Agreed, rap. This was one of my favorite movies ever. It was more than nostalgia for me too. It was, in a word, badass.

I was hoping you'd return with a favorable review. I will probably try to see it this weekend.

i am gonna see this tonight! i don't know if i'll be buying the helmet, though....

I'm watching this tonight at Hollywood 18.

Just got back from watching the robots in disguise, and I must say, it blew me away. I'm definitely seeing it again! Not too many films impress me anymore, but this is one of them. Good fawkin' movie!

I also just got back from watching this movie, and I was amazed. Great acting, jaw-dropping special effects, and a good story all combined to make an awesome movie. I might have to see it twice, as well.

I have seen it twice. Twas worth it, I noticed a few things I did not notice the first time. I think what sets this apart from most CGI-infested movies is the effects looked like they belonged- ILM made the special effects look believable- there was so much attention to detail on the Autobots and Decepticons. So good. I can't wait for the rest of the trilogy. Oh yeah, I'm calling it.

Transformers is ranked as the #3 highest rated movie of all time according to Yahoo users: http://movies.yahoo.com/mvc/top10?lid=1

1. The Shawshank Redemption
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
3. Transformers
4. The Godfather
5. Star Wars

I wonder how this one will play out.

BTW: I'm going to see it again tonight.

The Shawshank Redemption? Give me a break, it's not that great.

I'm going tomorrow sometime between 3:30 and 4:30. You guys have set some incredible expectations. I hope it lives up.

I saw it again today. It's still awesome, but I'm slightly disappointed by the overuse of shaky cameras and motion blur. But the robot fighting scenes still kick ass.

On an unrelated note, rapture is the bestest boss ever.

I just saw Transformers... and I am sorry, but I thought it was really cheesy.

I was really looking forward to it too. After all the rave reviews I had heard, I expected a really awesome movie! Alas, I was very disappointed.

Actually, I thought the first third of the movie was awesome. It was funny, had some good action, the military and government stuff was fairly believable... I really liked it! The movie really went downhill about the time the Autobots are hiding in the guy's backyard and the dude is inside looking for the glasses. That scene lasted FOREVER! Also, it was like they were trying to squeeze comedy out of every second of it! After a while I was saying to myself "FIND THE FREAKING GLASSES AND GET THE HECK OUT OF THERE!" From then on out I thought the movie was pretty cheesy. Or was it after the "Sector 7?" cops showed up at the guys house and the guy from Mr. Deeds acted so much like an idiot that I was really wondering if he wasn't some kind of Decepticon agent or something.

The rest of the movie was a blur of mediocre comedy and chaotic action. The action scenes were so shaky and blurry that I had a headache at the end from trying to focus on stuff and figure out who was fighting who. I also thought the Optimus Prime and Megatron battle was pretty anti-climactic. I'm still trying to figure out how all the Decepticons traveled across the Atlantic ocean in like 5 minutes. Especially the tank guy...

There was so much completely ridiculous crap that I can't even really put my finger on one thing that did it for me. I would compare this movie to TMNT. I'm sorry, I really wanted to like this movie! But... wow!

Perhaps you didn't understand it.

I agree. There is so much more to this movie

than meets the eye.

They were robots in disguise...so I can see where that could be confusing.

Transformers Huge $152M First Week Sets 7-Day Non-Sequel Record Past 'Spidey', 'Passion' & 'Potter':

http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/transformers-on-target-for-150m-first-week/

That is so sad...

A girl must have stood you up for transformers?

I hope you didn't go see this movie expecting a Gladiator-like performance.

This would be the last movie in the world I would take a girl to.

I went expecting a good movie, or a half decent one at least... but I was disappointed.

Didn't you forgot the words, "If I had a girl" at the beginning?

I took my girl and are relationship is still positive...

I can confirm. I saw JDOGG macking on a girl one row back.

Not really, and no, I don't have a girlfriend ...neither do I need one. I am trying to save money right now, and I just bought a new computer monitor.

You were appalled by Megan Fox's hotness, weren't you!

It's almost criminal how well she passed for a 17-year old.

This movie is not Braveheart. You won't find this year's Oscar for best actor, actress, or script in Transformers. However, it is non-stop fun from beginning to end.

Some random thoughts:

I like the way the story integrated the human and Transformer timeline.

