ROTTEN TOMATOES: Tomatometer Watch: "Transformers" Gets a T-Meter; Is "Ratatouille" 2007's New Best-Reviewed Wide Release?

Tomatometer Watch: "Transformers" Gets a T-Meter; Is "Ratatouille" 2007's New Best-Reviewed Wide Release?

by Alex Vo | June 29, 2007

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"Transformers" is still several days away, but summer blockbusters wait for no one: the first reviews are coming in and the initial tally is an 79 percent Tomatometer after 13 reviews. Also, we answer the question: is Pixar's "Ratatouille" 2007's new best-reviewed wide release?

Hot off the heels of the old-school smash 'em up "Live Free or Die Hard," "Transformers" is drawing similar praise for being an exhilaratingly straightforward escape at the movies. Danny Minton of the Beaumont Journal describes the flick "as corny as it is magnificent...I have to admit that it is the most fun I've had at the movies all year."

Joshua Taylor of CinemaBlend.com says, "'Transformers' isn't just dorky, it's gloriously dorky." Sounds fitting for a movie about big explosions and even bigger robots, and our two Cream of the Crop reviews agree with their Fresh ratings.

And Todd Gilchrist at IGN Movies takes time to praise, of all things, the acting. Gilchrist singles out Shia LaBeouf, calling him "one of the most natural presences of any young actor in Hollywood. Even in a film which he himself admits is more about extra-vehicular action than character development or emotion, he manages to leave a lasting impression."

But resident provocateur Victoria Alexander of FilmsInReview.com gives her against-the-grain opinion: "Yes, the CGI robots transforming is absolutely terrific. Since all the creative energy was put to this use, we lose story and character. It you are not a fan of the 'Transformers,' stay away."

In other Tomatometer news, Disney marketing has done a bang-up job getting the word out about "Ratatouille." That, along with monumental interest that comes with every Pixar release, means a lot of our readers and forum users have been keeping a watchful eye on "Ratatouille"'s Tomatometer.

The film held steady at 100 percent for over a week until the first negative review came in two days ago. Since then, the Tomatometer has settle in the mid-90s after over a hundred reviews. Does this make "Ratatouille" 2007's best-reviewed wide release, taking the title from "Knocked Up?"

Though "Ratatouille" currently has a higher Tomatometer, "Knocked Up" has far more reviews. Using the same math we use to calculate our monthly countdowns, "Ratatouille" is actually just a rat's whisker away from overtaking "Knocked Up." Keep an eye out as those post-release reviews start trickling in.

"Ratatouille" opens today nationwide. "Transformers" will premiere early in some theaters on July 3, and open wide the next day.

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(1-20 of 25 posts) | Reply

NoirZombi writes:
on Jun 29 2007 05:59 PM

I doubt Transformers will stay as high as it does, I certainly hope it doesn't, the last thing the industry needs is more Michael Bay. Something about that man... very easy to dislike.

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XBSHX writes:
on Jun 29 2007 06:22 PM

"I doubt Transformers will stay as high as it does, I certainly hope it doesn't, the last thing the industry needs is more Michael Bay. Something about that man... very easy to dislike."

You shouldn't be judging a film from your personal opinion of the director. You should be judging it by the quality of the FILM.

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IMAmoose24 writes:
on Jun 29 2007 06:26 PM

Haven't liked any of his films (besides The Island), but he has got me going for Transformers, more than any other movie this year.

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nalindra writes:
on Jun 29 2007 07:01 PM

I never was a fan of transformers,But lets wait and see.But like said if they only focused on the robots and action and let the plot rot then I guess there are enough good movies coming our way than watching transformers.

I must say I'm more interested in watching Ratatouille and harry potter coz the whole robots in transformers never clicked with me and maybe robots kicking robots and skating robots,no way I think I'll pass.

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Mr. Kong writes:
on Jun 29 2007 07:16 PM

I imagine it might stay in a 6-percent range of that. One of the bad reviews came from the single most hated critic on RT.

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synergyred writes:
on Jun 29 2007 07:29 PM

Something tells me that the Transformers meter isn't going to stay quite so high, but as someone who has a friend who's REALLY excited about this movie, I hope it stays that high for her.

Oh, and go Ratatouille. Fantastic. Fantastic movie. When I sawit there was everything from five year olds (who magically remained perfectly behaved once the film started), to people in their teens and twenties, to middle aged couples. Everyone looked very satisfied at the end. This movie seriously has something for everyone. If you're looking some something enertaining, Ratatouille is perfect. If you want good animation, it's for you as well. Or if you want something with a little stubstance, Ratatouille works for you too.

What I'm saying is, please go see it. Its fantastic.

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Super Simba writes:
on Jun 29 2007 08:16 PM

In reply to this comment (#871925)
Agreed about Ratatouille. Amazing film!

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ladyice writes:
on Jun 29 2007 08:43 PM

In reply to this comment (#871920)
You sound like you know the guy on a personal level...very, very shallow opinion indeed!

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Exode writes:
on Jun 29 2007 09:30 PM

Think what you want of Michael Bay but it appears as though he was at least empathetic towards fans of the Transformers franchise when making this film. Besides, so far Transformers seems to be his thing. Still have high hopes that the meter stays in the 70s.

