Stylin Online TFW2005 Contest #3 - Tell Off The Critics!

I for one, as a real person, and a Transfan, thought the movie was phenominal, gripes included. Racial Sterotypes? So what. I bet nobody noticed the racial stereotypes in "Cars" because it's an effing Disney movie. The lowrider has a latino accent. Flo, who was voiced by an african american woman, had a large trunk, Fillmore was a stoner VW van, Mater was a hillbilly truck with buck teeth. All racial stereotypes. I say BLASPHEMY to those douche baggy movie reviewers that don't know what a real movie is. Benjamin Button, please. Milk, eff that! Bring on Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen for the People's Choice Awards! For the movies that people actually watch and love, by the people that actually love "good" movies.

I won't say revenge of the fallen is perfect. But your reviews are being harsh. Its a long ride but It has some of the greatest robot battles ever put to film.

I understand why the lowbrow humor is here. In passing though that stuff is just white noise. And a Childish RIOT if your theater is packed with Yahoos. Its simply cute jokes and I honestly wouldn't be annoyed as much by these bits in private (on DVD/Blueray) Where a laugh track does not accompany it.

I think this movie is going to do well because it resonates with a grand amount of people. Some people are board by constant action+ narrative. They need simple and crude jokes between the rush. And others Just are here for insanity a popcorn action movie can buy. It was a much better translation of the original transformers show+ comics 25 years later and the homages were gigantic nods the original Transformers Series with the Matrix, The Solar Needle, and Jetfire changeing Factions.

And honestly I came out of the theater traceing my mind through the two and a half hour journey. Immediatly Recalling the action I came for. Traceing the story together keneticly.They gave you a solid 15 minutes of filler to chew on and make fun of it but its a big movie and there is room for everyone. Not just you film Snobs. And specificly Roger Ebert your review particularly was so contradictory I trust you were watching the wall instead of the screen. Everything is explained. Everything functions like the toy line allows it to. The designs are what Transformers Look like and Frankly I think its as Solid as a Artillery Rail Cannon.

Honestly, what more could critics expect from this film? It is a summer action film, not something that is supposed to be complicated or to make you think. Most people go to summer action films to see fights and explosions and to generally be entertained. While it is true that a great story and plenty of action can take place in the same movie, if a summer action flick keeps people in the seats and has most people leaving and saying "Man, wasn't it cool when...", then the movie has done its job. From what I've heard critics saying (I don't usually read reviews), they do make many valid points. However, it ultimately boils down to the critics thinking "Fire Emblem", when the game being played is "Street Fighter" (just the first analogy that sprung to mind).

Character-driven... thought-provoking... great story-telling... These terms and more are used by critics to promote what they would call good movies. These aspects are all well and good, don't get me wrong, but not everyone can sit and watch films like "Slumdog Millionaire" or "The Wrestler" and enjoy them like our good friends on Reelz Channel and Entertainment Tonight. Transformers doesn't really fit in with the above films. It's more of a popcorn movie than anything.

I personally LOVE movies. I have taken the opportunity over the years to broaden the genres of the films I watch, just so I can appreciate (and at times learn to appreciate) stories of all times and eras. However I see a growing pattern -and what seems fascination- with the bashing of movies simply for the sake of, well, bitching. Action, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Comedies, and Toy-Based films are all victims of such criticism.

Mr Ebert, I respect you as a professional. You know your craft, and you've been in the business for a long time. But guess what: THE NUMBERS DO NOT LIE. Michael Bay knows how to bring the crowds in. His films are exciting, top-notch, well-shot, and you are always guaranteed to see sequences that you have never seen before.

In regards to you article: You said that the plot was incomprehensible. Weren't you listening? Everything was straight-forward from where I was sitting. The accents of the Autobots: they learned Earth's languages and accents when they arrived on Earth in the first one (or weren't you listening then either?). The "junk-yard throw-up": they're ALIEN robots. Of course it's not going to look like anything WE would know. How would you design them, hmm? A door on each arm? The hood on the chest? Wheels on the shoulders? Guess what: been there, done that. "Toy tie-in"? The toys were based on the movie itself. And besides, the movie IS based on a children's toyline, so why wouldn't there be toys? The "fighting with fists"? You've seen your fair share of movies; not everyone who goes into battle fights with long-range weaponry Or hand weapons. What are the guys supposed to use? Harsh language? Puh-lease.

