Summer's 'Transformers' isn't transforming
By Bruce R. Miller Journal staff writer | Posted: Sunday, October 14, 2007
This was supposed to have been the summer of "Transformers."
Directed by Michael Bay, the blockbuster was expected to bulldoze over all the sequels, prequels and superhero flicks slipping into theaters.
Unfortunately, it didn't have the necessary punch.
Borrowing from at least a dozen earlier films, it tried to be everything but an original about vehicles that turn into hulking monsters.
At one point you thought you were watching "King Kong." At another, you were sure it was "War of the Worlds." Toss in a little "Gremlins," a bit of "Christine" and you had a film that transformed into little that was new.
Now, on DVD, it at least gives us a chance to see how the effects were accomplished. There are plenty of extras, too, but they can't make up for a so-so story.
In it, Shia LaBeouf -- the kid star of the summer -- plays a teenager whose first car -- a rusty Camaro -- is actually a Transformer, able to morph into a walking giant. Earth is under attack by the evil Decepticons and his Bumblebee -- one of the Autobots -- has to serve as the first line of defense.
Before we get to the big smackdown, however, Bay unleashes a battery of special effects just to prove this is a Michael Bay Film. All kinds of vehicles (most of them General Motors products) race through streets in order to save the cheerleader, save the world -- or whatever the catchphrase happens to be. A bunch of hackers (shades of "Live Free or Die Hard") figure into the plot when communications systems are threatened. There's so much to consider, it all begins to blur.
Interestingly, the special effects don't look as good as they should. Sure, they're sharp, but the Transformers never go out of focus, even when they're far away. An animation glitch? Or an attempt to make them stand out no matter what?
Bay has given them odd voices, too. They try to sound like great sages delivering monumental advice. But they're just an annoying as the voice-over guys on movie trailers.
Because GM was involved in the film's making, much of the two-hour-plus picture looks like a big ad. The cars are impressive (including the new Camaro) but how much is storytelling and how much is salesmanship? The DVD should almost come with a $500 truck rebate.
Also: 'The Hoax'
One lie piled on another grows into something. Or, in the case of "The Hoax," a highly sought book.
The year is 1971 and Clifford Irving, a writer just waiting for a big breakthrough, has announced he's penning the autobiography of billionaire Howard Hughes. Since Hughes is a known recluse (and hardly the type who would grant interviews), the coup is the stuff of which publishing legends are made.
Unfortunately, it's all a lie. Irving doesn't know Hughes. Hughes didn't commission anyone to write his story. The book is nothing more than a fabrication. Still, it gets the publishing world excited and Irving a lot of attention.
As a slice of pop culture, "The Hoax" is fascinating to watch. Richard Gere plays Irving as a swinging snake oil salesman. Just when it seems he's found out, he ups the ante, gets more attention and keeps on moving. Unfortunately, too many people are in on the secret. When they start talking, he starts panicking.
Director Lasse Hallstrom has salted his film with plenty of touchstones from the era. When Irving's editor (Hope Davis) feels a headache coming on, she soothes her forehead with a can of Tab. When Irving wants to duplicate Hughes' handwriting, he turns to Newsweek for a sample. The clothes, the furnishings, the details are exquisite -- even more so than the clues Irving drops in his negotiations.
While the film clearly shows how bogus the writer's claim is, the salesmanship is first class. The publishers buy his story because they want to believe him.
Meanwhile, a friend (a cuddly Alfred Molina) nearly spoils the surprise every time he drops a tidbit. He bumbles his way into the ruse and realizes the good life isn't worth the price he has to pay.
Although Gere and Molina make this a two-man show, there are plenty of others to consider -- Irving's wife (Marcia Gay Harden), his mistress (Julie Delpy), the heads of MacGraw-Hill and Time, Hughes operatives and Richard Nixon.
Nixon, in fact, is key to Irving's redemption. Hallstrom makes much of a box of files sent to Irving that connects Hughes and Nixon on a specific deal. There's a reason why Howard Hughes goes public -- and Irving is convinced it's to help Nixon save face. While the theory may hold water, it doesn't dam the story at hand. Instead, it adds to the mystique and makes "The Hoax" that much more watchable.
Gere is at his finest; Molina is a great partner. Using them to elevate Irving may seem a bit suspect. But when the movie is this fun to watch the means justify the end.
Also this week:
TV: "Kings of South Beach"; "MacGyver," the complete series; "Medium," season three; "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," complete series; "That '70s Show," season seven.
Movies: "Believers"; "The Company"; "Crazy Love"; "Havoc 2"; "Ice Spiders"; "The Invisible"; "The Jazz Singer"; "Jingle All the Way"; "Michael Moore Hates America"; "A Mighty Heart"; "Planet Terror"; "The Reaping"; "Return to House on Haunted Hill"; "Safe Harbour"; "The Trials of Darryl Hunt"
Directed by Michael Bay, the blockbuster was expected to bulldoze over all the sequels, prequels and superhero flicks slipping into theaters.
