Peaugh strikes again (how does he get these toys first?), posting a video review of Deluxe Ice Cream Truck Twins and Arcee. The truck is a buy for me and Arcee (along with the other cycles) should be a pass for everyone. Thanks to Chris for the links.
Update: The contest is over, the winner was announced here.
For the first time, this blog has a contest. You will have a chance to win some Linkin Park swag.
The Linkin Park Prize Bundle includes:
- Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen Official CD Soundtrack
- Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen Soundtrack Poster
- Linkin Park - Minutes to Midnight CD
- Linkin Park - What I've Done Single CD
- Linkin Park - Songs From The Underground CD
- A free one month online membership to the Official Linkin Park Fan Club.
To enter:
1) What the New Divide Music Video (now on heavy MTV rotation) either on YouTube and MySpace (or below).
2) Figure out the answer to this question:
How many times is Megan Fox spotted in the New Divide music video? (HINT: The dancing silhouette is NOT Megan Fox)
3) Email -contest over- with your answer in the subject line.
No guarantees I will see answer if in the body of the message. No additional details are needed as I will reply back to the single winner, which will be randomly selected from the pool of correct answers. While the email address is mine, please do not send tips or questions to the mailbox as unlikely will see them.
Contest End Date: Friday, 6/19/09 at 9:00PM EST
Download Linkin Park 's single "New Divide" on iTunes now, and check out the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Official Soundtrack in stores on June 23rd. http://www.transformers2music.com/
Paramount Pictures has launched a new website for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen called We Are Autobots. The site uses something called "Augmented Reality" that makes use of your webcam to interact with the website. Below is the press release that explains it better then I can.
PARAMOUNT LAUNCHES TRANSFORMERS AUGMENTED REALITY EXPERIENCE – WE ARE AUTOBOTS.COM
To promote the international release of TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN, Paramount Pictures International (PPI) is making ground-breaking use of augmented reality (AR) and face tracking technology to give Transformers fans the opportunity to picture themselves with the original 3D CGI head of Optimus Prime.
Visitors to We Are Autobots can also find a hidden holographic message from Bumblebee featuring an exclusive montage of Decepticon footage from the new movie. TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN is released in the UK and Ireland on June 19th and internationally on June 24th 2009.
‘We Are Autobots’ has been developed using the original 3D models of Optimus Prime and Bumblebee that appear in the film. It was developed for PPI by creative marketing agency Picture Production Company (PPC), working in conjunction with augmented reality specialists Total Immersion.
Please visit here for a video demo. (or below)
Three new Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen TV Spots in HD care of MichaelBay.com. The first spot (#14) is the one we saw yesterday that previews the kitchen bots. Thanks to Karimpie for the links.
Variety has posted its review of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen from the London premiere of the movie. As part of that, they posted a partial cast list that seems to confirm that Tony Todd is the voice of The Fallen. It also shows that Anthony Anderson voices Jolt. While Todd's deep voice is perfect for Fallen, not sure about Jolt who I don't think even has lines in the movie so I can't help but wonder if Variety's list is from IMDB which is not 100% accurate. Thanks to Jennie for the link and Carnivac for the reminder.
Now on to few more reviews.
Variety Review
With machines that are impressively more lifelike, and characters that are more and more like machines, "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" takes the franchise to a vastly superior level of artificial intelligence. As for human intelligence, it's primarily at the service of an enhanced arsenal of special effects, which helmer Michael Bay deploys like a general launching his very own shock-and-awe campaign on the senses. Otherwise, little seems new compared to the first installment, except that this version is longer, louder, and perhaps "more than your eye can meet" in one sitting. It will reap similar B.O. rewards worldwide.The Hollywood Reporter
But the true stars here are the Transformers themselves, who continually steal the spotlight from the flesh-and-blood cast, even in scenes of tragic death or comic relief usually reserved for real actors.
With its intelligence at the level of the simple-minded, however, the film is not likely to attract moviegoers who seek something more than a screen filled with kaleidoscopes of colored metal. Fan boys will no doubt love it, but for the uninitiated it's loud, tedious and, at 147 minutes, way too long.Empire Online (3/5)
Devastator..lumbers up the dusty colossus, a shot tilts up to its mid-section, revealing two wrecking balls dangling down. Yes, Michael Bay...has one-upped himself: Decepticon testicles. If the thought of that gag makes you laugh, chances are you’ll have a ball with Revenge Of The Fallen. If not… well, Bay really doesn’t care. His first and only sequel since Bad Boys 2 is, like that film, marked by swaggering confidence, wild excess and a string of bad-taste jokes. ...The plot, meanwhile, is as baffling as before, not only bringing back the abstruse Allspark but throwing in a new MacGuffin called the ‘Matrix of Leadership’. It tries harder to be funny but is actually less so.
What saves it, just about, are the effects. At times the frame is so packed with whirring cogs and twirling cranks that you could replicate the effect by staring at the innards of a domestic appliance, but when these CG moto-men from another world duke it out, the images are often so screwy it’s impossible to do anything but sit and stare. The Shanghai-set opening sequence is lunatic fun, with Optimus Prime leaping onto the face of a colossal, rampaging unicycle and ordering it to, “Pull over”. And while Prime’s later forest face-off against a trio of Decepticons suffers by comparison to a recent film’s spar between a big ape and three dinosaurs, there are more flawlessly rendered money shots in the last 40 minutes alone than in a dozen less ambitious blockbusters.
From serieasten.tv is a news report from the Berlin Premiere of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen on June 15th (or 14th not sure). Most of the report is in German, but the responses to questions to the actors and Bay is in English. Shia talks about growing up on Transformers ("the male Barbie") and GameBoy. Personally I like the huge fragmented Decepticon symbol you see in the background in some shots. I previously posted links to pictures from the event here.
Sadly no option to embed, so click here to view the video.
A new walkthrough video from GameTrailers.com for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen The Game. This time it’s the player as Starscream as he takes on other plays in the multi-player mode. It almost makes me want to buy a current gen system to get the game. Mostly a Wii-man myself but due to the graphics, this game is something you either get for the 360 or PS3 or don't bother to get at all. Thanks to v1p3rS for the link.
Another article about the lovely Megan Fox this time more of an "analysis" of how she says she wants one thing (a little privacy) while supposedly saying things that guarantees she will not get it (by daring to answer questions honestly). If you live in Hollywood you want some attention as that is how to stay on the public radar even when not working but the goal is just manage it as much as possible (Lohan is an example of when you don't manage it).
Acting wise, I am not a big fan of Fox, but this article seem petty and odd article designed for attention rather then reporting from ABC that is heavy on speculation and light on facts. To read it click here (just to do my part in getting them attention). Thanks to Brian for the link.
It took long enough but finally the third Transformers of the Arcee trio has been revealed. The image from TFG2 is of the purple bike that a MV Agusta USA designed bike. For the movie, Arcee is one personality spread over three bikes. The individual naming is for the toys, probably to make it less confusing to kids. What that third toy name is for purple Arcee has not been revealed. Thanks to Adrien for the link.
Update: I could have sworn I posted the Arcee bio before but I can't seem to find it so here it is from TFW2005. Of note, the bio suggests Arcee is one bike, not three. Thanks to G0M3Z for the link.
Deluxe Arcee Bio
Arcee jumped at the chance to join up with Ironhide and the other Decepticon hunters on Earth. She proved such an effective warrior that she was quickly given command of her own strike team, made up of robots similar to her in attitude and design. together with the Autobots she leads, she stalks the Decepticons in silence, creeping close enough to look them in the optics before she strikes.
As previousily posted, the new BD-Live content for the first Transformers Blu-ray disc is now live. As part of that, there where three new clips. I believe the first two was Wheelie vs Mikaela and NEST vs Demolisher. This one found on TFW2005 is Sam and company getting captured by Grindor.
WARNING, while the video is fine the sound is a very irritating noise so turn the volume down before playing. I figure you would rather have the video with aweful sound then nothing at all.
Below are links to a bunch of new Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen galleries that TFW2005 has posted. All are toys we have seen before but just lots more images to check out. Picture to the left is Legends Fallen found here.
Scout Dune Runner - Large gallery of the non movie character toy and compared with other scout class toys.
Voyager and FAB Grindor and Scorponok - The Blackout repaint in grayish white with a new head mold that makes an appearance in the movie as a means of trying to get hold of Sam and company. Includes comparisons of the two toys along with repaint of Scorponok.
Knockoff ROTF - For your amusement, follow the link to check out knock off versions of Demolisher, Breakaway, and Depthcharge (but created at Voyager size scale).
Isabel Lucas was on Australian show ROVE last week to promote Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. She answers the usual questions about getting the job (help from Spielberg), working with Bay (challenges his actors) and how to run in heels. In addition, click here for a short, humor segment she participated in. Found by Deefuzz.
According to Relentless (thanks), if you have Transformers on Blu-ray, the extra features and sneak peak at Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is now up on BD-Live. The features include a new scene from ROTF, new documentaries and Transformers I cut scenes. Exactly how you access it BD-Live is something you will have to work out for yourself as I don't have a Blu-ray player. As for DVD owners, I know my copy didn’t come with an online code so not sure how that is going to work out. I am hoping the extra features will make their way to YouTube.
Scalan15 adds that if your having a problem find the new content, "you need to delete the prior transformers BD Data file, once you delete that and start the disc up it should work."
Update: From Aaron comments, most of the features are not new. As for the new scene, it what takes place after their adventures with Alice and before the The Doctor may or may not torture Sam.
"Sam, Mikaela and Leo are driving away from something (picks up mid-scene, so no idea what's going on). An Mh-53 picks them up, no markings to indicate if Blackout/Grindor (it's fast), drops some sort of hook on them, lifts them airborn to drag away. This leads to the scene we've seen many times with a car rotating in mid-air with Sam holding on for dear life from the passenger door. It goes on to imply they've been flown a long distance to a warehouse where the car is dropped from a height of 50+ feet, crashes thru the glass roof of the building, lands on concrete and immediately settles on the roof of the car, the airbags deploy. Then the scene we've seen several times of a saw blade opening up the car and Starscream overlooking the newly opened insides of the car. Never shows if anyone gets out OK or runs away."
Early today in London was the premiere of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen with most of the cast (no Isabel Lucas) on hand for the celebration. Below are videos of the blue Autobot carpet and links to Bay, Shia, and Fox signing autographs.
As for pictures, have them too. Megan Fox continues to dazzle in her black dress and it seems everyone is having a good time. Thanks to Ali for the links.
From Gametrailers.com is a 3 minute trailer that shows off the Deep Six Mission playing as Starscream from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen The Game that will be released on June 23rd.
Below is the Wheelie scene once again. This time in hi-def with no subtitles. Thanks to NHLfan for the link.
Amazon has now uploaded samples from each of the tracks from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen The Score and Soundtrack albums. The album and individual tracks will not be on sale until June 23rd. Click here to listen to them. Thanks to Chris for the link.
Update: If your in the UK, both albums are now availabe. Click here for The Score and here for the Album. Thanks to Adrien for the heads-up.
Another Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen promotional tie-in, this time from the Cartoon Network. It gives you the chance to choose what question to ask Shia LaBeouf for a segment to air on June 19th at 8PM EST. Also while there you can use your email address to enter for a Hasbro action figures prize pack that includes Leader Prime, Deluxe Soundwave, Helmets and more. That contest ends 6/21/09. Click here to enter and for all the details. Thanks to Paco for the link.
A new TV spot for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen that features new footage involving kitchen bots and Sam's parents. Below is a low quality version, hopefully the HD version will be released soon. The video itself is actually two commercials "Fate" and this new one but I have it set to start at the new commercial. Thanks to Mauricio, Cristian, and Gregory for the heads-up.
