Transformers 2007 (2007)

"...a heavy-metal opera with humor.  Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer
"...perfectly embodies the concept of a summer blockbuster with its simple good-guys-vs.-bad-guys plot, cheeky humor and flawless special effects.  Claudia Puig, USA Today
"A classic Michael Bay mega-movie.  Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
"...the action is rock-hard. The surprise is the lightness of touch...  Ian Nathan, Empire
"...a new peak for CGI work, showcasing spectacular chases and animated transformation sequences seamlessly blended into live-action surroundings.  Jay Weissberg, Variety
"...a wet dream for fanboys...alien robots, spectacular sci-fi stunt chases...and brainy, hot girls who love Popular Mechanics.  Kirk Honeycutt, The Hollywood Reporter
"The energy never lets up, and two committed, unfussy leading actors are an improvement over other summer flicks.  Lawrence Toppman, Charlotte Observer

Editor's Note Based on the Hasbro toy line that initially captivated kids in the 1980s, director Michael Bay's TRANSFORMERS finds two warring bands of shape-shifting alien robots renewing their intergalactic conflict on Earth. While the Decepticons, followers of the malevolent Megatron (voiced by Hugo Weaving), strive to take over the planet, the Autobots, led by the valiant Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen), are intent on protecting humanity. When young Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) discovers that his new car is really the Autobot Bumblebee (voiced by Mark Ryan), it sets the stage for a massive giant-robot showdown. A shining example of the Hollywood summer blockbuster at its best, TRANSFORMERS combines stunning CGI effects and thrilling action sequences with drama, humor, and a touch of romance. Featuring a large cast that includes Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Jon Voight, John Turturro, Anthony Anderson, and Rachael Taylor, the film is anchored by LaBeouf, who always displays an engaging Everyman charm, whether he's running from colossal robots, interacting with his well-meaning parents (hilariously played by Kevin Dunn and Julie White), or pining for his gorgeous classmate (Megan Fox). While some TRANSFORMERS purists may be dismayed by certain aspects of this bold big-screen adaptation (Bumblebee is a Camaro instead of a Volkswagen), the movie balances its spectacle with an admirable amount of substance, giving it an appeal far beyond pre-teen boys and their nostalgic Autobot-loving elders.

	Anthony Anderson
	Bernie Mac
	John Turturro
	Jon Voight
	Josh Duhamel
	Megan Fox
	Shia LaBeouf
	Tyrese Gibson
	Alex Kurtzman - Screenplay
	Francois Audouy, et. al. - Art Director
	John Rogers, et. al. - Based On Story By
	Michael Bay - Director
	Mitchell Amundsen - Cinematographer
	Roberto Orci - Screenplay
	Steve Jablonsky - Original Music By
	Steven Spielberg - Executive Producer
	Tom DeSanto - Producer
	Tom Muldoon, et. al. - Editor

Entertainment Weekly
"[I]t's a kiddie dream come true to groove on the heavy-duty sci-fi transformations." -- Grade: B- 07/13/2007 p.48

USA Today
"[T]he ideal summer blockbuster with its simple good guys-vs.-bad guys plot, cheeky humor and flawless special effects." 07/06/2007 p.6D

Total Film
4 stars out of 5 -- "[I]t will be remembered as 2007's jaw-dropper. Special effects have brought your childhood to life, humour and humanity bonuses amid the metallic carnage." 07/01/2007 p.38

Ultimate DVD
3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he evil Decepticons, led by the mighty Megatron -- are beautifully rendered, their interaction a masterclass in CGI technology." 08/01/2007 p.78

Sight and Sound
"[The] effects work is mindblowing." 09/01/2007 p.81

Reel.com 8 of 10
Transformers began life as a body-morphing toy before shape-shifting into a TV cartoon series. Now it has evolved once again, this time into a big, dumb, loud action movie, occasionally tasteless, far too long, yet wildly diverting most of the time. There is no denying that director Michael Bay--the man who also brought us Bad Boys, The Rock, Armaggedon, Pearl Harbor, and Bad Boys II--has a talent for brainless, over-the-top, CGI-enhanced theatrics. After misfiring with the comparatively staid The Island, Bay gets back to basics with Transformers, a high-octane symphony of machine battling machine and stuff blowing to pieces..."I bought a car and it turned out to be an alien robot," Sam complains, but that turns out to be not such a bad thing. At least, his car turns out to be entertaining and so is this movie. Just be sure to check your brain at the door; for close to two-and-half-hours, you will not need it. - Pam Grady

Chicago Sun-Times 8 of 10
I think Michael Bay sometimes sucks ("Pearl Harbor," "Armageddon," "Bad Boys II") but I find it possible to love him for a movie like "Transformers." It's goofy fun with a lot of stuff that blows up real good, and it has the grace not only to realize how preposterous it is, but to make that into an asset...I saw the movie on the largest screen in our nearest multiplex. It was standing room only, and hundreds were turned away. Even the name of Hasbro, maker of the Transformers toys, was cheered during the titles, and the audience laughed and applauded and loved all the human parts and the opening comedy. But when the battle of the titans began, a curious thing happened. The theater fell dead silent. No cheers. No reaction whether Optimus Prime or Megatron was on top. No nothing. I looked around and saw only passive faces looking at the screen...My guess is we're getting to the point where CGI should be used as a topping and not the whole pizza. The movie runs 144 minutes. You could bring it in at two hours by cutting CGI shots, and have a better movie. - Roger Ebert