Listen & Be Heard Weekly Archives

The history of the Transformers is long and lush. One segment of the giant robot wave of the 1980?Äôs, the Transformers stood alongside others like Macross and Mobile Suit Gundam. As usual, such trendy animation as Japanese giant robots made its way to the American market. In part because of a company called Hasbro (ever hear of G.I. Joe?), the Transformers were immortalized via the popular weekend morning animated series.

In the latest live action movie version simply called Transformers, a race of robots from a destroyed planet called Cybertron have come to Earth seeking the allspark, a source of massive energy. Somehow the allspark has made its way to Earth and two factions of robots are in a race to possess it. Caught between the crossfire of really large machines, the citizens of Earth are forced to deal with the mysterious motives of the misunderstood transforming robots.

Originally, the Transformers were marketed toward a younger audience. ¬?¬?Director Michael Bay attempts to include the 18 to 24 year-old prime cinema audience by creating subplots featuring a developing love interest for the lead character and intervention by a military squad. The special effects were very good, with the transformations from cars and trucks into robots and back visually smooth. The casting was interesting, with performances by Shia LeBouf, Bernie Mac, John Turturro, Jon Voigt, Tyrese Gibson, Kevin Dunn and Anthony Anderson.

Negotiations have already begun for a Transformers 2.

The official movie site contains all the info and graphics you desire. Check it out:

http://www.transformersmovie.com/

Be Sociable, Share!

•