Regardless of your like or dislike of the films, this has been coming for a long time. Fans of the show have long-awaited a film interpretation of their childhood heroes. Didn't you ever dream of being the heroic cowboy, or the dashing man-of-mystery, or the quick-and-witty detective (or any other iconic characters)? Of course you did. Every child has. Well this was ours, Sir. Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Ironhide... these and many more characters touched our lives at a young age (and even into adulthood) in much the same way that John Wayne or the Lone Ranger (or who ever) would have you in your youth.

Just because something isn't your cup of tea doesn't make it a bad movie. Yeah some of the jokes were a bit over the top. Sure some innuendoes could have been left out. But you know what, Mr Ebert: I laughed. My friends laughed. My parents laughed. The kids laughed. You can't sit there in your nice office in your suit-and-tie and tell me that you never laughed at the occasional toilet humor. None of the critics can. Well, they could say it but we all know they'd be lying.

Whether you and the other critics like it or not, Transformers is a part of this world's pop culture. Not the US. Not Japan. Not the UK. THE WORLD. And people are going to keep watching it whether you gripe about it or not.

It sounds to me that someone needs to open their eyes and realize that just because a thought enters their mind or words leave their mouth does not mean that they are right. You see a lame movie. I see a fan's dream come to big screen life. Fine. Opinions are like assholes, as my Dad says. Everyone's got one. Just don't blow all your hot air at us because it's not "old-school" film. Times are changing. This is part of what's popular. We've got to deal with it, just like you. If you don't like it, don't watch it. Just spare us the thesaurus-driven tirade about how terrible you think it is.

Oh and one more thing:

Booyah.


Magnus1701... Out.

The movie was incredible and amended all the called out shortcomings of the first film. I love the first film but am well aware that neither it, it's next incartion and even a 3rd will never ever be perfect. We wanted more bots and got them. We wanted more Decepticon characterization and got it. We wanted more TF mythos brought to the table and got them. We wanted less human screen time and they did matter less ultimately. I think the critics were bound to hate it because what makes comics and sci-fi type stuff the greatest thing to us will make them think they're wasting their time which seems to be true over 90% of the time if you ask me. I think they do purposely approach these films negatively and no matter what's on the screen and comes out the speakers, nothing can amend their preconceived notions. I think if those TF fans who hated this and the previous film want to, go ahead, but don't involve yourselves with a 3rd live action film, because there's no doubt about the outcome. As to the critics, I don't expect heaps of praise from them on Transformers unless it completely sells out ticking off the fanbase beyond belief to please non-fans who can't invest in TFs over the long haul. To hell with the critics, if you love it, don't be afraid to say so.

I think critics are "bloodsucking know-it-alls" that think they have the right and only opinion when it come to movies because they are paid for it. Another thing I've noticed is that when fanboys like us get a movie that we want they try to bash it just to try and fit in with the non-fans. I think they're old hags that aren't young enough for all this action from the new millenium. Yes, they gave o.k. reviews back in the 20th century, but we need a new generation of critics that can appreciate the new-fangled stuff. I feel that there aren't any good critics left in my opinion. Also, I think critics are overrated and I think it's sad that people who are famous get paid for their opinion when I can come up with my own, for free. I have never taken movie critics serious because all of the movies that I end up enjoying have been bashed by them.

I loved the movie and no high-and-mighty critic is going to stop me from seeing the movies I enjoy.

This is what I posted on Ebert's Journal webpage.
By Michael on June 25, 2009 3:10 PM

Roger, I love you, and love your writing. Truly. You opened my eyes as a very young man to a world of cinema; you continue to do so, and I owe you for that. These days I am often perplexed by your choices (three stars for The Proposal? Really?) but never in doubt about your sincerity. (Though you often seem to measure a film based on how well it achieves what it's setting out to do, and by my yardstick, that makes TF:ROTF score well more than one star, but it's not my yardstick that's published the world 'round, of course).

