Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action violence, brief sexual humor, and language.
Directed by Michael Bay (Bad Boys, The Rock, Armageddon & Pearl Harbor)
Starring Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Jon Voight, John Turturro and Anthony Anderson
Mind blowing!!
For centuries the Autobots and the Decepticons have waged a war throughout the universe over the life-creating Allspark. Thousands of years ago this mysterious cube crashed in the Earth’s artic circle. The Autobots and the Decepticons have followed it here and with them their battle.
Meanwhile, Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) is an average teenager who is consumed with making money so he can get the car so he can get the girl. Completely clueless that he alone holds the key to earth’s survival, he teams up with his dream girl, Mikaela (Megan Fox). Together they find themselves in the middle of the war discovering the true meaning behind the Witwicky family motto – “No sacrifice, no victory!”
I recently wrote that the special effects in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer were the best I had seen in awhile. Well, I am glad I saw that movie first, because everything about Transformers was mind blowing.
The movie opens with Optimus Prime narrating the history of the Autobots (good guys) and the Decepticons (bad guys), why they are fighting and why they have come to Earth. It was such a good beginning that it had me hooked and I actually said, “I hope they don’t mess this up.” They didn’t. The movie stays strong and is packed with action for the entire two hours.
There are some very funny moments as well. I loved Independence Day, another big budget July 4th movie, but I really hated a lot of the lame one-liners like when Will Smith punches the alien and says, “Welcome to Earth.” For the most part Transformers steers clear of those “jokes” and instead Shia LaBeouf delivers a genuinely hilarious performance throughout the film. John Turturro and Anthony Anderson have a few great moments and even the Transformers get a laugh in a scene or two.
I get that movies are about personal taste. I recently read one reviewer give the movie one star because “It’s a Michael Bay movie about giant robots.” I’m saying it’s WORTH BUYING (on our rating scale) because “It’s a Michael Bay movie about giant robots.”
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
The poster reads PG-13 (for intense sequences of sci-fi action violence, brief sexual humor, and language) but it played more like an R-rated action movie. When I first saw the teaser, I was thinking it was going to be a more kid-friendly version of the popular toy. That is definitely not the case. With intense fighting scenes and some over the top “sexual humor” (i.e. an entire conversation about masturbation) I think it is best to keep younger viewers away from this one.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
- What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
- How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
- How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
