Reader comments
'Transformers' confusing, juvenile

Let's remember these movies are based on a television show that was created simply to sell toys. Can't expect much based on the source material.

the author states "the computer-generated visual effects are stunning, and there's plenty of action".

well that's the whole point of the movie, isn't it? why talk about plot (or lack thereof) when the entiree point of the movie is the special effects and the action?

this is a stupid review. the author doesn't even understand the point of the movie. The movie is AWESOME!! let's just leave it at that.

Critics are totally overrated. This movie is tracking insane numbers in this entire state right now. One theater has it on 13 screens - 13 SCREENS! - at midnight tonight and is completely sold out. Movies are about making money, plain and simple, and this one is about to make a boatload of it.

This article misses the point. The point is not that the movie had a ridiculous story, bad acting, and juvenile antics. The point is that is contains "vulgarity, profanity, drugs, torture, brief sex, slurs, [and] nude art." It is outrageous that Hollywood would market a movie solely to teenagers and children that contains such garbage. With modern Hollywood's continued promotion of immorality, greed, and selfishness, it is no wonder that society is such a mess. There was a time in this Country when Hollywood promoted positive values. Apparently, that time has passed.

I had to take a film class in college and it ruined films for me until I learned to stop over evaluting everything about the film.

The only thing I want to know about this movie is this: "Will it be entertaining?"

Michael Bay=horrible movies that make lots of $$$$

"Apparently, that time has passed."

um, DUH!

Where have you been the past 50 years?

No, this article gets the point exactly. The point is, this is an awful movie. Jeff is being quite kind. The effects are good, but the action is not - it's quite bland poorly staged. This movie is not fun in any way, shape or form. Given the choice between seeing it again and vaing a root canal, I would gladly take the latter option.

Just because it was based on a toy concept doesn't mean it has to be vulgar and juvenile. Remember, The Dark Knight? Yeah, that was based on a concept designed to sell the lowest grade newsprint available to children. Iron Man? Same thing.

Transformers is an exciting concept, but it's been ruined by people who just don't get it and mistake sexual humor for maturity, when in fact it's the opposite.

IF YOUR LOOKING TO STILL SEE THIS MOVIE AT MIDNIGHT, WALKER CINEMAS IN NORTH OGDEN AND PERRY, UTAH STILL HAVE TICKETS AVAILABLE.

Listen to what Patrick Gibbs is saying...that man is a genius.

Interesting comments here. Some are claiming that the entire point of "Transformers" is for mindless action and special effects for those that are interested. Almost implying that the story, writing, acting, development and all other nuances that make all other epic movies attractive completely optional.

Other comments responded by saying that even Iron Man and the Dark Knight (and I would add the Bourne movies) still had good writing, good story-line (I agree about Dark Knight, not with Iron Man).

Is there ever a time where "cotton candy" movies are appropriate? Is there a time where a bunch of teenagers can simply just be entertained? What does that even mean? What is entertainment? Someone else mentioned that taking a film class "ruined films for him" unless he didn't evaluate it too much, whatever that means. Somehow analysis ruins art?

So, what I find most interesting, is the first few people commenting are obvious fans of Transformers, and will see it multiple times regardless of what ANYONE says about it. So, I ask them, who was this review written for? Why does it affect you? You're going to see the movie anyway.

Action movies need serious help.

I just saw this movie, it was so FREAKIN' AMAZING!!!! Whoever wrote this article must not have a taste in movies, i'd have to agree with "Juvenile?" the story was kinda weird, but what can you do? I thought it was great considering what they had to work with!

"Someone else mentioned that taking a film class 'ruined films for him' unless he didn't evaluate it too much, whatever that means. Somehow analysis ruins art?"

Yes, it can. I ran into the same problem after taking a similar class. I could no longer watch a movie as a whole, only as an assembly of components. An analogy would be to look at the Mona Lisa and see only the colors and brush strokes, unable to appreciate the whole. And I'll freely admit that not everyone who takes a film class will have this happen.

Regardless, I expect nothing from the Transformers movie but loud, mindless action. From the review, it apparently delivers on its promises.

"Critics are totally overrated. This movie is tracking insane numbers in this entire state right now. One theater has it on 13 screens - 13 SCREENS! - at midnight tonight and is completely sold out. Movies are about making money, plain and simple, and this one is about to make a boatload of it."

Unfortunately, some pretty objectively terrible movies (terrible in terms of all the elements of filmmaking) have made tons of money, while some really great ones have made almost nothing (and vise versa, of course.)

Money does have to be a factor in almost any artistic creation (especially those that require collaboration) - but it doesn't have to be the sole or even the primary motivation. Look at a film by, say, the Dardenne brothers or Abbas Kiarostami and try to say that the sole or main purpose of their films is "to make money" and not at least partially for the purpose of social and artistic expression. Of course they want to turn a profit - that way it'll be easier to make more movies in the future - but they're also pretty clearly going for something a little bit more than box office success.

What were the filmmakers trying to do?
How well did they do it?
In the end, was it worth doing?

meh?

@Critics are overrated - Your post isn't a statement of the quality of the film. It's a statement of how effectively the studio was able to advertise the film. Films like this are certainly critic-proof (even though they're absolutely right in their negative judgment of it) - but that doesn't make critics overrated. Critical reviews are much more likely to have a larger effect on the overall box office of smaller films that have less of a chance for a massive marketing budget.

So yes, a negative review for this kind of film is kind of useless - but critics are pretty indispensable when it comes to promoting smaller and lower-budgeted films.

TO - John Charity Spring | 3:56 p.m
["The point is not that the movie had a ridiculous story, bad acting, and juvenile antics. The point is that is contains "vulgarity, profanity, drugs, torture, brief sex, slurs, [and] nude art."]

and those are good things!! all you are doing is pointing out that it's not for little children, which is why it's rated PG. What don't you understand about that? in fact, the things you mention make it a BETTER movie... so what's your point?

["There was a time in this Country when Hollywood promoted positive values. Apparently, that time has passed."]

you, sir, are the epitome of ridiculous religious old-school, stuck in the the 1800s, temperance league really old snoots. Sorry to disappoint you but Mayberry RFD was just a tv show - it wasn't real. maybe you can get a time machine to send you back to the 1950s. Seems like that's the only way you'll be happy.

and for the record - THIS FILM ROCKS. the entire point is the special effects and the action (and of course Megan Fox.) So it meets all criteria.

Once again Hollywood is back with their dirty birdie antics and foul language. I am boycotting Hollywood and will be in my cabin in Sidewinder until they make some great wholesome movies based on author Paul Sheldon. Thanks for the review!

As for the "film class ruins films" argument, I can't really agree. While certain films that I once enjoyed may no longer hold up, there are plenty of other films out there that will withstand the increased scrutiny and analysis. Film class and my own research into film technique helped me gain a greater appreciation for the art of film, ultimately making film-going a more enlightening and satisfying experience. It may be more difficult to just go to a multiplex and turn my brain off for a few hours (though I do still love my fair share of mainstream Hollywood flicks) - but that's not necessarily a bad thing, in my opinion. And there are a lot of other, more artistically, morally, and intellectually significant films that I've learned to appreciate and enjoy much more fully.