The Arker (found by Mach) has posted images of Deluxe class toys Dead End (Sideways repaint) and the Ice Cream Truck Twins in their packaging. No backing so no bio information.
I think I am going to add the Twins to my very short list of Revenge of the Fallen toys to buy. So far I have bought Sideswipe which I highly recommend for that rare combo of awesome vehicle and robot mode and do not recommend getting Rampage which is a clunker of a robot mode.
The other day we got a look at the re-designed Human Alliance Bumblebee and now below from TFormers is the first look at Human Alliance Sideswipe with Sergeant Epps toy. Out of all the Revenge of the Fallen toys so far, Deluxe Sideswipe has been the one I have liked the most and this one looks like a bigger, better version so this might be a buy for me (but will wait for the video review to verify). No clue when this toy will be released.
Chris (who has provided TF news in the past) is reporting that he has learned that Susan Blu is the voice of Arcee and Jason Griffith is the voice of Sideswipe in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Oddly enough, despite all the premieres, the voice actors is something no one is catching so don't have direct proof. However, both are experienced voice actors with a long list of credits.
Susan Blu has multiple Transformers ties. The primary for Transfans is the voice of Arcee in the animated Transformers: The Movie and the third season of the TV series and also did a voice in Beast Wars, and reprised Arcee for Transformers: Animated. She was also voice director of Beast Wars and TF: Animated. Jason Griffith is most notable for his role as Sonic for the cartoons and video games and this would be his first work for anything Transformers related.
From TFG2, below are a few images of Rampage (red in movie) and Sideways in CGI along with their real world counterpart. Rampage is apparently in his jackhammer mode. Overall they look pretty good.
The world tour for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen premieres continues. The last few stops after Seoul have been Spain, Rome, Paris, and now Berlin. Tomorrow is London followed by Moscow. Below is video found by MichaelBay.com of Bay, Shia Labeouf, and Megan Fox as they walk the Berlin red carpet.
For pictures from the Paris premiere, click here. Bay's site also has a few pics from the various premieres here. Megan Fox continues to look outstanding at each premiere proving that over the top dresses are not necessary to look good on the red carpet. I can't help but wonder how many signatures the main trio will sign before all is said and done.
Between the various premieres in Tokyo, Seoul, Spain, Paris and the sneak peak in London, more then a few critics have now posted their reviews of the film. Something to keep in mind is that for a popcorn/action flick like Transformers 2 the goal is excellent audience word of mouth. The critics are mostly irrelvant as most tend to pan action flicks that have no goal beyond providing entertainment for a few hours. Regardless, it is still interesting to read what mostly UK critics have to say. Thanks to Ian, Chris, and Gregory for the links.
Total Film (4/5)
Fallen so frequently approaches the first pic’s all-out awesomeness, and even occasionally surpasses it - notably in an opening blitzkrieg in Shanghai and a forest face-off between Optimus Prime and three Decepticons impressive enough to merit comparison with King Kong’s multiple T-Rex smackdown - that it's this close to being the perfect summer flick. The problem is, it’s the parts you remember, not the whole.IGN UK Movies
Old folks may find the relentless sensory assault a little draining, but the bangs, ’bots and bombast ensure Fallen has everything Transformers fans will want and expect.
the film reaches its pinnacle with one such action set-piece that takes place in a forest - a brilliantly crafted sequence that is kinetic, emotional and genuinely thrilling. Unfortunately however, it is a climax that comes only an hour or so into the movie - the remaining 80 or so minutes just never quite scale the same heights. That's the one BIG problem with ROTF; the movie stops dead halfway through, and then spends the rest of its overlong run-time building up a head of steam again, painstakingly setting up the eventual climax.Sci Fi Now UK 2/5
Don't get us wrong, we love Michael Bay and the particular grab-bag of delights only he can bring to blockbuster movies; huge explosions; quick, intense dialogue; lingering , pornographic shots of both girls' asses and military hardware. 90 minutes of Bay-ness makes for a thrilling flick, but if the clock starts ticking past the two hour mark and beyond, it all becomes just too much; your mind and senses need a rest.
It’s paper-thin all the way through, with nothing in the way of characterisation or invention, just misjudged joke after misjudged joke (don’t be surprised to see a Constructicon’s testicles or a Decepticon humping Megan Fox’s leg), danger-less explosion after danger-less explosion and the sort of expositional exchanges that would make a ten-year-old wince. There are arguably one or two surprises but immediately these are followed up with the most formulaic, predictable plot-points, sucking the life out of any drama or tension there might be like a 200 foot vacuum-cleaner Decepticon, which, incidentally, does feature, as does a regular-size vacuum cleaner Decepticon. Troublingly, like so many other recent blockbusters (Terminator Salvation to name but one) there is so little that feels like a real threat: explosions are nothing more than decoration; all Transformers, both Autobot and Decepticon, are in dire need of an intensive training course in how to shoot; the much talked about Fallen comes across as little more than a computer-generated slouch; even Sam and Mikaela appear to be made of an indestructible, alien rubber alloy. ...the action is tediously unengaging and totally sterile, and nowhere near enough of a reward for the 40 minute bout of nothingness that precedes the final act.The Mirror UK
In terms of explosions, firepower and sheer shrill, all-action, popcorn entertainment it is hard to see how this big'n'bold sequel can be topped this year.Shiznit UK (4/5)
Star Trek might have had more spaceships and aliens and Terminator: Salvation more grim-faced robots, but this Michael Bay summer blockbuster is pure mindless adventure mayhem that sticks firm and hard to its winning formula. In truth, it is a film for teen boys - and a bloomin' long one at that - but is also a guaranteed multiplex crowd pleaser.
Saying that, for the most part it is also a complex lumbering mess of a movie that is long on turgid backstory and short on tension, laughs and subtle acting.
Here's the thing. Revenge Of The Fallen is a kids' movie; the secret to enjoying it as an adult is to unlock the ten-year-old within (and not the one in your cellar, bunnngg). It is, in common parlance, completely and utterly retarded. The juxtaposition between hardcore military war movie and shitty Saturday morning cartoon feels downright bizarre at times. You'll be creaming at the sight of the US army unloading their weapons on the enemy, only to feel a little ashamed when you remember their enemy is a race of evil alien robots who want to destroy the sun. Somewhere towards the end, when you realise the plot literally centres around magic dust, you'll feel ever-so-slightly silly for enjoying it.
In truth, Revenge Of The Fallen doesn't stray too far from the solid framework built in the first movie. It mixes superb action sequences – directed with panache and almost pornographic glee by a never-better Bay – with frequent scenes of light comic relief, some of which work (squabbling robo-hick siblings Skids and Mudflap provide a few laughs), some of which don't (Wheelie the RC truck humping Fox's leg). Naturally, the robots are the real stars again.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen co-star Matthew Marsden (SAS Graham in NEST) talks with Sunday Mercury about a helicopter stunt that nearly killed him in an interview on the eve of the London premiere of the movie. I assume this is a stunt filmed at Bethlehem Steel last June. Some of the article is below, click here for the entire thing. Thanks to Scorpio for the link.
“It was a nightmare,” recalls Matthew, speaking from his home in Los Angeles. “I had a very close shave when a helicopter crashed and missed me by a foot. I stepped out of the way a second before it hit the ground. The stunt went off too early, I should have been some considerable way away. I didn’t seriously injure myself, apart from shearing off one of my bottom teeth. There was a bit of blood, but my adrenaline kicked in so I didn’t feel it.
“I just remember the director, Michael Bay, shouting, ‘Oh my God! Everyone look at Matt!’. One of the crew rushed up and said, ‘Dude, do you have any idea how close that was?’. I said ‘As long as I look cool, I don’t care!’. People will probably think that it’s a computer-generated special effect, but I can assure you it was very real. It’s fine, I’m still here with all my fingers and toes, though not all my teeth.”
Below is a video of The Insider talking to Shia Labeouf about Tranformers: Revenge of the Fallen and working with Bay. Information wise not a whole lot going on. Thanks to Scorpio for the link.
Isabel Lucas recently came out of hiding to appear at the world premiere of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen in Tokyo and spoke with Sky News from Australia about the experience of working on the film. Thanks to Scorpio for the link.
It is Lucas' first [press conference] and admits it's overwhelming. 'It's been a whirlwind,' she says. 'I've worked on five productions since Home and Away and this is the first one to be released, so I haven't ever experienced doing a press junket or a premiere, so this is like really being thrown right into the midst of it, into the deep end.'
Spielberg, who is an executive producer on the new Transformers movie, suggested her to director Michael Bay for the role of Alice after working with her on the HBO mini-series The Pacific, which he also produced. One successful audition later and Lucas had landed the biggest movie role of her career.
'I was really intrigued by the character because there is more than meets the eye - literally,' she says. 'She's a layered character, and that's interesting for any actor to play really something different from yourself and to understand and relate to her even though she might have darker intentions. She's fun to play.'
She describes one particular scene with LaBeouf which required an attention to detail that she'd never experienced before. The shot was so specific for a certain CGI effect that they were trying to achieve and the camera was about 30cm away and he (Bay) was like yelling at me so specifically to tilt my head down! Tilt it to the right! Tilt it down again! Now lift it slightly! But he really is an amazing visual genius, and the finished product you understand why he was being so specific with details.'
'They know that this genre of film is not really what I'm drawn to, I'm drawn to scripts that are unique and have meaning. But that's what is so wonderful about being an actor, is the diversity of the kind of films you can be a part of. I'm just honoured for the opportunity, and if it opens other doors career-wise I'll be very fortunate.'
From GameTrailers.com, below is a brief interview as Shia LaBeouf plays and talks about Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen The Game. Thanks to Scorpio and v1p3rS for the links.
Another busy week in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen news so another link fest to find any stories that you might have missed.
TV Spots and Clips
Wheelie vs Mikaela - English with Japanese subtitles of a scene from the movie
NEST vs Demolisher Clip - English with Japanese subtitles of a scene from the movie
TV Spots #9 to #13 - Five more TV spots, each with just a touch of new footage
Soundwave Images - Look at the CGI for the character from TF2 UK website
Premiere Reports, Images
World Premiere Video, Pictures, and Spoilers - All that from Tokyo premiere of hte movie with first impressions of the movie.
Official World Premiere Video - A video of the cast in Japan for the movie.
World Premiere Extended Cut Video - Two minutes longer look at world premiere of movie in Tokyo, Japan
South Korea Premiere Pics - Gallery of the cast at the premiere in Seoul.
South Korea Premiere Videos - Videos and pictures of the movies premiere in Seoul.
London Sneak Peak - Report from the sneak peak on Friday with spoilers
Music
Score Front Cover - Look at the cover for the upcoming score to movie
Score Track List, Back Cover - List of tracks from Score album and back cover art
New Divide Music Video - Linkin Park's single, with new movie footage
New Divide Making of Video #1 - First video about making the music video
New Divide Making of Video #2 - Second video about making the music video
Interviews
Shia Talks TF2 Secrets - Shia talks story, hand injury in AP article
Stars, Writers Talk Trilogy - Brief video, interview talking about a third film.
Megan Fox ET Interview - Video of the actress talking her career and fame.
Megan Fox EW Interview - Article, pictures, video of the actress discussing career and fame.
Video Game
E3 Multi-Player Mode - Video that the versus mode from the game.
Game Walkthrough - A 16 minute long walkthrough that shows off the game features
Toys
Deluxe Blaze Master Pics - Images of the toy, probably not in movie.
