Official RoTF discussion thread **PART 1 /Reviews go here** [ SPOILERS ]

[MovinForward]

Noooo- Chromia survived, hidden behind a structure- Arcee, purple bike, and Jetfire all died- Ironhide and Megs both got the shit beat outta them.
Ravage... damn... I liked him a lot... mebbe we'll get Laserbeak next movie!

No no, Arcee lived as did her sisters. Arcee was only badly wounded. Bots have survived worse.

[Trailbreaker]

Really? I could have sworn two got scrapped.

[Altea9]

An open letter to Mr Bay.

Transformers made $60.6 million dollars in the United States for a total of around $100 million from the world on opening day! One of the biggest single days in movie history.

Then never seem to understand that I make movies for people to take a ride and escape.

To all the Transformer Fans - Thank You

Michael

Well Michael....I am a Transformers fan, and a fan of yours too.

BUT I HATED THIS MOVIE!

No matter how much money it brings in, it still doesn't make it a good movie.

I said in another post...YOU were the guy to come to in the 90's if you wanted a movie made right!
Your record speaks for itself, and the critical acclaim you recieved for Bad Boys, The Rock, Armageddon and to some extent Pearl Harbour show that.

But with Transformers...and much more so with ROTF, there is something definitely missing from your movies.
The magic you had just doesn't seem to be there anymore, and the same critics who gave you plaudits in the 90's, are the ones who are slating this movie now.

Why do you think that is?

I wish this was a return to form for you Michael, but it wasn't.

It wasn't even mindless fun...it was just mindless!
You said you want to just take people for a ride, so they can escape....well I definitely think I've been taken for a ride!
I live in the UK...and I know from experience that movies will play out differently from country to country.
I've sat in a New York theatre and sat through a movie which had the crowd on their feet, and cheering and whooping all the way through, and I've then gone back home and watched the same movie play out in front of a UK audience, only for it to fall flat, and die on it's arse!

Let me tell you...I'm sure in the US, the fan boys are cheering and whooping all the way through this movie, but I've seen this movie here in the UK...TWICE...and both times it died on it's arse!
You could actually hear people commenting and giggling at scenes they weren't supposed to be laughing at!
It was just bad.


Have you read some of the posts on here?

These guys are your most loyal fans, I know that only too well having had a shit load of abuse from some of them for simply having an opinion that differs from them...but even some of themare either disappointed with the movie, or have been left with more questions than answers....and I don't mean that in a good way. Not in the way, where everything will be revealed in the final movie kinda way...I mean in the WTF? kinda way. Why the F*ck did he do that?...or what the F*ck was the point of this character or that story line? Those kinda questions and answers.

Shit....half the people on here have made up little lists of all the things they loved, and more importantly, all the things they hated about ROTF...and the latter list is usually longer! Surely a good movie doesn't need a positive and a negative list! The fact that even your most ardent followers are making up lists, is just they're way of telling the world, that they didn't really like the movie, but they just don't have the heart / stomach / balls to admit it to you, or more importantly,to themselves.

Look...I'm not a Bay hater. I'm not!
I'm a huge fan of yours....and 15 years ago or so, when I was first starting out as a cameraman, I loved the fact that your movies are always flowing. There is never a static shot. The camera is always moving in some way, shape or form.
I fell in love with that 15 years ago, and have admired you and your work ever since.

But I'm sorry Michael....I just didn't like this movie.
And the reason for it has F*ck All to do with Transformers or the history of Transformers or any of that kind of shit....It's you!

It's what you've seemingly thrown together...action sequence after action sequence, then failed miserably to join these scenes together with some words from a page that's supposed to be a script, totally over cooked the whole Megan Fox thing ( that was just verging on embarrassment by the way )packaged it, teased us with it, hyped it up, pretended to the world that this was in some way a much darker movie than the first, and then fed it to the masses who are going in their droves to see it only to come away disappointed.

And I don't mean the few hundred or so who are registered to this forum, who will ALWAYS just accept anything you throw at them. Of course these guys are gonna tell you how wonderful you and your movie are.

The reality is, despite the huge box office takings...the VAST majority of people leaving the theatre, are really disappointed by what they've just seen.

This " rant " as it will probably be called...will no doubt never see the light of day, as it criticizes you and your movie..basically in your own front room...but if, on the off chance that Nelson actually allows this post to stand, would you be willing to reply to a fan who has just told you that he thought you'd just made one of the worst films of your career?

Could you answer some key questions...like...Where was the REVENGE?...as the title suggested. Shit...Where the hell was the FALLEN?

It will, ironically...probably be your most successful movie to date, in terms of monitory revenues generated at the box office.

But this movie wasn't too great Michael.

