Pop Culture Movies and More: Transformers (2007)

When teenager Sam Witwicky buys his first car, what he doesn't know, is that it's an alien robot. This isn't the only alien to arrive on Earth. Optimus Prime and a fellow group of transforming robots have arrived in search of the Allspark. But Optimus Prime and the Autobots aren't the only aliens to appear. Megatron and the Decepticons are also searching for the Allspark, and they would do anything to get it, even if it means destroying the world. Based on the popular cartoon show: The Transformers (TV Series 1984-1987), this movie took on the task of revamping the franchise in a modern setting, returning familiar characters with new looks in live-action. This film and a few of the sequels were part of my first introduction to The Transformers universe and were a huge part of my childhood, much like how the original series was for those who grew up in the 1980s and I even had toys from this film. Rewatching this film just hit me with nostalgia and it's likely why I love it so much. This movie was the first-ever attempt at bringing the Transformers into this medium and they did a fantastic job. I honestly can't believe how beautiful the CGI looks in this film. You can easily see the amount of effort and detail that has gone into each character and scene, managing to still hold up today, despite being from the early 2000s. I would even say it trumps that of modern-day CGI which have slowly gone downhill in terms of quality and effort unlike this, which feels built to last. I will never forget the first time we got to see the Autobots transform. It was a magical scene that no matter how many times I see it, I still get goosebumps. Optimus Prime's transformation was the most insane, and visually stunning, moment in the whole film series, matched with the music as we witness every single part move and alter before our very eyes was breathtaking. On my latest viewing, I completely forgot how little the Transformers were actually shown in this one, with most of this long film being spent with human interactions from three separate interlocking story threads. We have stories between Sam and Mikaela, the U.S. army forces and the Defence teams aiming to discover all about these alien occurrences. Not to say that all these moments are entirely annoying because there a quite a few hilarious sequences throughout, and interesting parts whilst mainly telling a somewhat serious story. One of my favourite scenes is when the Autobots are just waiting at Sam's house causing all sorts of trouble whilst he is searching his room. It's incredibly funny. It took a while before we got to see these robotic soldiers get their time to shine in the conflict, which is what we wanted to see the most and when it finally arrives, it is the coolest thing in the whole movie. Director Michael Bay is known for his flashy action with a whole manner of crazy big explosions and battles, which is easily visible in this climactic final attack. I did find some of the action to be quite difficult to focus on at times with so much going on and the camera angles being a bit all over, matched with the lens flares too, it was hard to see what was going on. However, besides those small complaints, the whole sequence is truly exciting. I loved seeing so many iconic names get their live-action variants like the menacing Decepticon leader Megatron and Starscream who have some marvellous transformations and fight scenes. The strangest choice I found was giving Optimus a mouth. His iconic guarded mouth is in the film but only used during fights, it's just a nitpick because I think it looks cooler that way, but we were atleast treated to the superb voice acting of Peter Cullen who returned for the role. Another interesting addition to the story is that of the Allspark which gave life to the Transformers and, when it touches any technology, it turns them into one, which is so creative and intriguing. Overall, Transformers is a brilliant movie that brings iconic characters to live-action in a more adult/teen-themed manner with crazy action and stunning visuals worthy of today's standards. Certainly worth checking out for all Transformer fans and general moviegoers. Also, check out the sequel, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009).