Deluxe Jolt and Scorponok Pictures - More pics of the toys
Ice Cream Truck Twins - Gallery of the Deluxe Twins toy
Malaysia KFC TF Toys - Images of the toys from the company
Human Alliance Bumblebee Review - Two part review of the toy
Petronas TF Toys - Pictures of toys that the Mayaysian company is offering
Arcee, Swerve, Mixmaster - Image of each of the toys with Mixmaster in G1 colors
Various
Transformers 2 Delays Harry Potter 6 IMAX Debut - Contract results in two week delay for HP6 on IMAX screens
M&M Michael Bay - Image of Bay as a scruffy M&M
IMAX vs minIMAX - Info on various IMAX viewing sizes
Transformers 2 Auditions - Humorous videos of various appliances auditioning for movie
Michael Bay's Payday - A look at Bay's pay for first movie
Sneak Peak June 16th - Somehow (details sketchy) owners of first movie can view ROTF special features online
CGI Megan Fox - Amusing video about creating a CGI Megan Fox
Viral Sites Update - Two viral sites update starting true TF2 campaign
Viral Transformers Spottings - Viral campaign that shows Transformers being accidently recorded
Bay Honored - Transformers inventor gives Bay TF statue
Hot Topic Contest - Transformers contest and tie-in products from the store
Earlier today, a few lucky Transfans around London got to go to a sneak preview of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. They were able to win tickets via various contests that Paramount UK was running. Blog reader Ali was one of those few and he provided the below pictures of the momento tickets he recieved for the occasion (thanks!). His report is mostly spoiler free but consider this a warning just in case.
Before the film started the lady briefly spoke about it and how were not able to put up a review up until Monday. She also mentioned we were the first to view the fully completed version; the one that was shown in Japan wasn’t fully complete.In addition, Ali reports that three of the four IMAX scenes are the Demolisher scene, forest fight, and Devastator.
Well first impressions it definitely packs a punch, jam packed in every sense - the story, action, definetly more robots, more humour but some of the humour was dragging a bit and not needed e.g. Sam's roommate Leon. The robots look awesome and you can actual see more detail in transformation, in particular keep an eye out (not that I think you'll miss it) for Ironhide's first transformation & Demolisher and also the fight scenes are much more detailed. Definitely glad I’m watching it at the IMAX and would recommend IMAX over regular cinema especially for this film, Michael Bay wasn’t lying. Those actual IMAX scenes are going to look AWESOME. The sound quality wasn’t as great and I’m mentioning this because there were times where I missed lines times & couldn’t understand what was being said, the Odeon cinema in Leicester Square is setup more like a theatre and kinda ol skool.
Things I can remember about the robots... everyone mentioned more or less is in the film, the twins start off as the ice cream trucks then they upgrade. Alice transforms. I remember seeing Bonecrusher, but no voiceover. More Decepticons come down but are not named; I can’t remember extra voiceovers for any Autobots or Decepticons. ...I know you'll enjoy it, everyone was clapping when the film was finished, I definitely am looking forward to going to watching it at the IMAX, you know what they say second times a charm.
To answer many frequent questionsEnd spoilers
- NO Barricade in movie
- No explanation why Megan Fox puts the white dress on and holds the flowers, just does it for no reason it would seem
- No explanation what the Twins reformat from the Ice Cream truck, they just do it in the hanger
- Bikes do NOT combine (you only see the rider ladies once and one bike is killed at end or badly shot)
- Optimus/ Jetfire combination NOT permenant, one whole booster ripped off fighting with Megatron and the Fallen. Prime tears rest off at battles end
- Jolt appears out of nowhere 1/2 way into film on the runway (as does Ratchet) and you old see Jolt one other time from what I could see. Never a main shot or close up of him. His hands sizzle electricity like the SW Emperor. He must have less than 5 seconds screen time
- There are LOADS of constructicons, after Devastator has combined you still see Mixmater and Long Haul loads, plus others
- Bonecrusher from 1st movie appears in truck mode
- You do see Soundwaves head but he never transforms. Voice is Welkers G1 Megatron voice
- The "Blackout/Grindor" bot is never explained, just appears, slightly different head to Blackout though
- Sideways only seen for robot for split second then back to car, then Sideswipe cuts him in half longways
- FINALLY a shot of Optimus turning into the truck!
- Megatron is a triple changer, you see him as robot, tank and a jet. Jet looked like tank but with flat wings, hard to see
- Mixmaster is triple changer, robot, truck and weapons platform. Uses platform mode twice at the end
- Shot of the protoforms arriving, some reused footage from first film. Some first film footage used with more prototforms added
Best Lines from the film
- The Twins "That hurt" - "It's an ass kicking, it's supposed to"
- The Twins "Maybe he's just a pussy!"
- The Twins when they see Devastator "Look at that mother f*BANG*"
- Jetfire (when hanger doors won't open) "Oh bollocks!"
- Jetfire "I'm too old for this crap!"
The good
- SUPERB Special effects, truely amazing
- The music score is great again, some lovely chior pieces
- Optimus is solid, really kicks ass - As does Bumblebee when he tries!
- Action, action, action!
- Some lovely moments between Starscream and Megatron
The bad
- Sam's mum getting stoned - Really annoying pointless scene
- Alice - Pointless character and waste of screentime
- And I am very, very, VERY sorry to say - Devastator. Totally pointless him being in the film. He doesn't get involved in the final battle and Simmons bringing him down is very WTF, by far Devastator biggest let down in movie
- When Sam dies and goes to Autobot heaven - WTF???
Stuff different from trailers
- Bumblebee never says "what is your purpose Sam" like in the Showest footage - I might be wrong about this one
- Some of the Showest sections are different takes in final film
- The military guy saying "Looks exactly like a truck" not in movie
In the current issue of Entertainment Weekly, cover girl Megan Fox talks Transformers, her career and dealing with her sudden fame. Below are some of the Transformers related segments with the full article here. Overall she seems to have her head on straight about the fame thing. Let us hope it doesn't start going to her head (which is hard to avoid when everyone is kissing your butt 24/7).
In addition, click here to see eight fantastic pics of the star. If the pictures are not enough, click here (or below) for a behind a scenes video of the shoot with voiceover of parts of her interview with the magazine. The team that is dressing, styling and doing makeup for Fox is these last couple weeks are doing excellent work, she has simple never looked better.
Transformers turned you into an overnight star. Looking back, how do you feel about the movie?
I'm terrible in it. It's my first real movie and it's not honest and not realistic. The movie wasn't bad, I just wasn't proud about what I did.
What was it like the first time you worked with him?
I was actually an extra on Bad Boys II [in 2003]. There's a club scene, and I was one of the club kids. I was in a stars-and-stripes bikini and a cowboy hat, dancing under a waterfall.
You're a bigger star now than when you did the first Transformers. Did they beef up your role in the sequel?
The humans are still secondary to the robots because it's a movie about robots. I feel like the part is adequate. I feel like we do something that's watchable on our end and then ILM makes it phenomenal.
You don't sound convinced that this is the greatest movie on earth.
It's not trying to be the greatest movie on earth. It's going to be the best action movie of the summer. Hands down, it will win that. But it's not trying to be a Golden Globe-nominated film. It's a badass popcorn summer movie.
You up for a third Transformers?
Sure. I mean, I can't s--- on this movie because it did give me a career and open all these doors for me. But I don't want to blow smoke up people's ass. People are well aware that this is not a movie about acting. And once you realize that, it becomes almost fun because you can be in the moment and go, ''All right, I know that when he calls Action! I'm either going to be running or screaming, or both.''
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen stars Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox along with the film's writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman talk about revisiting the film for a third time (for July 2012 release) as Bay is taking a yearlong Transformers break. Below is part of the article and also a video of interviews with Shia, Ramon, and Megan.
... said Megan Fox, "I'm really happy to have been a part of these films, obviously, and if they wanted me to come back for a third one, I would. I owe them," she laughed. "I owe them my career, really."
"I'd like to see some version of Galvatron," said Roberto Orci.. "I would like to see Unicron, too, and really anything that ends in the word 'ron.' Dinobots! I think, eventually, the Dinobots are going to have to happen."
Although some fans remember the dinosaur-shaped Transformers as being a bit cheesy, Orci doesn't see it as an obstacle. "I didn't say it was going to be my problem [to overcome as a writer]," he laughed. "But as a fan, I would like to see some Dinobots."
...Kurtzman and Orciaren't completely sure they'll be returning for "Transformers 3." "It's totally possible that, just for the benefit of 'Transformers' to stay cool and awesome, we should have to let new people come in and do it," Kurtzman said.
"I don't think [we'll make 'Transformers 3'] right away, but I wouldn't kill it either," LaBeouf explained, saying that just like Michael Bay, all the stars need a break from the giant robot franchise. "I don't think we're going to do one anytime soon. I think we all need a break from each other and a break from the project. We just need to collect ourselves and come back to it. They're hard to make, man."
MichaelBay.com reports that while in Japan for the world premiere of Transformers: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, the director was honored with a Transformer statue for his work with the franchise. The statue was given to him by the father of the Transformers Koujin Ohno. What you see on the status is the G1 Optimus Prime from 25 years ago standing with his movie counterpart.
The viral campaign continues with TheRealEffingDeal and GiantEffingRobots "reporting" more accidental spottings of Transformers in various settings around the planet. Below are the latest updates.
German Engineering - Click for a video that shows a robot running down the off ramp.
That Is Not A Gorilla - Video from Spain that shows a Transformers climbing down a tower. The real question is why was it even up there?
From Japan - This time a TF spotted hiding among some signs.
From Japan II - Same video, only with Simmons' version of events, so adds some amusement to things.
From Japan III - Leo Spitz (Ramon Rodriguez) outraged that Robo-Warrior (Simmons) would steal his exclusive Japan footage.
MichaelBay.com has posted 7 TV Spots. Two of them have been out for a week, two more I just posted about this morning and the others are new to me anyway. Thanks to lonegamer8 for the link.
Much like with the Wheelie clip, click here for the other German clip now in English with Japanese subtitles. Thanks to Scorpio and Chris for the link.
To watch the embed below, click the left blue button.
Two new TV spots premiered in the last two days, one is a 15 second spot (#10) and the other a 30 second (#9). The HD version has not officially been released so no titles. Spot #9 shows more kick-ass moments from the forest fight and has some scenes where the footage space shifted from rectangle to square (Devastator and forest fight), perhaps suggesting scenes shot on IMAX 70mm? As for #10, Tyrese finally gets a line in the commercials. Thanks to Mauricio for the links.
The Wheelie clip is now in english with Japanese subtitles. I posted about it in the original German links clips post (as update 2) but finally the clip appeared on YouTube earlier today. I can't find the email from the person that gave me the heads-up but thanks.
The video for Linkin Park's New Divide track from the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is now online at MySpace Music. There are seconds of new footage in the video but imany seem like an extra second or two of a scene already shown in the various trailers and tv spots. Thanks to Ty for the heads-up.
G4 has posted a sixteen minute long video that shows the game play for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen The Game by going through a few levels of the game as Bumblebee and as Starscream. It shows you several mission objectives, boss fights including Devastator, and most of the core features of the upcoming game. It’s really the best video yet for those sitting on the fence about buying the game or not. Thanks to Scalan15 for the link.
Wednesday, the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen press tour stopped in Seoul, South Korea to premiere the film in that country. Pictures from the event can be found here and videos below (found by TFormers).
The appearance didn't start to well according to a press report, in part because of the rain but because "Director Michael Bay and the two leads Megan Fox and Shia LaBeouf were more than two hours tardy for a special screening of “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.”" This led to a press walkout the next day when they where late again for a press conference. Thanks to Katie for the link.
Right now the cast is in Rome, Italy for that country's premiere but don't when that is event occurs. After that they will head to Spain.
