Transformers (film)
Transformers | |
---|---|
Directed by | Michael Bay |
Screenplay by | |
Story by |
|
Based on | Transformers by Hasbro |
Produced by | |
Starring | |
Cinematography | Mitchell Amundsen |
Edited by |
|
Music by | Steve Jablonsky |
Production companies | |
Distributed by | Paramount Pictures[1] |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 143 minutes[2] |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $145–200 million[3][4][5] |
Box office | $709.7 million[6] |
Transformers is a 2007 American science fiction action film based on Hasbro's toy line of the same name. It is the first installment in the Transformers film series. The film is directed by Michael Bay from a screenplay by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman. It stars Shia LaBeouf as Sam Witwicky, a teenager who gets caught up in a war between the heroic Autobots and the villainous Decepticons, two factions of alien robots who can disguise themselves by transforming into everyday machinery, primarily vehicles. The Autobots intend to retrieve and use the AllSpark, the powerful artifact that created their robotic race that is on Earth, to rebuild their home planet Cybertron and end the war, while the Decepticons have the intention of using it to build an army by giving life to the machines of Earth. Tyrese Gibson, Josh Duhamel, Anthony Anderson, Megan Fox, Rachael Taylor, John Turturro, and Jon Voight also star, while Peter Cullen and Hugo Weaving voice Optimus Prime and Megatron, respectively.
Don Murphy was initially interested in developing a G.I. Joe film, but then decided to develop a Transformers film after the United States went to war against Iraq in 2003. Murphy and Tom DeSanto developed the project in 2003, and DeSanto wrote a treatment. Steven Spielberg came on board as executive producer the following year, hiring Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman to write the screenplay. The U.S. Armed Forces and General Motors loaned vehicles and aircraft during filming, which saved money for the production and added realism to the battle scenes. Hasbro's promotional campaign for the film included deals with various companies; advertising included a viral marketing campaign, coordinated releases of prequel comic books, toys, and books, as well as product placement deals with companies such as General Motors, Burger King, and eBay.
Transformers premiered on June 10, 2007, at the N Seoul Tower in Seoul, and was released on July 3 in the United States, by Paramount Pictures. The film became the fifth-highest-grossing film of 2007, grossing over $709 million worldwide, with an estimated 46 million tickets sold in the United States. Critics praised the film for the action sequences, visual effects, and sound design, but criticized the screen time for certain characters and use of product placement. The film won four awards from the Visual Effects Society and was nominated for Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Visual Effects at the 80th Academy Awards.
It was followed by six further films: Revenge of the Fallen (2009), Dark of the Moon (2011), Age of Extinction (2014), The Last Knight (2017), Bumblebee (2018) and Rise of the Beasts (2023).
Plot
The planet Cybertron was ravaged by a civil war between the two Transformer factions, the Autobots led by Optimus Prime and the Decepticons led by Megatron, for the AllSpark, a cube-like object that is the source of all Cybertronian life. The Autobots want to find the AllSpark so they can use it to rebuild Cybertron and end the war, while the Decepticons want to use it to conquer the universe. Megatron found the AllSpark on Earth, but crash-landed in the Arctic Circle and was frozen in the ice. Captain Archibald Witwicky and his crew of explorers stumbled upon Megatron in 1897. Captain Witwicky accidentally activates Megatron's navigational system, causing his eyeglasses to be imprinted with the coordinates of the AllSpark's location. Sector 7, a secret U.S. government organization, discovers the AllSpark in the Colorado River and builds the Hoover Dam around it to mask its energy emissions. The still-frozen Megatron is moved into the facility and is reverse engineered to advance human technology.
In the present day, the Decepticons—Blackout, Scorponok, Frenzy, Barricade, Starscream, Bonecrusher and Brawl—have landed on Earth and assumed the disguise of Earth vehicles. Blackout and Scorponok attack the U.S. SOCCENT military base in Qatar and try to hack into the U.S. military network to find the location of Megatron and the AllSpark. Their mission is thwarted when the base staff severs the network cable connections. While Blackout destroys the rest of the base, Scorponok chases a small group of survivors with photographic evidence of the robots, but he is eventually repelled. During this battle, the military discovers its only effective weapons against the Transformers' armor are high-heat sabot rounds. After Blackout's failure, Frenzy infiltrates Air Force One to hack into the military network and, in doing so, plants a virus. He finds the map imprinted on Captain Witwicky's glasses, which is owned by his descendant, Sam Witwicky. Frenzy and Barricade begin tracking Sam's location in Los Angeles.
One of the Autobots, Bumblebee, is also on Earth, disguised as a 1976 Chevrolet Camaro,[7] and is bought by Sam while shopping for his first car. Bumblebee helps him woo his crush, Mikaela Banes. Bumblebee leaves at night to transmit a homing beacon to the Autobots, and Sam sees him in robot mode. Barricade confronts Sam and demands Archibald's spectacles, but Bumblebee rescues him and Mikaela. After Bumblebee upgrades his vehicle form by scanning a 2007 Chevrolet Camaro, they rendezvous with the Autobots: Optimus Prime, Jazz, Ironhide, and Ratchet—who have landed on Earth and taken on forms of Earth vehicles as well. Sam, Mikaela, and the Autobots return to Sam's home and obtain the glasses. Soon, agents from Sector 7 arrive to arrest Sam and Mikaela, and they capture Bumblebee.
Frenzy, disguised as a mobile phone, secretly accompanies the group to the Hoover Dam and releases Megatron. Locating the AllSpark, Frenzy alerts the other Decepticons. Sam convinces the Sector 7 agents to release Bumblebee so that he can get the AllSpark to Optimus Prime. Frenzy's virus has shut down government communications, but a pair of hackers, Maggie Madsen and Glen Whitmann, manage to establish a signal to the Air Force. The Autobot-human convoy goes to Mission City to obtain a radio that will guide the Air Force and secure an extraction for the AllSpark as the Decepticon forces attack the convoy. During the ensuing battle, Brawl, Bonecrusher, Frenzy, Jazz, and Blackout are all killed. Sam manages to ram the AllSpark into Megatron's chest, killing him and destroying the AllSpark. Optimus takes a fragment of the AllSpark from Megatron's corpse but realizes that with its destruction, their homeworld Cybertron cannot be restored. The government decommissions Sector 7 and dumps the corpses of the defeated Decepticons into the Laurentian Abyss. Sam and Mikaela begin a relationship, and Optimus sends a signal to other surviving Autobots directing them to Earth.
Cast
- Shia LaBeouf as Sam Witwicky: The young descendant of an Arctic explorer who stumbles upon a big secret that becomes the Earth's final hope.
- Josh Duhamel as Captain William Lennox: A good and dedicated hardworking leader of the Army Rangers team in Qatar and allies himself with Sam and others.
