Transformers Details

It should have been great

Pros:

1)There is some great CGI

2)When the Decepticons first begin to reveal themselves, it's pretty sinister and dead exciting.

3)Shia is good value and Megan is truly a fox.

4)There are some great comedy moments.

Cons:

1) It's far too long. Bay makes the mistake of trying to fit too many scenes in, when there isn't enough subject matter to go around. This means that even the action scenes drag and you want the film to end about half an hour before it does.

2)Although the robots look great, the fighting is often too fast to keep up with.

3)The little robot that does the hacking is really, really annoying.

4)The script, although funny in places, often feels like it was written by a 12 year old.

5)The plot is patchy, at best.

6)Why is John Turturro in this film?

7)It is very, very cheesy.

In summary, although I loved Transformers when I was a kid, this was a pretty big disappointment. It probably could have been saved by editing out about an hour of the detritus, or by cutting down on the cheese factor, but even though I gave it more than the benefit of the doubt (I was trying desperately hard to like it), I almost wish I hadn't been to see it.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Game of two halves

I was looking forward to this film as the trailer really got my attention, it looked dark and moody and... adult. The first half lived up to my expectation - then it all went pear shaped, it went childish and plotless. When robots started breakdancing and being peed on by dogs for comic affect I lost all interest. Advice, watch the first half, switch off and imagine a great ending...