Worries about Tranformers 2

[raskal66]

Am I alone in worrying about The future of the Transformers franchise? The Michael Bay feactor really has me worried. I have nothing against the guy personally but some of the director's license he took in Transformers 1, along with his history of bad scripts have me wondering if even the Autobot Matrix can save this franchise from it's possible darkest hour.

After seeing the thread on the possible Megatron pictures from Transformers 2 (Link to photos: http://www.latinoreview.com/news/exc...formers-2-5416) I started thinking about next summer. The images do look pretty cool if they are authentic. However, the idea Transformers 2 does has been making me nervous. Even though the first one was wildly entertaining for the brilliant CG combat scenes, the movie can't hide that it is a Michael Bay film at the end of the day. This is even more pronounced on the Blu Ray where you, the viewer are no longer obligated to sit through the script full of contrived jokes (remember the soldier trying to call the pentagon collect and getting asked if he wanted to order a premium phone service and was bothered about a credit card), and human characters who were simply parodies of parents, high school students, car salesmen, and military types without any depth to them. You can simply fast forward to the parts that need to be seen and skip around 75 minutes of filler. When watched in this way, the movie gained another star in my review of it at Netflix and IMDB.

Those vital scenes being in order of presentation:

1. The opening helicopter attack.
2. Megan Fox checking under Bumblebee's hood.
3. The scorpion decepticon attack in the desert.
3.5 The hacking of Air Force One (this is not really a good scene as it involves an unknown character only and is really CG comic relief but it does look cool. They should have used an existing character who played that role such as Rumble, Ravage, Laser Beak, or that mechanical cat who transformed in to audio cassettes.)
4. The police car chasing Sam.
5. The awakening of Megatron through the final credits.

I'm hoping he stays truer to the original story line in the second part instead of going off on his own little tangents like he did in many parts of Transformers. While he said and I take him at his word with the fact that some parts of the story had to be changed for the sake of doing a live action film, I truly wonder how much he'll change of the original story for the sake of another awful script with magnificent action scenes. After all, he called a Decepticon tank Devastator in that movie even though that was the name of the robot that the 5 Constructicons make when they form a huge robot. This continuity wouldn't be a problem except that I hear the the Constructicons could be in the next film. Please Michael, make this a good movie and not "The Rock" or "Armageddon" with our childhood memories (for those of us who were around and grew up with Transformers and teasing the kids who had the Go-Bots.) You've got a great thing going here...please don't screw it up or cheese it out. A good script can go a long way. Put your signature on the film all you want, just please keep in mind that we grew up with characters that you might find easy to right off or get up to date.

Should I be worried?

[Charles3669]

Well why worry? The film is already put into motion if it sucks what are you and they going to do about it? They won't start over from scratch cause you are worried. If it sucks it sucks, if its good its good there's no point stressing out over it. Stress weakens the immune system and flu season is on its way so screw it.

[bykes]

I agree with Charles. You should go outside and ride a bike. Very good to relieve stress.

[mikejet]

I've come to accept certain things about the Transformers and how the movie played out. I was one of those detractors that hated that Bay would direct and thought everything was horrible. I was even complaining about Optimus having lips.

Here are somethings I've come to accept:

1. The original cartoon I loved growing up did not have a great story.
2. Bay made the movie for as wide an audience as possible while still trying to retain the original fans, he has done this perfectly.
3. Watching the cartoon movie and series again at my age I realize how corny it was.

As far as part 2 goes, there have been many rumors that this movie will focus more on the Transformers themselves and bring them to the front and center of the picture.

[raskal66]

I would say that I'm not physically stressing over it, I'm just hoping they get it right. I wouldn't do anything if it stunk other than not watch it, but the point is is that Hollywood has a potential golden franchise on it's hands and it would be truly a shame for the legions of fans this franchise has to sit through a stinker.

This is why there is such vitriol over the Daredevil, Fantastic Four, Superman Returns, and 2003 Hulk movies. People love this stuff and want to see what they love treated respectfully and not just a projection of the ego of the director who has the power over the creation. I just want it done right. I can't help it or do anything about it if it's botched, but was merely stating that I wanted it done well and was gauging if others felt the same way. Perhaps a little fanboy is part of my resoning but it is because of fanboys that this stuff is popular in the first place. A director shouldn't bend over backwards to please them (since pleasing all of them is clearly impossible) but in many instances they have good feedback.

[mikejet]

If Michael Bay had gone out of his way to make to first Transformers for the fans only, it would have been a horrible corny movie.

Originally Posted by raskal66

I would say that I'm not physically stressing over it, I'm just hoping they get it right. I wouldn't do anything if it stunk other than not watch it, but the point is is that Hollywood has a potential golden franchise on it's hands and it would be truly a shame for the legions of fans this franchise has to sit through a stinker.