We had too much scheduled that day and traveled from another country. We are so sorry for this. We then got stuck in crazy traffic and yes we were late to the premiere. The entrance to the cinema had 600 Korean fans standing in the rain for two hours. These fans were among the greatest I have ever experienced.
Michael
The Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen tie-in onslaught continues with Hot Topic's line of Transformers specific gear including shirts, wristbands, and more that reflects Transformers both today and back in the G1 days. Click here to view what they have available.
In addition, Hot Topic is running a contest giving you a two night stay in Los Angeles to watch the US premiere of the movie on June 22nd at the LA Film Festival. The prize includes 2 round trip tickets, 2 night stay and 2 tickets to the premiere. To enter you will need a Hot Topic account (click here to create) and then click here to enter and read all the contest details.
Below is a behind the scenes video that shows how a hotter Megan Fox was built using the lastest in CGI technology for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.
It seems that Malaysia's various companies understand the "Transform" part in Transformers. Yesterday, we learned KFC is offering actually transforming toys with their kid’s meal and today Petronas is doing something similar and includes hats and shirts. I am not exactly sure what we are getting here in the states but most of it seems to be mostly just commercials. Thanks to Marcus for the image.
As part of the marketing blitz for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, The HD Room is reporting that beginning June 16th Paramount is releasing additional bonus features for owners of the first Transformers on Blu-ray and DVD. For Blu-ray owners, they can use BD-Live to access the features, for DVD owners (like me) hope you have an access code mixed in the packaging otherwise you will have to wait until it leaks to the internet to watch. Thanks to joshuachacon7 for the link.
The 25 minutes or so of bonus features include:
- Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Sneak Peek — Footage from the new film
- From the set of Revenge of the Fallen: Day 1 — An exclusive inside look at the - first day of shooting
- From the set of Revenge of the Fallen: A Day in the Shade — A comical look at the differences between Megan and Shia's on-set treatment
- Never-Before-Seen Deleted Scenes from Transformers
- Fly on the Set: Pentagon — On the set filming of the Pentagon Military Command Center
- Music and Mayhem — Renowned special effects house ILM deconstructs the blockbuster action of Transformers
- Metal in Motion — Special effects tests and early robot animation
- Stunts 101 — An in-depth look at the amazing stunts in Transformers
- Choose Your Weapon —A fly on the wall glimpse into the selection of weapons and how they were used by the film's soldiers
- The Man in the Ice — From design to production, watch the Arctic come to life on various sets in Los Angeles, California
- Voices — The voices behind the Autobots and Decepticons
- Audition Tapes: Megan Fox — Megan's original Transformers audition
Update: The contest has ended, the winners will be notified around noon (London time) Friday.
If you are a) in the United Kingdom, b) can be in London around 6:00 London time and c) have a twitter account (or willing to sign up for one), Paramount UK's twitter page is offering a chance to win tickets to a screening of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen that starts at 6:30 at Odeon Leicester Square. If you meet those requirements click here and follow the instructions for a shot. One blog reader has already won tickets from a previous Paramount UK contest so good luck.
Below is the two part review of Human Alliance Bumblebee with Sam toy from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen toy line. The videos are longer due to a very detailed explanation of his transformation. Overall it appears the Human Alliance sub line is a huge improvement over its first movie incarnation which was essentially the deluxe toy paired with a crappy piece of plastic in a vague shape of a human character. Now the toy is clearly designed specially to accommodate a more detail human action figure resulting in a toy that is about 1.5x bigger than its deluxe counterpart. Overall it is a solid toy that might be worth buy instead of the deluxe version.
Thanks to General Tekno, here are two CGI images of Soundwave that are from Paramount UK's website I posted about earlier. He extracted them from the flash file so all the website stuff is removed so we could get a good look at the character in all his CGI glory (or lack of depending on your opinion).
Yesterday, we got the cover art and now today Warner Music Switzerland has posted the track list for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen The Score album. The titles could be interpreted as containing spoiler information. The link was found by "shroobmaster".
1. Prime
2. Einstein's Wrong
3. NEST [Contains instrumental excerpt from "New Divide"]
4. The Shard
5. The Fallen
6. Infinite White
7. Heed Our Warning
8. The Fallen's Arrival
9. Tomb Of The Primes
10. Forest Battle
11. Precious Cargo
12. Matrix Of Leadership
13. I Claim Your Sun
14. I Rise, You Fall
Update: Added the above back cover to the score album that Nameless found on Amazon.
The two main viral websites for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen marketing campaign have finally updated with Transformers specific information.
TheRealEffingDeal last week added a post on a sighting in the skies over Eau Galle, Wisconsin. This was then followed up with an "exclusive" eye witness report and additional blurry photos. Normally this is nothing different than any of the other posts on the site (not including the Olivia Munn love).
However, for the first time since the sites launched, GiantEffingRobots updated with a new post about investigating the sightings and find nothing. The "voice" of the writing is spot on Agent Simmons as played by John Turturro making for an amusing read. So what are the images showing? My guess is a Transformers protoform entering Earth's atmosphere.
In additional to that, RealEffingDeal has two additional posts suggesting Transformer landings. The first post is a video (below) from Italy of two guys talking to a camera that accidently records a protoform jumping from a bridge in the background. The other post is images of a Transformer walking out of the ocean near Australia. I wonder what else is in store from these websites. Thanks to Katie for the heads-up.
If you’re in Malaysia, you might want to check out the local KFC as they are offering Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen toys with their Chicky Meal that appears to actually transform (unlike Burger Kings toys). Whether these toys will go to KFC's worldwide I don't know, probably depends on various promotional agreements in each region (for example Burger King has the US market). Thanks to Choong for the pictures.
A new article on LA Times Hero Complex blog further illustrates what a shrewd business man Michael Bay is as it is estimated he made about $75 million for the first Transformers movie. Considering he probably has the same or greater profit sharing agreements with Paramount and Hasbro and the film is tracking for a record breaking opening week, it’s safe to say he will make even more with the sequel. Snippets below, full article here.
Director Michael Bay agreed to forgo his normal percentage of ticket sales and a portion of his upfront fee in exchange for an even bigger piece of total profits from all revenue sources after Paramount recoups its costs. This kind of deal is increasingly common in Hollywood as studios attempt to avoid situations where they lose money on a film or eke out a tiny profit while big-name talent walks away with tens of millions of dollars, as happened with Paramount's "Mission Impossible III" and star Tom Cruise.
Bay cut a similar deal on the first "Transformers" movie in 2007 and walked off with about $75 million after the sci-fi event film grossed $708 million worldwide and became one of the year’s top DVD sellers.
Several executives who have seen the most recent pre-release audience surveys are predicting a five-day domestic opening exceeding $160 million. That would beat "Spider-Man 2’s" $152 million in 2004, currently the five-day record for any film debuting on a Wednesday.
Paramount UK has embraced Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen in a way that Paramount US just hasn't bothered to do. They have a UK specific website that is better and easier to navigate and includes a look at Soundwave in satellite mode (click "Enter Website, click NAV on top left, thanks Chris). They have contests to win tickets and swag (congrats Ali) and a twitter page to keep up with everything.
In addition, they even went so far as to create Transformers 2 "audition" tapes that are amusing to watch. I would have embedded all five but they are all set to auto
play so instead click here to watch them.
A new extended cut of the Tokyo World Premiere video for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is now up that includes an additional two minutes of footage that shows the stage being built and the press conference with Bay and the cast. Of note is a nervous Isabel Lucas who is still getting her sea legs for this level of attention, something the rest of the cast are now well versed in thanks to the first movie's press tour.
TRANSFORMERS 2 Tokyo World Premiere (Extended) from PPC Interactive on Vimeo.
Below are two clips from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen that show NEST hunting for Demolisher and Wheelie. The clips are in German but it’s a Michael Bay film so words are not as important as the visuals anyway. To view the clips on from their German websites click here and here. Thanks to Sven, snortpocket, Paul Des and everyone else that sent in the links.
Sam:"Hello,Mikaela?"Update 2: From the comments, click here for the Wheelie click in english with Japanese subtitles.
Mikaela:"I cant believe you dumped me on our first Webcam date."
Sam:"Speed reading...I'm having a nervous breakdown...I´m now seeing this symbols since..."
Mikaela:"Since when?"
Sam:"Since I touched the cube shard....do you still have it?"
Mikaela:"Of course it is in our safe, everythings fine."
Sam:"M..Mikaela you will not touch it Ok? Dont touch it."
Mikaela:"I will not touch it..Sam it is locked in the Safe in the garage nobody knows where it is."
Wheelie:"I do...you are hot but not very smart...come on...thats fine,that will work..AAH...this damn douchebag."
Wheelie to the dog:"What are you looking at dogface?!..what the?..this place is an absolute nightmare..pain..thath hurts...oh god.."
Mikaela noticing wheelie
Mikaela:"One second.."
Wheelie:"That..hurts...that was the Five aaannd *does the weird noise.*and click."
Gets captured by Mikaela
Wheelie:"Thats all you got?!"
Mikaela:"What do you want here you little freak!"
Wheelie:"Thats my eye you dopey cow!! Easy Wargoddess,I´m just a small scrapmetal drone."
Mikaela:"And I´m your worst nightmare."
According to Superherohype.com in a post about the M&Ms advertisement and Tokyo premiere, the "slightly longer cut" of the IMAX version of Transformers 2 is less then a minute longer. The IMAX cut is supposed to have 4 extended scenes filmed in the IMAX 70mm format so another important question is how many minutes are in the 70mm filmed scenes (as I would assume more then 30 seconds). Thanks to Hitman450 for the link.
I was lurking the MichaelBay.com forums and a post from Nelson reminded me of a topic I meant to cover but kept forgetting to do.
With Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen coming to IMAX in just two weeks with full IMAX 70mm CGI effects and 1:1 ratio for some Transformers in select scenes, it seems important to cover that there is now actually two different IMAX screens out there and you might want to check which your theatre has before deciding if paying that extra price for tickets is worth it to you.
IMAX is a 76x97 feet screen while minIMAX (not official name) is 28x58 feet, a 4.5x difference in sizes (left pic). Which size is used depends on the theatre but if your theatre was recently retrofitted to an IMAX screen then chances are it is the smaller one. However, many new theatres are using minIMAX due to reduction in costs that the smaller size and space requirements. After all a real IMAX screen requires a 7-8 story room. Both sizes still use the detailed 70mm image format, the sound is usually the same and for most the visual experience will be about the same.
How can they be the same visual experience? By simply moving the screen closer to you (right image). The result is the optical illusion of a huge screen that takes over your entire visual range.
Theatres do not advertise if they are IMAX or minIMAX so click here to determine which your theatre is. As for whether minIMAX is worth the extra cost, it comes down to personal preference. Only way to find out is to check it out yourself and come to your own conclusions.
Even if you decide minIMAX isn't worth the extra charge, just remember a question you should ask yourself - is the four extra IMAX scenes in Revenge of the Fallen worth that extra price of admission?
The sad fact is minIMAX is probably the future of the format, so your options are probably limited but at least you go into the decision informed rather then feeling tricked. To get more detailed explanation, check out Consumerist and Gizmodo.
Update: It turns out that things are not as simple as two IMAX formats. There are actually three with various screen sizes, aspect ratios and so forth. Below is an explanation from "Boo" about that.
