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[vinnygambini]

The first Transformers is my favorite one.

Honestly these film succeed because there is nothing else quite like it in the marketplace. The IP has a rich history, the films are fun to watch, speak to many generations, have a great director at the helm who excels at action set pieces second to James Cameron and has motherfucking robots beating the shit out of each other. What's not to like.

 

[Loxley]

Yeah, China's infatuation with Transformers of all the western blockbuster franchises was really surprising to me. Then again Europe is equally and inexplicably in love with Pirates of the Caribbean so ¯\_(&#12484_/¯

Personal gripe time. On one hand it was really cool to see one of my favorite home-town landmarks, the Milwaukee Art Museum, on the big-screen in Transformers 3. On the other hand, the movie was hot garbage and the filled they place with cars instead of art.

For shame, Michael Bay. Wiscosnin has, like, two things to be proud of that aren't Aaron Rodgers (thanks Scott Walker ) and you sullied one of'em.

 

[Dash_Riprock]

1 is actually good.

2 is awful.

3 is shit until the final fight

4 makes 2 look decent, and thats not taking into account the nauseating Chinese propaganda.

 

[Mindwipe]

Transformers 3 is a way better film than the first one.

And it's still horrible.

 

[xaosslug]

imo, Transformers is huge because it FEELS huge, like a can't miss event. People go see them regardless of reviews because they feel like a can't miss moment in time.

 

[Kill3r7]

Michael Bay knows how to make blockbuster that people pay to see in other words he makes shit movies that millions love to see.

 

[DeathyBoy]

imo, Transformers is huge because it FEELS huge, like a can't miss event. People go see them regardless of reviews because they feel like a can't miss moment in time.

In some reality there's a version of Suicide Squad directed by post The Rock Michael Bay that is the most hilariously awesome superhero film ever made.

 

[BeforeU]

I dont really understand the hate for Transformer movies. But I do know that last 3 fast and furious movies were absolutely shitfest. Cringworthy, nonsense crap. And still made billions

 

[Livingskeletons]

The first movie was a fun summer popcorn movie.

The 2nd was hot garbage, never bothered to see the others.

 

[sphagnum]

I don't recall which Transformers film the scene is from, but the scene on the freeway/highway/over/underpass where the robots are fighting and flipping and going from cars to robots, cars to robots, cars to robots is so epic, fluid and memorable to me - even if I don't recall what movie it's from. LOL

TF3, and it's one of the standout scenes.

 

[Sickboy007]

Did they release alternate edits in China like Iron Man 3?

 

[duckroll]

Did they release alternate edits in China like Iron Man 3?

They didn't have to. A good chunk of TF4 takes place in China.

 

[BronsonLee]

And they straight up have random Chinese characters that save the day a lot

Stanley Tucci's infinitely capable assistant/bodyguard
That random fucker in the elevator who can throw hands
Me

 

[duckroll]

Come on, they're no more "random" than any other character in the film. I think the entire Chinese thing was pretty well integrated.

 

[ElBoxyBrown]

I still need to see 3. I hear Chicago gets blown up real good.

 

[BronsonLee]

Motherfucker why can this random flop in an elevator take out highly trained assassins with just the sweet science

I still need to see 3. I hear Chicago gets blown up real good.

It is complete savagery, Bay gives zero fucks about nuking a city

 

[duckroll]

I still need to see 3. I hear Chicago gets blown up real good.

TF3 is basically a war movie in Chicago. Saving Private Ryan with robots.

 

[vinnygambini]

I know production is supposedly to start in summer for TF5 in Detroit - do we know if Paramount is planning to shoot in China too?

 

[Dominator]

I think it's worth noting that their domestic cume is dropping quite significantly. Marky Mark couldn't save the drop for 4, but doesn't matter cause China picked up the baggage. I'm sure they are filming 5 there as we speak.

 

[RS4-]

Well shit, I was gonna watch all of them because of this thread. Realized I don't have the movies anymore.

TF might've been the first BD I bought when I got a player and new tv.

 

[Harlock]

The TF/human interaction in the movies is very cool. This was one of good things in early TF Marvel comics who get lost when all the plot moves to space.

 

[faridmon]

I enjoyed T4

Hate me.

 

[Koyuga]

Well shit, I was gonna watch all of them because of this thread. Realized I don't have the movies anymore.

TF might've been the first BD I bought when I got a player and new tv.

It's the same for me. For the other failings that movie has, at least it looks and sounds incredible.

