GM's Big Screen Gamble-tron: "It's really, really GOOD!"

[importedtuna]

The Transformers
Entertainment Reviews
PK Eiselt
June 28, 2007

I have been a Transformers Fan all my life. I have vivid memories of running home from school and laying on my mother’s bed to watch the show. Like many fans, I grew out of collecting “toys” only to get sucked back in during my mid 20’s (via the highly detailed figures from the Robots In Disguise animated series).

So it's been with a great deal of interest and anticipation that I’ve followed the progress of the film. This is the first time I have actually followed a film’s production via the Internet. The vocal input from the fandom has been pretty well documented, and although I have remained optimistic that the film would be good – I still had that deep nagging fear, “What if it ends up not being any good?” I had hoped to be able to answer that question objectively, however ultimately I find that I can't – I can only approach this experience as a fan. A life-long fan…

With that in mind, my answer is – “Oh god yes! It's really, really GOOD!”

The screening I went to was hosted by the Los Angeles Film Festival held in Westwood (just behind UCLA). The theater entrance was decorated with a life-size Bumblebee replica. In addition to being the North American Premiere, this screening of Transformers also marked the first time that the LAFF had screened a film in 100% Digital via Satellite Transmission, or as the announcer said,“This movie is coming to you straight from outer space,guys!!”

This is easily the best Action film released this year. And possibly the best Action Blockbuster of the last few years. The theater audience I was with responded very well to the film – cheering, laughing, and gasping at all the right moments. If you go into this looking for a Thrill Ride, you won't be disappointed. There is plenty of comedy and even some nice tender moments. The end of the film leaves you wanting more, and more than a little exhausted. Like spending the day at a roller coaster park.

Continues: http://enewsi.com/reviews/showproduc...7&limit=recent

[Smellhound]

Just curious for those on here who are Nascar fans....

Is the paint scheme on Optimus Prime in the promo poster supposed to resemble intentionally the paint job of the blue and red flames on Jeff Gordon's Nascar? Is there some promotional tie-in there?

[Co27sskid]

Yea, they both Kick A$$ lol

[jwrebholz]

Not likely. Optimus Prime was originally red, white and blue. They probably just aped that color scheme and jazzed it up a little.

[mcool]

I broke down and bought the new Transformers video game this weekend. It's a nice primer to the movie, though I'm sure I spoiled some of the story line by making the purchase. Otherwise, it's a fun game and (for PS2) the graphics are great.

[camaro_freak]

Originally Posted by Smellhound

Just curious for those on here who are Nascar fans....

Is the paint scheme on Optimus Prime in the promo poster supposed to resemble intentionally the paint job of the blue and red flames on Jeff Gordon's Nascar? Is there some promotional tie-in there?

no it a decision the team made to give him a "real world" color scheme that translater from "2D animated world" semi in Optimus Prime's color without making it looking retarded.

It took some time to grow on me but it works

[Aerodynamix]

Am I ever glad this guy loved it! Actually, make that relieved. Very, very relieved. I'm going to see it tomorrow night and can't wait.

[importedtuna]

Guts, gears and glory
'Transformers' has explosive fun with its robots from outer space
July 2, 2007
BY TERRY LAWSON
FREE PRESS MOVIE CRITIC

MAKING STARS OF CARS: GM hopes for an image boost as 4 of its vehicles score big roles in the long-awaited 'Transformers' movie

While it may not have the panache of the original "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Transformers" is just as much of an unexpected summer surprise. Not only is it full of way-cool machinery, epic robot fights and mind-dazzling effects, it also has more than its quotient of actual wit and fun.

"Wow, this is 10 times cooler than 'Armageddon,' " says an excited teenage boy, inspecting the chaos left from an encounter between the Autobots (the good guys) and the Decepticons (the bad guys), the battling 'bots from outer space.


Sure, it's a self-referential nod to the noisy space epic that put director Michael Bay on the summer spectacle A-list, but Bay at least knows himself: This is the movie that the rock 'em-sock 'em director was born to make.

"Transformers" also has a story that can be followed, if not always as cleanly unfolded as the CGI 'bots, and a cast that is as eager to sell the enterprise as the movie is to shill General Motors vehicles. (One extended sequence could be the best commercial the automaker could have ever conceived, showcasing almost its entire vehicle lineup.)

Shia LaBeouf plays Sam Witwicky, a high school junior whose great-grandfather was a once-famous Arctic explorer whose debunked claim that he discovered a giant ice man overrode his other accomplishments.

Now Sam is shamelessly hawking his ancestor's artifacts on eBay to finance his purchase of his first car, which turns out to be a beat-up yellow Camaro with a mind of its own. (Bernie Mac has a hilarious cameo as a used car salesman.) Though Sam lucks out in using his new chariot to rescue the girl of his dreams, sultry Mikaela (Megan Fox), from her bullying boyfriend, he barely has to time to savor his victory before the Camaro is stolen.

But when he plays follow-that-car on his mom's bike, he gets more than he bargained for: In the "Close Encounters" glow of a still night, the car rearranges itself into a three-story robot and grabs a light beam to make contact with what we presume is its alien leader.

More http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...20359/1035/ENT

[KingElvis]

Does anyone here think that seeing a car in a movie would influence what they buy?

Color me skeptical.

[smk4565]

If only the Camaro was on sale this fall, they would sell a ton, by the time the car gets here, hype for it will have died down. It will still sell, but I don't think as quickly as it could have.

[ronald mcretard]

Originally Posted by KingElvis

Does anyone here think that seeing a car in a movie would influence what they buy?

Color me skeptical.

If product placement wasn't effective they wouldn't do it. Those marketing guys may not be the smartest people in the world, but they aren't idiots.

[smk4565]

Originally Posted by KingElvis

Does anyone here think that seeing a car in a movie would influence what they buy?

Color me skeptical.

The new Mustang looks a lot like the Shelby GT500 in Gone In 60 Seconds. Plus they offer a Bullit Mustang, I think when a car looks great in a movie and goes fast and does impressive things, people dream of owning one and doing the same. It isn't going to be the sole decision why someone buys the car, but it I think it helps create interest.

[HEVguy]

I can't wait to see this film, but with this kind of review,... I know it can't be that good. It'll be great fun, but I won't believe it is that great until I see it myself, else it could be a let down.

[importedtuna]

Originally Posted by KingElvis

Does anyone here think that seeing a car in a movie would influence what they buy?

Color me skeptical.

Toyota hawks the Yaris in product placement commercials and comics in Smallville the TV show. Toyota isn't doing too poorly with its advertising efforts if you hadn't noticed.

I bet you'd be first to pile on if negative reviews were pouring in.

Color me skeptical of your skepticism. How can anyone think the GM car exposure from this mega hit movie could be a bad thing?

But then you'd probably rather see millions spent on HUMMER commercials during football games? Or Impalas sold via NASCAR?

[racy]

Originally Posted by KingElvis

Does anyone here think that seeing a car in a movie would influence what they buy?

Color me skeptical.

Smokey and the Bandit and Trans AM sales?