So I know its kinda early, as it's not out till tomorrow, but people like me .i.e british people have seen it so I can get a few posts, and you will all get a chance to see it wendesday.
Start off, I haven't seen it yet. If I see it, is a question for the future. I did see the first one, and wasn't a fan. Did listen to the spill review, and was blown away when Carlyle said he hated it. You have to take a big dump on fanboydom to make the Transformers look this good, and have Fan-boys hate it. One of the many major complaints I've heard from the film, is that there is no plot. It's mentioned in the review, they he just makes this up as they go along, but I also heard that the script came from the same guys who did Startrek, and that had a wonderful plot. Korey suggests that if you want a synopsis of the plot go to wikipedia, so I did, and read over what it had to say. I'm very surprised, that I was entertained simply reading those paragraphs. A story that ties more Transformer mythology to the first movie, while introducing it in a new, and fresh way. Energon is the focus of the battles, Jetfire is found locked in ice still dealing with loyalty issues, the Matrix of leadership is given importance, the space bridge makes it's first appearance, Transformer life cycles are explained in a somewhat logical fashion. Then I read in further detail on each of these points, and learn how systematically they make us hate each of these points, as Energon becomes a battle to blow up the sun from a pyramid, Jetfire makes no sense from any perspective as he is depicted, Optimus's resurrection is completely botched making the Matrix a McGuffin, and the space bridge is turned into a sparkling plot device. Sad, sad, sad....
I also find it quite interesting that while the plot is being told on Wikipedia, the characters of Arcee and Wheelee seem to be mentioned quite easily as part of the plot, but the Twins are always mentioned in their own sentence doing things that have no effect, and that if you erase those sentences, the plot is unaffected.
I think I would like to read a comic book based on this script.
On the point of Jetfire, all I have to say is, with all the money being spent on this movie, at this point in time, we can finaly move past "legal issues", you can afford to buy the rights to the image of a Veritech, and make a cute tip of the hat to fans at the same time, as he is a ancient alien that picked up his form else where in the Galaxy, along time ago. This of cource would require that you know your source material, when translateing a script to filming.
Just arrived home from watchin it and actually really enjoyed the movie!! just turn yourself off and enjoy what your watching, the movie is about robots that transform and fight each other, why are people expecting some complex departed like plot!!!
It's also pretty easy to establish stuff when you have a hundred and fifty minutes added on to the first film's hundred and thirty five minute long running length.
That's two hundred and eighty five minutes.
Four hours and forty five fucking minutes. OF NOTHING.
It's kind of difficult to say there wasn't wiggle room for plot and character building when Transformers 1 & 2 are approximately half the length of the entire Evangelion series.
One could even argue that in an attempt to come off as "mature" or even "epic" the makers of the film have created a ridiculous, overly complicated plot.
For a movie that's supposed to be about "robots beating the shit out of each other," this shit seems incredibly bogged down by unnecessary side characters and asinine subplots that go nowhere and do nothing but increase the already bloated screen time.
I smell a fanedit when this movie comes out on dvd lol.
I don't expect much from this. Honestly, I kinda liked the first Transformers. I haven't seen the second yet but the only reason I want to see it is to watch giant robots kick the shit out of each other and that's it. I know that's all I'm going to get out of a Michael Bay Transformers movie. I just hoped they stay true to the source material and follow major plotlines they have in many of the cartoons (i.e. starscream's plan to become leader of the deceptions, Bumblebee's relationship with whatever human he protects, etc.)
This shit sucked monkey balls and im a person that liked the first film... No other way to describe it. The shit sucked....horribly. Too many unexplained things.
lol totally off topic, but I wonder if Michael Bay will ever win an Oscar one day C;
On the topic of Transformers II, one of the things I don't like is an abundance of characters in sequels imported over from the first. I think, one of the reasons why I found Pirates of the Carrebean 2 excruciating was seeing how the writers, or whoever the hell was responsible, go out of their way to make sure, like, everyone in the first film had a part in the second film (they could have at least brought Zoe Saldana back....gosh she's lovely C;) I just thought it was all forced, and they should have just explored new characters. Would've been far more interesting for me personally. You should only really bring back the main, main, main cast (or fan favorites--heheh, I don't think the commodore dude was a favorite...and i cant stand blatant comic reliefs like the two ugly ass pirates.it would have been more interesting to see Johnny Depp as the only fuck up in the whole movie--all the comedy was with him...). in fact, I was just hoping they only kept Johnny Depp and Zoe Saldana and said screw the rest...but no.
As for Transformers II. Sam Whitwicky and Megan Fox would have been fine...no offense to Tyrese, no offense to John Turturro, and no offense to all the other returnsers (Anthony Alexander?...mmm =/). I just wish they could be more creative with the principal cast.