TRANSFORMERS

Released: July 3, 2007

Reviewed: July 6, 2007

Rated: B

If there’s anybody in Hollywood capable of turning an obtuse, 1980s cartoon world filled with shape-shifting robots into a profitable, relevant cinematic realm today, it’s director Michael Bay. Blessed with the ability to have decent dialogue amidst worlds colliding and freeways exploding, Bay (Bad Boys, Armageddon) knew today’s audience would need more than top-shelf effects to make Transformers work. To help sell the story of feuding alien groups coming to Earth to find their life force, the director entrusted his $150 million bonanza into the capable hands of Shia LaBeouf, a talented 21-year-old who wisecracks when asked and puts on his Tom Hanks acting cap when necessary. Of course, this wouldn’t be a Bay blockbuster without the requisite babe (Megan Fox), bad guy (John Turturro) and unintentional bloopers (too many continuity mishaps to name). But for something 20+ years in the making, the end result is a fantasy world of talking Chevys summer moviegoers will be thoroughly transfixed on for a couple of hours. –DW