Why Do You Like Transformers?

A no news day so thought I would post a query from Greg in Australia for the Transformer fans to answer (politely and kindly please). He has been asking for a while for a response and I just kept forgetting. I don't know it will help him but figure fans will enjoy giving their views on Transformers.

Hi, I hope you're doing well. My name's Greg Baxter and I'm from Australia. I came across your great Transformers blog. I'm writing as my classmate and I are researching and profiling the Transformers in my media course at school. Thanks so much for your time. I hope to hear from you.

Question 1. What made and still makes Transformers and the Transformers universe (preferably the comic, or the animated series), so unique and compelling to you, compared to other sci-fi, or sci-fi fantasy, that
you also admire ?

Question 2. Who are currently your 3 favorite Transformers
characters and please say why, for each one named ?

Sincerely,
Greg

Sadly I don't have a real good response to either question.
1. For me it was the toys that got me going. I have always just found the concept of a real world object turning into a robot to be cool. I like the engineering and creativity that doing something like that requires. From there the original G1 cartoon added a mythology that gave life to the characters in a classic battle of good versus evil that is fun to watch as a kid. As an adult looking at those cartoons they strike as simple and lacking depth but the love remains.

2. I never really developed favorites to be honest (it is probably why I have not been bothered by who does or does not show up in the movies). My liking them was based on more of whether the toy looked cool or not and not much to do with their roles in the cartoons. If forced to choose, I would go with the usual - Starscream (schemers are always fun), Megatron (unabashedly evil and doesn't care), and Optimus Prime (kind, noble, the best kind of leader).

Before people complain, I know, where is the news?!? As always, once there is some I will post it, this is just something to pass the time and for fun.

FHM: Megan Fox Sexiest Woman in the World

After an internet voting count of 9 million + votes, FHM has declared Transformer's Megan Fox the sexiest woman in the world. Last year she was number 65 in FHM's annual ranking of famous females. I wonder what the trophy looks look for winning. Congrats I guess. I don't think the "victory" is a career boon but I guess it doesn't hurt either. The full list of 100 is here.

Megan Fox Topless In Next Movie?

According to Dark Horizons, Transformers star Megan Fox may appear topless in "Jennifer's Body" which was written by Juno scribe Diablo Cody. "Reitman confirmed on Howard Stern yesterday that Fox ("Transformers") will be appearing topless in a scene in which she has lured a guy into the woods with her. She'll be wearing a skirt and apparently her hair will cover some parts." I read that to mean that she will be covering her goody bits with her hair so the sexuality is there without the peek-a-boo.

While this isn't Transformers II news, I figure the myriad of Megan Fox fans would be delighted by the news.

Update: The above has been verified with pictures that show Megan Fox in nothing but pasties and bathing suit bottom. Absolutely gorgeous and the pics are not work safe.

Extended Cut of Bay's Verizon FiOS

Bay has released the extended cut of his Verizon FiOS "awesome" ad. Basically a few more Transformers shots and explosions have been added. The previous version can be found here.

Transformers to XBox Live UK

Paramount Pictures has confirmed that it has extended its deal with Microsoft to bring its library of films to XBox Live for rent. As a result, starting tomorrow, Feb. 19th, Transformers will be available in the XBox Live Marketplace video Store.

Now the article is written from the UK perspective and since I don't have an XBox 360 I don't know if Transformers is already available stateside on the XBox and this is just an expansion into the UK or if it’s coming out both US and UK tomorrow. I guess look for it and learn the hard way starting tomorrow. (source)

Brief IMAX Review

I finally answered the siren call and dropped $12 to see Transformers at the IMAX. To sum its basically the theatrical release about two stories tall. The extra scenes where fine but no big deal either. It was fun in the theatre and fun at the IMAX. The main pluses of seeing it at the theatre (as a male) is seeing the lovely Rachael Taylor and Megan Fox writ large and seeing the Transformers action extra large. The IMAX really lets you appreciate the detail that went into the Transformers as lot of stuff becomes visible such as battle wear, chipped paint on the faces, things like that. Its just astonishing how well done ILM and Digitial Domain did the TFs and further supports that they moved the CGI bar higher. As far as the camera shake and the like, no seasickness. If (like me) you don't like all that shaking, it was equalally annoying as it was in the theatre. I still get a kick out of touches for the Transfans put in the film such as the Jazz vs Bonecrusher that nearly mirrors Kup vs Blitzwing from the animated film. With the DVD release only two weeks away, its up to you to decide if those pluses where are worth a repeat visit. Since I only saw the movie once in the theatre, a repeat viewing extra large was worth the price of admission.

Transformers IMAX Starts Today

For those with an entertainment focused IMAX near you, Transformers should now be out, replacing Harry Potter 5. If you go and see it, be sure to add a comment on what you think and whether its worth the higher cost of admission for us fence sitters.

IMAX Deleted Scenes Descriptions

Over at the TFW2005.com forums, "beatrush" has posted a description of the two minutes of scenes added to the IMAX release of Transformers. The summation is the scenes are slight additions to existing scenes in the movie and does not include new CGI or Transformer elements. Here there be spoilers.

