Transformers (2007 live-action version): Zero Watch Checks

Last night I had the opportunity to go see Transformers with Nathan and our mutual friend Eric. Before last night, I had never shouted at a character in a movie while in the movie theatre, because I’m generally acutely aware of being in a crowd of people.

But last night, I completely forgot. I became so involved in the movie that when the main human character (Sam Witwicky) is running around on the top of a building, flapping his arms wildly to get the attention of a helicopter, I found myself shouting the following:

“The flare, you idiot, the flare!”

And then I found myself surrounded by giggles.

Fantastic.

At least the kid lit the damn flare. And no, that’s not a spoiler, they light a lot of flares and there’s a lot of helicopter-attention-grabbing from buildings.

As for the rest of the movie, it’s awesome. It’s funny, it’s exciting, and it’s touching. The CGI is wonderfully done. Nathan and Eric never noticed that the characters were CGI, while I only had one moment where I remembered that it was CGI. Otherwise, I completely believed it.
When one of the Autobots is captured by humans, the audience can see him suffer. But we, as an audience, didn’t just see him suffering, we believed he was suffering. We wanted it to stop as much as Sam and all the Autobots.

With a fairly tight and very well-paced plot, the movie cruises along without even a thought of glancing at your watch. Nathan complained that the movie was too short until I told him that it was actually two hours and fifteen minutes long. He called me a liar. I called him something not-nice.

Now, I’m an 80’s kid. I grew up with the Transformers and, like every other 80’s Transformers fan, I coveted an Optimus Prime. I never got an Optimus Prime, though I did have a Starscream. I loved the Transformers and Optimus Prime was The Man. So when I found out they were making another Transformers movie, I was a bit unsure. I didn’t want another of my childhood experiences beat up in the parking lot outside thousands of theatres nationwide (à la Batman & Robin).

Not only did my beloved Transformers come out unscathed, they came out buffed and waxed and shining.

Go see this movie.

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