Transformers Review

Wow! And double wow! Just got back from watching the best blockbuster of the Summer by far. This film was huge! So many jaw-dropping moments. Transformers was everything I hoped for and more!

In a Summer of mostly disappointing sequels, the film to rule them all, in the blockbuster stakes, is based on a toy! From many years ago!

I can honestly say I have never watched the original cartoon version of Transformers. I think I am just a little too old for it to have infiltrated my childhood. So I cannot really compare or complain about differences between this live action film and the cartoons. I have now learnt about Optimus Prime and Megatron. I now can tell my Autobot from a Deceptecon. I want a bumblebee! It is a testimoney to the effectiveness of the film-makers and these robots that I was moved when one of the Autobots was captured!

There are of course humans in the film and young Shia Lebouf is making a real name for himself. I look forward to him in the hopeful best blockbuster of '08, Indy 4 when he is rumoured to play Indiana Jones son. He is excellent here and helps add some excellent moments of humour into the story. He is certainly someone to watch in the future.

But the biggest accolades must go to the genius's at ILM and Mr Michael Bay. Not since Jurassic Park in'93 have I witnessed true wonder on a cinema screen, seeing events you would never see in real life, played out so convincingly and excitingly. The robots look amazing, and the fights are fantastic. Mr Bay holds everything together incredibly well, the pacing is excellent and there is a good balance between getting to know the characters and watching them involved in near-death occurrences.

This is one of the best blockbusters I've ever seen. Made for the Summer market (you never find Oscar contenders released between May and August, they normally arrive between September and January.) I have to say though, I don't think there should be a sequel. I just can't work out what other story they could tell without it being a re-tread of this film or something less satisfying. This is a great action film and I look forward to seeing it again.

4 and a half transformers out of 5