Transformers

If there’s one movie you should not miss this year, it must be Transformers. At last, a summer movie that lives up to its hype, and delivers it exceptionally. CGI is finally utilized to the best. I didn’t think I’d ever say that, but honestly, what do you expect to see when you hear it’s a movie about vehicle-transforming robots waging a war on earth? 2-D animation ala The Simpsons?

The action is done so well I could forgo making snide comments about the busybody role of U.S. DoD (why always the imprint of “patriotic” involvement?). Even though the military is a crucial part of the story, still, hey, it’s Robots vs. Robots, and that’s what I came to see. The fighter jets may come and save the day, but I’m pretty sure Optimus Prime would triumph even without them. Jeez, even the names sound so dorky: Megatron! Starscream! Bonecrusher! Jazz(?) Bumblebee (????). I’m lovin’ it anyway. Megatron looks like a real mean badass, while Optimus Prime and his robotic voice sounds like… something from my youth.

I prepared to be repulsed by the teenage factor, i.e. Shia LeBeouf, yet actually was impressed that this guy could pull off the role without being annoying throughout. Even more impressed later to see Jon Voight, playing the Secretary of DoD, lurching defensively to fight off a robot called Frenzy with a shotgun… The humor was all right if not ridiculous, but I find it easy to overlook. Just like the whole damn thing if it wasn’t for the CGI.

4.5/5.