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Hey, kids: 'Transformers' movie stills!

Jan 24, 2007, 06:00 AM | by Joshua Rich

Categories: Film, Transformers

Transformer_l Look, kids! Up in the sky! It's more than meets the eye!

Yep, DreamWorks released a handfulla pics of the Transformers movie, which is due out on July 4. As your typical child of the '80s -- a onetime wee lad who reveled in watching the Autobots battle to destroy the evil forces of the Decepticons -- I'm definitely psyched to see the film, which is directed by big, bad Michael Bay. But from these images of a CG robot, a grimy Shia LaBeouf, a crew-cutted Josh Duhamel avec machine gun, and lotsa dust, I still can't tell if the movie will be doing the beloved cartoon justice. Please, PopWatchers, say it'll be okay.

Phil Wed, Jan 24, 2007 at 11:49 PM EST

Are you TRYING to TRANSFORM this blog into a political forum!? This is ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY, please keep matters on entertainment! SHEESH! though Transformers had many sizes and shapes, NONE had anything to do with presidential elections.

Samir Wed, Jan 24, 2007 at 09:01 PM EST

I think Transformers will be a great movie and I am looking forward to it. There only two things I am really looking forward to: Transformers, and seeing Barack Hussein Obama become our next President. I am already excited that he has won the Democratic nomination - now we just have to wait for the election, but we all know he is going to win. He will kick the Republican's butt like Optimus Prime kicks Megatron. Barack Hussein Obama - 08!

Stephanie Wed, Jan 24, 2007 at 04:11 PM EST

If I am not mistaken Inferno and Red Alert connected to Optimus Prime to form a larger robot? And yeah, nowadays what used to be 20 dollars for an action figure is now 40-50 dollars. It is ridiculous. Inflation sucks.

Phil Wed, Jan 24, 2007 at 03:16 PM EST

Completely different train of thought here, I was shopping for Xmas gifts for my god son last month, and I didn't dare enter a Toys R Us, but instead found myself at a Target and was literally ASTOUNDED to see an enormous Optimus Prime toy for literally $50!!! Thats insane. I'm not even sure how many different capabilities said toy had since I refused to pay that much for one single toy, but does anyone else as fans of the toys as children think thats highway robbery?? I mean yeah, the Transformers when we were younger were smaller, and occasionally they started making smaller robots join together to form larger single robots (like Voltron) but you purchased them separately & they certainly never cost that much! And if thats what the price tag says BEFORE the movie comes out on 4th of July, can you imagine the cost for the merchandise for the fan boys & children alike this summer?!!? You know there's going to be a whole "new" line "inspired" by the movie...

Phil Wed, Jan 24, 2007 at 02:48 PM EST

I think alot of you are really jumping the gun here. Obviously a LIVE action Transformers movie is going to have a completely different feel from the original 80's cartoon. For those of you unsatisfied, go buy the Transformers movie that was finally released on dvd for the 1st time over the holidays! My 6 yr. old god son is totally excited for this movie this summer, and THAT should be an indication to all those doubters out there. As children of the 80's, everyone here knows we used to rush home after school and have cartoons all afternoon long. What do kids these days have other than the Cartoon Network or Jet-X or whatever its called? They have no decent cartoons & the ones they like are re-hashed 80's classics like Super Friends, Tranformers & G.I. Joe. I think you shouldn't be so critical of revered classics and just enjoy the fact that Michael Bay is putting the time & effort to bring these characters to the big screen on a big scale capacity.

Jim Wed, Jan 24, 2007 at 02:26 PM EST

I smell trouble. Does anyone really care about the human characters? If Michael Bay spends an hour developing lousy storylines for the human characters, this movie will be painful. Bring on the CGI Transformers and get rid of the human characters, no one cares about them. It is the TRANSFORMERS movie.

Stephanie Wed, Jan 24, 2007 at 02:22 PM EST

Believe it or not Transformers in the box are worth over a hundred dollars. Out of the box, 30-80 dollars. This movie looks soooo much better than the cartoon film version. Can we get Voltron or Battle of the Planets too?

Ellipsian Wed, Jan 24, 2007 at 01:58 PM EST

TOO SOON!

Oh, sorry--I thought this was Ain't It Cool News for a sec.

Dee Wed, Jan 24, 2007 at 01:19 PM EST

Is that all you've seen, just the images? Watch the trailer, then see for yourself. In my opinion, Michael Bay takes Transformers to a higher level! Can't wait to see it!!!

nathan Wed, Jan 24, 2007 at 12:17 PM EST

It looks better than Fantastic 4 II at least.

