Transformers

Directed by: Michael Bay
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Anthony Anderson, Jon Voight, John Turturro
Running Time: 2h 24min

A perfect example of a film whose sum of its parts is not nearly as good as the individual pieces. Transformers boasts some wicked CGI and some silly yet enjoyable performances from LaBeouf, Anderson, and Turturro, but leaves an unsatisfying feeling at the end of it all.

A movie like Transformers, based on the toys i loved as a child, should make you want to watch it over and over again. The wonder and excitement that permeates so many of Steven Spielberg's films (executive producer on this flick) is completely absent, giving way to Michael Bay's flashy yet forgettable style. He has a knack for formulating a truly eye popping experience, only to leave the viewer with little memory of what has transpired. A brilliant opportunity is missed here, as the parties involve deliver a truly unremarkable film.

The whole premise of robots changing into everyday vehicles or Earth objects, battling over a precious energy source is wide open for interpretation and storytelling. Unlike most adaptable source material, Transformers is capable of changing into any number of retellings or allegories. Yet, much like the nineties eye candy release, Independence Day, this sci-fi tale is all style, no substance. The human characters are throw away foil for the robots to play off of, and the robots are underdeveloped props in need of personality.

If there's one thing a drive-in theatre experience gives you, its an honest look at a film. Stripped of its overpowering sonic disguise and in your face visuals, a movie is left to perform on the bare bones of excellent film making; story, dialogue, performance, and cinematography. Transformers offers little of these essentials of movie making, opting instead for the sensory overload that Bay's oeuvre is loaded with.

It's too bad that Transformers is unable to switch between Spielberg's sensibilities and Bay's kinetic pacing. Underneath it all is a flimsy skeleton, unworthy of our attention, unless that attention is being bombarded by technology. Maybe there is a lesson to be learned from this film after all. Technological advancement is only as good as the character beneath that's driving it. And if that's the case, then Transformers, like robots, is in need of a soul.

Grade: B-