I personally don't think you, or Shia or Megan will actually return for a third installment of Transformers.
I think you've had your fill, and would be quite happy to see someone else take up the reigns.

If this was to be true...I don't think it would be the worst decision any of you had made.

I think...no wait...I KNOW.. you can make much better movies than this Michael, you just gotta find your Mojo again ( not the dog ) and I really really hope that it isn't too long before we see some of that old Bay magic that made me fall in love with you and your creative style of film making in the first place.

From

a REAL Michael Bay fan.


PS

Just a note...the guys over at ILM have really outdone themselves this time...this is some of the greatest CGI and compositing ever put to screen.

Well done guys!

It's a shame that all that work will be forgotten 5 to 10 years from now because the movie won't be remembered as a classic, that's for sure.

[Trailbreaker]

Yesterday I posted my review after I saw the movie and talking to some people, I began to feel that I was a little too harsh on this movie. Most of the criticisms I pointed out were the same stuff I completely ignored in the first movie. The reason for that was probably that once I began to look at some problems, I suddenly search for more. Honestly, I thought it was a monster action sci-fi flick, but I still think it's not up there with the first.

Oh the CGI think I complained about. Ya know what I noticed when I see movies in theaters? Almost every movie I have been going to in the same theater the CGI always looked funky for all of those. Yet on a digital format, say a DVD, it looks fine all the sudden. Same thing goes for the trailers. It looked perfect on those.

So basically the main problem for me was that my judgment was clouded, clouded by the overwhelming hype here on the internet. All the spoilers, rumors, early reviews, etc. When I saw TF1, I was clean. I knew nothing about the movie, and I loved it. For TF2, I had all of that random custerf*ck crammed in my brain resulting me in not enjoying the movie.

But hey, it still has it's problems and some of those can't be ignored, like the whole Constructicon clusterf*ck and the Fallen's portrayal. Those I can't ignore. But there were a lot of cool things. Jetfire was awesome, he's my favorite character. So were the Twins, I love those two. Starscream and Megatron's relationship and the bone crunching action. Oh, and I'll admit, I thought Soundwave's voice was actually pretty cool. With that in mind, I am bumping up my rating to 3.5/5.

So yeah, was I a little too harsh? lol

[shadowinvid]

I totally disagree with your post, this movie was great and if you think about it as being a middle act of a trilogy it sets up some interesting possible moves for Transformers 3.


Its the "Empire Strikes Back" of Transformers only better,we have gone from too much human story to a total robot story with human side servings which is great, and I'm sure Transformers 3 will balance it out. Its already surpassed Transformers 1 in box office opening week, and climbing. There will always be critics or people in the business that think they can do better, but the box office shows results, and further more the bluray release will either cement the fact its a hit or not.

I've now seen this movie in cinema and Imax and I think its about right....I hated Armageddon..so I'm not a Bay groupie but Mr Bay has done well on this film. Just my opinion

[chops]

yes the story, comedy and sexual references were bad but you have to remember Bay doesn't write the script.

If he would zoom out more so we can see what's going on in the big picture than I would definitely love it more but take it easy. There were good and bad parts. It wasn't all bad.

[Altea9]

Its the "Empire Strikes Back" of Transformers only better

Please don't waste any more of my, or anyone else's time. You've already said too much...trust me.

[phoenixgirl]

Yesterday I posted my review after I saw the movie and talking to some people, I began to feel that I was a little too harsh on this movie. Most of the criticisms I pointed out were the same stuff I completely ignored in the first movie. The reason for that was probably that once I began to look at some problems, I suddenly search for more. Honestly, I thought it was a monster action sci-fi flick, but I still think it's not up there with the first.

Oh the CGI think I complained about. Ya know what I noticed when I see movies in theaters? Almost every movie I have been going to in the same theater the CGI always looked funky for all of those. Yet on a digital format, say a DVD, it looks fine all the sudden. Same thing goes for the trailers. It looked perfect on those.

So basically the main problem for me was that my judgment was clouded, clouded by the overwhelming hype here on the internet. All the spoilers, rumors, early reviews, etc. When I saw TF1, I was clean. I knew nothing about the movie, and I loved it. For TF2, I had all of that random custerf*ck crammed in my brain resulting me in not enjoying the movie.

But hey, it still has it's problems and some of those can't be ignored, like the whole Constructicon clusterf*ck and the Fallen's portrayal. Those I can't ignore. But there were a lot of cool things. Jetfire was awesome, he's my favorite character. So were the Twins, I love those two. Starscream and Megatron's relationship and the bone crunching action. Oh, and I'll admit, I thought Soundwave's voice was actually pretty cool. With that in mind, I am bumping up my rating to 3.5/5.

So yeah, was I a little too harsh? lol

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion Trail.

