TRANSFORMED

TRANSFORMED By John Grafman All I can say is thank God for ILM, Digital Domain, and computer-generated imaging. A few years ago, this movie would be inconceivable. Well, perhaps not inconceivable, let's just say far less effective at recreating the director's vision. In this film, it takes a whole lot of vision. Just how one takes a small toy and creates a cinematic epic between good and evil does require more than a little imagination. Yes, this needs a creative mind, oh, and about $150 million.

One question: Does the audience see that hundred and 50 mil up on there on the big screen? Perhaps a prelude to that question is "who is in the audience?" Depending on who watches this movie, it makes all the difference. Those who grew up with Transformers from 1984 onward can't help but be mesmerized. Anyone else (if there is anyone else) needs to roll with the punches. Either way, there's enough in automotive adventure to keep everyone entertained. General Motors couldn't have conceived of a better commercial, no matter how hard they tried. When the star of the movie happens to be a Camaro, let alone the all-new yet-to-be-released Camaro, how can you do any better than that? But that's not all - no, no, no. GM cars and trucks, including the Pontiac Solstice, the Hummer H3, a GMC Topkick 6500 pick-up truck, and even a less-than-shiny 70s Camaro dominate this movie. However, there always has to be an anomaly. In this action packed adventure they left the bad guy to be played by a Saleen S281 Mustang. A Chevy and a Ford showdown, what can be better than that?

For those who aren't familiar with this fantasy, the basic gist of this movie revolves around two factions of aliens known as Transformers, namely the Autobots and the Decepticons. The Decepticons are looking at the destruction of the earth (as we know it), unless the Autobots have something to say about it. The struggle between good and evil is no better dramatized than the conflicting characters of Optimus Prime and Megatron. These two mega machines tower at 40 feet dwarfing everything in their path. Highly detailed with some 10,108 moving parts in just Optimus alone, these come across as far more than just a little complex compared to the cars and trucks they morph in-and-out of.

As much as the crew might have loved playing with Transformers as kids, even they realized a movie with nothing but two, three and four-story tall robots' battling it out just isn't going to fly. So, intertwined among all of the action is a teen-age love story. Shia LaBeouf as Sam Witwicky, and his love interest Mikaela Banes played by the enticing Megan Fox plays the lead. Both of the relatively young actors hold their own in this sci-fi tale and add a human touch to the storyline. Added support in this movie are Josh Duhamel playing Captain Lennox, Tyrese Gibson as Technical Sergeant Epps, John Turturro as Agent Simmons, and Jon Voight in the role of Secretary of Defense John Keller. Turturro comes across as being as animated as the robots, but he's known for his over-the-top antics...and it works. The biggest support to the military theme actually isn't coming from the actors, but from the US Department of Defense, providing its own toys in the form of CV-22s, F-117s, C-130 cargo planes, and the C-17 outfitted as the spooky gun ship. The involvement of the military is instrumental to this picture having some sort of realism keeping this grounded as Transformers wreck havoc everywhere.

The credibility provided by the cast, and the incredible locations and effects doled out by the talented crew have the producers and director to thank. Michael Bay's (the Director) ability to foresee what this move is, and the support provided by Executive Producers Steven Spielberg, Brian Goldner, and Mark Vahradian made Michael's dream come true. This DreamWorks - Paramount Pictures release really has all the bases covered: Cars, giant robots, a couple of the hottest, newest names in Hollywood alongside some tried and true talent, epic battle scenes, and romance.

Is it all there? Yes it is, if you don't blink. Not a single person going to this movie won't be blown away with all the action and visual details provided by this. But at the same time, everything whizzes by at the speed of sound. But perhaps that's the effect the director wanted. After all, anyone wanting to catch every last ounce of action and nuance of the transformers is more than encouraged to see the movie again and again. And while this might be a summer blockbuster, just wait until the DVD goes on sale. Those numbers will undoubtedly be out of this world. As for myself, I might pass on buying the re-release of Transformer action figures from Hasbro, but on the other hand, the new Camaro will look mighty nice in my driveway! For more information go to www.transformersmovie.com. Meet the new Camaro in person at Chevy's Rev It Up

Transformers (PG-13) Sam Witwicky: Tom Shia LaBeouf Mikaela Banes: Megan Fox Sergeant Lennox: Josh Duhamel USAF Tech Sergeant Epps: Tyrese Gibson Maggie Madsen: Rachael Taylor Glen Whitmann: Anthony Anderson Defense Secretary John Keller: Jon Voight Agent Simmons: John Turturro Director: Michael Bay Screenplay: Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman Based on Hasbro's Transformers action figures Producers: Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Tom Desanto, and Don Murphy Executive Producer: Steven Spielberg, Michael Bay, Brian Goldner, and Mark Vahradian