Do you guys think that Transformers is just another part of a Hollywood trend? Think of the original Batman series that came out in the 90s. The first one was good but then the series got exponentially worse and ended up with nipples on Batman. Transformers is going along that same route. Because of the huge amount of money it made - the audience basically told the producers they want more of the same. More robo testicles. More toilet humor. The audience liked the movie even though it lacked a coherent plot, IMO. I thought the first one had a very bad plot, but the 2nd movie had a worse plot I thought. Thus, the live action movie Transformers franchise will never be anything more than a summer popcorn flick. Not that there is anything wrong with popcorn flicks, but for those of us expecting anything more than that will not find it with this franchise. However, Hollywood for the SECOND time it made Batman, couldn't rely upon the old draws to the theatres. They couldn't give a super hero anymore and expect that to draw crowds like it did in the 90s. Superhero movies were rare then but are almost common now. Having another superhero movie would not move ticket sales - as the first Incredible Hulk movie showed. Thus, Batman Begins was EXTREMELY plot heavy. It had the characterization and dialogue that made it a good MOVIE, not just a popcorn flick. The plot for the 2nd Incredible Hulk movie was also much much better along with the acting and characterization. So, the question then is, after the 3rd film (or even for the 3rd film), do you see these same special effects and toilet humor selling tickets as well if/when Hollywood ever decides to use the TF franchise to make a movie? The special effects will no longer be ground breaking. Do you think this will make Hollywood provide substance to TF's style?
I think Transformers is part of a long Hollywood tradition of taking intellectual properties, and adapting them to the big scene. Some come out great, while come out not so great. Make of that statement what you will...
If Transformers fits into the trend you were trying to describe, then eventually there will have to be a breaking point where a TF film comes out that's ripped by the critics and scoffed and and ignored/made fun of by the general public (and even potentially the actors/creative team, considering how much fun George Clooney makes of Batman and Robin) to spur Hollywood to say 'okay, if we're going to milk anymore out of this, we're gong to have to get someone to add a nice plot and heavy characterization while bringing in actors that don't mail in performances.' So if TF3 is a disaster, then sure things could change. If TF3 meets anything near the public reception that the second film has received, then I doubt it.
Worse as far as my opinion of the things in the movie go. But from Hollywood's perception of the amount of money its making, it will be better. Hollywood will see the amount of money the movie made and think the public wants even more of the same things in TF2. To them, it will be exponentially better. Instead of only an ass shot of Simmons in his jock strap, they might show a full on ass shot of Simmons. Basically, they will give the public even more of what TF2 had. To me thats exponentially worse, but it seems to the public that its exponentially better.
I think it's part of the trend toward McMovies. Just as McDonalds took the flavor out of food to make it appeal to the broader masses I'm afraid that Hollywood is taking the flavor out of films to make sure they will appeal across the board. So many films are sadly predictable because you know actors are signed to several films at the time so there is no danger of anything bad happening to those characters until the actors contract expires. All the films want that happy ending so it's almost like films by formula these days where the bad guys might look all big and bad at the start of the movie but they need to be defanged by the end of the film so it can be a clear cut total victory for the good guys. Even worse is the trend to dumb things down so the thickest thickie with a ticket can get it instead of a film giving your mind something to actually work on. But what the hell can we do? The public seems more that happy to gobble up big, loud, stupid, generic, and predictable so if the public will eat up crap why bother to make anything but crap sandwiches? It's a darn shame you just about have to find a film not made in the US just to find a film that will pull something unexpected or that will break away from the same old worn out formulas that have been ran into the ground. But Hollywood doesn't seem to feel like they need to make films for people who want something other than McMovies. Just don't see the trend getting broken any time soon.
I dont think so, yes, TF3 will remain in the same path, but why would the team invovled want to get bashed again by critics and being ridiculized? They now know what works and whatnot. Besides, you don't need a movie to bomb to expect some good changes made to it.
I thought people wanted more robots and they got more robots at the cost of everything else. It's not cheap to put Optimus on the screen. So logically, we should clamor for more story and more characterization. It's bullet proof!
As long as the movies make money, the studios will make more of them. As long as there are fans out there willing to pay to see these movies, the studios will make more of them. Eventually there will be an end to the Transformer movie series. Whether that end is because of lack of interest on the fans part or lack of dedication from the studio's part remains to be seen.