Unfortunately, it didn't have the necessary punch.
Borrowing from at least a dozen earlier films, it tried to be everything but an original about vehicles that turn into hulking monsters.
At one point you thought you were watching "King Kong." At another, you were sure it was "War of the Worlds." Toss in a little "Gremlins," a bit of "Christine" and you had a film that transformed into little that was new.
Now, on DVD, it at least gives us a chance to see how the effects were accomplished. There are plenty of extras, too, but they can't make up for a so-so story.
In it, Shia LaBeouf -- the kid star of the summer -- plays a teenager whose first car -- a rusty Camaro -- is actually a Transformer, able to morph into a walking giant. Earth is under attack by the evil Decepticons and his Bumblebee -- one of the Autobots -- has to serve as the first line of defense.
Before we get to the big smackdown, however, Bay unleashes a battery of special effects just to prove this is a Michael Bay Film. All kinds of vehicles (most of them General Motors products) race through streets in order to save the cheerleader, save the world -- or whatever the catchphrase happens to be. A bunch of hackers (shades of "Live Free or Die Hard") figure into the plot when communications systems are threatened. There's so much to consider, it all begins to blur.
Interestingly, the special effects don't look as good as they should. Sure, they're sharp, but the Transformers never go out of focus, even when they're far away. An animation glitch? Or an attempt to make them stand out no matter what?
Bay has given them odd voices, too. They try to sound like great sages delivering monumental advice. But they're just an annoying as the voice-over guys on movie trailers.
Because GM was involved in the film's making, much of the two-hour-plus picture looks like a big ad. The cars are impressive (including the new Camaro) but how much is storytelling and how much is salesmanship? The DVD should almost come with a $500 truck rebate.
Also: 'The Hoax'
One lie piled on another grows into something. Or, in the case of "The Hoax," a highly sought book.
The year is 1971 and Clifford Irving, a writer just waiting for a big breakthrough, has announced he's penning the autobiography of billionaire Howard Hughes. Since Hughes is a known recluse (and hardly the type who would grant interviews), the coup is the stuff of which publishing legends are made.
Unfortunately, it's all a lie. Irving doesn't know Hughes. Hughes didn't commission anyone to write his story. The book is nothing more than a fabrication. Still, it gets the publishing world excited and Irving a lot of attention.
As a slice of pop culture, "The Hoax" is fascinating to watch. Richard Gere plays Irving as a swinging snake oil salesman. Just when it seems he's found out, he ups the ante, gets more attention and keeps on moving. Unfortunately, too many people are in on the secret. When they start talking, he starts panicking.
Director Lasse Hallstrom has salted his film with plenty of touchstones from the era. When Irving's editor (Hope Davis) feels a headache coming on, she soothes her forehead with a can of Tab. When Irving wants to duplicate Hughes' handwriting, he turns to Newsweek for a sample. The clothes, the furnishings, the details are exquisite -- even more so than the clues Irving drops in his negotiations.
While the film clearly shows how bogus the writer's claim is, the salesmanship is first class. The publishers buy his story because they want to believe him.
Meanwhile, a friend (a cuddly Alfred Molina) nearly spoils the surprise every time he drops a tidbit. He bumbles his way into the ruse and realizes the good life isn't worth the price he has to pay.
Although Gere and Molina make this a two-man show, there are plenty of others to consider -- Irving's wife (Marcia Gay Harden), his mistress (Julie Delpy), the heads of MacGraw-Hill and Time, Hughes operatives and Richard Nixon.
Nixon, in fact, is key to Irving's redemption. Hallstrom makes much of a box of files sent to Irving that connects Hughes and Nixon on a specific deal. There's a reason why Howard Hughes goes public -- and Irving is convinced it's to help Nixon save face. While the theory may hold water, it doesn't dam the story at hand. Instead, it adds to the mystique and makes "The Hoax" that much more watchable.
Gere is at his finest; Molina is a great partner. Using them to elevate Irving may seem a bit suspect. But when the movie is this fun to watch the means justify the end.
Also this week:
TV: "Kings of South Beach"; "MacGyver," the complete series; "Medium," season three; "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," complete series; "That '70s Show," season seven.
Movies: "Believers"; "The Company"; "Crazy Love"; "Havoc 2"; "Ice Spiders"; "The Invisible"; "The Jazz Singer"; "Jingle All the Way"; "Michael Moore Hates America"; "A Mighty Heart"; "Planet Terror"; "The Reaping"; "Return to House on Haunted Hill"; "Safe Harbour"; "The Trials of Darryl Hunt"
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JAy M. wrote on Oct 15, 2007 4:24 AM: