Transformers Movie is a 2007 live action film based on the 1980s toy and cartoon series. It is directed by Michael Bay and executive produced by Steven Spielberg, based on the Transformers franchise.
 

Transformers Poster from Art.com

Transformers Cast: Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Tyrese Gibson, Josh Duhamel, Anthony Anderson, Megan Fox Directed by: Michael Bay Produced by: Steven Spielberg, Brian Goldner, Michael Bay Genres: Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy and Adaptation Running Time: 2 hrs. 20 min. Release Date: July 3rd, 2007 in cinemas MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action violence Original Music: Steve Jablonsky Filming Locations: Los Angeles, California US Distributors: Paramount Pictures

Plot

A long time ago, far away on the planet of Cybertron, a war was being waged between the noble Autobots (led by the wise Optimus Prime) and the devious Decepticons (commanded by the dreaded Megatron) for control over the Allspark, a mystical talisman that would grant unlimited power to whoever possessed it. The Autobots managed to smuggle the Allspark off the planet, but Megatron blasted off in search of it. He eventually tracked it to the planet of Earth (circa 1850), but his reckless desire for power sent him right into the Arctic Ocean, and the sheer cold forced him into a paralyzed state. His body was later found by Captain Archibald Witwicky, and before going into a comatose state Megatron used the last of his energy to engrave a map, showing the location of the Allspark, into the Captain's glasses, and send a transmission to Cybertron. He is then carted away by the Captain's ship.

A century later, Sam Witwicky, nicknamed Spike by his friends, buys his first car. To his shock, he discovers it to be Bumblebee, an Autobot in disguise who is to protect Spike, as he bears the Captain's glasses and the map carved on them. But Bumblebee is not the only Transformer to have arrived on Earth - in the desert of Qatar, the Decepticons Blackout and Scorponok attack a U.S. military base, causing the Pentagon to send their special Sector Seven agents to capture all "specimens of this alien race," and Spike and his girlfriend Mikaela find themselves in the middle of a grand battle between the Autobots and the Decepticons, stretching from Hoover Dam all the way to Los Angeles. Meanwhile, within the depths of Hoover Dam, the cryogenically stored form of Megatron awakens.

Producers Don Murphy and Tom DeSanto developed the film, and Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman wrote the script, aiming for a realistic interpretation of the characters. Though not a Transformers fan, Bay was convinced by Spielberg to direct and he created an intricate design aesthetic for the computer-generated robots. General Motors and the United States military lent their support during filming, to keep the budget under $150 million. Armed with an enormous marketing campaign including comics, toys and tie-in deals, Transformers opened in the United States on July 2, 2007 and broke the box office record for the highest-grossing opening week for a non-sequel. Critics praised the special effects, but criticized the characterization.

Cast

The movie stars Shia LaBeouf as Sam Witwicky, who has the coordinates to the location of the Allspark, an object at the center of the war between the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons. The film also stars Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Jon Voight, John Turturro, and Hugo Weaving as the voice of Megatron. Peter Cullen, the voice of Optimus Prime in the 1980s cartoon, reprised the role for the film.

Pros

Transformers is one of the best summer 2007 films for action sequences. Its great fun to watch.

Cons

The movie seems 20 minutes too long. The plot is rather weak and mainly used to showcase the Transformers while sacrificing the narrative. Transformer fans may be disappointed.