In 1984, the Transformers brand took the world by storm with its compelling saga of the "Robots in Disguise," and quickly became a childhood rite of passage with a tremendously successful toy line from Hasbro and Takara, comic book series, television program and animated feature film. Twenty years later, the franchise features a popular toy line, an animated series on Cartoon Network and a chart-topping comic book series... and this year, the film!

I must say, the new Transformers film is... pretty straightforward; big explosion, corny dialogue and an effects-laden summer blockbuster. I must say, it's better than the rest of the summer blockbuster released to-date! When you hear Optimus Prime's Autobots... ROLL OUT!, it will have goosebumps popping out on your arms... ah, the memories!



The film is an eye candy! Visually stunning! Beautiful girls, good looking guys and of course, the machines are slick, and their transformations are virtually seamless. Oh! Watch out for the Autobots VS Decepticons scenes! Man... words can't describe it!



Interestingly, it isn't just the great visual effects that makes this movie great the storyline is pretty good as well. It'll make you laugh, cheer and you may even shed a tear. However, I have only one complain! The chaaracters in the movie are introduced really fast... almost too frentic. The thing is... Michael Bay managed to capture all this so well and wrap it up in a neat little package!

Also, with all things Michael Bay, the actions sequences are pretty intense! Lotsa very loud explosions, insane car chase, and bullets whizzing and sparks flying everywhere!



Finally, the actors performances are excellent, most notably newcomer Shia LaBeouf as Sam Witwicky, who really carries the film after a slightly rough start.

Overall, go see it... again and again and again...! Bring your friends, your family, your neighbour, even the guy who use to pick on you in school! I reckon this is gotta be THE best movie I've seen for a long time (since Tha Matrix). The movie so perfectly combines the greatest effects, the most incredible sound, and the coolest giant alien robot fights ever captured on film!

Ratings (Scale of 1 to 5, 5 being the highest)

Cast : 5
Sound : 5
Picture : 5
Storyline: 5

OVERALL : 5

Labels: ivan, movie

If you don't already know, this action-packed superhero sequel of the sequel sees Spider-man fighting Green Goblin, Sandman, Venom and himself.

Spider-Man 3 takes place almost immediately after the events of the second film... Harry learned at the end of Spider-Man 2 that Peter Parker is Spider-Man, and he isn't wasting any time trying to take down the person he believes killed his father. Meanwhile, Peter has grown comfortable in his relationship with Mary Jane, not to mention the idea that his alter-ego is an icon and hero to millions. MJ, however, is struggling as an actress after receiving scathing reviews for her appearance in a new musical, and has trouble relating to Peter's newfound confidence. In another part of the city, escaped convict Flint Marko races to find a cure for his daughter's illness, landing himself in the middle of a science experiment while trying to evade capture by the police. At the same time, a mysterious creature that feeds off negative energy finds the erstwhile hero during a moment of weakness and attaches itself to him, sending both Peter and Spider-Man into a dark and dangerous spiral of revenge and violence.



The storyline IMHO, is a big letdown for me. There are too many story strands going on at the same time and I guess the writers were trying to be a little ambitious trying to top the sequel. Don't get me wrong... the story is great BUT let's just say it's a little to draggy and sappy for me.

Two thumbs up for director Sam Raimi who masterfully crafted a collection of characters, scenes and sequences that seem disjointed. There are a handful of scenes that didn't really work BUT I must say the ending was brilliantly done and the last 15 mins has the best scenes in the movie. It's a fitting conclusion to both film and franchise!

As for the actors... I reckon Tobey Macguire played the role of Peter Parker exceptionally well. A little bit stiff at times but he does a good job of holding things together and though Peter Parker is supposed to be a wallflower and somewhat boring, it's nice to finally see him let his hair down a little (check oout the dark Peter Parker walking the streets snapping his fingers and wooing the women of new York City!). As for Kirsten Dunst, I still think she's not right for the role... just something about her acting and her look, just doesn't suit the role.



Meanwhile, the pic is fully on par (even better) with that of the previous entries. I reckon the visual effects saved the movie and will have fans wide-eyed throughout.

Overall, below average storyline saved by beautifully rendered visual effect and the director did an exceptional job combining all these disparate elements and still satisfactorily conclude the movie, and the trilogy! Regardless of what critics give, everybody fans of the series will flock the cinemas.

Ratings (Scale of 1 to 5, 5 being the highest)

Cast : 4
Sound : 5
Picture : 5
Storyline: 2.5

OVERALL : 4.1

Labels: ivan, movie, review