A 2nd generation Camaro was sooo perfect for Bumble Bee.

I'm really pleased they gave me one long, full shot of Optimus Prime transforming. That's something I had been wanting since the trailer.

Megan Fox and Rachael Taylor are about as hot as they come. If signal analysts at NSA all looked like Rachael Taylor I probably wouldn't have changed professions.

Some great comic relief sprinkled throughout, and a few lines that tried to overdo it. (eg "You can bet my ridiculous government salary" The line is funny, but it didn't fit the conversation or seem like something the guy would actually say).

IMO, If there's trouble at Hoover Dam your best bet is Marine AV8-B Harriers and F/A-18 Hornets out of Yuma, Arizona.

I really enjoyed the scene where A-10 Warthogs and an AC-135 gunship is dispatched to help deal with the "scorpion" Decepticon. The way they called for fire, the names/use of the weapons, and the attack patterns were very realistic.

BTW "danger close" is a phrase you add to your call for fire when friendlies are within a certain range, depending on the weapon system, but you still need the fires. It essentially means "You may hit me with some of your fires, and I'm willing to accept that because I need them pretty badly, but please try to be careful.

Side of the police car: "To punish and enslave" Classic!

I don't know about top three movies of all time, but I really liked it. I would definitely see again in theaters.

Oops, almost forgot. Funniest line: [with great concern and emphasis] "We need the Air Force!!!" lol

Forgot to post my interesting encounter with the ticket-taker at the Rave. I arrived at 1:25 PM for the 1:30 showing. I hurriedly purchased tickets (asked for 2 for Transformers) and made my way to the ticket-taker. I looked the tickets over but didn't understand the wording on them. I couldn't find Transformers written on them, something about E-V-A-N-35MM. I wasn't concerned. I get to the ticket-taker and he says,

"Evan Almighty. Go right, third theater on left."

"Actually, those are supposed to be for Transformers."

"OK. What you need to do is go back to the ticket booth and have him..."

"[chuckle out loud. I have 3 minutes and he thinks I'm gonna wait in line again because of the theater's mistake] Dude, where's Transformers?"

"No, seriously, you have to get them exchanged because...."

"[dripping with sarcasm] OK, I'll go see Evan Almighty then."

"OK."

We find Transformers on our own. Done.

For true: I got on the NSA website and looked for openings in this region after watching Xformers.

Bernie Mac was a very funny addition to the movie.

Yes, Megan Fox was appalling...

Glad I was not alone while seeing that movie...

that is all...

I thought that was the funniest scene in the movie! I love Bernie Mac!

Gotta love Bernie Mac. I'm curious how he sold a car he didn't have a title for unless that was part of the BumbleBee "package" (a fake title).

I had the same thought during the movie, but I just let it go as one of those irreconcilable things in a work of fiction that you just have to accept.

You're right. I also don't want to get into conservation of mass and the density of the cube that Sam carried. Same problem applies to the transformers and how they pack 100 pounds of shit into a 10 pound sack. I can accept that the Autobots/Decepticons have an advanced way of storing matter that I don't understand, with the caveat that the mass of all the matter must be very high (that Camaro has to weigh a few thousand tons on earth). Then I was bothered by how a vehicle of this weight would propel itself, until I realized the power is supplied by transformers, not a normal internal combustion engine, so that's kosher too.

However, the cube still bugs me. From the size it was originally to the size it shrank to it could have been made of helium and I think Sam would still have a tough time carrying it.

Some days being an engineer is just tough...

Plus, Sam is able to sprint around with this thing, dodging chaotic explosions and danger at every turn. That obviously bothered me as well.

Why didn't Megatron just take out the stairs leading to the roof? Or just take down the building? I mean, the guy can fly through buildings, but he can't destroy them?

I've only seen it once, so I may be wrong, but I didn't think Megatron knew where Sam was until they were both on the roof. I also don't think Sam had to go to any particular roof, as the Blackhawks were just looking for his flare, so Megatron couldn't destroy the building in advance.

If anyone has a better understanding of the scene, please correct.

You guys must not be able to understand this movie because there was so much going on. I had to explain a lot of the movie to my wife and a few women in rows 14 and 16.

Tip: buy the DVD and watch the movie in 1-min bursts. This will help your mind grasp some of the theories happening in this deep and thought-provoking movie.