This is why there is such vitriol over the Daredevil, Fantastic Four, Superman Returns, and 2003 Hulk movies. People love this stuff and want to see what they love treated respectfully and not just a projection of the ego of the director who has the power over the creation. I just want it done right. I can't help it or do anything about it if it's botched, but was merely stating that I wanted it done well and was gauging if others felt the same way. Perhaps a little fanboy is part of my resoning but it is because of fanboys that this stuff is popular in the first place. A director shouldn't bend over backwards to please them (since pleasing all of them is clearly impossible) but in many instances they have good feedback.

[SS316SRV]

Oh no Michael Bay changed around a couple of names in order to fit the story better.

If you want Transformers from 1986 go get the blu-ray from England.

[raskal66]

Originally Posted by mikejet

Here are somethings I've come to accept:

1. The original cartoon I loved growing up did not have a great story.
2. Bay made the movie for as wide an audience as possible while still trying to retain the original fans, he has done this perfectly.
3. Watching the cartoon movie and series again at my age I realize how corny it was.

As far as part 2 goes, there have been many rumors that this movie will focus more on the Transformers themselves and bring them to the front and center of the picture.

I fully concede your three points and have accepted them. Childhood nostalgia does put a golden coat on anything when looking back at them. It's just I hope he doesn't dumb it down or weaken a continuation for the sake of just going after the widest possible audience. When targeting the widest possible audience a common mistake is to creat for the least common denominator. I think they come in droves for a long time if the film is actually good though, in the vein of The Dark Knight. One didn't need to be Batman fan to know that it was a good film. Bruckheimer showed that when when making Batman appeal to the largest possible audience (Batman Forever, Batman & Robin) that the franchise suffered greatly in quality because of it.

[SS316SRV]

Originally Posted by raskal66

Please Michael, make this a good movie and not "The Rock" or "Armageddon" with our childhood memories (for those of us who were around and grew up with Transformers and teasing the kids who had the Go-Bots.) You've got a great thing going here...please don't screw it up or cheese it out. A good script can go a long way. Put your signature on the film all you want, just please keep in mind that we grew up with characters that you might find easy to right off or get up to date.

You realize that Michael Bay's signature is over the top action with a light fluffy script. He makes popcorn blockbusters. Not Coen Brother's type movies.

[raskal66]

Originally Posted by mikejet

If Michael Bay had gone out of his way to make to first Transformers for the fans only, it would have been a horrible corny movie.

I agree. That doesn't mean the script has to stink.

[raskal66]

Originally Posted by SS316SRV

You realize that Michael Bay's signature is over the top action with a light fluffy script. He makes popcorn blockbusters. Not Coen Brother's type movies.

That is why I am praying for a story telling revelation on his part in the form of my concern about it.

[SS316SRV]

I guess I am confused. This movie is going to have simple dialogue between a hot girl and well known male actor between action sequences.

That is 99% Michael Bay's movies.

[raskal66]

I have to say in just a few minutes you guys have given me a great time in discussing this. It's good to see that others are thinking about this film too especially since we don't all have the same opinions.

[raskal66]

Originally Posted by SS316SRV

I guess I am confused. This movie is going to have simple dialogue between a hot girl and well known male actor between action sequences.

That is 99% Michael Bay's movies.

If that's the case, then at least get the hot girl naked. If simplicity is the goal, then let's go truly simple. Otherwise a good plot between action scenes make a great movie. "Saving Private Ryan" did this (albeit without hot women,) as did "The French Connection" and "To Live and Die in L.A." There are so many others that make that true, why can't we get transforming robots in a movie like that?

[SS316SRV]

Originally Posted by raskal66

I have to say in just a few minutes you guys have given me a great time in discussing this. It's good to see that others are thinking about this film too especially since we don't all have the same opinions.

The opinions are the same. We want a good movie. I am not sure if that is an opinion.

Some of us are not expecting Michael Bay to stray from his history when it comes to cinematic structure and style.

Michael swims in a pool of money because his style gets people into the seats.

[raskal66]

Originally Posted by SS316SRV

Michael swims in a pool of money because his style gets people into the seats.

LOL you are totally right though I think that in this case, the franchise itself got people into the seats while Bay played the astute business man and got himself involved when he saw a goldmine. Good for him. Truly. I would never hope that Bay would resign, but I pray nightly for his inspiration to be to go after the hearts and minds of viewers long term as well as the box office instead of box office exclusively at least with this franchise.

Maybe he could call Peter Jackson on how to appeal widely while preserving what the fanboys hold dear. While this would require Transformers to have the following of Tolkien, I don't think the two are that far off in the world of today.

[tarik]

Bay did prefer blu over hd dvd remember

[alexakajeff]

I really am worried that it won't live up to the first one.