Transformers Review

Massive explosions, slow-mo and very little discernible plot - that's right folks, it's a new movie from director Michael Bay. But the good news is that he's thrown a whole bunch of giant alien robots into the mix and made the film he was probably born to make. For those who don't know about "Transformers" the premise is simple; they are two warring factions (the Autobots are the goodies, the Decepticons the baddies) of a technological race who can 'transform' into machines in order blend into their surroundings. Well poor Sam Witwicky (Shia LeBeouf) gets caught up in the middle of things when he gets a new car only to see it change into a twenty foot robot before his eyes. You see Sam's ancestor stumbled upon something many years before and it could turn the war in one direction or another and now both sides want it.

It is vital that anyone going to see "Transformers" remembers one thing - this is not high art. But what it is is a thoroughly enjoyable, leave-your-brain-at-the-door, popcorn blockbuster that ticks all the right boxes. Things blow up, people run around firing guns and massive metal monsters go toe-to-toe while a deafening sound mix threatens to make your ears bleed; what better way is there to spend a Saturday night?

LeBeouf is good in the (human) lead while Megan Fox smoulders beside him as his love interest. The rest of the cast are pretty indistinct although John Turturro is badly miscast as a bumbling spook but what people really want to see at the Transformers themselves and yes, they do look remarkably good. Credit too to Bay for bringing back Peter Cullen, who voiced Optimus Prime in the cartoon series, for the live action version.

In short "Transformers" won't change your life, but it will give you a damn fun couple of hours in the cinema.