I've been trying to absorb Ocean's 13 in one minute per day increments for the last 2 months but I am still unsuccessful. It must just suck.

I second that! I got dragged to that thing by a friend. I ended up screen hopping over to Evan Almighty. It was actually pretty good. Evan Almighty I mean.

Wow! are you lumberjackish? Or just that big of a nerd.

btw. I have nothing against lumberjackish people really. I just don't understand how a guy cannot be attracted to females. I, personally, am a great fan of boobs. I love you boobs, you rock!

P.S. All of your posts that I've seen on every forum are negative. You, my friend, must be one whiney son-of-a-bitch. How can your Mother stand you living in her basement with all that whining? Why even post if you don't like the movie? Just go be emo quietly somewhere, and quit clogging up the forums with your bitchiness.

" I'm going to count to five!"

" Well I'm going to count to three"

I can confirm that he does stalk unsuspecting high school teen girls from time to time. It's a step in the right direction.

Ocean's 13 is way better than this movie ...and it is actually supposed to be complex. :)

But seriously, I think Sam was told by the Mr. Army-Stuntman to go to the top of the "white?" building. Could be wrong. But you might be right, I guess Megatron didn't know exactly where he was. But he followed him in there, I would think he could have just brought the roof down on him.

Now you're just being controversial. You know this movie was far better than Ocean's 13. You'll do anything to elicit a response.

Firstly, I never said I wasn't attracted to females. I am merely a responsible individual who, unlike you, does not want a slutty bitch for a girlfriend to share STDs with, or a plastic object to bang. I am only interested in a nice girl, if and when I find one, because they are rare, and when I can afford to seriously consider pursuing marriage. That too conservative for you Mr. Shallow-Scumbag?

You see, because I am so responsible, I have my mind set on the extended future. Instead of focusing on whose boobs I am going to sleep with tonight and not remember the next morning, I have my mind on who I am going to sleep with the rest of my life.

Secondly, if you have gone looking at all my posts on this forum alone, you have way too much time on your hands and need to get a job so you can pay all the child support you are, no doubt, racking up. Furthermore, if you have done as you say, which I know you haven't, then you cannot possibly come to that conclusion.

Thirdly, sounds like yu are stalking me... I'd be worried about my own orientation if I were you.

Finally, I would now say that perhaps THX doesn't have room for lurking scumbags like you. So although I neither have the authority, nor the ability to make you leave, I would counsel you to get the hell out of this forum and go enjoy your miserable existence.

Now that I have wasted so much time descending to your level in even replying to you, to whom I am so vastly superior, I must return to work.

I personally think it was, because I personally liked it better. But hey, thats just me.

Ocean's 13 sucked a big fat donkey schlong. Please, don't even talk about that movie in this thread. It only reminds me of how horrible it was. I want that 2hrs of my life back, along w/ my $8. You couldn't pay me to se it again, it was that bad. I'm serious. BIG, FAT, DONKEY, ...you catch my drift-- it sucked hard.

I would watch it again if someone paid me at least $15, but no less.

Who else thinks that all this slayer dude wants to do is cause fights?

but anyway, I didn't start anything, you did. You are the one who, out of nowhere, came and started dumping on me because you didn't like my opinion on something. Then went on to make generalizations that were grossly exaggerated about my posting history, of which I am sure you have no clue.

Furthermore, I have no wish to fight with you, because I have no wish to communicate with such a sad excuse for an individual.

Oh come on... you know it wasn't bad.

I will not continue this arguement with you. I don't have the time of day for people who only wish to fight. You've said your the superior person, prove it. Shut up! and if you have anymore negative comments, keep them to your own holier-than-thou self.

btw. I'm married, and my wife was quite amused with your half-cocked insinuations that I am a homosexual stalker. She says hi.

Dude, cmon...quit feeding the troll.

Thank you Brick. That's what I was trying to say. Just ignore him from now on.

I hope you showed your wife how YOU, utterly unprovoked and without reason, maliciously assaulted ME in the first place... I bet she'd find that amusing. I guess I am supposed to completely ignore you, which I doubtlessly should have, otherwise I am a person who "only wishes to fight". Perhaps you should consider whether YOU want a fight, before you start making comments like you did.