- Megan Fox as Mikaela Banes: A classmate of Sam who assists him in his mission by using skills she learned as a juvenile car thief from her convict father.
- Tyrese Gibson as Sergeant Robert Epps: A U.S. Air Force Combat Controller and technical sergeant of a Special Operations team based at the U.S. SOCCENT base in Qatar and Lennox's best friend. Before Gibson was cast, Ashley Walters was approached for the role but had to turn it down as he had already signed a deal to do a small independent film in the UK.[8]
- Rachael Taylor as Maggie Madsen: A former NSA data analyst recruited by the U.S. Defense Department.
- Anthony Anderson as Glen Whitmann: Maggie's hacker friend.
- John Turturro as Agent Major Seymour Simmons: A special agent of the government agency Sector 7 Advanced Research Division.
- Jon Voight as John Keller: The U.S. Secretary of Defense.
- Michael O'Neill as Tom Banachek: Head of Sector 7.
- Kevin Dunn as Ron Witwicky: Sam's father.
- Julie White as Judy Witwicky: Sam's mother.
- Amaury Nolasco as Jorge "Fig" Figueroa: A Special Operations soldier who survives the destruction of the SOCCENT base in Qatar and was also a member of Captain Lennox's team.
- Zack Ward as First Sergeant Donnelly: A member of Captain Lennox's team.
- W. Morgan Sheppard as Captain Archibald Witwicky: Sam's great-great-grandfather who accidentally activates Megatron's navigational system while exploring the Arctic Circle.
- Bernie Mac as Bobby Bolivia: A used car salesman.
- John Robinson as Miles Lancaster: Sam's best friend.
- Travis Van Winkle as Trent DeMarco: Mikaela's ex-boyfriend.
- Glenn Morshower as Colonel Sharp (credited as "SOCCENT sergeant")
- Sherri Shepherd as Rhonda (IMAX re-release version only)[9]
Voices
- Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime: The leader of the Autobots who transforms into a blue and red 1994 Peterbilt 379 semi-trailer truck. Cullen had previously voiced Optimus Prime in the original 1980s cartoon and was chosen to reprise his role.
- Mark Ryan as Bumblebee: The Autobot scout and Sam's new guardian who transforms into a yellow and black Chevrolet Camaro (first a 1976 model and later in the movie a 2007 model).
- Darius McCrary as Jazz: Optimus's second-in-command who transforms into a silver 2006 Pontiac Solstice.
- Robert Foxworth as Ratchet: The Autobot medic who transforms into a yellow 2007 search and rescue Hummer H2 ambulance.
- Jess Harnell as
- Ironhide: The Autobot weapons expert who transforms into a black 2006 GMC Topkick C4500.
- Barricade: The Decepticon scout and interrogator who transforms into a black 2007 Saleen S281 police car.
- Hugo Weaving as Megatron: The leader of the Decepticons who transforms into a silver Cybertronian jet. Frank Welker was considered to reprise his role, but according to the film's DVD commentary, Bay thought his voice did not fit, so Weaving was chosen instead. After Weaving left the role, Welker returned as the voice of Megatron in later sequels.
- Jim Wood as Bonecrusher: A Decepticon soldier who transforms into a Buffalo H Mine-Protected vehicle.
- Reno Wilson as Frenzy: The Decepticon hacker and Barricade's minion, who transforms into a PGX Boombox, and later a Nokia 8800. Howard Stern was offered the role but turned it down when his agent talked him out of it.[10][11]
- Charlie Adler as Starscream: Megatron's second-in-command who transforms into a Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. Adler had previously voiced several characters in the original series, most noticeably Silverbolt.
Non-speaking characters
- Blackout: Megatron's third-in-command who transforms into a MH-53J Pave Low III helicopter.
- Devastator / Brawl: The Decepticon demolition specialist who transforms into an up-armed M1A1 Abrams tank.
- Scorponok: A scorpion-like Decepticon and Blackout's minion.
-
The Peterbilt 379 used to portray Optimus Prime
-
One of the Chevrolet Camaros used to portray Bumblebee
-
The Pontiac Solstice used to portray Jazz
-
The GMC Topkick used to portray Ironhide
-
The Hummer H2 used to portray Ratchet
Production
Development
In all the years of movie-making, I don't think the image of a truck transforming into a twenty-foot tall robot has ever been captured on screen. I also want to make a film that's a homage to 1980s movies and gets back to the sense of wonder that Hollywood has lost over the years. It will have those Spielberg-ian moments where you have the push-in on the wide-eyed kid and you feel like you're ten years old even if you're thirty-five.
— Tom DeSanto on why he produced the film[12]
Don Murphy was initially planning a G.I. Joe film adaptation, but when the United States launched the invasion of Iraq in March 2003, Hasbro suggested adapting the Transformers franchise instead.[13] Tom DeSanto joined Murphy because he was a fan of the series.[14] They met with comic book writer Simon Furman, and cited the Generation 1 cartoon and comics as their main influence.[13] They made the Creation Matrix their plot device, though Murphy had it renamed because of the film series The Matrix,[15] but was later used again in the sequel. DeSanto chose to write the treatment from a human point of view to engage the audience,[16] while Murphy wanted it to have a realistic tone, reminiscent of a disaster film.[15] The treatment featured the Autobots Optimus Prime, Ironhide, Jazz, Prowl, Arcee, Ratchet, Wheeljack, and Bumblebee, and the Decepticons Megatron, Starscream, Soundwave, Ravage, Laserbeak, Rumble, Skywarp and Shockwave.[17]
Steven Spielberg, a fan of the comics and toys,[14] signed on as executive producer in 2004. John Rogers wrote the first draft, which pitted four Autobots against four Decepticons,[18] and featured the Ark spaceship.[19] Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, fans of the cartoon,[20] were hired to rewrite the script in February 2005.[21] Spielberg suggested that "a boy and his car" should be the focus.[22] This appealed to Orci and Kurtzman because it conveyed themes of adulthood and responsibility, "the things that a car represents in the United States".[23] The characters of Sam and Mikaela were the sole point of view given in Orci and Kurtzman's first draft.[24] The Transformers had no dialogue, as the producers feared talking robots would look ridiculous. The writers felt that even if it would look silly, not having the robots speak would betray the fanbase.[20] The first draft also had a battle scene in the Grand Canyon.[25] Spielberg read each of Orci and Kurtzman's drafts and gave notes for improvement.[22] The writers remained involved throughout production, adding additional dialogue for the robots during the sound mixing (although none of this was kept in the final film, which ran fifteen minutes shorter than the initial edit).[26] Furman's The Ultimate Guide, published by Dorling Kindersley, remained as a resource to the writers throughout production.[26] Prime Directive was used as a fake working title. This was also the name of Dreamwave Productions' first Transformers comic book.[27]