I would like to clarify some of the information in your post as I am a Projection Service technician (not a projectionist, I repair and install all the projection equipment) for one of the nation's largest chains. The difference between IMAX and miniIMAX is not just screen size (the dimensions of which can vary greatly from what you posted; my local screen is 60h x 80w). The projection technology is actually totally different. True IMAX theaters use a proprietary 70mm film that orients the image horizontally on the frame allowing for a film frame that is 4 times larger than 35mm frames. In addition to the projectors use 15,000 watt lamps. The so called miniIMAX theaters are actually Digital IMAX theaters running 2 Christie 2K (meaning the resolution is 2048 x 1080) DLP projectors each using only 6,000 watt lamps. The reason the screens are so much smaller comes down to 2 very important factors, the first is that the digital projectors cannot light screens with the size and distance from the projector of traditional IMAX, the second is that IMAX doesn't want to spend the money to build the huge houses so they are retrofitting existing houses, any retrofit will not be true IMAX.For a list of the number of different file formats and explanations click here (thanks Tiezane). As you can see, it can get complicated for the average laymen. My advice remains the same - check it out for yourself to decide if it’s good enough for your extra dollars.
Now for the most important detail, IMAX film is of a different aspect ratio than traditional 35mm (and by proxy digital) movies. True IMAX is a 1.44:1 aspect ratio where "Flat" 1.85:1 and "Scope" films are 2.39:1. If Bay is pulling a "Dark Knight" then the film will run at 2.39:1 and expand to 1.44:1 for the special IMAX scenes. The digital projectors CANNOT do this and will only expand to 1.85:1. I don't yet know if the Digital IMAX version of the film will have the same content as the 70mm IMAX or if it will be the same as the 35mm print, but it will certainly have been altered to deal with the constraints of digital if it is the same content as the true IMAX print.
Regards,
Boo
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen may have had its world premiere in Tokyo, Japan but the parties and promotion are just beginning as the Michael Bay, Shia LaBeouf, and Megan Fox (who shows remarkable taste in outfits, not as common for Hollywood ladies as you would think) landed in Seoul, South Korea on Monday to promote the film. A little rain fell on the gang as they did their camera posing, autograph signing and whatever else occurs at these things. A few pictures below but the gallery is here. Next stop - Rome.
Last week's Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen bit from Entertainment Tonight was heavy on Shia LaBeouf and light on Megan Fox and now we know why. Yhey were saving that interview for this week when the actress briefly talks Transformers 2 (bigger everything) and discusses her sudden fame. Thanks to joshuachacon7 for the link.
From MTV, below is the second behind the scenes video for Linkin Park's New Divide from the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Soundtrack. The single is now available on iTunes. The first behind the scenes video can be seen here. The current rumor is the video will be released on June 12th but that has not been officially verified to my knowledge.
After a few posts of teases, TF08.net has finally posted a full gallery that shows off the Deluxe class Ice Cream Truck Twins that to be is probably one of the few must have toys of the Revenge of the Fallen toy line (along with Sideswipe and Ransack). Skids (huge left eye when facing him) is the front, Mudflap (huge right eye) the rear. Below are a few images with the entire gallery here.
Amazon has put up the cover art for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen The Score by Steve Jablonsky that is being released on June 23rd. Amazon has also applied its usual discount so the price of the score is now $14.49. Thanks to Rich for the link.
Update: Thanks to Scorpio, click here for a larger enchanced version of the cover.
For UK residents, you might want to watch Paramount UK's twitter page as they are running multiple contests to win tickets to premieres of various Paramount movies and other goodies. The most recent was a giveaway of 25 pairs of tickets for a sneak peak this Friday. In addition you can win a copy of the Transformers 2 soundtrack, a goody bag and Sonisphere Festival tickets. Click here to view the list of contests. Just remember that is probably limited to United Kingdom residents only.
Yesterday, we has the fan perspective of the Tokyo world premiere for Transformers: Revenge of the the Fallen. Now we have an official video from the premiere that includes brief comments from Michael Bay and the cast and Bay.
In additional, the media blitz is in full swing so click here to find out what TV and print media the Transformers cast will be interviewing with to help promote the film in Japan, South Korea (red carpet premiere today), Berlin (premiere June 14th at Cinestar at Sony Centre), London (premiere June 15th at Empire Leicester Square), and Moscow (premiere June 16th at Oktyabr Theatre). They are going to be very busy folks talking their rears off and looking pretty for a ton of cameras. Thanks to Kenney for the links.
TRANSFORMERS 2 Tokyo World Premiere Highlights from PPC Interactive on Vimeo.
A cute image of Michael Bay from the M&Ms marketing campaign with Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, complete with perpetual five o'clock shadow. I saw this last week in the current issue of Entertainment Weekly so safe to say this will be popping up all over the place soon. Image from MichaelBay.com (which is good as my scanned copy was useless). Thanks to Ali for the link.
At this point it is pretty clear that the war for summer box office king is going to be between Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. To stoke the flames for Potter fans, it turns out they are going to have to wait two weeks to July 29th before they can watch the movie on the IMAX. On the bright side they can still watch it on standard screens on July 15th.
Now the change isn't really Transformers fault, its Warner Bros. who forgot to check the IMAX schedule when they moved Harry Potter from a Christmas release to the summer and didn't realize that Transformers 2 was contractually locked in for four weeks due to incorporating IMAX style footage into the film.
The main takeaway, besides mild amusement, is the knowledge that you have only one month to watch Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen The IMAX Experience which includes extended scenes, several with CGI elements at the IMAX scale, a first for the format. Thanks to Ian for the link.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen has made its official worldwide debut in Tokyo, Japan with the "human" cast and director Bay in attendance. There was also a rather smoky filled and "dramatic" appearance by Bumblebee that probably wouldn't fly in the states. In addition, below are a few spoilers about the film from someone at the premiere as they write about a few plot beats and the Transformers voices, look, and how used in the film. Thanks to Marduk for the video link and Bas for the spoiler link.
Update: Pictures of the cast from the premiere. Long story short, the ladies looked amazing and Shia needs to shave that mess off his face. Not sure what is next on the premiere train but assume it is the London Premiere on the 15th.
Ok guys just got back! Don't have much time to post, don't wanna miss the train but here's some quick stuff.End spoilers.
Movie was incredible, I liked it much more than the first! More action, more robots, less humans! Though there are some lame sexual inuendos like Wheelie humping Megan's leg.
Anyway, Bay and the actors came right into the theater and introduced the film. I was tempted to scream "Don Murphy Stooges #1" but I didn't want to get led out by security!
The VA thing in the credits was way too fast, sorry guys. The Fallen was Todd something. Welker does voice Soundwave, and Devastator too. Devastator has one line, screaming his name. Soundwave only has a few lines but he speaks English. But he never comes down to earth and never turns into a robot. Bleah. Very little screen time, but at least he doesn't get exploded which leaves things open for the third movie.
Mostly English, not much cybertronian.
The Twins were lame. As in the "bust a cap in you ass" stereotype. I could've done without them.
Jetfire was comic relief. He has a British accent and reminded me of a Monty Python character. He doesn't "combine" with Prime in the normal sense, he gets fatally wounded and rips out his spark, killing himself so Prime can use his parts.
Wheelie is nothing like G1 Wheelie. He kinda reminds me of Rattrap.
Lots of kitchen bots. One was a Samurai too. Bludgeon?
Only named Constructicon is Rampage, and he is red.
Megatron is revived by some Constructicons and "The Doctor."
Sideways never transforms, he is cut in half by Sideswipe in the first battle scene in car mode. Sideswipe is cool. Ravage is cool too.
There was a bot that looked like Blackout but he was not named. Blackout himself was never revived so I can't say it was him. He did not speak and was not named in the credits. In fact in the last battle scene there were tons of, well, "repaints," basically reused animation. So even after Devastator forms, there are still constructicons running around. And some Protoforms. I even saw a truck that looked like Bonecrusher...though I never saw him in robot mode. Scorponok is in the final battle too and is killed by Jetfire in about 2 seconds.
There are three motorcycles, but they appear to be named collectively Arcee. Not much screen time/lines for them anyway.
The term "Matrix of Leadership" is used, it's a key that operates a device to draw energy from the sun.
This weekend, a special version of the Aprilia RSV 1000 R made its debut at Road America. As the picture shows, the bike was painted with the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen logo and The Fallen eyes for the movie. The bike model is the one that Mikaela drives in the movie, but is not one of the Arcee bikes. More pictures of the bike can be found here.
According to Jalopnik, the GM Topkick which is the alt mode of Ironhide, is being discontinued.
GM Statement Regarding Wind Down Of Medium Duty Truck ProductionThat cannot be good news for Ironhide's continued survival in the third movie.
After four years of working with multiple potential buyers, General Motors has decided to wind-down its medium-duty truck operations. Production of the Chevy Kodiak and GMC Topkick medium duty trucks will cease by July 31, 2009.
Thanks to Ian, below are links to five high resolution Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen posters from the Movie Viral forums. The amount of detail in the various Transformers is pretty awesome to look at.
Update: Sadly it seems the pictures have been pulled or maybe a bandwidth exceeded type thing. I will leave the links up just in case as hopefully they will get posted again.
The Fallen
Optimus Prime
Starscream
Bumblebee
Bethlehem Steel
On the eve of the world premiere of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen in Tokyo, Japan, Michael Bay posted an update in his forums. The film is nearly finished as his dedicated crew works to add the final touches to the film which has 42 Transformers total and for the IMAX footage a few moments where prime is rendered to 1:1 scale for those huge screens. Thanks to Firefrost, John, and Katie for the link.
Hey everyone,
In Japan today. After a month and half seven days a week most days going till midnight me and my crew have just about finished Transformers. I have never seen such a level of dedication from every crew member in a movie before.
Even today after the press in Japan and right before the premiere tonight, I have to sneak out to a digital house to approve the last few effect shots.
It has been a long hard road, but really fun one to travel. What you will notice that is strikingly different than Transformers 1, is the level of animation detail. The robot characters (42 in all), you really can feel empathy for them. What is also very different is the sheer scale of the movie. We have been very tight holding back much of the best imagery in commercials and trailers.
The way to see this movie is on IMAX. Never before has there been 4k rendered character animation shot on full IMAX 70 mm film. This is a first and the results are stunning. You will see Optimus Prime in a few shots where he is actually perfectly to scale on the IMAX 50 foot tall screens.
For IMAX, I created a slightly longer cut with more robot fighting. Four scenes were shot on IMAX cameras so the screen will fill the full IMAX screen for these scenes.
Haters beware.
Michael
Via Seibertron, KOToys has posted two new galleries for Deluxe Jolt and Stalker Scorponok that also compares to toys to others characters in the Revenge of the Fallen toy line. Jolt actually isn't that bad looking and a shame he isn't part of the initial release wave. As for Scorponok, he is simply a black and white repaint of the first movie version. Below are a few pictures of each and the links to the galleries. Thanks to Katie for the link.
A few new photos are online of the Twins with their deluxe ice cream truck combined mode from TF08 and TFW2005. This is the first indication since the Wal-Mart leak that the toy is coming. Hopefully this is an indication that more pics will be released soon (and maybe a review from Peaugh). Thanks to Adam for the link.
Toys R Us has a Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen toy sale going on from today to next Saturday. The sale is for Power Bots ($18 instead of $23), Voyager ($18 instead of ($23), Deluxe ($8 instead of $12), and Voice Mixers ($33 instead of $40). This is the first sale I have seen for the toy line so might be worth looking into. You can also order the toys online at ToysRUs.com for the sale prices but keep in mind shipping and handling charges to decide if online is worth it.
KOToys has posted a nice gallery of images of Voyager Deluxe Blaze Master, first heard of via a listing on Wal-Mart's website. The toy is an Autobot with alt mode of a Channel 7 News copter. It has not been indicated if this character is in the movie, but it seems unlikely since the known movie list of Autobot characters don't include flyers (remember Jetfire started as a Decepticon). Below is a few of the images with the full gallery here (mirror here). Thanks to G0M3Z for the link.