Prince of Persia is up next for him, if Transformers becomes a surprise hit then hopefully he'll work that same magic on the first decent videogame adaption, then again that'd be more of the screenwriter's job in that instance considering that it almost requires a more involving story.

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Callpacas writes:
on Jun 29 2007 10:34 PM

Watched it...and well as expected, it crappatular-cgi-eyefest Everything in FilmsInReview are spot on.

Smoke some weed before entering. That way you won't feel like bashing the director and producer later.

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Sputnik99 writes:
on Jun 29 2007 11:15 PM

[b]Too much testosterone for ya?[/b]
Looks like the troll is back...

I figure Transformers will stay in the 70's. It's sounds like a lot of fun, unless you're going in expecting a perfect movie. I have no hopes for that. I just want fun.

Every negative critic I've read sounds like a person who wanted the perfect experience, didn't get it, and so decided to throw a fit about it by slamming the movie as much as possible.

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Icalledurotund writes:
on Jun 30 2007 01:25 AM

[b]I've seen Transformers and its worth every good re[/b]
This is a perfect michael bay vehicle. Sure he's a cocky director, but he makes damn fine popcorn nobrainer action flicks.

I grew up with cheesy japanese robot movies, so i know how bad this genre can be.

This movie should be given credit the same way people were awed with Dinosaurs in Jurassic Park 1. Just think, put this in any directors hands and you probably see movie gunk.

Transformers started as a kids line of toys, so people, just watch and enjoy, dont dissect, the material is shallow, Michael bay turned it into a diamond franchise.

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curtis writes:
on Jun 30 2007 06:18 AM

Transformer was great. The first good action film of the year. that is why the reviews have been good. Bay, You done good.

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daycare writes:
on Jun 30 2007 06:39 AM

Transformers Rocked. I am so happy it is getting great word of mouth from people and critics. I would be seeing this week but it alrady sold out on monday and tuesday. Looking forward to seeing how it deos in the boxoffice. But to tell you the truth, all of Bay films have been Boxoofice hit other then the Island.

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pulgasari writes:
on Jun 30 2007 09:18 AM

[b]In reply to this comment (#715207)[/b]
Oh, yeah? Suck 86% tomatometer, biznatch! I am pleasantly surprised that the critical acclaim for Transformers actually [b]grew[/b] as more reviews came in, rather than the other way around (like Spiderman 3 or 300).

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killermonkey8822 writes:
on Jun 30 2007 04:48 PM

Could be good but i doubt the tomato thingy will stay at 88 percent.

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reyes writes:
on Jun 30 2007 08:29 PM

i spit in your general direction!

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streetproud writes:
on Jun 30 2007 10:52 PM

i think this movie is going to be really great just because!

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jeremyd4 writes:
on Jul 01 2007 09:03 AM

[b]The movie is fantastic.[/b]
It's an audio/visual experience unlike anything we've witnessed before. If you have any interest in seeing this film, go see it at the cinemas and don't wait for dvd. It is definitely meant to be seen on the big screen and preferrably in a cinema with a good audio set up. Seriously, the sound effects are spine-tingling. If anyone remembers those "sonic boom" thingies that went off in the asteroid field chase sequence in Star Wars Ep II... well, Transformers is filled with stuff like that from start to end.

".....Victoria Alexander of FilmsInReview.com gives her against-the-grain opinion: "Yes, the CGI robots transforming is absolutely terrific. Since all the creative energy was put to this use, we lose story and character. It you are not a fan of the 'Transformers,' stay away."........"

People like this should get off their high horse. State your view on a film, sure, that's what you are paid to do! But don't tell people "stay away"... what a biatch!! Let people decide for themselves. I'm not a Transformers fan, I had a few figurines as a kid, but remember absolutely nothing of the show. I enjoyed the film a lot! So there. You're wrong Ms. Alexander. Cow.

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Siskel+Ebert Fan writes:
on Jul 01 2007 11:01 AM

In reply to this comment (#871928)
[b]O'contrare[/b]
Actually Mike Bay gave the transformers fans the old perverbial middle finger to an effect. Most of the fans hated the way he made the designs of the "robots" (if you really think the actually look like robots) and were outraged at first. But Bay in his interviews always maintaned that he did what he wants and doesn't answer to nobody and has also made comments about how nerdy they are.

It was the Producer after seeing the unanimus demand for his return, who pushed for Peter Cullen (the original Optimus Prime voice actor) to return as Optimus Prime.

But Bay always seemed rather annoyed and didn't really care much about the Transformer's fans from every thing I've read on his behalf. And his whole excuse was he was going for realism that people could take seriuosly and not be seen as making some kiddy toy movie.

I've seen the footage, and I have to say that I think he failed in that respect if that was his goal. It's as corny and wierd looking on some of the "robot" motions as it could have possibly been. It's also not anything like the originals either so if anyone was hoping for that, then it is a major failure in that respect also. Then again, Bay was never trying to remain true to the source. So what you see is what you get. It's like a property pergutory with Bay's creation in this movie.

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