From the post:

I just got back from an advanced screening of the Imax Transformers.

We still do not know the fate of Barricade We do not see any new footage of any battles

First additional Scene is Sam picking up his friend who climbed the tree in the park. He makes fun of sam's car about being yellow.

Second additional scene is at the police station when sam gets arrested and they make him watch a video about what drugs do to your brain. The video is amusing but nothing great

Third additional scene has the agent from Section 7 makes Sam take a test to see if he is lying inside the van by making him look into a device to see his pupils dialate.

Fourth additional scene is where the sector 7 agent tells the group about a room where he likes to meditate in (the part before they see the all spark cube)

Fifth additional scene is where one of the army guys goes into a pawn shop and tries to pawn his watch to get the shortwave radios

There may have been something new in the credits but I didnt think about checking until I left.

London IMAX Tickets Contest

Transformers At The Moon with Paramount Pictures UK is sponsoring a contest to win IMAX tickets to Transformers in London. Not a trip to London, just tickets to see the movie at an IMAX theatre in London so making sure your close to the city might be a good first step before entering the contest.

If interested, the full details are here.
(source)

Transformers IMAX Five Minutes Longer?

According to Superherohype, the IMAX version of Transformers may be 149 minutes long versus 144 minutes of the theatrical release. That's five minutes of extra stuff. where two of those minutes is confirmed extra footage. Could the other three minutes also be additional footage? My theory is the three minutes is credits for the IMAX conversion.

Transformers IMAX Ticket Contest

ComingSoon.net and and Paramount are having a contest to give 50 pairs of tickets for Transformers at the IMAX (out 9/21). The grand price winner also will get a Megatron Toy, hat, Optimus key chain and BEEOTCH Air Freshener. Thanks to Scott of 1-18-08 Blog for the info.

Click here for details and to register.

Transformers IMAX With 2 Additional Minutes

According the the Michael Bay blog, the IMAX release of Transformers will have two additional minutes of footage. What that footage is, where, etc is not indicated.

I contacted Michael to verify if the IMAX release of Transformers will include additional footage not seen in the first theatrical release, and he has confirmed that there will be about 2 extra minutes.

Personally, with the DVD coming out three weeks later I am just going to save the $12 per ticket cost and buy the DVD. May change my mind but I shall let others be the guinea pigs and let the rest of us know how it goes.

Transformers Coming to IMAX on 9/21

According to Superherohype.com, Paramount Pictures will release Transformers to IMAX starting on September 21st. The movie will also include additional footage not in the theatrical release from the summer. Giant transforming robots on a giant screen with excellent sound. Doesn't get better then that. Thanks to Max for the link.

Transformers Movie Props for Charity Auction

There is an auction going on for Transformers props on eBay. The sales of the items will go to the Fisher House Foundation Inc, which supports injured troops and veterans. The items up for auction include Sam's costume, signed Optimus Prime toy, Pentagon Press Pass, a toy collection and many other items.
Click premiereprops7 for the entire list of items up for auction.
Also TFW2005 has the list of links on the individual items here.

So if your a collector, be sure to bid.

U.K. July10th Transformers Screening

According to a post on TFW2005, Vue Cinemas is doing a pre-screening of Transformers at three locations in the UK - Islington, Southport, and Birmingham. So if your close to there, click here to order em before they sell out.

Its Almost 8, Do You Have Your Ticket?

Its almost 8 here on the east coast and soon Transformers will dawn in the US. Reviews from fans have been positive. Reviews that focus mostly on entertainment value rather then the artsy fartsy has been postive. Basically where it matters, its all good. Suffice it to say I am very excited, hoping to see the movie later tonight. Do do you have a ticket yet?

Michael Bay Message

In a message from Michael Bay over at his forums, he talks about the hard work of doing Transformers, especially the robots. He always talks about the influence or rather the lack of influence that Tom DeSanto and Don Murphy had on the movie. The original post is here, or was rather as it seemed to have been pulled.

Update: Pulled text of post by request. Decided to out of fairness to respect the request.
Another update: It appears based on recent mentions of the Wrap Poem and posting of Bay's message on another site (Defamer) that if it becomes news I will repost the text.

Luckily someone over at Seibertron.com had already grabbed the entire message. This is the Hollywood behind the scene stuff I like, the politics and intrigue that goes on cause the public face is shiny happy people and with the money and egos involved there is no way that is the truth. Thanks to Chad for the info over at the blog forums.

The message:

The movie is over.

Wow that was a hard one, but I must tell you it was so much fun. The most difficult actors I’ve ever worked with, besides Bruce Willis, are Optimus Prime and Bumblebee. They took every single one of my days for a year. But they are well worth the work. I’ve just traveled 36,000 miles around the world (in two weeks) and had the most amazing premiere at the Taormina film festival in an ancient, Greek-built theatre that existed well before the birth of Christ. I loved seeing the reactions to the film from so many different cultures. This movie really travels around the world. I’m so excited for everyone to see it. Thanks to all you that supported me on this film.