And I can't defend Transformers: ROTF. It doesn't need my defense, as the extremely happy hundreds of people leaving my local cinema after 5 midnight screenings can attest. I made a point of sticking around to watch people's reactions and this was one cheerful group. Nor is there a defense for it: it's not by any stretch something I would define as a "good film."

However: I LOVE IT. There are lots of things I dislike about it, but far more that I enjoy. I am not some angry fanboy who is going to diss you for your opinion, nor am I going to pick apart some of the inaccuracies of what you've said about it, although I could do without the ad hominem attacks in the comments on people who do enjoy it. People who have fun watching this movie are not "morons" or bad people. Or teenagers. I'm 45, work in the film and TV business, and I am well outside the demographic for this movie. But I loved it all the same. Anyone looking around the theatre wondering why the majority of fellow patrons seem to be enjoying what they feel is some kind of crime against the senses of vision and hearing, do yourself a big favor: get up and walk out. Right away. I won't blame you.

I don't know if it's possible to understand the dialectic, but in the past week I saw two movies that I really enjoyed. One was TF:ROTF. The other was "Tetro." Lest you think no lover of cinema could take pleasure from both, let me assure you I enjoyed each on their merits. One was a piece of cinema by an acknowledged master of the craft. One was a jarring, loud thrill ride.

I realize you think TF:ROTF is unencumbered by merit, and I respect your opinion: hell, I understand it perfectly! Just like I understand that a bucket of KFC is going to be really, really bad for me. Would I love to see a movie about giant robots that had a plot and real characterization? Sure -- and I've seen one, The Iron Giant. Most of the time, I demand a lot from the films I see. But every once in a while -- a long while -- a movie comes along for which I have few such demands. In this case, my demand was: show me cool fighting robots! Absolutely anything else is a bonus. I have never seen another Michael Bay flick I could stomach, except for these two. They are big, loud b-movies, hell, C-MOVIES, unapologetically so. Seriously, if the robot stuff was cool, I don't care a go for the rest of it. This makes me neither a moron nor a morally unsound person. I just like some candy once in a while.

All this earnest hand-wringing and teeth-gnashing about how summer movies are just big and stupid now I find exceedingly silly. "Since when did it become OK for popcorn movies to not have good acting and stories etc. etc.?" Since FOREVER. Perhaps people's memories of, I don't know, "The Creature from the Black Lagoon" or "The Blob" or, hell, name your William Castle picture -- or serial adventure of bygone days -- have been burnished with the passage of time, but those were the critic-proof, stupid popcorn entertainments of their time. I find the TF's no stupider and a good deal more eye-popping and generally well-made.

I too wish there were more summer movies of the calibre of Raiders, or Empire and so on -- wish that dearly -- but let's recall just what those filmmakers expressly set out to recreate -- pretty badly done, poorly written, money-generating, fannies-in-the-seat popular entertainments. (Or are people's memories of "Flash Gordon" serials similarly burnished?)

Is it possible to make something that works as a popular entertainment that's also a good film? Damn right it is -- just ask John Ford. But there aren't a lot of John Fords in the world -- never were, truth be told -- and much as I rue that along with all the people ragging on TF in this thread, I don't mind the occasional piece of cinematic junk food. I treasure it, to be honest, because for me it's a rare treat.

If I may address three specifics:

The supposedly incomprehensible plot: I am really stymied at the number of people making this complaint. I can only conclude that the overwhelming nature of the flick in general is what's confusing people -- like they're switching off. The plot is very very simple and clear, as already elucidated earlier in this thread. I really find it hard to believe so many people can't seem to understand it.

The Twins: a little tiresome, I'll confess, but the racism thing didn't even occur to me until I read people talking about it online. One of the few things that I found amusing about them was that I was taking both of them to be teenagers, the dumbass youngsters of the crew, one of them to be more of a hick and one of them to be more like one of those poser suburban kids from a rich household who slouches around the mall with his $90 jeans down around his ass, t-shirt down to his knees, $40 baseball cap perched at an absurd angle on his head, talking all "street" with a lot of "yo's" a "dawgs" with his Eminem cranking out of his $200 iPhone. I thought these characters were taking the piss out of that sort of kid, and actually, I still think so, and I am as earnest a white liberal as the next person.