 

[Dreamgazer]

According to TFWiki the movie version of Prime has multiple names:

Cantonese: O Baak Man (Hong Kong, 柯柏&#25991
Mandarin: Khē Pó Wén (Taiwan, 柯博&#25991, Qíng Tīan Zhù (China, 擎天柱, "Pillar that Supports the Sky")

Which all originated from the Japanese name for optimus - Convoy (コンボイ Konboi) -> Khē Pó Wén (Taiwan, 柯博&#25991

The china name was decided by hasbro.

Your useless fact for the day.

 

[ElBoxyBrown]

It is complete savagery, Bay gives zero fucks about nuking a city

TF3 is basically a war movie in Chicago. Saving Private Ryan with robots.

In 4 when they showed the aftermath of Chicago I was like "dammit I need to see 3!"

 

[Pop-O-Matic]

Also, Transformers in China:

Transformers 1: $37,218,823
Transformers 2: $65,837,290
Transformers 3: $165,100,000
Transformers 4: $320,000,000

FUCK ME what happened between the third and fourth one?

CHINA DON'T CARE

https://youtu.be/7olh2I0dN7w?list=PL34C1F26D03F5F9B8&t=267

 

[Nvzman]

1 is actually good.

2 is awful.

3 is shit until the final fight

4 makes 2 look decent, and thats not taking into account the nauseating Chinese propaganda.

This reflects what I think of them.
The first one was actually kind of okay to me.

 

[Toothless]

Kids love Minions?

It also wasn't nearly as bad as the Bayformers films. Those films get vehement, BvS-esque hate from critics and fans alike. Minions was... an ok film for kids with funny, silly cartoon characters.

Speaking as someone who saw the first three Transformers movies and the three Despicable Me movies, I strongly disagree with you. Transformers at least has entertaining moments, Despicable Me is just generic and dull, and insultingly so with its popularity. Nothing made me happier last year box office wise than Inside Out beating Minions.

TF1>TF3>DM1>DM2>TF2>Minions

 

[sphagnum]

Come on, they're no more "random" than any other character in the film. I think the entire Chinese thing was pretty well integrated.

The only "random" parts in China are the celebrity guy that pops up and that weird scene where it cuts to the army guy who proclaims that the mainland will protect Hong Kong (even though they proceed to do nothing but fly some jets overhead) which was obviously inserted to please the government.

Otherwise, yeah, it was handled very well.

 

[More_Badass]

Michael Bay knows how to direct action and has the perfect franchise to go buck wild

So people put up with all the other dumb shit

I'd also have no problem arguing that Transformers 1 is a legit good movie, and Transformers 3 is just absolute CARNAGE when Chicago gets wiped the fuck out

Pretty much. Bay is good at large scale, big spectacle action.

I think Every Frame A Painting did a good analysis on his style

 

[Boney]

you name all the factors m involving as to why they are drawing crowds, but it's "genius" is that it's able to pander to different demographics by using a lowest common denominator screenplay mixed with the high budget CG. Bay is probably crying every night into his pillow he castes Shia instead of some Marvel beefcake to get more ladies and gents into the theater sit more willingly. On the other hand, having Shia elevates Megan Fox "hotness" status as it gets her into the girl next door type of girl. One of the biggest moves they made was convince the public Megan fox was the hottest woman on the planet and include some mild titilating scenes sprinkled throughout and for the trailers.

They also obviously hit it big with licensing and got the kids to be fervent followers of the franchise so it keeps growing and growing, and since it's not aimed exclusively at children it takes way longer, if at all for them to grow out of it.

I've never seen one so I'm completely talking out of my ass heh.

 

[xaosslug]

what also needs to be discussed is how being in a Bay movie, usually, translates into mega stardom. I mean how long is the list of 'names' Bay movies have produced?

 

[Soapbox Killer]

Transformers 1 is a classic action film.

2 is bad, not horrible..ok it's close to horrible

3 is solid, but yeah its a war movie in Chicago with robots. it's even better thinking about it that way

4... I don't know what that was. I just don't know.

Overall the good of the franchise outweighs the bad by a far margin. Even though the 1986 movie has yet to been surpassed. Please Micheal Bay, you have to play "The Touch" on film before this franchise dies.

 

[xsarien]

Michael Bay has cited the 2007/2008 writers' strike as the reason for Transformers 2's, let's say, rather loose plot. This of course, begs the question: "There were no writers on a particular Michael Bay film? How could you tell?"

To be honest, all the Transformers sequels are varying degrees of bad. If I had to pick the worst one, it'd be Age of Extinction.