Michael Bay was asked to direct by Spielberg on July 30, 2005,[28] but he dismissed the film as a "stupid toy movie".[29] Bay admitted that he was skeptical when he was offered to direct.[3] Nonetheless, he wanted to work with Spielberg, and gained a new respect for the concept upon visiting Hasbro.[28] Bay considered the first draft "too kiddie", so he increased the military's role in the story.[28][30] The writers sought inspiration from G.I. Joe for the soldier characters, being careful not to mix the brands.[31] Orci and Kurtzman were concerned the film could feel like a military recruitment commercial, so they chose to make the military believe nations like Iran were behind the Decepticon attack as well as making the Decepticons primarily military vehicles.[32] Bay based Lennox's struggle to get to the Pentagon phoneline while struggling with an unhelpful operator from a real account he was given by a soldier when working on another film.[28]
Orci and Kurtzman experimented with numerous robots from the franchise, ultimately selecting the characters most popular among the filmmakers to form the final cast.[14] Bay acknowledged that most of the Decepticons were selected before their names or roles were developed, as Hasbro had to start designing the toys.[33] Some of their names were changed because Bay was upset that they had been leaked.[34] Optimus, Megatron, Bumblebee and Starscream were the only characters present in each version of the script.[20] Arcee was a female Transformer introduced by Orci and Kurtzman, but she was cut because they found it difficult to explain robotic gender; Bay also disliked her motorcycle form, which he found too small.[31] An early idea to have the Decepticons simultaneously strike multiple places around the world was also dropped.[24]
Bay said the film cost $145 million and explained "My secret is, I shoot very, very fast." Bay compared his way of working to James Cameron as they both work quickly and serve as their own assistant director. Bay took a 30% reduction in his fee to keep the production in Los Angeles and work with his usual crew.[3] Producers Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Ian Bryce, said the film cost only $150 million, and called it "a bargain" compared to the other tentpole films that summer which cost as much as $300 million.[35] According to Kim Masters of NPR, instead of boasting about how much they had spent the studios did not want to admit to their real budget and risk further cost inflation on other projects, and her Hollywood source said that the budget of Transformers had passed $200 million.[5]
Design
The filmmakers created the size of each robot with the size of their vehicle mode in mind, supporting the Transformer's rationale for their choice of disguise on Earth.[36] The concept of traveling protoforms was developed by Roberto Orci when he wondered why "aliens who moonlight as vehicles need other vehicles to travel".[37] This reflected a desire to move to a more alien look, away from the "blocky" Generation 1 Transformers.[38] Another major influence in the designs was samurai armor, returning full-circle to the Japanese origins of the toy line.[36] The robots also had to look alien, or else they would have resembled other cinematic robots made in the image of man.[39]
A product placement deal with General Motors supplied alternate forms for most of the Autobots, which saved $3 million for the production.[40] GM also provided nearly two hundred cars, most of which were flood damaged or non-salable, destined for destruction in the climactic battle scene.[36] The U.S. Armed Forces provided significant support, enhancing the film's realism: the film features F-22s, F-117s, and V-22 Ospreys, the first time these aircraft were used for a film; soldiers served as extras, and authentic uniforms were provided for the actors.[28] A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and Lockheed AC-130s also appear. Captain Christian Hodge joked that he had to explain to his superiors that the filmmakers wanted to portray most of their aircraft as evil Decepticons: however, he remarked "people love bad guys".[36]
Filming
To save money for the production, Bay reduced his usual fee by 30%. He planned an 83-day shooting schedule,[28] maintaining the required pace by doing more camera set-ups per day than usual. Bay chose to shoot the film in the United States instead of Australia or Canada, allowing him to work with a crew he was familiar with, and who understood his work ethic.[28][30][40] A pre-shoot took place on April 19, 2006 and principal photography began three days later at Holloman Air Force Base,[7] which stood in for Qatar. Due to their destruction later in the film by the Decepticon Blackout, the majority of the military structures shown on-screen were not property of Holloman Air Force Base, but were purchased ahead of filming from a private manufacturer of military shelter systems, AKS Military.[41] To film the Scorponok sequence at White Sands Missile Range, a sweep was performed to remove unexploded ordnance before building of a village set could begin; ironically, the village would be blown up. The scene was broken down for the Air battle managers flying aboard the AWACS aircraft, who improvised dialogue as if it were an actual battle.[28][42]
The company also shot at Hoover Dam and at the Pentagon, the first time since the September 11 attacks that film crews had been allowed at these locations.[7] The external Hoover Dam scenes were shot before tourists arrived daily at 10:00 a.m., with shooting moving inside for the remainder of the day.[42] Production in California was based at Hughes Aircraft at Playa Vista, where the hangar in which Megatron is imprisoned was built.[42] Six weekends were spent in Los Angeles, California shooting the climactic battle, with some elements being shot on the Universal Studios backlot and at Detroit's Michigan Central Station.[7][42] The crew was allowed to shoot at Griffith Observatory, which was still closed for renovations begun in 2002 and would reopen in November 2006.[7] Filming wrapped on October 4, 2006.[30]
The film has been found to re-use footage from Bay's previous film Pearl Harbor (2001).[43]
Effects
Spielberg encouraged Bay to restrict computer-generated imagery to the robots and background elements in the action sequences.[28] Stunts such as Bonecrusher smashing through a bus were done practically, while cameras were placed into the midst of car crashes and explosions to make it look more exciting.[42] Work on the animatics began in April 2005.[18] Bay indicated that three quarters of the film's effects were made by Industrial Light & Magic, while Digital Domain made the rest,[28] including the Arctic discovery of Megatron; Frenzy's severed head; a vending machine mutated by the Allspark, and the Autobots' protoforms.[44] Many of the animators were big Transformers fans and were given free rein to experiment: a scene where Jazz attacks Brawl is a reference to a scene in Race for the Artifact where Brixler jumps on Skylion.[36]
I just didn't want to make the boxy characters. It's boring and it would look fake. By adding more doo-dads and stuff on the robots, more car parts, you can just make it more real.