The music video for Linkin Park's New Divide song from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Soundtrack is expected to be released June 12th. As part of that, a making of video is now on YouTube and a contest has started to win a custom Fender Squier guitar from the band. The video is below, click here for the contest. Thanks to Razgriz016, Adrien, and Deanna for the links.
From E3, below is more gameplay from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen The Game that I believe is multi-player mode as Optimus Prime and Starscream. Thanks to Commanderalphanl for the link.
The embed of the video was doing something to the right column causing it to get dumped below posts for some browsers, so instead click here to view.
In an article from the AP, Shia LaBeouf discusses some of the story beats from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and the injuries he experienced both on and off the set. Snippets below, full article here. Thanks to Mauricio for the link.
"He hurts his hand in the middle of a human transfer," LaBeouf explains cryptically. "Sorry this is so mysterious. There's just certain words I can't say."
"Revenge of the Fallen" begins with LaBeouf's character, Sam Witwicky, heading off to college to distance himself from his shape-shifting robot friends. Sam's beloved Camaro, which transforms into Bumblebee, sits in the garage "sort of like his (parole officer), his guardian," LaBeouf said during a recent interview.
While at school, Sam starts seeing symbols through "epileptic seizure-type fits of information transfer," LaBeouf said. "He just becomes a factual volcano." The symbols form a map to an energy source the robots need to control sentient beings, LaBeouf said.
The actor becomes visibly excited when talking about "Transformers," his slight frame buzzing in a button-down shirt and skinny black tie. His left hand is wrapped in gauze, with a splint propping up one finger. "It's like 11 days out of surgery," he said, referring to a procedure to remove screws that stabilized his digits after the accident. "It's not broken, but it's newly not-broken," LaBeouf said.
"There's far more stunts this time," he said. "Aside from the fact that I was making the whole movie with a broken hand, my knee has stitches, my eye had stitches, my back was gouged."
During one scene, LaBeouf said he "literally stabbed myself in the eye" and had to be treated at a military hospital. Though credit may be due for toughness, it's LaBeouf's natural warmth that makes him perfect to play Sam, the film's screenwriters say.
SFX Magazine is out and they have a one page roll call that briefly describes the various Transformers that will be in the upcoming movie. Obviously they didn't use my website as a source since some of their information isn't current. Thanks to Ali for the images below from the magazine.
In addition, IGN also has their own roll call for the Decepticons that shows visually compares their G1 version with current counterpart. That article is here. Thanks to Brian for the link.
The tie-in commercials continue, this time for the Chevy Camaro that uses scenes from both Transformers movies. Thanks to Mauricio for the link.
In the United States, the pre-order sales for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen tickets are for sale as of now. Earlier then expected, but I doubt anyone will complain. I just bought my IMAX tickets for 12:01AM for 6/24/09. Depending on the website there might be a convience charge (Fandango charged $2 per ticket) so be sure to noticed those details before purchasing. Thanks to zloty and others for the heads-up.
A few new movie stills are now online from Celebutopia. They show off Bumblebee, Demolisher, Prime looking bad-ass with his swords and Devastator looking small (yet still awesome) in the desert. Thanks to Gregory for the link. He noticed in the Devastator still you can barely make out the twins in front of him in the open area before the trailers and water tower.
In an article with Forbes, the director discusses working on Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, the pile of cash his movies generate, and his ball busting directing style (which I can't say I disagree with as Hollywood coddles too much). Bay is also a shrewd business man as he gets 1/3 of the profits from Transformers films and 8% from the toys. Snippets below, full article here. Thanks to Ali for the link.
"Fire in the hole!" An explosion goes off next to a crumbling house. Bay grins approvingly and darts to some fake rocks where stars Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox are cowering in the face of yet another attack by robots from outer space. Over the course of the day Bay will film 63 shots, three times as many as on most sets. "I hear stories about directors waiting eight hours to shoot," says Bay. "How can your game plan be so screwed up? If I ran a studio, I'd fire your ass."
As well known for his blowups on the set as he is for explosions on the screen, Bay has made his share of enemies. One actor who worked as an extra on Pearl Harbor recalls how Bay accused another actor of thinking the attack on Pearl Harbor was funny when someone laughed after hours of sitting for a take. An executive says Bay got so enraged at an extra on the set of Transformers that he made him stand in a corner. Actress Kate Beckinsale told reporters Bay made her feel ugly on the set of Pearl Harbor. (Not true, says Bay. He asked her to work out more.) Bay is known for sometimes clashing with stars on the set, such as Bruce Willis in the 1998 film Armageddon. "He has a tendency to try to be a director and change actors' lines," says Bay. "I don't think Bruce liked that I had a pair of balls." He takes a similarly defensive stand toward the critics who have called his films "vile," "brain dead" and "pandering."
But audiences love him. Bay's seven movies have pulled in $2.6 billion at the box office, putting him in the same league with James Cameron ($3 billion, including Titanic, the highest-grossing film ever, at $1.8 billion). That means something at a time when the movie business is going through its own action thriller, as studios run low on capital and people stop buying DVDs. (Although theaters keep half of ticket sales, the gross amount is a good proxy for the movie owner's total revenue, which includes DVDs and other money streams.) [ROTF should put Bay on top then at least until Avatar comes out around Christmas time - TFLive]
Bay brings his movies in on time and on budget, a rarity in Hollywood. Because his pay is largely based on the film's profits (usually one-third of the take after the studio recoups its production and advertising costs), he's got plenty of incentive to rein in expenses. "Michael makes me look good because he counts every penny," says Jerry Bruckheimer, who has produced five of Bay's films.
The new Transformers movie (the second full-length feature in the series) cost $195 million to make. But Bay estimates it would have cost $10 million more if he hadn't partnered with General Motors and the U.S. military to get free cars, helicopters and battleships. By keeping the budget (relatively) low on the first Transformers flick, in 2007, he was able to increase his share of the movie's $708 million worldwide gross, earning $80 million from the film. So what if those product placements make his movies look like long commercials? "People say it's whoring out, but it's not," says Bay, 44. "Advertising is in our lives. It's unavoidable. To think you can't have it in a movie isn't real life."
The final issue to Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Move Adaptation is coming out next Wednesday and IDW has a preview of the first five pages here. Personally I just like the covers from Josh Nizzi. Wouldn't mind seeing his artwork for an entire story arc, but it would have to be a quick moving epic scale story, something the regular issues of IDW's Transformers series have completely failed at due to their glacial place.
LG has started its promotional tie-in with Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen with a commercial (as seen here) and website. Now they have added additional digital content in the form of wallpapers of various sizes, movies stills, and facial images of various characters. To check out all the images, go to LG Nest > wait on the page to load > in the bottom right click "NAV" > then click "Digital Content". Thanks to Dxtr for the heads-up.
The various tie-in commercials have started hitting the airwaves. As mentioned before, M&Ms' website has opened and now they have a good quality commercial here or digicam copy below featuring Optimus Prime. In addition, Hasbro has released another toy commercial focusing on some of the Deluxe and Voyager class toys released last week. Thanks to Darin for the links.
IGN has posted two videos from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen The Game taken at E3 that shows off the game play. The game play shows Bumblebee landing into the level from asteroid mode and fighting multiple Decepticons including Long Haul, Megatron, Rampage and others.
I tried to embed the videos but the code loads the wrong video so click here and watch the "E3 2009" videos.
A new poster for your enjoyment. Much like with the first movie, it seems the international posters are visually the most interesting. Thanks joshuachacon7, ghola_tleilaxu, and Ian for the poster.
Despite the sexy cover image of Megan Fox, it turns out to be a bait and switch as the July issue of Wizard magazine really has an interview with Transformers 2 star Shia LaBeouf. In the published Q&A session, he discusses working on the film, his hand injury, and working with Megan Fox. Here are a few questions and answers but you can view the entire article by clicking the images below. The issue is on newsstands and at comic book stores now.
When you think of working with Megan Fox for this movie, is there one particular moment that comes to mind?
Yes, absolutely. I remember we were going to film on a battleship carrier...these dudes are sent away from land for six months and [longer]. Have not seen a female specimen such as Megan for quite a while. Megan Fox and "Transformers" shows up on a boat full of men that are trippin' balls. They don't give a f--- about Transformers! They just care about Megan Fox being on the ship. She had to stay in the captain's quarters. And there's only one captain's quarters... It's not like dudes are losing their mind to the point of being rude or anything like that, it's just quiet looks from across the room. Megan's...dealing with it like a champ.
How did they incorporate [the hand injury]?
Well, Sam actually injures his hand in the midst of transit. Basically, you got people falling out of the sky in the middle of a transportation called the Space Bridge, which was written in the script before my injury ever happened. You don't spend much time on it; you don't dwell on it. It's dealt with the way that injuries have been dealt with before [during film productions].
TFormers has found two more TV spots called Wanted and Mystery. Mystery appears to be the one that site readers reported seeing on Monday with Lennox getting a few lines. To find all the trailers and TV spots, just scroll towards the bottom of the left hand column. The numbering is mostly arbitary and based on release order. Thanks to Mauricio for the heads-up.
Below is a new trailer that started airing yesterday. It uses a lot of scenes already seen before but includes one extra element, which is the reveal that Jetfire's cane transforms into an axe. The TrailerAddict copy is here, below is the YouTube copy from TransFansMovie. Thanks to Adrien, David and Brian for the links.
Update: The previous copy was removed by the user but fortunately Michael uploaded a better copy for our enjoyment.
Earlier there was a hi-res picture of The Fallen and now from TFG2 is the below concept art for the character. Not sure where they got it from but it is pretty slick looking.
Below is a newsclip that talks about the new LG Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen promotion and includes a bit of the commercial that started airing yesterday. Also here is a link to information on the LG contest that is probably Malaysia specific but it wouldn't surprise me if something similar is done for each region. Thanks to Brian for the links.
In addition to the commercial, LG has also launched its tie-in website that focuses on NEST. The site has N.E.S.T. Missions (entering a fake number works), contest, a mobile game, trailers, wallpaper, ringtones, and more. Thanks to Ricky for the link.
The Arker has posted a few more images of Transformers 2 toys in their packaging including the card backing for Deluxe Gears and Swerve. Gears is a repaint of Stockade and Swerve is a repaint of Sideswipe so neither is in the movie.
Deluxe Swerve Bio
Swerve is highly intelligent, though you wouldn't know it to watch him drive. His duties as a metallurgist and fabricator for the Autobots expose him to a lot of toxic chemicals, which his circuits have been constantly exposted to for years. He has trouble holding a straight line as a result. The other Autobots prefer to keep him far away from battle since he aims about as well as he drives.Deluxe Gears Bio
If there's a negative angle to be found in any situation, Gears will find it. It's not that he's a miserable guy, or even that he's unhappy on Earth. He just really likes complaining. Nothing makes him happier than having something to grip about. The other Autobots actually find his complaining funny, rather than annoying, which is part of the reason he keeps on doing it.
Kmart and 7-Eleven both announced that they have formed a partnership with Paramount to promote Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Kmart's promotion includes a website, a Father's Day promotion, and Transformers related merchandise. 7-Eleven's promotion is a Bumblebee Blast Slurpee, 3D cups, mug, straws, and contest. Below are snippets of their press releases.
Kmart® Celebrates the Theatrical Release of “TRANSFORMERS: Revenge of the Fallen” with Multi-Dimensional Marketing Partnership
HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL (May 26, 2009) - Kmart® announced today its upcoming multi-channel entertainment marketing promotion supporting the June 24 release of “TRANSFORMERS: Revenge of the Fallen” from DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures, in association with Hasbro, Inc. The promotion launches June 7 and runs through July 4, 2009.
