Quite a Thrill Ride--Even for a Non-Fan Like Me!

-----------------------------------------------------Background-------------------

I am not a "Transformers" fan (my wife is, however). I have never watched a single cartoon, movie, read a comic book, or bought a toy. I have, however, noticed them over the years. But I was, conversely, a "Voltron" fan, trying not to miss an episode after school, all those years ago. It's rather easy-peasy for me to write a review, since I have no preconceived expectation. Here we go...

-----------------------------------------------Special Effects----------------

First off, let me say that the film's special effects and cgi, as I viewed it (on HD-DVD) was about the best I've ever seen! The robots' transformations from and to various mobilized units were detailed, and it's obvious that a LOT of work went into it. The surfaces, textures, and reflections were very convincing, and one couldn't help but continue to ask--"HOW did they do THAT!!!???" It really was spectacular. And there was just a hint of grain visible, mostly in a few scenes with dark backgrounds. Other than that, this is a piece de resistance for your high-definition collection--an absolute MUST!

---------------------------------------------------The Plot----------------

The film is very cleverly centered around a high school-age boy, who's explorer grandfather, Mr. Witwicky, made a huge discovery. He found a crashed Deceptecon ("Megatron"), which was frozen in the North Pole, and accidentally activated its navigation system, which then caused an imprint on his spectacles. Sam Witwicky, the grandson, is giving a report to his history class, and is actually trying to hawk some of his grandfather's items, including the glasses, (and concurrently, through Ebay).

The Deceptecons were looking for the "Cube"-a mythical object that could create and populate new worlds with new life forms-which they intended to use to extinguish the human race, and replace them with Deceptecons ("bad" Transformers), and that's how the pioneering one crash-landed on Earth, apparently thousands of years ago. Megadon had turned against the "good" Transformers, and destroyed their planet." The "good" Transformers ("Autobots") were also looking for the Cube, but to destroy it and prevent the Deceptecons' vision of the future.

The film opens, rather spectacularly, somewhere in the desert in the Middle East (Quatar), where a U.S. military encampment is attacked by a Deceptecon, disguised as a recently crashed super-advanced helicopter. It ends up stealing data from their computer systems, and basically catches them way, WAY off-guard! They eventually battle it off, but not before it totally rips them a new one. Later, they acquire one of its tentacles, for further analysis.

Meanwhile, back at the "Ranch," Sam Witwicky's dad buys him a sad-looking used car (about a '77 Camaro), which is actually a "good" Transformer, which is looking for him. He ends up impressing a girl, who he "rescues" from her crappy boyfriend, giving her a ride home from "the Lake," or wherever the local hangout is. There are some comical scenes here, as the car actually has a hyped-up engine, and the girl is actually very handy "under the hood." The Transformer car helps Sam impress the girl, in comically classic ways that you'll have to watch the film to see (and it's basically every high school boy's "dream car"). Pretty soon, however, things turn dark.

The Deceptecons locate Sam's Ebay page, and track him down, chasing him down in the guise of a police car. His own car transforms and defends him. By now, however, the Deceptecons are in full pursuit, but the rest of the Autobots, led by "Optimus Prime," come to his rescue.

Meanwhile, the military's Secretary of Defense is scratching his head and using every available resource, to figure out exactly what is attacking the U.S., and how to stop it. One computer analyst "borrows" some of the code, after her notion of a biological, evolving robot organism is dismissed as "ridiculous," and takes it to the "greatest hacker on the planet." What follows is ridiculously funny!

She arrives at this "hacker's" house, who turns out to be Rizwan Manji ("Akran," the fat guy from Romeo Must Die), who is playing Dance Dance Revolution on his Playstation with his even larger cousin, "Malfouz." He looks into it, verifying her suspicions, when the military bursts into the house. They initially chase Malfouz, who spectacularly bursts through the sliding-glass door, and gets tackled to the ground (I could watch this scene over and over--it's HILARIOUS!)--I mean, all this guy wanted to do was get back to his GAME ("You better save my game!'). They get rounded up, and, eventually, so do Sam, his girlfriend, and they even capture the Camaro Transformer.

That last bit of development took place thanks to a government outfit called "Sector 7;" their motto is "We don't exist." Apparently, the U.S. government had been in possession of some of the Transformers' technology, as well as the Cube, and, essentially, almost all of Earth's technology resulted from the reverse-engineering of this (a la Terminator), and "Sector 7" has been in charge of safeguarding it (I won't reveal the location here), and any activities that have to do with it. They even know stuff that the Defense Secretary doesn't know, and are apparently only known unto the President, himself. Anyways, they are responsible for rounding everyone up, and have them holed-up in this secret location.

Meanwhile, the Deceptecons are closing in. They know the location of the crashed unit, and it gets reactivated ("Megadon"), and they also know the location of the Cube. Sam also knows that Megadon, and the rest of the "bad" Transformers are coming, and what they plan to do. Sector 7 still has his personal Transformer imprisoned, and refuses to listen to him. Some of the bad-*** Marines from the opening scene are somehow there, as well, and basically hear enough of the stubborn, beareaucratic leader of Sector 7, and force him to do what Sam says, releasing his Transformer, and allowing the film to flow to poetic justice.

In the closing scenes, there is an epic battle between the Autobots and the Deceptecons, in an urban setting. You'll have to watch it yourself to see exactly how it plays out--it's pretty interesting. But just know that Sam's girl, a gorgeous actress who's been compared to Angelina Jolie, sticks it out with him throughout the plot.

--------------------------------------------------Conclusion-------------

The Transormers DVD is breathtaking! Though some were disappointed that it seemed to focus more on the humans, and not the robots, it was a good story, and the robots are the "meat" of it. The uninitiated will be clued in-and who knows, may even become an enduring fan-by the excellent script, which is full of humor and wit. Shia La Beouf and Megan Fox are on their way to becoming big stars, and Rizwan Manji will star in his own, big-time comedy. Transformers is great fun, and will be a repeat favorite in your home, if you are into comics, science-fiction, humorous teen romance, or just a really good time!

Here are a few of my other movie reviews...

"Wanted" is What U Want Nothing More. No Spoilers
The Joker is "One Sick Puppy!!!"The Dark Knight
This Movie is PERFECT for Our Times!(Iron Man)
Black Snake Moan---VERY PROVOCATIVE!
Shrek is BAAAACK!!! (Shrek the 3rd)
Part-Comedy, and Part Thriller (Hot Fuzz)
Really Fires the Imagination-National Treasure 2
The Bourne "Realization"-- WHAT A RIDE!!!
The Core--A Witty and Inventive End-of-the-World Adventure!
Did You Know that P.S. Also Means Post-Supernatural?
Jet Li is the Dragon Emperor in latest Mummy Installment
Would You Be Afraid of A Bully Named "Cloverfield?" (Horror)

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