— Michael Bay on the level of detail he wanted for the robots[45]
ILM created computer-generated transformations during six months in 2005, looking at every inch of the car models.[46] Initially the transformations were made to follow the laws of physics, but it did not look exciting enough and was changed to be more fluid.[47] Bay rejected a liquid metal surface for the characters' faces, instead going for a "Rubik's Cube" style of modeling.[28] He wanted numerous mechanical pieces visible so the robots would look more interesting, realistic, dynamic and quick, rather than like lumbering beasts.[28][45] One such decision was to have the wheels stay on the ground for as long as possible, allowing the robots to cruise around as they changed.[48] Bay instructed the animators to observe footage of two martial artists and numerous martial arts films to make the fights look graceful.[28]
Due to the intricate designs of the Transformers, even the simplest motion of turning a wrist needs 17 visible parts;[7] each of Ironhide's guns are made of ten thousand parts.[45] Bumblebee uses a piece below his face-plate as an eyebrow, pieces in his cheeks swivel to resemble a smile, and all the characters' eyes are designed to dilate and brighten.[48] According to Bay, "The visual effects were so complex it took a staggering 38 hours for ILM to render just one frame of movement";[7] that meant ILM had to increase their processing facilities.[49] Each rendered piece had to look like real metal, shiny or dull. This was difficult to model because the aged and scarred robots had to transform from clean cars. Close-up shots of the robots were sped up to look "cool", but in wide shots the animation was slowed down to convincingly illustrate a sense of weight. Photographs were taken of each set. These were used as a reference for the lighting environment, which was reproduced within a computer, so the robots would look like they were convincingly moving there. Bay, who has directed numerous car commercials, understood ray tracing was the key to making the robots look real; the CG models would look realistic based on how much of the environment was reflecting on their bodies.[36] Numerous simulations were programmed into the robots, so the animators could focus on animating the particular areas needed for a convincing performance.[49]
Music
Composer Steve Jablonsky, who collaborated with Bay on The Island, scored music for the trailers before work began on the film itself. Recording took place in April 2007, at the Sony Scoring Stage in Culver City, California. The score, including the teaser music, uses six major themes across ninety minutes of music.[50] The Autobots have three themes, one named "Optimus" to represent the wisdom and compassion of the Autobot leader, and another played during their arrival on Earth. The Decepticons have a chanted theme which relies on electronics, unlike most of the score. The AllSpark also has its own theme.[51] Hans Zimmer, Jablonsky's mentor, also helped to compose the score.[28]
Release
Transformers had its worldwide premiere at N Seoul Tower on June 10, 2007.[52][53] The film's June 27 premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival used a live digital satellite feed to project the film on to a screen.[54] A premiere took place at Rhode Island on June 28, which was a freely available event giving attendees the opportunity to buy tickets for $75 to benefit four charities: the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, the Autism Project of Rhode Island, Adoption Rhode Island, and Hasbro Children's Hospital.[55] The film was released in IMAX on September 21, 2007,[56] with additional footage that had not been included in the general theatrical release.[57]
Marketing
Hasbro's toy line for the film was created over two months in late 2005 and early 2006, in heavy collaboration with the filmmakers.[38] Protoform Optimus Prime and Starscream were released in the United States on May 1, 2007, and the first wave of figures was released on June 2.[38] The line featured characters not in the film, including Arcee.[36] A second wave, titled "AllSpark Power", was set for release late 2007, which consisted of repaints and robotic versions of ordinary vehicles in the film.[58] The toys feature "Automorph Technology", where moving parts of the toy allow other parts to shift automatically.[59] Merchandise for the film earned Hasbro $480 million in 2007.[60]
Deals were made with 200 companies to promote the film in 70 countries.[61] Michael Bay directed tie-in commercials for General Motors, Panasonic, Burger King and PepsiCo,[62] while props – including the Camaro used for Bumblebee and the AllSpark – were put up for charity sale on eBay.[63] A viral marketing alternate reality game was employed through the Sector 7 website, which presented the film and all previous Transformers toys and media as part of a cover-up operation called "Hungry Dragon", perpetrated by a "real life" Sector 7 to hide the existence of genuine Transformers. The site featured several videos presenting "evidence" of Transformers on Earth, including a cameo from the original Bumblebee.[64]
Home media
Transformers was released on DVD and HD DVD on October 16, 2007 in North America. The Wal-Mart edition of the DVD included a shortened animated version of the prequel comic book, titled Transformers: Beginnings and featuring the voices of Ryan, Cullen, and Dunn, as well as Welker as Megatron.[65] The Target copy was packaged with a transforming Optimus Prime DVD case and a prequel comic book about the Decepticons.[65] The DVD sold 8.3 million copies in its first week, making it the fastest-selling DVD of 2007, in North America, and it sold 190,000 copies on HD DVD, which was the biggest debut on the format.[66] The DVDs sold 13.74 million copies, making the film the most popular DVD title of 2007.[67]
The film was released on Blu-ray on September 2, 2008.[68] In the first week, the two-disc edition of the Blu-ray was number one in sales compared to other films on the format. The Blu-ray version accounted for two-thirds of the film's DVD sales that first week, selling the third most in overall DVD sales.[69] On June 16, 2009, Paramount included a sticker on all new Transformers DVDs that contained a code to view exclusive content online from the first film and get a sneak peek at Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The content includes three exclusive clips from Revenge of the Fallen, behind-the-scenes footage from both films, and never-before-seen deleted scenes from the first film.[70] Transformers was released on 4K UHD Blu-Ray on December 5, 2017.[71]
The film grossed $303.7 million in home sales.[1]
Reception
Box office
Transformers had the highest per-screen and per-theater gross in 2007 in North America.[72] It was released on July 3, 2007 with 8 p.m. preview screenings on July 2. The United States previews earned $8.8 million[73] and in its first day of general release, it grossed $27.8 million, a record for Tuesday box-office gross until it was broken by The Amazing Spider-Man in 2012.[74] It did, however, break Spider-Man 2's record for the biggest Fourth of July gross, making $29 million.[75] Transformers opened in over 4,050 theaters in North America[6] and grossed $70.5 million in its first weekend, debuting at #1 and amounting to a $155.4 million opening week, giving it the record for the biggest opening week for a non-sequel, surpassing Spider-Man.[76] It would also break other records during its first week, surpassing Planet of the Apes for having the highest non-sequel July opening weekend, War of the Worlds for scoring the highest non-sequel Fourth of July opening weekend, The Passion of the Christ for having the biggest non-sequel Wednesday gross and Independence Day for achieving the largest non-sequel Thursday gross.[77] The opening's gross in the United States was 50% more than what Paramount Pictures had expected. One executive attributed it to word of mouth that explained to parents that "it [was] OK to take the kids". Transformers ended its theatrical run in the United States and Canada with a gross of $319.2 million, making it the third highest-grossing film of 2007 in these regions behind Spider-Man 3 and Shrek the Third.[78] The film sold an estimated 46,402,100 tickets in North America.[79]
The film was released in 10 international markets on June 28, 2007, including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the Philippines. Transformers made $29.5 million in its first weekend, topping the box office in 10 countries.[80] It grossed $5.2 million in Malaysia, becoming the most successful film in the country's history.[81] Transformers opened in China on July 11 and became the second highest-grossing foreign film in the country (behind Titanic), making $37.3 million.[82] Its opening there set a record for a foreign language film, making $3 million.[83] The film was officially released in the United Kingdom on July 27, making £8.7 million, and helped contribute to the biggest attendance record ever for that weekend. It was second at the UK box office, behind The Simpsons Movie.[84] In South Korea, Transformers recorded the largest audience for a foreign film in 2007 and the highest foreign revenue of the film.[85]
