Eben07

Honestly, of all the movies I’ve seen this summer, Transformers 2 is probably the one I’m having the hardest time doing this list and I’m trying to be objective.

When I saw this movie, a lot of the people I saw it with thought it was fun, funny, and a good ride.

1. You just want some eye candy.

Transformers 2 is full of eye candy. The giant robots, the locales, explosions, and Megan Fox & other nubiles. Transformers 2 definitely delivers on that aspect – if you go in, don’t care about anything but seeing things blow up – you’ll be pleased.

2. You liked the first Transformers a lot.

I say that with this caveat – you liked it because of the above reason most of all.Transformers was generally embraced by the mainstream and the fanboys, I don’t get the sense there is the same loyalty about this movie.

3. You love Michael Bay action movies.

If you’re the sort that took objection with arms folded when you saw the Team: America song about Pearl Harbor song – you’ll probably  be a-okay with Transformers 2.

4. Jetfire

I rather liked Jetfire in the movie. The aged “Transformer with the aluminum beard” as Roger Ebert pointed out in his scathing review of Transformers 2.

5. You were in the super hyped mode, and the negative reviews began to temper your hopes.

I think this is what happened to me. I was pretty excited to see Transformers and left going, “meh, that was okay.” If I had seen it at peak hype, I am certain I would have been more vocal about the movie’s issues.

Why You Can Skip it.

1. You care about plot and sense

There are a load of questionable plot points that just drove me crazy. This review (caution SPOILERS) hit that the best thus far. That said, it wasn’t like you couldn’t get lost in the move and just go with it, but if you are a purist for a watertight story, you will hate this movie.

2. You read a few negative review and got worried.

A lot of the negative reviews I’ve read have been very very harsh with this movie, but it isn’t entirely undue.

3. You made the movie, and you have no interest in making another one

I can totally be sympathtic to Michael Bay – they guy has taken a lot of lumps from critics of his work. It is an art in its own right to make a popcorn blockbuster movie. It isn’t easy – but Michael Bay has now said he won’t come back to do a third Transformers (at least in 2011) . Of course, it is pretty early, but I can’t blame him for wanting to walk away. Many fanboys have become giddy with the rumors that should Bay walk away Spielberg may pick up the reins. I just have this to say to those excited few.

4. You only want to see Transformers, and you want to be able to tell them apart.

The Autobots usually have a lot more color in them, and the Decepetacons usually have a more flat metal look. Occasionally though, it is tough to tell who is who, and a lot of that has to do with the Transformers getting a very back seat treatment to the human side of the stories. The movie centers around the humans, and doesn’t get too involved with the Transformers except when it has been 10 minutes and something hasn’t blown up or Megan Fox hasn’t exposed some skin.

5. You have an IMAX screen at home.

Obviously, the main reason to see this movie at all is the big screen. Apparently, on some IMAX screens there are scenes where the transformers are in 1:1 scale, they are on the screen and life size. That’s pretty cool – however it sounds like they managed to even get goofy with the IMAX

Anyway, I know D. Bethel is planning a much more detailed piece on Transformers, hoping he’ll wrap that up and share it soon. My bottomline with Transformers 2 was simply it was a flawed story and messy plot, but if you really just go in and don’t look for the problem areas, you’ll probably have a good time and walk out having seen something full of Michael Bay style summer action fun. I’d just say, wait for District 9, Harry Potter, Inglorious Bastards, and etc. There are still some big ticket gotta see in theaters movies out there.