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TRANSFORMERS 3 Stars – Wholesome Sometimes the formula makes the film. Although Michael Bay’s film “Transformers”
offers
little
that
is
novel
or
unexpected
and
instead
follows
the
tried-and-true
formula
of
the
comic
book
genre,
the
end
result
is
a
very
exciting,
entertaining,
endearing
and
enjoyable
journey
into
the
world
of
sentient
machines.
In
addition
to
the
obvious
battle
between
good
and
evil,
there
is
romance
and
danger,
self-sacrifice
and
courage,
with
the
future
of
Earth
resting
in
the
hands
of
a
teenage
boy
and
girl.
There
are
government
secrets
of
alien
life
and
daring
soldiers
whose
abilities
can
protect
us
from
any
threats.
There
is
teenage
angst
with
the
usual
insensitive
handsome
jock
and
the
misunderstood
beauty
who
is
“more
than
meets
the
eye”
with
her
skills
and
troubled
past. For those who know the Transformers as toys with that catchy
advertising
slogan
of
being
“more
than
meets
the
eye,”
the
film
is
a
reminder
of
their
mechanical
ingenuity
and
marketing
skill. For those who enjoy the genres of science fiction and action films,
the
symbols
are
also
familiar.
One
example
is
the
“cube
of
life,”
which
is
a
nod
toward
the
Borg
of
Star
Trek
fame.
But
instead
of
being
an
assimilating
collective,
it
is
the
source
of
machine
intelligence
and
life,
able
to
transform
a
cell
phone
into
living,
metallic
life. Another example is the secret government agency
protecting
the
presence
of
alien
life
only
to
become
the
victim
of
its
own
secrecy. As is true of the Spiderman films, the central character is
an
insecure
teenager,
Sam
Witwicky
(Shia
LaBeouf),
whose
love
for
a
beautiful
classmate,
Mikaela
Banes
(Megan
Fox)
is
hampered
by
his
dorky
appearance
and
style.
In
this
instance,
Sam’s
importance
comes
not
from
an
atomic
spider
bite
but
from
being
the
grandson
of
an
arctic
explorer
who
uncovered
a
metallic
giant
the
government
called
“Iceman,”
because
of
its
frozen
state. What the government doesn’t know is that this sentient machine
is
Megatron
(voice
by
Hugo
Weaving),
the
leader
of
the
evil
Decepticons
who
has
followed
the
cube
to
earth
and
intends
to
turn
all
of
earth’s
machines
into
an
evil
mechanical
army
to
kill
all
humans
and
conquer
the
universe. Fighting the Decepticons are the Transformers,
whose
leader
Optimus
Prime
(voice
by
Peter
Cullen)
has
come
to
protect
the
earth
and
the
universe
from
the
Decepticon’s
evil
plan. The most endearing of the Transformers is a little Camarro
named
Bumblebee
(voice
by
Mark
Ryan).
Making
contact
with
Sam
and
helping
him
with
his
romantic
designs
on
Mikaela,
Bumblebee
is
central
to
the
story
and
provides
the
personal
connection
which
makes
the
Transformers
accessible. “Transformers” is a film of surprisingly enduring quality.
Its
simple
message
of
goodness,
love
and
courage
is
needed
in
a
day
when
the
lines
are
often
blurred
and
the
struggle
is
not
clearly
defined.
Perhaps
this
little
tale
based
on
toys
of
times
past
will
truly
help
transform
all
of
us.
Discussion:
________________ Cinema In Focus is a social and spiritual movie commentary. Hal Conklin is former mayor of Santa Barbara
and
Denny
Wayman
is
pastor
of
the
Free
Methodist
Church.
For
more
reviews:
http://www.cinemainfocus.com.
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