 

[Warm Machine]

Transformers 3 is actually pretty good. That last hour or whatever is a director completely in charge of his film knowing exactly where things will be and how they are going to be interacting in the frame. When you are shooting against green screen with imaginary elements and still pulling off such extended sequences you have to have talent. Bay has tons of talent, he just doesn't have taste.

2 was incredibly poor though and I've yet to watch 4.

 

[Kusagari]

Transformers 3 would be okay if it was 40 minutes shorter.

Movie drags like a motherfucker.

 

[CelticKnight]

Stanley Tucci in Transformers 4 was probably the only "live" person who's performance in a Bayformers film I actually liked.

By the end he was hamming it up like a Deli counter.

 

[CassidyIzABeast]

Stanley Tucci in Transformers 4 was probably the only "live" person who's performance in a Bayformers film I actually liked.

By the end he was hamming it up like a Deli counter.

I loved every second of it.

 

[ctfg23]

I thought the first one was pretty entertaining. 2 was trash and I never watched 3 or 4.

 

[border]

Almost none of the movies on that list are particularly any good, aside from perhaps Titanic. Most of their totals were driven by gimmicks, 3D, and undiscerning China audiences. Transformers is arguably worse than anything else listed, but the gulf of quality is not that great. We're basically talking about the difference between "incoherent CG garbage" and "mostly forgettable inoffensive schlock".

It has probably been at least 15-20 years since Top 10 All Time Box Office list reflected any sort of quality or innovation.......and I kinda doubt it ever will again. Might as well get over it.

 

[Shaanyboi]

They're fucking trashy, crass, racist, obnoxious nonsense. Whatever talent Bay has is buried underneath his shitty sensibilities and disdain for the movie-watching public.

 

[Ricky_R]

Is this a BvS dig in disguise?

 

[Kinsei]

imo, Transformers is huge because it FEELS huge, like a can't miss event. People go see them regardless of reviews because they feel like a can't miss moment in time.

I'd think BvS would have that same huge feeling yet that wasn't able to save it.

 

[SlickShoesRUCrazy]

They are stupid fun.

I watch them for the spectacle, not because I am looking for a good movie.

Same reason I love Pacific Rim.

 

[chillybright]

I believe Transformers is a household name in China because of some mobile game. I wonder what they call Optimus Prime in China.

Huh? What mobile game are you talking about? Tons of (read: almost all) Chinese know transformers back in 90s when they were young because the cartoon was localized in China. The nostalgia factor there is just as huge as in u.s.

The Chinese name for Optimus Prime mean something similar, grand and powerful, literally it means "pillar that supports the sky" .

 

[Pilgrimzero]

Ever see Idiocracy? See the part where the most popular film is a bare butt farting for 90 minutes?

Transformers and its ilk are proof we are heading to that future.

 

[Rogan]

Love them, stupid easy action just works for me on the big screen. Watched all of them in the theater. My girl also likes them because of the deep Optimus voice lol.

Dark of the Moon was the best 3d experience I had.

 

[xaosslug]

I'd think BvS would have that same huge feeling yet that wasn't able to save it.

it really didn't have it, tho. I mean wasn't that a complaint? That it was supposed to be a HUGE event, but nah?

 

[duckroll]

it really didn't have it, tho. I mean wasn't that a complaint? That it was supposed to be a HUGE event, but nah?

It was a huge event, it just wasn't the type of event people expected. BvS was like an epic 3 hour funeral procession.

 

[cr0w]

They appeal to 6-year-old me who spent his afternoons smashing his G1 Prime, Megatron, Shockwave and Ultra Magnus together in pretend, epic battles.

The first one was great, the introduction of the TFs is one of the best scenes in the franchise, with them crashing to Earth and the completely bad ass score (seriously, Steve Jablonsky did a hell of a job with the scores for these movies).

Two...well, it was written in two weeks because of the writer's strike at the time, and most of the dialogue from the twins was completely improvised by their voice actors. Hell, most of the shoot was improvised because of the lack of time spent on the script due to the strike.

I fucking loved three for how dark it got. Plus, Prime has his trailer, Shockwave shows up, and the last 45 minutes or so were pure insanity.

Four...Prime rides a fucking dinosaur wielding a sword and shield. He's also in his G1 form when he's in hiding. The fan service was off the charts, and shit I've wanted to see in a movie since I was a kid.

I dunno, they're not "good" movies in any sense of the word, but as experiences and for me, personally, who has had a love of the franchise since its inception, the downsides were overcome by the sheer joy seeing these things on screen brought out in me. It took me back to a simpler time, which not too many things do these days.