Just so I set the story straight, my budget started a $145 Million it crept to $150 and some change – I’m very proud of that – the fact that we are half the cost of all these other summer blockbusters. I see people doubt that out on the net, but anyone want to challenge me I’ll put a ten thousand dollar bet down on the table right now.

Even when the studio tried to ship me out to Canada or shoot down with Aussies - I looked but I knew we were dead up there. I needed my crew that I have been loyal to for years, they are the best in the world. Besides I believe American movies that portray America, should be made in America. I cut my fee 30% so I could make this at home. I knew this was right for the movie so I asked the other producers to join – Ian and Lorenzo did, and the two others (that came attached to the project) Tom Desanto and Don Murphy did not. That was my introduction to them – they did not want any part of their fee going to make a better movie. Things like that don’t usually sit well with me.

Now that the movie is done I get strange questions from the press. Like “how did Tom control the set”? What? “ How did Tom and Don control you?” What the fuck. “How was it working with Tom and Don who knew Transformers so well?” “We heard Tom wrote the story – he had a 90 page treatment, right?” Okay stop. Let me take you back in time. Tom and Don are very nice guys, but let’s get some facts straight.

Tom had one creative meeting with me for one hour and ten minutes to be exact about a year ago. He told he was the über fan boy and was going to protect me from the minefields. The type of minefields on the Net like “Damn you Michael Bay” “You wrecked my childhood Michael Bay” and other various web death threats I received. Tom proceeded to tell me how much he had problems with the robot designs and script issues. I realized he was worlds apart in my vision. I said thank you very much, and then showed him my office door - I never really spoke to him again other then to mutter hello. He would occasionally come to the set with guests like it was some theme park. I never spoke creatively with Don. I read his notes kind of trashing the script and making me and the writers feel like a big shit pile. But during production Don was nice to me, he knew I was not going to talk creative with him.

One day not too long ago, the writers of our movie Alex and Bob called me in a panic saying all of a sudden after the movie was almost finished in post that Tom was applying for writer's or story credit. I was appalled because neither the writer’s nor I ever saw any treatment. Well, he applied for credit, but the Writer’s Guild shot him down, denied him.

But what made my blood curl was something that was on the Net with Tom at the Saturn awards on IESB.net where they interviewed him about the movie – a movie I might add he had not seen yet. He acted very much like he did. Check it out as he vamps through the questions, and how Hugo put his “thumb print on it”. Give me a break the guy was lying through his teeth - he had seen nada, nothing until the press screening.

So that’s the real truth, I had to say it, cause I'm tired of answering these questions.

What these guys did do was stuck with a ‘silly toy movie’ and pushed it around town and kept the faith after everyone turned them down, always with the hope that maybe someone somewhere would make it. Now I commend them on that. Hats off to them, but trying to taking creative credit in the press let me just say it – irks me. Too many credits are given to too many people who had nothing to do with the movie. Hell even investment bankers with not the slightest idea of how to make a movie all of a sudden are big producers in town.

I guess that’s how it goes in Hollywood.

Bay

Update: I re-added the message because this letter is indication of a problem between Bay and Don Murphy and Tom DeSanto that ultimately removed those two form the Transformers II as producers.

USA Today's Transformers Articles

USA Today has posted several articles about Transformers that was actually interesting, informative and accurate. For instance I didn't know that then Marvel Comics Editor in Chief Jim Shooter was involved with the creation of Cybertron for the Transformers. Basically the articles are treated as straight up "here is some information about Transformers" rather then the usual eye roll tongue in cheek thing the media tends to for these kinds of things.

Transformers: From toy story to serious art? - Covers origins of the Transformerse line into development of the movie
Transforming 2007 into the summer of Shia - Piece about rising popularity of Shia LaBeouf
Evolution of the shape-changers, from Japanese toy to big screen - Overview timeline of Transformers

Wired Magazine Transformers Articles

Wired Magazine has posted multiple articles about Transformers that make for some interesting reads. Some are about the movie and others are just about the Transformers brand and its history.

- The Rebirth of Optimus Prime
- How an Obscure Collection of Japanese Action Figures Change the Way We Play
- Everything I Need to Know About (Real) Robots I Learned From Transformers
- Small Gallery

Fan Event In Hollywood, CA

FYI for those out in California from the producer of Bay's Touch (hilarious fan film)in regards to a fan event for the first screen of Transformers:

My name is Justin, producer of Bay's Touch

We are planning a great fan event at Arclight Cinemas in Hollywood, CA on Monday July 2. Producer Tom DeSanto will be greeting the fans, and bringing some of his TF friends along to say hi. Live Music, a TF costume contest, TF trivia contest, and appearance by Stan Bush are also in the works.

Please help get the word out: Arclight Cinemas Hollywood is the place to be on opening night! http://www.arclightcinemas.com

Cheers,
Justin Sewell
Slave Boy Films