The program kicks-off with Kmart’s most robust Father’s Day promotion to date; themed to the film. Beginning June 7th through Father’s Day on June 21st, Kmart will encourage consumers to “TRANSFORM YOUR DAD” with a variety of merchandise and will offer 2 free movie tickets to see “TRANSFORMERS: Revenge of the Fallen” with a $50 menswear purchase, exclusions apply.
Kmart is supporting the promotion with a national television spot (in both English and Spanish) highlighting men’s apparel, the movie ticket offer and the film. The micro-site (www.kmart.com/transformers) is where consumers can redeem codes for movie tickets, download “TRANSFORMERS: Revenge of the Fallen”-themed content, watch movie trailers and purchase TRANSFORMERS merchandise.
For the second half of the promotion, June 22 – July 4, Kmart teamed-up with Hasbro to create a dedicated Transformers destination boutique. “Headquarters for TRANSFORMERS will be located in the front of each Kmart retail location and will house everything TRANSFORMERS: toys, video games, men’s and boy’s apparel, bedding, and much more.
7-Eleven®’s Superhero Summer Continues with Tie-in to Much-Awaited TRANSFORMERS Movie Sequel
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--It’s summertime, which means it’s superhero time – on the big screen and at 7-Eleven® stores. This month, 7-Eleven celebrates the much anticipated next installment of the TRANSFORMERS movie franchise by rolling out the new BUMBLEBEE Blast Slurpee® flavor, collectible 3D cups and a refillable mug, character-straws and an online sweepstakes. The film “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” from DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures, in association with Hasbro, Inc., debuts in theaters June 24.
According to Deadline Hollywood, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is tracking so well that it is entirely feasible that it could make as high as $175 million on its opening five-day week.
Paramount is gonna call me screaming any moment. But rival studios are telling me they expect Transformers 2: Revenge Of The Fallen to open with a high of $175M for its 5-day opening from Wednesday, June 24 to Sunday, June 28. Because the sequel came onto tracking HUGE today. Paramount will try to lower expectations. But here's what can't be argued: Spider-Man 2 opened on Wednesday, June 30, 2004, and did $152 million for its first 5 days. So Transformers 2 feels like at least it should be in the $160+M range.Why would Paramount want lower expectations? The main reason is to shoot for good press. The first weekend box office results will either lead with Transformers exceeded or failed to meet expectation. Obviousily the studio wants to encourage the more positive story and the best way to do that is low ball their expectations. Thanks to Jace for the link.
From TFormers, below is a 1200x511 image (click to view) of The Fallen from Transformers 2. It is the same image that MTV posted, just in high resolution and lets you get a much better look at the character in his CGI glory. Especially note how much his face is clearly modeled on the Decepticon logo.
It turns out that the IMAX Theatre in Sydney has put up the pre-order for IMAX tickets for the first week starting with the 12:01am showing on June 24th. Click here to make your purchase. For the states the expected pre-sell date is still June 10th but be sure to check your local theatre to confirm. Thanks to Phil for the info.
In an interview/sales pitch with MTV's video game blog, Shia Labeouf, Megan Fox and Peter Cullen talk about Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen The Game. Thanks to Ricky for the link.
ET today advertised that tomorrow they will have an exclusive peak at Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and interview Megan Fox and Shia LaBeouf. Thanks to Katie for the info.
In an interview with MTV before the Movie Awards, Bay indicated when the film would be completed, "I’m a little stressed because I’m finishing the movie tomorrow. Maybe Wednesday.” This goes along with Nelson's post yesterday saying that Bay went straight from the awards to the studio to finished work.
The reason for the time crunch is the planned world premiere of the movie in Tokyo on June 8th followed by the release in the UK on June 19th. There has to be time to create at least one print of the film for the premiere and plenty of time to start cranking out prints for thousands of theatres worldwide for the nearly global launch around June 24th. Thanks to G0M3Z for the link.
Below are new pictures from the White Sands, New Mexico set from last year that shows off Sideswipe, Ironhide, Bumblebee, Ratchet, and a big ass tank. Thanks to Tomato and his friend for providing the pictures.
Cineplex.com has posted an interview with Shia Labeouf from their cover story for Famous Magazine's June issue where he discusses filming Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Below are choice snippets and the full article is here. Thanks to Katie for the link.
“Mike has been better this time, he’s more comfortable and he’s doing different stuff,” says LaBeouf, looking buff but for the cast on his broken hand, during an interview in Los Angeles last autumn. “It’s wild to watch Mike grow up and to acknowledge it. Every filmmaker, every movie out, something changes. You either gain something or you lose something, and I think this time Mike has gained a lot. I also think working with Steven is really transforming Mike. His preparation is very different on this one than it was on the first one.”
[Regarding request for Megan to gain some weight] “Megan Fox is gorgeous, still,” LaBeouf gallantly affirms. “And no, I didn’t think she was too skinny when she came back to do this. Megan has never looked bad. There’s always something that Michael says, but he’s been good.”
“It’s bigger, faster and stronger than what we did the first time,” he says. “We’re blowing everything up. I was just at Holloman Air Force Base, where we blew up an entire town! There are new characters that are interesting. Our banter is fast and it’s fun, it’s table tennis.”
“There’s cool stuff that happens to Sam. Sam starts to lose his mind. He starts having visions of his grandfather, Archibald Witwicky, and that’s fun to play around with. And recess time with John Turturro [who plays the addled fed constantly at odds with Sam] is always fun…. It’s like Groundlings Theater,” LaBeouf says, referencing the L.A. comedy troupe whose alumni include Will Ferrell and Lisa Kudrow. “You’re ad libbing all day long. One of the beautiful things about Mike is that he’ll allow it. You can do free-form thought the whole day.”
Spoiler-TV found some promo pictures for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen that I don't recall seeing before. A few are movie stills but most are focused on the cast and the cars. Below are a few that I shrunk a bit from the originals and an additional five can be found here. Thanks to G0M3Z for the link.
Last night was the MTV Movie Awards and with it was the premiere of the first publically available clip from the movie that takes place in Egypt as Sam and Mikaela try to hide from Long Haul, Ravage, Starscream and other Decepticons. In addition a new commercial aired that is the New Divide spot from the other day but now in HD.
In relation to the clip, Nelson on the Bay site posted:
Just spoke to Bay... he left the MTV Awards immediately after presenting and is headed to work at the soundstage to finish mixing the audio. He's been working 7 days a week up until 12am finishing the movie. It's gonna be down to the wire. He also indicated that the demand for theater prints of this movie is insane. He also wanted me to let you guys know he will start posting soon as time becomes available.Viacom is pulling the clip all over the place so view it while you can as now have it from Trailer Addict, seems silly not to use this to promote the movie, don't get it. Thanks to GMak for the find. Also thanks to ghola_tleilaxu click here to download the clip.
Thanks to Carnivac, below is the front and back view of the Autobots and Decepticon covers for the Nintendo DS version of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen The Game. The covers are from the UK release of the game but I am betting the only difference between regions (other than language) will be the rating box. The game is coming out the day of the movie, June 24th.
Yesterday, during the Botcon Awards (no idea who won what), Michael Bay himself introduced clips from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Cool move on his part since he didn't have to make the trip. Sadly no video but below is the description from Seibertron.com. Spoiler warning. Thanks to G0M3Z for the heads-up.
With our anticipation at its highest level, the attendees of Botcon roared into cheer as the first clip of the movie started. The footage started with John Turturro and Sam's roomate in the middle of a construction zone looking on to a group of construction vehicles surround them. The constructicons were revealed when Mixmasters Decepticon symbol is shown and Scavenger begins to transform. At the same time the other constructicons move closer to form Devastator!!!
Scavenger literally forces all the other constructicons into the gestalt ala Scorpion in Mortal Kombat [I think he means that "Come Here!" with chain grab move - ed]. Tuturro then runs with Sam's roomate when the scene cuts to Sam and Mikaela running from Rampage.
Rampage begins chasing Sam's father when Sam jumps in front of him to draw his attention. Sam then says "Wait, it's not them you want. It's this, the MATRIX!" He then holds up an item and continues to coax Rampage when Bumblebee arrives. The battle begins.
Rampage and Bumblebee fight ferociously with Bumblebee getting the better of Rampage when Ravage enters the fray. Using his hip cannons he blasts Bee and jumps on his back. Bumblebee then forces Rampage to the ground when Rampage lunges for Sam and takes Ravage and tears him apart piece by piece.
Bumblebee then rips Rampage's arm off and decapitates him.
Day two at Botcon 2009 has ended and below are links to galleries and panel summaries that may interest you including costumes, custom TF toys, the Activision panel, IDW panel and Weird Al appearance.
Hasbro Review Panel
A look at upcoming products and exclusives that include a ROTF Voyager Fallen on Fire exclusive for Target. Toys R Us exclusives will include ROTF Battle Pack (G1 Soundwave with 1st movie Megatron), G1 Insecticons and G1 Percepter (i.e. recreated mold from 25 years ago). Wal-Mart will get Masterpiece Skywarp, which will look more like its cartoon counterpart then the Japanese release. Additional ROTF toys are also in the works including Bludgeon, Jungle Attack Ironhide (with bumper that transformers into crossbow, knives, etc), and new Human Alliance Barricade with Frenzy (that sites in the vehicle).
Costume Showcase
What is a convention without people in costume? Click the link for a gallery of pictures of various costumes including Animated Arcee (above), movie Bumblebee, movie Jazz, G1 Grimlock, Frenzy puppet, and more.
Custom Transformers (also here)
A huge gallery of fans created Transformers, environments, repaints and more. An example is the picture here of Tetrajet Sunstorm whose alt mode is inspired by the Cybertronian mode of the Seekers in the very first G1 cartoon from 25 years ago.
IDW Publishing Panel
Preview of art from future comics such as Spotlight: Cliffhanger and Metroplex, upcoming issue of All Hail Megatron, and maybe a Transformers: Animated comic book.
Activision Video Game Panel
Q&A session about the video game. No new information was released. Discussion focused on features of the game, achievement system, confirmation that Devastator was not playable character, about 100 hours of music just for the game, and more.
Weird Al and David Kaye Panel
A Q&A session with Weird Al Yankovic (who should need no introduction also played Wreck Gar in TF Animated) and David Kaye (Prime in TF Animated, Megatron in Beast Wars and Beast Machines, and much more). They discussed doing work on Transformers: Animated, voice work, and various other topics.
Update: Three more galleries for you enjoyment. One is for the dealer room that shows off all kinds of Transformers goodies over the years and the other two are from the Paramount Party that sorta closed off Botcon (same one that aired the TF footage) with appearances by Tyrese (with Ratchet), Peter Cullen, Weird Al, Stan Bush, and more. One of these years I will actually get to go to one.
Dealer Room
Paramount Party I
Paramount Party II
Yesterday was the season finale of Britain's Got Talent. That is the show that introduced the world to Susan Boyle. Well it turns out she actually lot the competition to Diversity, a dance group. So why care? The music they danced to has the Transformer transformation sound playing throughout it. Transformers for the win. Below is their performance, click here for Susan Boyle's reprisal of "I Dreamed A Dream", and here for announcement of the winner. Thanks to Sean for the heads-up.
Botcon continues and with it comes lots of images of Transformer toys both past and present. One of the best is the "Holy Grail" of Transformers toys - the original G1 Unicron that was created with the first movie but not released for obvious reasons (other than cost). In addition, there are pictures of Supreme Devastator (the $100 one) that shows him from multiple angles and his component Constructicons (that do not have a robot mode). In addition, Hasbro is previewing the San Diego Comic-Con special edition re=release of G1 Soundwave with Laserbeak, Ravage, Rat Bat and Buzzsaw (me wants). Other galleries include Revenge of the Fallen toys and Animated toys.