[Firefrost]

How many MORE threads do we need from new people saying the same stuff? You can hate this movie all you want, but put your opinions in the discussion thread. Making another thread is not going to give you a one on one with Bay. Get the f**k over it and follow the forum rules.
:wtf

[phoenixgirl]

How many MORE threads do we need from new people saying the same stuff? You can hate this movie all you want, but put your opinions in the discussion thread. Making another thread is not going to give you a one on one with Bay. Get the f**k over it and follow the forum rules.
:wtf

Agreed. All ranting should be in discussion.

[XxSoundwavexX]

Yesterday I posted my review after I saw the movie and talking to some people, I began to feel that I was a little too harsh on this movie. Most of the criticisms I pointed out were the same stuff I completely ignored in the first movie. The reason for that was probably that once I began to look at some problems, I suddenly search for more. Honestly, I thought it was a monster action sci-fi flick, but I still think it's not up there with the first.

Oh the CGI think I complained about. Ya know what I noticed when I see movies in theaters? Almost every movie I have been going to in the same theater the CGI always looked funky for all of those. Yet on a digital format, say a DVD, it looks fine all the sudden. Same thing goes for the trailers. It looked perfect on those.

So basically the main problem for me was that my judgment was clouded, clouded by the overwhelming hype here on the internet. All the spoilers, rumors, early reviews, etc. When I saw TF1, I was clean. I knew nothing about the movie, and I loved it. For TF2, I had all of that random custerf*ck crammed in my brain resulting me in not enjoying the movie.

But hey, it still has it's problems and some of those can't be ignored, like the whole Constructicon clusterf*ck and the Fallen's portrayal. Those I can't ignore. But there were a lot of cool things. Jetfire was awesome, he's my favorite character. So were the Twins, I love those two. Starscream and Megatron's relationship and the bone crunching action. Oh, and I'll admit, I thought Soundwave's voice was actually pretty cool. With that in mind, I am bumping up my rating to 3.5/5.

So yeah, was I a little too harsh? lol

dont feel bad i mean u cant help the way u feel about the movie.....like me the first time i saw it i liked it alot but i felt like there was many things missing it. and i just got back from seeing it again and ill be honest i loved it, i really put aside the stuff that botherred me and i just had fun watching the film...

[phoenixgirl]

Really? I could have sworn two got scrapped.

We saw two got shot, not necessarily killed.

[XxSoundwavexX]

yea the rants are getting alil old already......

[fu2kimus_prime]

I respect your opinion Altea. However just one thing Bay didn't receive any critical plaudits for his films in the 90's in many ways he was trashed for worse than he is now.

I love his 90's work as much as you do, but critics and internet film snobs have always given overwhelmingly bad reviews. To no avail.

[Firefrost]

Yesterday I posted my review after I saw the movie and talking to some people, I began to feel that I was a little too harsh on this movie. Most of the criticisms I pointed out were the same stuff I completely ignored in the first movie. The reason for that was probably that once I began to look at some problems, I suddenly search for more. Honestly, I thought it was a monster action sci-fi flick, but I still think it's not up there with the first.

Oh the CGI think I complained about. Ya know what I noticed when I see movies in theaters? Almost every movie I have been going to in the same theater the CGI always looked funky for all of those. Yet on a digital format, say a DVD, it looks fine all the sudden. Same thing goes for the trailers. It looked perfect on those.

So basically the main problem for me was that my judgment was clouded, clouded by the overwhelming hype here on the internet. All the spoilers, rumors, early reviews, etc. When I saw TF1, I was clean. I knew nothing about the movie, and I loved it. For TF2, I had all of that random custerf*ck crammed in my brain resulting me in not enjoying the movie.

But hey, it still has it's problems and some of those can't be ignored, like the whole Constructicon clusterf*ck and the Fallen's portrayal. Those I can't ignore. But there were a lot of cool things. Jetfire was awesome, he's my favorite character. So were the Twins, I love those two. Starscream and Megatron's relationship and the bone crunching action. Oh, and I'll admit, I thought Soundwave's voice was actually pretty cool. With that in mind, I am bumping up my rating to 3.5/5.

So yeah, was I a little too harsh? lol

Don't beat yourself up brother. I thought the movie was awesome but I went to it knowing what I know and not expecting anything more that a visual mindf**k, which it was. There was some murmurs in the storyline but I didn't and don't care. I'm going to go see it a few more times here and once in NY. Reading all these people ranting is just pissing me off because they expected the f**king "Notebook" or "Departed" with robots. Whatever. Your review was fine, it's the people starting their own threads to bitch is what's pissing me off.

[banandy]

such passion - gotta love it either way

[Altea9]

Agreed. All ranting should be in discussion.

I knew it wouldn't take too long before someone called it a " rant ".

