|
|
|
Opening Credits/Voiceover:
The first five minutes of TF:TM are perfect. First, some foreboding music, followed by the destruction of a planet.
Then a rocked-out version of the original Transformers theme with opening credits followed by the classic voiceover,
"It is the year 2005..." Phenomenal opening - it still holds up 21 years later. The Transformers opening is also
pretty cool. It is not entirely coherent (Allspark?) but it does set up the movie quickly and hearing the voice of
Optimus Prime was pretty fucking cool. Even though I like the animated version better, I cannot criticize the
live-action version.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Overall Plot:
In TF:TM, the Autobots must stop a planet, Unicron, and the Decepticons from destroying Cybertron and the Autobot Matrix.
Oh and guess what, the planet can transform into a huge fucking robot. In TF, the Autobots battle the Decepticons over
the Allspark. The plot for both movies have lots of holes when analyzed really carefully. The comedic relief in both movies
is okay in some scenes but ridiculous in others (e.g. Blur and WreckGar vs. the Autobots hiding from the Witwickys). I hate the
"Bah weep graaagnah wheep ni ni bong" universal greeting almost as much as I hate Jazz's "hey, I'm the cool black transformer"
line in the new movie. Despite these holes, both movies are still a lot of fun to watch, but TF:TM does have an edge on TF.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| Daniel is kind of a douche, but less so than Wheelie |
|
|
Humans:
Despite being animated, there are a couple humans TF:TM, literally two - Spike and his son Daniel. They do not do
much except for skip around and cause problems. There are too many humans in TF - but Sam (Shia LeBeouf) is
developed really well, Mikaela (Megan Fox), while completely ridiculous, is permanently sweaty, and exceptionally
hot. Even the major-minor players (Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Jon Voight) do a decent job. Also, props to Michael
Bay for casting Tom Lenk (of Buffy Andrew fame) but negative points for casting Anthony Anderson (who peaked in
Hang Time). Also, two extra
bits of uber-ridiculousness: 1) casting an ultra hot blonde (Rachael Taylor) as a signals analyst and having her use her
native Australian accent...SUPER HOT! 2) having Mikaela fall for the old "you'll have to sit on my lap," line.
|
|
|
 |
Wow. Brian Austin Green, really?
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Optimus Prime:
The greatest Autobot of them all was represented well in both movies. Prime heroically dies in TF:TM
in the first 20 minutes, sacrificing himself and single handedly turning the tide in an epic battle.
The TF Prime is
also the only transformer that was truly developed in the movie. Both Primes had great fight scenes, both
made a retarded mistake 1) TF:TM Prime not killing Megaton right away and 2) TF Prime giving
the Allspark to Sam instead of using it against Megatron. The only bad thing about TF Prime was his
"my bad" line - still irks me thinking about it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bumblebee:
Bumblebee in TF:TM is a pretty safe character. I do not recall him doing anything particularly great in
the movie. With the new characters of Wheelie, WreckGar, and Blur - Bumblebee actually seems cool instead
of like a teacher's pet. In TF, besides Prime, Bumblebee was the only other Transformer that was somewhat
developed. He befriends Sam and there are even decent moments where he kicks some Decepticon ass. It is
interesting though because Bay completely changed the character of Bumblebee -
in the cartoons he was gay
and in the movie he is straight. I do not think anyone but Sam really bonded with Bumblebee but he was still
far cooler than the cartoon version (Concept Camaro vs. VW bug, armored face vs. horn head, etc.). I actually
like the cartoon Bumblebee a little more after seeing the movie - he is the loyal friend which deserves a lot
of credit. God bless you Bumblebee.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other Transformers:
Here are the new transformers introduced in TF:TM: Hot Rod, Blur, Kup, Wheelie, WreckGar, Scourge, Galvatron,
Scourge, the Sweeps, Arcee, and Springer. Almost all of these characters were developed to certain extent.
You knew the type of personalities that each had based on a lot or even a little screen time. This is by far
my biggest complaint with TF. NONE of the other Transformers were developed - maybe Megatron a
little, but that is it. None had personalities other than Prime and Bumblebee and Bumblebee did not even speak until the
last part of the movie. I do not know why Bay developed other humans so much and sacrificed character screen
time for the robots (see more below). Who the fuck cares about Anthony Anderson or even the hot Australian
analyst? Same with Tyrese and the other army people. Sam, Mikaela, and maybe Josh Duhamel should have been
the only ones developed. I liked most of the humans but if it came down to robot screen/voice time or human
screen/voice time, I would pick the robots all the way.
|
|
|
|
Ok, so overall, if you compare the two on checks alone, weighted equally, it is a tie. The openings and Optimus Prime
are great but 