Marvel Vault Unicron - includes immages of SDCC Soundwave and Robot Heroes
G1 Unicron - Another gallery of this rare Transformer.
Supreme Devastator
SDCC Soundwave and RoTF Ravage - Another gallery of the toy.
Transformers: Animated - A last look at the now defunct toy line that includes some repaints that probably will not be released.
Revenge of the Fallen Display - A look at the first wave of toys from the movie.
TFW2005 found a video that shows off a mobile game for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The game appears to be a side-scroller that reminds me of 16-bit graphics. The video shows playable characters of Optimus Prime and Bumblebee with transformation mode that plays apart in moving through the levels. Boss fights include Starscream, The Fallen and Devastator. Don't know when it comes out or at what price.
Below is a TV spot called Destiny 30 from linkinparktv that is the bands official YouTube channel. It uses their new song New Divide as the background music for the entire spot. I don't know if this an official edit or not. Thanks to Joseph for the link.
At Botcon's first day, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman participated in a question and answer session about Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen that provides few bits of new information. Highlights below, the full breakdown is here. Picture from here.
- Before the strike, only has a 20 page outline.
- Immediately after the strike Bay locked the three writers into hotels room to get a shooting script ready as shooting started four months later.
- Shia's damaged hand (due to a car accident) does not appear until the third act and writing it into the film was difficult.
- Did not rule out an appearance of Unicron or Primus in the franchise
(They have indicated in past interviews they don't rule out anything until they actually start writing a script so that answer doesn't mean a whole lot).
- When asked if the Matrix of Leadership was in the movie (as indicated in the adaptations), they replied "That's a very good question!"
- Various combiners show up unexpectedly, with no buildup.
- The Twins are mostly comic relief. Their ice cream truck mode plays a key plot point in the movie (Not in any adaptations I read).
- Hasbro pretty much gave the writers carte blanche and only offered suggestions the characters. Writers went through Transformers school (which Bay did for the first movie) that provided them with character development and story direction.
- Many characters in the sequel the writers wanted for the first but did not make the cut.
Botcon has started its full first day of Transformers festivities. For those that couldn't be there, here is a few links and summaries of the information learned at the panels.
G1 Matrix of Leadership Set
- Not really Botcon news, but the 16 DVD box set of the entire G1 television series is set for release on July 13, 2009 with a price of $140.00 USD.
- Set includes interviews, featurettes, concept art, toy commercials, scripts and a 60 page booklet. Click link above for more info.
Music of the Transformers Panel
- Panel with Vince DiCola and Stan Bush who provided music for animated Transformers: The Movie.
- Dicola was "hurt" he didn't get to contribute to the current films but has respect for Steve Jablonski. Also felt that a "marriage of the orchestral and the techno" would have been better fit musically.
- "Two new toys from Hasbro will feature a '07 re-record of the Touch" (not sure what that means)
- Both plan on working on new albums for release later this year.
Transformers: Animated Panel
- As suspected, the just finished third season of the show is its last and the series and line has been cancelled (so if holding out, better pick up the toys while can).
- Panel was mostly animated shorts and character profiles.
- Sadly no specifics on what info on the creation process or fan questions.
Transformers Collectors Club Toy Gallery
- As part of Botcon, there is was release of toys specific to the club (which costs $35 I think to join). Only members can order the toys.
- The toys are generally repaints of Animated toys, click the link to view.
As part of the prep for the MTV Movie Awards (this Sunday at 9PM est), Shia LaBeouf explains Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and talks about its scale and visuals. The video includes clips from the movie, including "first look" at The Fallen that we have not seen before. Thanks to Grant for the link and the screenshot. The MTV Movie Awards should have new Revenge of the Fallen footage (but for all we know could be the Bumblebee/Shia college scene again). Hopefully the footage will appear online shortly after it airs.
Scorpio has found three new toy galleries.
First is the Legends Devastator display taken by ACToys that shows the assembled Devastator. If you look behind him to the right you can see them individual Constructicons in their packaging, in English, that seems to provide verification of US release of the toys. To the right, you can see G1 Devastator components in Japanese packaging (love their use of boxes over peg hooks). Based on the size, these are probably mini-figures that were released stateside as a KB Toys exclusive in 2007.
Next up is a large gallery of Scout class Ejector the toaster. We previously saw the toy in his packaging but this time he is loose and being shown at all the angles and compared with other scout class toys. He is rather ugly but I just love it when Transformers are based on real world objects. The full gallery is here.
Brian found the below amusing video of "I'd See it If...The Movie Trailer Review Show" that decided to analyze the first Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen trailer and compare it to his other movies based on four measurements - explosions, words spoken, seconds of hot chicks, and vehicles destroyed. Their comparisons resulted in the "discovery" of The Michael Bay Coefficient (MBC) which "measures the Michael Bay-ness of a particular Michael Bay movie based on the Michael Bay trailer". I do believe that MBC should be the new measurement of all things Bay.
Sadly MSN blocks embeding on blogger so click here to view.
Based on various Transformer forums, the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen toy line is now on sale in the states but your local mileage may vary. Depending on location, Wal-Mart either started selling the toys at midnight last night, 5PM today or midnight Saturday. Brian (who also provided the pics) reports to me that Target has already started selling the toys. No news yet on Toys R Us but I imagine they will not start until tomorrow morning. GeneralTekno informs me via Twitter that Toys R Us Canada is selling the toys as of today.
Also TFormers is reporting that Hasbro Toy Store is selling the toys with free shipping for orders over $50 by using the code FALLEN.
The pic above is "Bumble Spud" based off of Mr. Potato Head line. Below is part of the display, next to that is Voyager Prime with pretty dark colors and chinese markings, and the last is another part of the display along with a toy laptop of sorts. Have fun emptying your wallets!
The official website for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen has been updated. The site now sports a Bumblebee background, 100 hundreds of fan art and photos to vote on, and movie rating to PG-13. As a site reader pointed, that designation actually started appearing the TV spots a few weeks ago. Thanks to Florian for the heads-up.
As part of the international marketing for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, a UK based website called Transformers Choose Your Side has launched. Interestingly enough the site is set up for five different countries which you can choose by clicking the flag above Bumblebee. The countries are USA, United Kingdom, Australia, France, and Germany. The content it self remains the same but interesting to see the same site in different languages or cultures (like the date order).
The fan site invites visitors to express their allegiance to either Autobots or Decepticons, through a variety of creative and compelling content including site skins for Twitter, Myspace and bebo, desktop downloads and a profile pic creator. The ‘transmitter’ and ‘banner builder’ are two personalised applications that you can embed on your social network, blog or site to deliver the latest news about the movie direct to you and your subscribers.By default the website opens to the Autbot-centric content, but just click the link at the bottom to switch to the Decepticon stuff.
Botcon started today in Pasadena, California and for those lucky attendees they will get a chance to look at and probably purchase toys from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen toy line. To mark the occasion, Hasbro has issued a press release. For the rest of us, you will just have to make do with the gallery of 112 Hasbro provided images here. At least until the official release date of Saturday morning.
PAWTUCKET, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The 2009 TRANSFORMERS fan convention, which is in Pasadena on May 28 to 31, is destined to be one of the biggest and most exciting TRANSFORMERS gatherings ever! In addition to celebrating Hasbro’s TRANSFORMERS brand’s 25th anniversary and anticipating the June 24th debut of DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, new toys and merchandise from the second movie in the franchise go on-sale from coast to coast beginning Saturday morning, May 30th.
The convention, which is known as “BotCon” (with syllables taken from the two TRANSFORMERS factions AUTOBOTS and DECEPTICONS), is annually the largest official gathering of TRANSFORMERS fans in the world and is open to both TRANSFORMERS collectors and non-collectors — and the young and young-at-heart.
BotCon will be held at the Pasadena Convention Center located at 300 East Green Street in Pasadena, Calif., and will be open to the public on May 30 – 31. Special activities are planned on May 28 – 29 for attendees who purchase multi-day packages.
On Saturday, May 30th, kids ages 5 to 14 will be able to participate in the TRANSFORMERS Challenge, which will award prizes based on how quickly kids can convert TRANSFORMERS toys from robot mode to vehicle mode. Kids may qualify in the preliminary round from 9:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., with the fastest competitors moving on to the semi-final and final rounds that will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. All kids participating will receive a TRANSFORMERS toy, and the fastest kids in both the senior and junior age division will receive a HasbroToyShop.com gift card worth $500. Official rules are posted on www.BotCon.com.
Additionally, BotCon attendees will have the opportunity to learn how to draw TRANSFORMERS characters from Hasbro’s designers, see toys in the new 2009 TRANSFORMERS toy line, buy, sell, and trade TRANSFORMERS toys from throughout the franchise’s 25-year history at more than 200 tables of merchandise, and attend panel discussions and seminars led by TRANSFORMERS experts. Special activities for kids will be held throughout the weekend in the Hasbro booth.
For fans not able to make it to southern California this weekend, they can head to their favorite toy retailer and be among the first to purchase the new toys based on the upcoming movie TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN.
Site reader Ally reports that her local theatre will start the pre-sale of Transformer tickets next week rather than the June 10th release date.
I just wanted to give you heads up that my local movie theater is selling Transformers tickets as early as next Friday so who knows when they are going to be going on sale in other areas. Maybe you should have a memo or something to alert other fans to check their local movie theater as well =).Just as she advises, be sure to check your local theatre in the next week or so as each chain may have their own pre-order policies and dates.
MichaelBay.com has revealed the official track list for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Soundtrack. Thanks to commanderalphanl for the link.
Burbank, CA - Warner Bros. Records will release the soundtrack to the hotly anticipated feature film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen on June 23rd — the day before the film, the sequel to the 2007 Oscar-nominated summer blockbuster Transformers , hits theaters nationwide.
The film's director and executive producer Michael Bay asked Warner Bros. Records' multiplatinum rock band Linkin Park to provide the sonic backdrop to the live-action robot fantasy film. Not only did the band write and record the film's theme song, entitled "New Divide," specifically for the soundtrack, they were also asked by Bay, Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer, and award-winning composer Steve Jablonsky to contribute to the score. "New Divide" is currently available for purchase on iTunes.
Transfomers: Revenge of the Fallen: The Album also features music from Green Day (who contribute "21 Guns" — a song from their new album 21st Century Breakdown), Taking Back Sunday, The Used , The All-American Rejects, Cavo, The Fray, Staind, Nickelback, Cheap Trick and more.
In addition to the original soundtrack, Warner Bros will be releasing Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: The Score, which will also be released on June 23rd.
The track listing for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: The Album is as follows:
1. Linkin Park "New Divide"
2. Green Day "21 Guns"
3. Cavo "Let It Go"
4. Taking Back Sunday "Capital M-E"
5. The Fray "Never Say Never"
6. Nickelback "Burn It To The Ground"
7. The Used "Burning Down The House"
8. Theory Of A Deadman "Not Meant To Be"
9. The All-American Rejects "Real World"
10. Hoobastank "Don't Think I Love"
11. Staind "This Is It"
12. Avenged Sevenfold "Almost Easy"
13. Cheap Trick "Transformers™ The Fallen Remix"
Gametrailers.com has posted another video for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen The Game, this time focusing on Peter Cullen (Prime) and Frank Welker (Megatron) as they discuss working on the game. The video includes footage of Prime and Megatron and new shot of Devastator. Thanks to commanderalphanl for the link.