Thank you for stopping and leaving me alone now!

GOOD GRIEF!!!

Yeah, I'm the guy who's paper you've been stealing...

...Why you know? Why you know I take it?!?...

...If you want trouble I've got trouble right here waiting for you!!!

Oh Brick......how you make me laugh

Saw it yesterday. Freaking cool! I'm definitely going to see it again sometime.

I don't really have any major complaints. It looked like they tried to balance out the serious-tense parts with some comic relief, pretty much the standard formula for an American blockbuster classic type of movie. I really didn't mind too much since the original series was actually aimed towards children to begin with. It seemed to keep very closely to some of the original concepts while still not seeming overly unrealistic.

Some questions I had.. What was with all of the Japanese praise? WTF?

Why did the darn Secretary of Defense not have any personal security detail in the dam? He practically had to fight off the smaller robot by himself.

Some cool parts:
The beginning scene where the unidentified bogey turns out to be a Dicepticon. Wow!

The scene where Optimus-Prime pulls out his energy sword and beats the crap out of the other bot.

The autobot mistakes the chihuahua for a rat.

I really liked the idea that Optimus was transmitting that message out to the universe in the end, possibly bringing more Autobots as well as Dicepticons to Earth. Now the humans are part of this fight, and the Autobots have pledged to protect humans forever. It leaves room for some sequels.

Oh, Megatron will be back. It's only a matter of time.

I read somewhere that it took 38 hours for them to render each frame of the parts with heavy special effects. Wow.

Err...either I'm misunderstanding something, or that's nigh impossible.

Transformers = 2.5 hours
Scenes with "heavy" special effects = ~30 minutes
Seconds of film to render = 30*60= 1800
Frames per second of film: 24
Frames to render = 1800*24 = 43200

Your claim of 38 hours per frame * 43,200 frames = 187.4 years

If you reduce my assumption of 30 minutes down to 5 minutes it yields 31 years.

38 hours per frame is over 1.5 days. With 24 frames per second you'll render about 10 seconds of footage per year.

Perhaps I should assume more than one computer rendering frames, but even 12 computers will only render 2 minutes of footage per year. Oh well, gotta run.

Doesn't Starscream lead the Decepticons back to find their new leader, Galvatron? I don't remember, it's been way too long!

"Render farms" are farms of machines that calculate math problems all day long. Major CGI houses have hundreds (some have thousands) of machines on a render farm. Each machine can render a small square (say 8 pixels by 8 pixels) of a frame. Get tons of machines working on the same frame and it can be knocked out in seconds or minutes.

Sometimes, the jobs can be sent across the internet to other render farms in different parts of the world. If there's a crunch to get something made, it can be made by farming out the job to other computers.

That's really interesting. So Mintz's stat could be correct, but it may be referring to if a single computer rendered the frame, and in actuality there were hundreds/thousands working on it at the same time.

Mintz' stat is correct.

Your right. Didn't they show him leaving the planet.

I know in the credits, if you waited after the movie was over, a Decepticon was shown leaving Earth's atmosphere. I'm not sure if it was him.

+1, I read they had to increase their capacity for this movie, probably renting some cpu space from some other company.

we used a render farm, and worked it by rendering out one frame per computer. Pretty cool stuff. Of course there were some different configurations that would render a single frame with multiple machines, ie. say one section of the frame per computer.

You complete the 3d scene in your editor on your workstation by specifying the light sources, textures, reflection type, rendering engine, particle effects, animation movements, and whatever else. Then you submit the job to the main render farm server, who will then handle how it divides up the frames and what computer will render each frame.

When each computer completes it's frame, it will save out the image (frame_0001.png, frame_0002.png ,...) to a directory that you specified, maybe your workstation machine. You can monitor the progress of the complete render by logging into the main server and seeing how far along in the queue the job is. Once it's complete, your left with thousands of images in a folder that all you have to do is burn to a movie format and stick in audio.

more or less...

Worth it.

I'm going to see this movie again tomorrow night. My wife and I, along with my brother-in-law are going to drag my sister to see it. This is really funny, 'cause when we were little kids, I used to trick my sister into playing transformers with me by promising to play my little pony with her afterwards. Of course, I never actually played my little pony with her, but she still fell for it every time! Good times...

pwned!

My Little Pwny