Worldwide, Transformers was the highest-grossing non-sequel film in 2007 with over $709.7 million, making it Bay's fourth highest-grossing film to date, with three of its sequels surpassing it.[6] It was also the fifth highest-grossing film of 2007 worldwide, behind Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Spider-Man 3 and Shrek the Third.[86]
Critical response
Review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes gave the film an approval rating of 57% based on 228 reviews and an average rating of 5.8/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "While believable characters are hard to come by in Transformers, the effects are staggering and the action is exhilarating."[87] On Metacritic, the film has an weighted average score of 61 out of 100 based on 35 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[88]
IGN's Todd Gilchrist called it Bay's best film, and "one of the few instances where it's OK to enjoy something for being smart and dumb at the same time, mostly because it's undeniably also a whole lot of fun".[89] The Advertiser's Sean Fewster found the visual effects so seamless that "you may come to believe the studio somehow engineered artificial intelligence".[90] The Denver Post's Lisa Kennedy praised the depiction of the robots as having "a believably rendered scale and intimacy",[91] and ABC presenter Margaret Pomeranz was surprised "that a complete newcomer to the Transformers phenomenon like myself became involved in the fate of these mega-machines".[92] Ain't It Cool News's Drew McWeeny felt most of the cast grounded the story, and that "it has a real sense of wonder, one of the things that's missing from so much of the big CGI light shows released these days".[93] Author Peter David found it ludicrous fun, and said that "[Bay] manages to hold on to his audience's suspension of disbelief long enough for us to segue into some truly spectacular battle scenes".[94] Roger Ebert gave the film a positive review, giving it 3 stars out of a possible 4, writing: "It's goofy fun with a lot of stuff that blows up real good, and it has the grace not only to realize how preposterous it is, but to make that into an asset."[95]
Response to the human storylines was mixed. The Hollywood Reporter's Kirk Honeycutt liked "how a teen plotline gets tied in to the end of the world",[96] while Empire's Ian Nathan praised Shia LaBeouf as "a smart, natural comedian, [who] levels the bluntness of this toy story with an ironic bluster".[97] Ain't It Cool News founder Harry Knowles felt Bay's style conflicted with Spielberg's, arguing the military story only served as a distraction from Sam.[98] James Berardinelli hated the film as he did not connect with the characters in-between the action, which he found tedious.[99] Los Angeles Times' Kenneth Turan found the humans "oddly lifeless, doing little besides marking time until those big toys fill the screen",[100] while ComingSoon.net's Joshua Starnes felt the Transformers were "completely believable, right up to the moment they open their mouths to talk, when they revert to bad cartoon characters".[101] Daily Herald's Matt Arado was annoyed that "the Transformers [are] little more than supporting players", and felt the middle act was sluggish.[102] CNN's Tom Charity questioned the idea of a film based on a toy, and felt it would "buzz its youthful demographic [...] but leave the rest of us wondering if Hollywood could possibly aim lower".[103]
General
Transformers fans were initially divided over the film due to the radical redesigns of many characters, although the casting of Peter Cullen was warmly received.[36] USA Today summarized the views of critics and audiences saying "there is general raving about the mechanical heroes and general grumbling about the excessive screen time given to some of the human characters played by Shia LaBeouf, Anthony Anderson, Tyrese Gibson and Jon Voight. Optimus Prime, the leader of the good-guy Autobots, doesn't appear until midway through the film."[104] Transformers comic book writer Simon Furman and Beast Wars script consultant Benson Yee both considered the film to be spectacular fun, although Furman also argued that there were too many human storylines.[105] Yee felt that being the first in a series, the film had to establish much of the fictional universe and therefore did not have time to focus on the Decepticons.[106] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale. With audiences under 18 the score rises to "A+", and the film was most popular with children and parents, including older women, and attracted many African American and Latino viewers.[107]
The film created a greater awareness of the franchise and drew in many new fans.[108] Transformers' box office success led to the active development of films based on Voltron and Robotech,[109] as well as a Knight Rider reboot.[110] When filming the sequel, Bay was told by soldiers the film helped their children understand what their work was like, and that many had christened their Buffalos – the vehicle used for Bonecrusher – after various Transformer characters.[111]
After the film's 2009 sequel was titled Revenge of the Fallen, screenwriter Orci was asked if this film would be retitled, just as Star Wars was titled Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope when re-released. He doubted the possibility, but said if it was retitled, he would call it Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye.[112]
Accolades
Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
---|---|---|---|
80th Academy Awards[113] | |||
Best Sound Editing | Ethan Van der Ryn and Mike Hopkins | Nominated | |
Best Sound Mixing | Kevin O'Connell, Greg P. Russell and Peter J. Devlin | Nominated | |
Best Visual Effects | Scott Benza, Russell Earl, Scott Farrar and John Frazier | Nominated | |
2007 MTV Movie Awards[114] | Best Summer Movie You Haven't Seen Yet | Won | |
2008 MTV Movie Awards | Best Movie | Won | |
2008 Kids' Choice Awards[115] | Favorite Movie | Nominated | |
2007 Kuala Lumpur International Film Festival[116] | Best Special Effects (Jury Merit Award) | Won | |
Hollywood Film Festival[117] | Visual Effects Supervisor of the Year | Scott Farrar | Won |
6th Visual Effects Society Awards[118] | Outstanding Visual Effects in a Visual Effects-Driven Feature Motion Picture |
Scott Farrar, Shari Hanson, Russell Earl, Scott Benza | Won |
Best Single Visual Effect of the Year | Desert Highway Sequence – Scott Farrar, Shari Hanson, Shawn Kelly, Michael Jamieson |
Won | |
Outstanding Performance by an Animated Character in a Live Action Motion Picture |
Optimus Prime – Rick O'Connor, Doug Sutton, Keiji Yamaguchi, Jeff White |
Nominated | |
Outstanding Models and Miniatures in a Feature Motion Picture |
Dave Fogler, Ron Woodall, Alex Jaeger, Brain Gernand | Won | |
BMI Awards[119] | BMI Film Music Award | Steve Jablonsky | Won |
28th Golden Raspberry Awards[120] | Worst Supporting Actor | Jon Voight (also for Bratz: The Movie, September Dawn and National Treasure: Book of Secrets) |
Nominated |
34th Saturn Awards[121] | Best Science Fiction Film | Transformers | Nominated |
Best Special Effects | Scott Benza, Russell Earl, Scott Farrar and John Frazier | Won |
Entertainment Weekly named Bumblebee as their seventh favorite computer generated character,[122] while The Times listed Optimus Prime's depiction as the thirtieth best film robot, citing his coolness and dangerousness.[123]
Sequels
The second film, Revenge of the Fallen was released June 24, 2009. The third film, Dark of the Moon was released June 29, 2011. The fourth film, Age of Extinction was released June 27, 2014, and the fifth film titled The Last Knight was released on June 21, 2017. Revenge of the Fallen, Dark of the Moon and Age of Extinction were financial successes, while The Last Knight failed at the box office. The sequels have received mostly negative reviews. The sixth film Bumblebee was released on December 21, 2018 to positive reviews. It is the highest-rated film in the Transformers series. The seventh film Rise of the Beasts was released on June 9, 2023 to mixed reviews.[124]
A feature-length animated film titled Transformers One, starring Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry as younger versions of Optimus Prime and Megatron, is scheduled to be released on September 13, 2024.[125]
References
- ^ a b "Transformers (2007) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Archived from the original on November 23, 2018. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
- ^ "Transformers". British Board of Film Classification. Archived from the original on January 22, 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
- ^ a b c Weintraub, Steven (June 18, 2007). "Michael Bay Interview – TRANSFORMERS". Collider.com (Interview). Archived from the original on February 21, 2018.
