Transformers (2007)

An ancient struggle between two extraterrestrial clans, the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons, comes to Earth, with a clue to the ultimate power held by a young teenager.

Director:

Michael Bay

Writers:

Roberto Orci (screenplay), Alex Kurtzman (screenplay),

Stars:

Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 12 wins & 30 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Shia LaBeouf	...	Sam Witwicky
Megan Fox	...	Mikaela Banes
Josh Duhamel	...	Captain William Lennox
Tyrese Gibson	...	USAF Tech Sergeant Epps
Rachael Taylor	...	Maggie Madsen
Anthony Anderson	...	Glen Whitmann
Jon Voight	...	Defense Secretary John Keller
John Turturro	...	Agent Simmons
Michael O'Neill	...	Tom Banacheck
Kevin Dunn	...	Ron Witwicky
Julie White	...	Judy Witwicky
Amaury Nolasco	...	ACWO Jorge "Fig" Figueroa
Zack Ward	...	First Sergeant Donnelly
Luis Echagarruga	...	Ranger Team
Travis Van Winkle	...	Trent DeMarco

Storyline

A long time ago, far away on the planet of Cybertron, a war is being waged between the noble Autobots (led by the wise Optimus Prime) and the devious Decepticons (commanded by the dreaded Megatron) for control over the Allspark, a mystical talisman that would grant unlimited power to whoever possesses it. The Autobots managed to smuggle the Allspark off the planet, but Megatron blasts off in search of it. He eventually tracks it to the planet of Earth (circa 1850), but his reckless desire for power sends him right into the Arctic Ocean, and the sheer cold forces him into a paralyzed state. His body is later found by Captain Archibald Witwicky, but before going into a comatose state Megatron uses the last of his energy to engrave into the Captain's glasses a map showing the location of the Allspark, and to send a transmission to Cybertron. Megatron is then carried away aboard the Captain's ship. A century later, Captain Witwicky's grandson Sam Witwicky (nicknamed Spike by his friends) ...

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Plot Keywords:

captain | alien | planet | teenager | robot | 

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Taglines:

You haven't seen it all until you've seen it in IMAX

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action violence, brief sexual humor, and language

Details

Official Sites:

CJ Entertainment [South Korea] Official site [Ukraine]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

3 July 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Transformers

Filming Locations:

Cesar E Chavez Avenue Viaduct, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$150,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£8,718,561 (UK) (27 July 2007)

Gross:

$318,759,914 (USA) (26 October 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

DreamWorks SKG, Paramount Pictures, Hasbro

Technical Specs

Runtime:

144 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Transformer who transforms into a tank was originally called Brawl in The Transformers, but the name was altered to Devastator; Roberto Orci has stated this was an error which was pointed out during editing, as have Hasbro, the license holders; however, Michael Bay has stated he felt Devastator was a more destructive and appropriate name for a Decepticon. In related merchandise, the Decepticon tank was called Brawl.

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Goofs

In the initial fight scenes between Bumblebee and Barricade. There will be a time when Barricade is backed up against the camera (facing away from the camera.) Notice the gap of the wheel well. It's huge! There is no rear right wheel. Director's commentary stated they had some problems with the mustangs.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Optimus Prime: Before time began, there was the Cube. We know not where it comes from, only that it holds the power to create worlds and fill them with life. That is how our race was born. For a time, we lived in harmony. But like all great power, some wanted it for good, others for evil. And so began the war. A war that ravaged our planet until it was consumed by death, and the Cube was lost to the far reaches of space. We scattered across the galaxy, hoping to find it and rebuild our home. ...
[...]

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Crazy Credits

When the DreamWorks and Paramount logos appear, they are accompanied by a series of robotic sounds.

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Connections

Referenced in Jeopardy!: 2009 Teen Tournament Quarterfinal 4 (2009)

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Soundtracks

"Ain't No Game"
Written by Ali Dee (as Ali Theodore) & Zach Danziger
Performed by Basko
Courtesy of Deetown Entertainment

User Reviews

"You shoot, I'll drive!"

And drive he does as Michael Bay translates the Transformers world of animation and toys to the big screen.

But before I get ahead of myself I have to admit I never watched even a single episode growing up. I had just hit high school and I wasn't interested. So there wasn't any real baggage involved either side of the coin.

Yet there I sat in the first public screening anywhere on the planet (June 12th in Sydney, Australia, with Michael Bay introducing it) and it just overwhelmed me and everyone else! There was never a dull moment, the script flowed easily, the acting was first-rate and the seamlessness of the CGI and live action was taken to another level.

It's going to be the hit of the summer and was better than any of the big third installment trilogies I have just also seen. And I love each of those franchises.

Congratulations on a movie that not only met expectations but exceeded them.