Look....I never asked anyone else to jump on this thread....If it remains empty because Mr bay doesn't respond...then so be it.

Do you honestly think I actually expected him to?

By responding to it, you're only bringing more attention to it, and that's the last thing you would want to do, so d'ya know what...just ignore this thread.

If Mr Bay has time, and wants to chat to a fan with a different opinion to most, then this is his house, and he should be allowed to do that.

He shouldn't be sheltered from fans with some awkward questions about his latest movie.
He's a grown man with balls as big as Devastators.

[Andreas]

I fucking loved this movie.

[drjavi]

well if u think u can do better, then go for it, cry baby, the movie still has michael bay filming taste, just witch it had more of devastator, maybe for TF3.

[Drake]

I knew it wouldn't take too long before someone called it a " rant ".

Look....I never asked anyone else to jump on this thread....If it remains empty because Mr bay doesn't respond...then so be it.

Do you honestly think I actually expected him to?

By responding to it, you're only bringing more attention to it, and that's the last thing you would want to do, so d'ya know what...just ignore this thread.

If Mr Bay has time, and wants to chat to a fan with a different opinion to most, then this is his house, and he should be allowed to do that.

He shouldn't be sheltered from fans with some awkward questions about his latest movie.
He's a grown man with balls as big as Devastators.

If you don't like it, don't watch it. Or even better, get to a point where you can direct something better.

It's not possible to make a movie everyone will love, and you are demonstrating this. However, like the others have said, this is just another rant among hundreds. It is a rant because it will get nowhere, and all you will accomplish is replies from the very fans you complain about. It's almost like you want this to happen, especially since you clearly knew all the complaints about you were forthcoming. Shocker, right?

[OmarB]

Its the "Empire Strikes Back" of Transformers only better

:wtf :lol

It was a fun movie but lets not get carried away here.

[Altea9]

If you don't like it, don't watch it. Or even better, get to a point where you can direct something better.

Ok..great advice...but how do I know if I like it or not, until I've actually seen it?
Believe it or not, I don't pay too much attention to "official" movie critics, and like to form an opinion of my own, based on my own experience...but you have to have that experience first before you can form an opinion on it.

It's not possible to make a movie everyone will love, and you are demonstrating this. However, like the others have said, this is just another rant among hundreds. It is a rant because it will get nowhere, and all you will accomplish is replies from the very fans you complain about. It's almost like you want this to happen, especially since you clearly knew all the complaints about you were forthcoming. Shocker, right?

Look...I'm well aware that it's impossible to make a movie that EVERYONE likes. I'm not an idiot. But surely...in this World of liberty and free speech, I have just as much right ( having spent my hard earned cash on this movie TWICE ) to tell Mr Bay that I thought this movie sucked, as you guys who tell him every two minutes how this movie was " AWESOME " or " BEST MOVIE EVER "

And I don't actually remember complaining about any fans. Maybe you can show me the quote where I complained about the fans.
My complaint was about the movie, and was directed at no one else but Mr Bay.

[Andreas]

@Altea9,

To be honest, I don't think Bay really gives two shits about what you thought about the movie.

Honestly.

(I'm not dissing you, you're entitled to your opinion...)

[Altea9]

@Altea9,

To be honest, I don't think Bay really gives two shits about what you thought about the movie.

Honestly.

(I'm not dissing you, you're entitled to your opinion...)

To be honest...I don't think Bay really gives two shits about what ANYONE thought about the movie.

Honestly.

I know he posted a message thanking the TF fans for making him and the studio shit loads of cash on opening night, but c'mon...even the f*cking writers of the movie have been somewhat surprised by some of the things Mr Bay has done to this film.

And without sounding sarcastic, thank you for at least acknowledging the fact that I'm entitled to an opinion which is different from others.

[Ed Fuego]

The reality is, despite the huge box office takings...the VAST majority of people leaving the theatre, are really disappointed by what they've just seen.

.

I really haven't seen anything other than anecdotal evidence of this. There have been people on this board (big time fans and otherwise) and across the internet who have really disliked the movie and there have been those who thought it was really good. There have been people who damn near demanded their money back and those that have seen the movie 5,6,7 times (I would hope for their sake that they liked the movie).

The reality is that there is absolutely no way to determine conclusively what you contend. Maybe through exit polls some idea can be determined, but I still wouldn't be entirely confident about those results.

You disliked the movie; that's perfectly fine, and there are lots of others who agree with you. But lots of others loved it. One could not conclude EITHER WAY about the vast majority of viewers at this stage. To suggest otherwise falls into the trap of treating an anecdotal sample as representative of the entire population. And box office alone, after two days, is not a good way to really determine this anyway.

Oh, and I thought the movie was fucking awesome.

Ed Fuego