Transformers, (2007) dir Michael Bay

So the latest summertime blockbuster has arrived, this
time an attempt at retro-trendiness with a film about
those transformer toys that seemed to appear suddenly
in the mid-80s then disappeared again just as suddenly
by the early 90s. One symptom of our supposed rolling
post-modern culture is regurgitation or repetition, it
does seem a bit odd that a film concerned with these
toys appears so belatedly.

In brief the plot is a load of nonsense about robotic
aliens arriving on earth to battle humans, a robotic
enemy Megatron, in order to re-capture something
called the Allspark. The word hokum was invented to
describe all this, but it is enjoyable hokum. On
paper ‘Transformers’ looks like utter tosh, but it
actually delivers some newly visceral effects, is at
least convincing. This reviewer was surprised. The
characterisation is very basic indeed, something
entirely expected of summertime blockbusters. The
film concentrates on a pop corn romance inbetween some
unbelievable special effects, an obviously
unbelievable plot, something about contemporary US
involvements in Africa. The evergreen Jon Voight
makes an appearance, almost as antique as your
collection of old transformer toys.

This film was viewed at the Ealing Empire, Ealing
Broadway, London. Ealing with its vital connection to
British cinema via the Ealing comedies, seems an ideal
spot to view movies. However, it was saddening that
there were no arthouse or historical films on at the
cinema, something that the cinema itself wants to
rectify.

Paul Murphy, Ealing, London