- ^ Bob Tourtellotte (July 1, 2007). ""Transformers" film yields big bang on fewer bucks". Reuters. Archived from the original on January 22, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
But the producers of "Transformers", Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Ian Bryce, say they have spent only $150 million on "Transformers", and they reckon they got a bargain.
- ^ a b Alex Chadwick; Kim Masters (April 30, 2007). "'Spider-Man 3': Why So Expensive?". NPR. Archived from the original on May 18, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Transformers". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g "The Making Of The Transformers Movie". Entertainment News International. June 15, 2007. Archived from the original on September 17, 2007. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
- ^ 'They offered me Tyresse's role' Ashley Walters on having to turn down Transformers & securing Top Boy as a result! @Ashleywalters82 | WATCH NOW – Your Cinema. March 27, 2020. Event occurs at 2:00. Archived from the original on February 3, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
- ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20140514094716/http://www.filmjerk.com/reviews/article.php?id_rev=1250
- ^ Evans, Bradford (February 9, 2012). "The Lost Roles of Howard Stern". Vulture. Archived from the original on August 19, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- ^ "Stern Turns Down Transformers". June 5, 2007. Archived from the original on December 31, 2022. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
- ^ Harry Knowles (September 2, 2003). "Tom DeSanto gets to yapping about more than meets the eye... aka TRANSFORMERS!". Ain't It Cool News. Archived from the original on October 20, 2006. Retrieved February 18, 2007.
- ^ a b Kellvin Chavez (February 21, 2007). "On Set Interview: Producer Don Murphy On Transformers". Latino Review. Archived from the original on October 12, 2009.
- ^ a b c "Transformers: The Cast, The History, The Movie". Entertainment News International. June 15, 2007. Archived from the original on March 21, 2013. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
- ^ a b "Don Murphy at TransformersCon Toronto 2006". TFcon. Archived from the original on February 2, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Kellvin Chavez (February 21, 2007). "On Set Interview: Producer Tom De Santo On Transformers". Latino Review. Archived from the original on July 13, 2007. Retrieved May 19, 2007.
- ^ Scott Marble (June 2007). "The Mind of Tom DeSanto". Transformers Collectors Club Magazine. pp. 3, 10.
- ^ a b "Don Murphy Quotes Special". Seibertron. April 17, 2005. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved February 18, 2007. [better source needed]
- ^ "TF Movie Screenwriter John Rogers Speaks out". Seibertron. November 30, 2004. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved February 4, 2007. [better source needed]
- ^ a b c Zack Oat (January 12, 2007). "Double Vision". ToyFare. Archived from the original on January 17, 2007. Retrieved December 18, 2008.
- ^ "Exclusive: New Transformers Writers". IGN. February 18, 2005. Archived from the original on June 29, 2009. Retrieved September 1, 2006.
- ^ a b Robert Sanchez (June 18, 2007). "Interview: Roberto Orci on Transformers and Star Trek!". IESB. Archived from the original on June 21, 2007. Retrieved June 19, 2007.
- ^ Dave Itzkoff (June 24, 2007). "Character-Driven Films (but Keep the Kaboom)". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 5, 2015. Retrieved June 24, 2007.
- ^ a b Todd Gilchrist (July 2, 2007). "Exclusive interview: Roberto Orci". IGN. Archived from the original on November 6, 2007. Retrieved July 4, 2007.
- ^ Roberto Orci (March 14, 2009). "Welcome Mr. Roberto Orci, you may ask him questions". TFW2005. Archived from the original on October 16, 2012. Retrieved March 15, 2009. [better source needed]
- ^ a b "Orci and Kurtzman Questions: Post movie". Official site's message board. July 5–10, 2007. Archived from the original on June 16, 2009. Retrieved January 15, 2009.
- ^ "Casting Call for Prime Directive". Seibertron.com. April 8, 2006. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2008. [better source needed]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Michael Bay (October 16, 2007). Audio commentary (DVD). Paramount Pictures.
- ^ Chris Hewitt (August 2007). "Rise of the Machines". Empire. pp. 95–100.
- ^ a b c "Michael Bay and the Edit of Transformers". Fxguide. July 9, 2007. Archived from the original on August 9, 2007. Retrieved July 10, 2007.
- ^ a b "'Transformers' writers: A Revealing Dialogue". Wizard. July 10, 2007. Archived from the original on July 8, 2007. Retrieved December 18, 2008.
- ^ Orci, Roberto (January 14, 2009). "Major News/Spoiler Alert Robert Orci confirms..." TFW2005. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2009. [better source needed]
- ^ Adam B. Vary. "Optimus Prime Time". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 7, 2007. Retrieved July 7, 2007.
- ^ Roberto Orci (July 11, 2008). "The 'Welcome Mr. Orci Thread'. You may ask questions!". TFW2005. Archived from the original on March 5, 2021. Retrieved July 12, 2008. [better source needed]
- ^ Tourtellotte, Bob (July 2, 2007). ""Transformers" film yields big bang on fewer bucks". Reuters. Archived from the original on January 31, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Their War, 2007 DVD documentary
- ^ "Ark Not Making An Appearance In the Movie?". TFormers. September 14, 2007. Archived from the original on August 15, 2012. Retrieved February 4, 2007. [better source needed]
- ^ a b c Zack Oat (February 9, 2007). "Prime Cuts". ToyFare.
- ^ Roberto Orci (June 10, 2007). "I don't get this..." Official site's forums. Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved March 17, 2009.
