MOVIE REVIEW: Transformers

All this year I have been looking forward to "Live Free or Die Hard." Anyone who knows me knows that movies get me going more than anything else. My life is all about movies. Always has been, always will be. Everybody gets one passion in life, and this is mine. That having been said, "Live Free or Die Hard" was the best movie of the summer up until tonight. Tonight, I nerded out (way more than I intended-more on that later). Seven of my friends and I went to the sneak peak of "Transformers," and let me tell you, Michael Bay may have just made the best career move of his life. Anyone who is anyone at least remembers Optimus Prime from their childhood. That is who this movie was made for. Not the little kids. It was made for all the nerds, myself included, who remember the cartoon and wanted a full scale live action assault of awesome.
The film opens with a command unit returning to a military base overseas (unit includes Josh Duhamel and Tyrese Gibson). Shortly after they arrive, an unidentified chopper flies in and begins walking around tearing shit up. Yes I said walking around. The first decepticon we see is Starscream (nerd). He is sent to this base to gather information on Sector Seven, a secret military base where a projcect, code named "Ice Man," is being kept. So we jump over to the good old USA where we meet Sam Witwicky (played with brilliance by Shia LaBeouf) and Mikaela (the smokin hot Megan Fox). Sam is a nerd while Mikaele is of course the hot chick who dates the jock asshole (she represents the women of America). So Sam's father (Kevin Dunn) takes Sam to purchase a used car. His first car ever. So Bernie Mac sells them an old Camaro, that Mac seems to have never seen before. That's right, bitches, it's Bumble Bee (you FUCKIN' nerd). Soon the car begins to drive on its own, opens doors on its own, and even sets the mood with music when Sam gives Mikaela a ride home. Then one night the car steals itself and drives to a location to transmit a beam of light, which essentially is used to call the other Auto-Bots to Earth. So now Sam and Mikaela learn of the All Spark, which both the Decepticons and Auto-Bots are after. The device can destroy the world by turning technology against humans, and forever enslaving the race. So the rest of the film is essentially action sequences with Cons vs. Bots.Remember the feeling you got after watching "Jurassic Park?" Like not only is this something special, but also a milestone for special effects in general? Well this film has it all as well. There are a few sequences in there that I have no idea how they did it. The money was well spent because this film made everything look flawless in terms special effects. It is basically eye candy caught on camera.I have been a fan of Shia LaBeouf since he was on "Even Stevens," so fuck everyone who just joined the bandwagon. The kid has instant charisma and timing that only rivals Michael J. Fox, and nobody hates him. This kid will go far. How far? Well, LaBeouf is now filming his role as the son of Indiana Jones in the fourth movie in that series, which is due out next May.The movie itself was just incredibly fun to watch. Coming in a two and a half hours, it seemed to go by quickly and left everyone wanting more. Of course we get the nod to potential sequel, which of course there will be. With "Live Free or Die Hard" closing out an era of a franchise, "Transformers" kicks in with the start of a new one. From here on out though, expect every 80s cartoon to pop up as a live action film. "Thundercats," "Vultron," and "Masters of the Universe" are all being talked about as new film projects.


So back to my being a nerd. This franchise is a cash cow. I am fighting every urge to get into my car right now, go to Toys R Us, and buy Bumble Bee and Optimus Prime. "You'll never get a girlfriend again!" Yes, but there is a good chance that will never happen again anyway. So really, what I am waiting around for.Like it or not, "Transformers" is going on my best of the year list.