Dre Wed, Jan 24, 2007 at 12:11 PM EST

When I was a kid, Transformers were the coolest toys...period! As a youth I loved everything about the franchise including the cartoon (looking at episodes now, the cartoon is pretty weak). When I first heard about this movie I was pumped! Live action Transformers? There's no way this movie could suck, right? Then I heard that Michael Bay was directing and instantly my hopes about the movie were squashed. There are good directors and bad directors, and then there's Michael Bay who makes the bad ones look like John Ford. Bay has never made a good movie...period. There have been good moments like a couple of scenes from The Rock, but overall he is a dud in the director's chair. He should go back to directing fluff like music videos.

Dave Wed, Jan 24, 2007 at 11:52 AM EST

I'll probably check it out as well, but I'm not dying to see it. Josh Duhamel is hot, though, so if there's a chance he'll be shirtless (hey, he IS in the desert in those pics), then all the more reason to give it a chance :-)

Ned Wed, Jan 24, 2007 at 11:45 AM EST

I never had any interest in Transformers when I was a kid, I was a superhero nut, robots that turned into stuff didn't do anything for me. But I have to admit, that trailer makes it look like a fun movie, I'll probably check it out. Not the first weekend, but on a slow summer day, why not.

Victor Wed, Jan 24, 2007 at 10:58 AM EST

Let's hope not, but it looks already like the Flop of Summer 2007!

aramis Wed, Jan 24, 2007 at 10:53 AM EST

Ed - LMAO! I totally agree on all accounts. But even if the movie sucks, at least they're will be something pretty to look at to get you through to the end so you won't feel like you've completely wasted your money.

It does seem like Transformers is geared up to be either the BEST tv-adaptation EVER, or the most expensive BOMB in the history of crappy series-adaptations (and you know there have been plenty of those).

Tyler D Wed, Jan 24, 2007 at 10:50 AM EST

Wow is Megan Fox hot! How is she involved with a 90210 wash-up? Anyway, I'm extremely conflicted by this movie. Transformers was always one of my favorite cartoon concepts as a child, but I have absolutely no confidence in Michael Bay.

marykate Wed, Jan 24, 2007 at 10:40 AM EST

I would make out with Optimus Prime. He's looking sleek!

Also, doesn't that last pic of the "desert scene" seem vaguely reminiscent of the market scene in the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular at Disney MGM.

Ed Wed, Jan 24, 2007 at 10:25 AM EST

After that mess called The Incredible Hulk, I no longer believe that big budget movies MUST be good.
Any movie Josh is in can be an indication of how good it might be; did they want to spend a lot of money on big names or more on the CGI?

The only way I'll be first in line to see this movie is if I hear that Josh's cloths come completely off in order to transform into a gun.

Cristina Wed, Jan 24, 2007 at 10:12 AM EST

Anyone else sing along to the Transformer theme song when he wrote the line of the Autobots defeating the Decepticons? I know I did.

Evie Wed, Jan 24, 2007 at 10:04 AM EST

If Josh Duhamel and Shia LeBeouf are in it, I'd say it HAS to be good.

Paul U. Wed, Jan 24, 2007 at 09:38 AM EST

I am not a Transformers fan, but my hubby sure is...when I first started hearing about this movie I told him it had a very high capacity to suck. He was optimistic at first, but he is starting to believe me...especially after that trailer!

Michael Wed, Jan 24, 2007 at 09:28 AM EST

PJ, you call *this* post a trashing of the Transformers movie? What a sheltered life you must lead! This is practically gushing, uncritical praise compared to some of the stuff out there...

PJ Wed, Jan 24, 2007 at 09:12 AM EST

It amazes me how this publication tries its best to trash a movie before it even comes out. Wait until you've actually seen the movie (or about waiting until it's released) before trying to get us to avoid it.

Christopher Wed, Jan 24, 2007 at 08:27 AM EST

It will NOT be the cartoon. It will not have the same feel. It will be in some ways better and in some ways not. Nostalgia might make you buy a ticket, but Bay has to hook you on the story. I think he has the chops to make this movie exactly what it should be... so this is the first Michael Bay film that I'll want to see on opening night.

I think it's kids who will be the big losers in this scenario. The movie has mushy scenes, and the toys won't transform the way the originals did.

brandonk Wed, Jan 24, 2007 at 07:44 AM EST

Well, I'M optimistic, but I didn't watch the cartoon when I was a kid, so I guess I can only speak for myself. I do think the flames on Prime are a little unnecessary, but whatev. It's a popcorn movie, and Transformers has always been pretty cheesy.

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