Gender: my wife, a late-30s professional, loved the first one (in spite of herself, much as I did). I am inclined to believe she will also love this one. She will also dislike a lot of it, as I did. But it will be a fun ride.

I'll not change anyone's mid with these comments, not do I wish to, but I do want it said that some people take pleasure in the occasional entertainment of this sort. Just because I like to go on a roller coaster once in a while doesn't mean I think it's a good idea to live in one -- or that I don't appreciate a ride in a Jaguar.

I'll start by saying that while I had my issues with Revenge of the Fallen, in no way did it hamper my overall enjoyment of the flick and that all haters; critics and fans alike, need to lighten up on the slamming. The plot, while not perfect, was a definite improvement over the first and the some of the bots had received more characterization and personality than all the characters, human and bot, combined in the first. To reviewers like Roger Ebert, make sure you have all your facts straight before you even bother to review anything. Mixing up characters like Starscream and Jetfire just doesn't fly and there is no logistical reason for it. Especially if you claimed to enjoy the first movie. Jetfire was a completely new character while Starscream was a returning character whom bears no resemblance to the former other than chicken legs. Such errors negate any and all criticisms you might make. If you can't keep track of returning or new characters, you're either not paying attention or entered the movie believing in your own mind that it would be awful, ruining any enjoyment you might have received.

To the other critics, especially those that can't even remotely enjoy a sci-fi flick, don't review it. From the get go it would not be for you. Everyone has a favorite genre, and if you must review stick to that which you'd prefer. I'm a firm believer that the only reason critics exist and are so harsh and biased against everything, is because they, themselves, lack the creativity to put together a paper airplane, let alone an entire movie. if RotFs plot was too confusing, dumb, and/or illogical, at least look at it this way. Giant f*ucking robots! Explosions! Just feed into the ADD in all of us and you can't go wrong. And if you don't agree with me yet, look at it this way. Opinions are like assholes, we all got one, but it doesn't mean I want you waiving yours in my face.

All in all, I've had a very complicated reaction to Revenge of the Fallen.

When I saw it, I was like "Yeah! Giant f***ing robots! Awesome! Starscream has lines! Wicked! Holy Crap! Did ravage just spew out some nanites that just combined into a death machine? Yeah, he did! Freakin' awesome! Wow! the fallen and jetfire and devastator and all that stuff! W00t!"

A close friend of mine said: "My thoughts on Transformers was, 'As long as there's big things breaking other big things, I'll be happy...' So it exceeded my expectations."

And that's how it was for almost three hours.

Then, all of a sudden the movie was over.
Then I left the theater, Smiling and thinking "oh man that was so cool,"
and then I realized, "Wait, What was that about? nothing in that film made any sense! there was no real ending, the plot was not character-driven. Many of the characters we expected to see were just glorified special effects! Michael Bay's directing style is crude and "ham-fisted" when it comes to handling a mythic story. All-in-all, it was really one big car commercial/military recruitment ad with some robots in it..."

And I then realized how much of a critical failure the movie actually was. A viewer can not walk away from this film with very much. It was like a one-night-stand of a movie. And I figure that's a bad thing.

BUT I STILL LOVED IT.

and, as one might expect, that created inner conflict.

But now... It's all eventually boiled down to:

"Yeah, I'll talk about how much I enjoyed that movie, as long as we both know that it wasn't any good."

So, I would liken Revenge of the Fallen to a huge fast food meal that we know is not good for us at all, but we absolutely freakin' enjoyed nonetheless. It's like a guilty pleasure, a self-indulgence, a big piece of candy... or a porno.

And if you go into the theaters expecting that kind of thing in advance, then you'll be saved any awkward embarrassment or regret at the end. That way, you'll enjoy it more, knowing that it is okay to laugh at the bad jokes and to not want any closure afterward.

So really, I support people giving negative reviews of Revenge of The Fallen... And at the same time I also support everyone seeing Revenge of the Fallen as many times as they want.

Because it's a weak movie but a wonderful experience.

And freedom is the right of all sentient beings