it ok

 

i actually want to learn how to use video editing software(or remember since i think i took a class on it in college) and edit the first, and possibly other, movie to make it better. just take out scenes that aren't all that needed, kinda like the situation with star wars: the phantom edit.

i know if i did ROTF i would add one scene, which was that one where bumblebee at least said one word in his own voice.

 

In retrospect, I kinda like the first movie. It's not the orgy of explosions and obscene robotic body counts the sequels are, so I think in retrospect, Revenge of the Sequel, Dark of the Rear End, and Age of Excess have made the first movie look BETTER simply because the original isn't as bombastic and gloriously stupid.

 

It might still retain Bay's influential crude humor, but it still had a sense of credibility which I think got lost amongst the sequels resulting in them being a bit 'Bayhellish'. DOTM and AOE weren't as bad as a movie ROTF was though.

 

Its the least terrible of them all.

 

TF1 is the most family friendly of the four movies. And it has that magically quality that doesn't wear off over time. It would be great if TF5 captured that spirit and actually followed the breadcrumbs the first movie laid.

 

As much as I hate people aping the MCU "shared universe" style, smaller and more intimate films (I know, saying that about THIS series) may be a way for the series to regain some credibility.

Honestly, the first Bay film feels sorta like TMNT in regards to that "timeless" quality.

Just with more sex jokes and robots with faces made of scrap metal.

 

I voted "mutual." It has good and bad qualities, as do all films.

I like the film due to introducing live-action Transformers to the world. It also does a good job with the whole "robots in disguise" aspect. I like the parts of the film when the human focus is on Sector Seven. The score is magnificent (although I think the other films have scores just as good). The effects are good, and Bay is always very good with tone and giving his films a unique visual panache. Brawl is very underrated as far as non-speaking Transformers go.

At the same time, I think the fact that it was the first film also gives it many problems. I actually think everything that fans think the first film does best is actually done equally good or better in one or more of the sequels. The action, robot characterization, and plots are undoubtedly better in some of the latter films. Best robot cast and characterization? AOE undoubtedly. Best plot? Toss up between DOTM and AOE in my opinion. Best action? Once again AOE without a doubt. I also think the first film has the most filler of all of them. The Decepticons occupy the same general space, but they hardly interact with each other at all. If the first film dropped the hacker subplot, had better action, made the whole Megatron crashing and being held prisoner story more logical, and had better Transformer interaction it would have been truly excellent.

Keep in mind I do like the first film for what it is, but it's not the best of the live action films in my mind, and it isn't a model for how future films should be. I dont look at it through nostalgic or rose-tinted lenses.

 

Very well put! The crude humor in TF1 at least had proper context: a family squabble, a horny teen boy looking up a gorgeous girl, a jerk government agent. ROTF dispensed with all restraint and provided crude humor just for the sake of it.

 

I enjoyed it. I feel that each successive movie has focussed more and more on the humans and not the TFs, which isn't always a good thing when the title of the movie is Transformers.

 

Devastator's wrecking balls were the cherry on the shit sundae. If the worst bit of crude humor in TF1 was Bumblebee pissing lubricant on Simmons, well...

 

I have never understood why that bit is so angering to some people. It lasts about one second and isn't as crude as the idea sounds on paper. All of Mojo's nonsense is way worse.

 

I like it but the movies got better with each sequel so they each out shine it.

 

That may be so, but it's still pretty crude, and disrespectful for one of the franchise's biggest villains. (Pun not intended)

 

It's nice to see how many of you guys enjoy this film.

As a fan sine 1984, it was immediately obvious that the Bay movies were just not intended for me.

It stands as one of the most crushing cinematic disappointments for me since Phantom Menace and the subsequent TF movies have been worse ever since.

I watched Extinction on Netflix and almost couldn't make it through.

 

Still great and fun, but not as rewatchable as DOTM.

 

From a technical/objective standpoint, it's probably the best out of all of them. Which isn't really saying much. The human characters suffer from lack of solid characterization, which wouldn't be a problem if they gave the Transformers more character. However, aside from Jazz (even if it's a stereotypical "gangsta" attitude), many of them are dull as all hell.

I do think Spielberg kept it from being horrible in a lot of ways - he waited till near the end to have Megatron do stuff, which I thought was clever. It really increased the tension of the movie, especially with all the build up they gave Megs. It also had those nice little Spielberg moments, ESPECIALLY when the Autobots came to Earth. That scene never fails to give me chills.

Really ANYTHING with the soldiers was top notch. They might not have a lot of depth, but they're all really likable characters, and they got across that "band of brothers" feeling really well.

Honestly, Sam and Mikaela were kinda cute in this movie. Again, not saying a whole lot, especially since these movies don't do romance movies perfectly, but they had some okay chemistry, especially the scenes where Sam drives her home. Her "Do you think I'm shallow" line actually gave them a little bit of depth. That whole scene, however brief, was the most I ever felt that Sam and Mikaela really liked each other - I'm gonna get castrated for saying this, but it KINDA reminded me of a John Hughes movie or something - both teenagers like each other but are too nervous to say anything direct, be it for whatever reason.

I could go on about what I like and didn't like, but I'll end on this - I think TF1 is objectively the best, even though TF3 is my personal favorite.