- ^ a b "Michael Bay on Transformers!". Superhero Hype! (Interview). June 20, 2007. Archived from the original on June 3, 2009. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
- ^ "Movies That Have Featured Alaska Military Systems". AKS Military. January 18, 2018. Archived from the original on July 2, 2022. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Our World, 2007 DVD documentary
- ^ Peter Sciretta (July 3, 2007). "Did Michael Bay Recycle "Pearl Harbor" Footage into "Transformers"?". SlashFilm.com. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020.
- ^ "Digital Domain Creates Robots for Transformers". VFXWorld. July 9, 2007. Archived from the original on June 24, 2008. Retrieved December 17, 2007.
- ^ a b c Josh Horowitz (February 15, 2007). "Michael Bay Divulges 'Transformers' Details – And Word Of 'Bad Boys III'". MTV. Archived from the original on February 17, 2007. Retrieved February 15, 2007.
- ^ Matt Sullivan (July 3, 2007). "Transformers: The Best Special Effects Ever?". Popular Mechanics. Archived from the original on July 6, 2007. Retrieved July 4, 2007.
- ^ Susan King (July 8, 2007). "A stunning transformation". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
- ^ a b Renee Dunlop (July 11, 2007). "Transformers' Art Director Alex Jaeger's Career on the Fast Track". CGSociety. Archived from the original on July 13, 2007. Retrieved July 12, 2007.
- ^ a b Bill Desowtiz (July 3, 2007). "Transformers: Ratcheting Up Hard Body Surfaces". VFXWorld. Archived from the original on October 7, 2007. Retrieved July 4, 2007.
- ^ Dan Goldwasser (May 29, 2007). "Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye". Soundtrack.net. Archived from the original on April 6, 2012. Retrieved May 29, 2007.
- ^ Daniel Schweiger (July 10, 2007). "Steve Jablonsky morphs his music to score Transformers". iF Magazine. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved October 17, 2007.
- ^ Lee Hyo-won (June 10, 2007). "World Premier of Bay's Transformers in Seoul". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on May 13, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
- ^ Lee Hyo-won (June 12, 2007). "Transformers Asia Junket Heats Up Seoul". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on May 13, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
- ^ Microspace Communications Corporation (June 25, 2007). "Transformers Premiere to be Shown at L.A. Film Fest". Superhero Hype!. Archived from the original on January 12, 2009. Retrieved June 25, 2007.
- ^ "Transformers Movie Premiere 2023". Business Wire. May 1, 2007. Archived from the original on March 31, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2007.
- ^ "REALLY Giant Robots are coming". Comingsoon.net. August 17, 2007. Archived from the original on August 20, 2007. Retrieved August 17, 2007.
- ^ "IMAX and the DVD". Michael Bay. September 18, 2007. Archived from the original on May 5, 2008. Retrieved September 18, 2007.
- ^ "New Images of Transformers Movie 'Allspark Power' Figures, Cliffjumper, Brawl Repaint and More!". Seibertron. July 29, 2007. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved October 3, 2007. [better source needed]
- ^ "Automorph Technology: The Secret of the Movie Transformations?". Seibertron. January 26, 2007. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2007. [better source needed]
- ^ Paul Grimaldi (February 14, 2009). "Hasbro adapts to expected lower revenues". The Providence Journal. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved February 14, 2009.
- ^ "Hasbro Rolls Out Transformers Products". Superhero Hype!. February 10, 2007. Archived from the original on January 12, 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2007.
- ^ Gail Schiller (June 27, 2007). "Firing on all cylinders". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 15, 2007. Retrieved June 27, 2007.
- ^ "BumbleBee and Other Movie Props Are Now on e-bay!". Seibertron. July 8, 2007. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved July 9, 2007. [better source needed]
- ^ Wert, Ray (May 17, 2007). "Transformers Movie Update: Sector Seven Video Gives Nod To Dinobots, Insecticons, Lazerbeak And Generation One Bumblebee". Jalopnik. Archived from the original on March 5, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2007.
- ^ a b "Exclusive Transformers Movie Comic & Animated Prequel Coming To Target & Wal-Mart". Comic Books News International. September 13, 2007. Archived from the original on October 13, 2007. Retrieved October 12, 2007.
- ^ Snider, Mike (October 22, 2007). "Bay says 'Transformers' DVD could have been better". USA Today. Archived from the original on October 25, 2007. Retrieved October 29, 2007.
- ^ Snider, Mike (January 7, 2008). "DVD feels first sting of slipping sales". USA Today. Archived from the original on February 20, 2008. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
- ^ "Transformers 2007 Movie Out On Blu Ray Today". Seibertron. September 2, 2008. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved September 3, 2008. [better source needed]
- ^ "Movie DVD Sales #1 On Blu-ray, #3 Overall Last Week". TFormers. September 11, 2008. Archived from the original on February 18, 2012. Retrieved September 11, 2008. [better source needed]
- ^ "Transformers Bonus Material Coming June 16". Superhero Hype!. June 11, 2009. Archived from the original on June 15, 2009. Retrieved June 11, 2009.
- ^ "Transformers DVD Release Date October 16, 2007". DVDs Release Dates. Archived from the original on May 4, 2018. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
- ^ "Why We Need Movie Reviewers". Slate. July 1, 2008. Archived from the original on July 5, 2008. Retrieved July 1, 2008.
- ^ Pamela McClintock (July 3, 2007). "'Transformers' nabs hefty haul". Variety. Archived from the original on July 5, 2007. Retrieved July 3, 2007.
- ^ Nikki Finke (July 4, 2012). "'Amazing Spider-Man' Shatters Tuesday Opening Box Office Record With $35M". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 4, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2012.
- ^ DreamWorks, Paramount Pictures (July 11, 2007). "Transformers' Week One Records". Comingsoon.net. Archived from the original on July 14, 2007. Retrieved July 12, 2007.
- ^ Pamela McClintock (July 9, 2007). "'Transformers' change weekend take". Variety. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved July 9, 2007.
- ^ "Transformers Sets First Week of Release Record for a Non-Sequel of $155 Million". July 11, 2007.
- ^ "2007 DOMESTIC GROSSES". Archived from the original on May 8, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- ^ "Transformers (2007)". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
- ^ Dave McNary (July 1, 2007). "'Shrek' tops overseas box office, 'Transformers' int'l release brings in $34.7 mil". Variety. Archived from the original on October 1, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
- ^ Vicci Ho (August 8, 2007). "'Transformers' dominates Malaysia". Variety. Archived from the original on August 22, 2007. Retrieved September 5, 2007.
- ^ Min Lee (October 2, 2007). "'Transformers' Strong Showing in China". The West Australian. Archived from the original on April 23, 2008. Retrieved January 13, 2008.
- ^ Dave McNary (July 13, 2007). "'Transformers' smashes China record". Variety. Archived from the original on October 12, 2007. Retrieved July 15, 2007.
