with his resourceful sidekick Dutch (Alan Tudyk).

There is a very long prologue with a lot of unnecessary exposition disguised as a mini-history lesson with footage from the moon landing and with appearances from President Kennedy and Nixon and commentator Walter Kronkite! This movie has SO many Hollywood cameos and extra characters in it, (it's insane!) including: Dylan (Patrick Dempsey), Agent Mearing (Frances McDormand) Jerry Wang (Ken Jeong),  Bruce Brazos (played by John Malkovich!) and even the REAL Buzz Aldrin playing (guess who?) Buzz Aldrin! Just how many celebrities can they cram into this movie? As usual Shia LaBeouf's high-energy performance added to the constant-action of the movie leaves you exhausted! Try watching it in 3-D and I guarantee you'll have a splitting headache the rest of the day I did!
If you go expecting over-the-top special effects, epic giant robot fights and Michael Bay-signature explosions...you definitely came to the right place! Although surprisingly better than the last movie, however reportedly NOT as successful, Transformers: Dark of the Moon will most likely be the LAST Transformers movie and I sincerely hope that Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg are smart enough to leave it ALONE! It's been a fun ride watching Shia LaBeouf running around on a caffeine-high screaming "OPTIMUS!" and "BUMBLEBEE!" at the top of his lungs for three movies. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge Transformers fan and they have been fun and entertaining movies BUT, enough is enough! It's time for the Transformers to transform and roll out...forever!

TOP 10 TRANSFORMERS

"Transformers,
More Than Meets The Eyes,
Transformers,
Robots in Disguise!"

With the release of Transformers: Dark of the Moon (TF3) this week, I thought it would be great to present my list of the TOP 10 TRANSFORMERS. The Transformers were a toy and cartoon which defined my childhood in the 1980's. They were great, robot toys that transformed into all kinds of vehicles, weapons, dinosaurs (i.e. Dinobots), bugs, (i.e. Insecticons) even cities (i.e. Omega Supreme)! Originally based on Japanese toys fro Takara/Tomy then developed by the American company, Hasbro. The criteria for the best Transformers are not based on their characters importance in the cartoon or movies but more on the creativity and diversity of the toy. Despite the many incarnations and generations of Transformers this list ONLY deals with those classic Generation One Transformers (1984-1986) and no others. This list might have some of your favorites too, enjoy! "Transform and roll out!"

#10 Perceptor (Autobot Scientist) - Keeping with a more educational/scientific theme to the later Generation 1 Transformers, Perceptor changed from a robot into a functional Microscope! Although the microscope aspect of the toy could only magnify up to 1x, it still made for a unique toy design.

#9 Jetfire (Autobot Air Guardian) a.k.a. Skyfire (cartoon) - While most of the original Transformers were taken from older Japanese toys, Jetfire in particular, was modeled almost identically after the VF-1S Super Valkyrie Fighter from the anime Macross (a.k.a. Robotech). One of the many popular Transformers toys, Jetfire was also the most articulated of the early Transformer toys.

#8  Sharkticon (Gnaw) - Introduced along with many newer Transformer toys for the 1986 animated Transformers: The Movie, the Sharkticon's had a unique organic (and fearsome) style, much like the other Transformers based on animals (Dinobots, Insecticons) but the Sharkticon presented a much more exaggerated look with huge yellow eyes, two legs, a mace-like tail and of course a huge jaw full of metallic teeth.

#7 Devastator (Decepticons, Constructicons) - The Constructicons were a group of six Decepticons who could transform into (green) construction equipment/vehicles. The incentive for collecting (buying) all of the Constructicons was the ability to combine all of them in order to form a giant robot known as Devastator!

#6 Grimlock (Dinobots) - The Dinobots were an interesting concept, Transformers that could change into robotic dinosaurs. Out five different characters, Grimlock, a Tyrannosaurus Rex was the most popular and the apparent leader of the Dinobots. The designs for all the Autobots were very unique in their design incorporating the various spikes, claws, horns and wings of the different dinosaur designs.

#5 Shockwave (Decepticon Military Operations Commander) - Although the Decepticons already had a robot that could turn into a gun (i.e. Megatron) Shockwave perfected the idea with a more sci-fi/futuristic element as a laser/ray gun. With a glowing pinkish barrel and absent a face, only a single yellow light Shockwave made for a very menacing toy. Especially with laser gun sound effects!

#4 Soundwave (Decepticon Communicator) - Soundwave has always been one of the most popular and highly-sought after Transformers toys. Although unique in design, he remains very 1980's as he could transform into a tape cassette recorder. Originally he came with cassettes that would transform into miniature minions (i.e. Lazerbeak and Rumble).Always a fan favorite, particularly in the cartoon with his echoing, monotone voice.

Megatron (gun form)

#3 Megatron (Decepticon Leader) - Megatron is the ultimate Transformers villain, while in robot form, the toy was very awkward with the gun barrel on his left shoulder, but as a gun (specifically a Walther P-38 Pistol) it was a very realistic looking toy weapon. I have to admit, I never owned this toy as a child because my parents thought it looked TOO real, and was apparently banned in many countries and even on airlines! Despite his reputation as the best villain in the Transformers saga, in the cartoon it was always odd when Megatron would trasform from a giant robot with a huge shoulder cannon and shrink to the size a small gun which Starscream could hold in his hands.

#2 Optimus Prime (Autobot Commander) - What would the Transformers be without Optimus Prime? The quintessential Transformer, leader of the heroic autobots. In robot form he is very impressive and even in vehicle form as a semi-truck with a tractor trailer. With his shiny red cab huge trailer that turns into a command center Optimus has always been the #1 Transformer. However, I always found the trailer part to be awkward and cumbersome. In the cartoon it would rarely make an appearance and often dissapear during battle? Despite being THE most popular Transformer, the trailer is one reason it is not #1 on my list.

#1 Omega Supreme (Motorized Autobot Defense Base) - There is one Transformer that at it's time (1985), was one of the most unique and biggest toys ever and due to his uniqueness of design, function and popularity is why Omega Supreme earns the #1 spot on this list! Omega Supreme was huge, he functioned as an Autobot base which consisted of a laser cannon tank and a launching pad complete with a rocket. The best part about Omega Supreme was that he was motorized (battery-operated), he could walk in robot form and the tank would roll around the base on a rail. It was truly an impressive Transformer!

Check out: http://www.seibertron.com/