- ^ "Simpsons film tops record weekend". BBC News. July 31, 2007. Archived from the original on March 5, 2022. Retrieved August 1, 2007.
- ^ Daum communication (December 28, 2007). "Transformer, the biggest number of audiences". E-today. Archived from the original on March 1, 2012. Retrieved June 14, 2009.
- ^ "2007 WORLDWIDE GROSSES". Archived from the original on May 8, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- ^ "Transformers". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
- ^ "Transformers". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
- ^ Todd Gilchrist (June 29, 2007). "Advance Review: Transformers". IGN. Archived from the original on February 23, 2009. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
- ^ Sean Fewster (June 25, 2007). "The rule of robots begins". The Advertiser. Archived from the original on September 6, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2007.
- ^ Lisa Kennedy (July 1, 2007). ""Transformers" toys with human emotions". The Denver Post. Archived from the original on July 5, 2007. Retrieved July 3, 2007.
- ^ Margaret Pomeranz. "Transformers". ABC Television. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved July 3, 2007.
- ^ Drew McWeeny (July 2, 2007). "Moriarty Makes First Contact With TRANSFORMERS! The Movie, The Comics, The Books & More!". Ain't It Cool News. Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
- ^ Peter David (July 7, 2007). "Car Toon". Self-published. Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved July 10, 2007.
- ^ Roger Ebert (July 5, 2007). "Bay rocks 'em and socks 'em". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
- ^ Kirk Honeycutt (June 29, 2007). "Transformers: Sci-fi action that is both smart and funny". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
- ^ Ian Nathan. "Transformers". Empire. Archived from the original on August 22, 2019. Retrieved July 3, 2007.
- ^ Harry Knowles (July 3, 2007). "Harry reviews TRANSFORMERS which isn't really more than meets the eye!". Ain't It Cool News. Archived from the original on May 25, 2022. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
- ^ James Berardinelli. "Transformers". Reelviews. Archived from the original on November 30, 2018. Retrieved July 3, 2007.
- ^ Kenneth Turan (July 2, 2007). "'Transformers' heavy on plot". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 3, 2007. Retrieved July 3, 2007.
- ^ Joshua Stames. "Transformers". Comingsoon.net. Archived from the original on July 6, 2007. Retrieved July 5, 2007.
- ^ Matt Arado (July 2, 2007). "'Transformers' lacks substance". Daily Herald.
- ^ Tom Charity (July 4, 2007). "Review: Dim 'Transformers' thuds with action". CNN. Archived from the original on July 12, 2007. Retrieved July 5, 2007.
- ^ Anthony Breznican (July 12, 2007). "Fan buzz: Flesh out those 'bots". USA Today. Archived from the original on February 27, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2008.
- ^ "Transformers Writer Simon Furman Interview". ENI. July 31, 2007. Archived from the original on May 13, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2007.
- ^ Benson Yee. "Transformers Movie (2007) Review". Ben's World of Transformers. Archived from the original on August 7, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2009.
- ^ Nikki Finke (July 8, 2007). "'Transformers' Huge $152M First Week Sets 7-Day Non-Sequel Record Past 'Spidey', 'Passion' & 'Potter'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 5, 2008. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
- ^ "'Transformers' fans never stopped playing". NBC News. Associated Press. June 15, 2007. Archived from the original on May 3, 2014. Retrieved June 21, 2007.
- ^ Borys Kit (September 7, 2007). "Maguire, WB attack the big screen with 'Robotech'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 10, 2007. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ^ Josef Adalian (September 26, 2007). "NBC taps Liman for 'Knight Rider'". Variety. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
- ^ Brian Savage. "TCC Exclusive: Transformers Revenge of the Fallen at Toy Fair 2009". Transformers Collectors Club. Archived from the original on May 28, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2009.
- ^ Roberto Orci (July 11, 2008). "The All New 'Hey Roberto' Thread". Don Murphy. Archived from the original on February 27, 2012. Retrieved July 12, 2008.
- ^ "80th Academy Awards nominations". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on October 12, 2013. Retrieved January 22, 2008.
- ^ "The MTV Movie Awards Winners!". ComingSoon.net. June 4, 2007. Archived from the original on June 6, 2007. Retrieved June 4, 2007.
- ^ "Voting Underway for Kids' Choice Awards". Animation World Network. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved March 18, 2008.
- ^ Patrick Frater (December 2, 2007). "'Sunday' tops Kuala festival". Variety. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
- ^ Carly Mayberry (September 7, 2007). "Hollywood fest to fete quartet". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved September 8, 2007.
- ^ Carolyn Giardina (February 11, 2008). "'Transformers' tops VES nods". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 23, 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2008.
- ^ "2008 BMI Film/TV Awards". Broadcast Music Incorporated. May 21, 2008. Archived from the original on May 26, 2008. Retrieved May 22, 2008.
- ^ "28th Annual Razzie ® Award Nominees for Worst Supporting Actor". www.razzies.com. Archived from the original on January 21, 2013. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
- ^ "Past Saturn Awards". Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films. Archived from the original on May 12, 2011. Retrieved April 10, 2009.
- ^ "Our 10 Favorite CG Characters". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
- ^ Michael Moran (July 25, 2007). "The 50 best movie robots". The Times. London. Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2007.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 10, 2021). "'Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts' Pushed A Year; New 'Star Trek' Movie To Beam Up Over Christmas 2023". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 11, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (May 24, 2023). "'Transformers One': Paramount Pushes Date For Animated Feature". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
External links
- Transformers at IMDb
- Transformers title listing at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database
- Transformers at the TCM Movie Database
- 2007 films
- Transformers (film series)
- 2000s English-language films
- 2000s American films
- Fictional-language films
- Films about the United States Army
- 2007 science fiction action films
- 2000s science fiction adventure films
- American science fiction adventure films
- American science fiction action films
- Films about ancient astronauts
- Films about alien invasions
- American chase films
- Films scored by Steve Jablonsky
- Films directed by Michael Bay
- Films produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura
- Films set in 1897
- Films set in 2003
- Films set in 2006
- Films set in 2007
- Mars in film
- Films set in Los Angeles
- Films set in Nevada
- Films set in Qatar
- Films set in the Arctic
- Films set in Washington, D.C.
- Films shot in Los Angeles
- Films shot in Michigan
- Films shot in Nevada
- Films shot in New Mexico
- Films with screenplays by Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci
- Films with screenplays by John Rogers
- IMAX films
- Live-action films based on animated series
- Di Bonaventura Pictures films
- DreamWorks Pictures films
- Paramount Pictures films
- American teen films
- Films shot in Detroit
- CJ Entertainment films
- Films about extraterrestrial life
- Films produced by Tom DeSanto
- Films produced by Don Murphy
- Films produced by Ian Bryce