ROTTEN TOMATOES: Bay Prepares to Fake Out Transformers Fanboys

Bay Prepares to Fake Out Transformers Fanboys

by Fred Topel | November 10, 2007

Summary

Michael Bay went through the wringer with the fanboys on Transformers. He addressed every concern -- early designs, scripts, remaining faithful to the source material -- and delivered a movie that won over most audiences, grossing nearly $320 million in America alone. But with Transformers 2 in development, Bay isn't taking any more lip service. Back to Article

(41-60 of 75 posts) | Reply

sharpless writes:
on Nov 10 2007 09:49 PM

Transformers should never be rated R, and Sam/Spike is integral to the mythos. Shia did okay, but they need to cut out all the stupid comedy and any masturbation dialogue. Megan Fox is nice to look at, but her character is annoying and unnecessary. We need more hot robot-on-robot action, period. No more, no less. We don't need more humans.

But of course, Bay is a self-important dick, so he'll never deviate from any of the stupidity of the first one.

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kissman24 writes:
on Nov 10 2007 10:34 PM

Seems like a lot of wasted time, but I don't think people appreciate the respect that this shows for the enthusiasts (aka fanboys) on the web. It might seem devious, but it adds to the fun of it all. Bay doesn't have to even acknowledge the fanboys because he knows the movie will make millions whether they approve or not. It seems silly to have fake scripts, but it just shows that Bay cares about the film.

Personally, I never understood why people would want to know the whole movie anyhow before they see it. To his their own, I guess.

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Product_of_You writes:
on Nov 10 2007 11:37 PM

If only the script for the first film had been a fake.

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harrismonkey writes:
on Nov 11 2007 12:18 AM

"If only the script for the first film had been a fake."

Amen.

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High School With Money writes:
on Nov 11 2007 01:27 AM

Regardless of how I feel about Bay, I just have to love someone who screws with fans, the fickle, whiny bunch they are. Let them drown in this Information Age. Sure beats constant damage control to soothe them.

But this could backfire with fake designs and scripts being better than the end result.

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Poddington writes:
on Nov 11 2007 03:56 AM

I really enjoyed the Transformers movie, admittedly not as much as I enjoy listening to the hillarious nonsensical ramblings of fanboys, but still, I enjoyed it. I'm not entirely sure why I'd be expecting a sophisticated script without humour without a director who specialised in action films when I'm watching... a film based on a children's television series created to sell toys, but oh well.

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TheAncientEnemy writes:
on Nov 11 2007 09:18 AM

The best part about Transformers was the fact that people complained about Michael Bay directing a movie that is based on a cartoon that was made for the sole purpose of selling toys.

Yes, let's debate the merits of Bay's interpretation and get upset when he does not remain faithful to the source material (read: 30 minute commercials) and instead just makes a movie to rake in the money. What betrayal!

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FernandoDANTE writes:
on Nov 11 2007 09:54 AM

In reply to this comment (#1266513)
Agreed.

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PatrickLeo writes:
on Nov 11 2007 10:14 AM

Shia has great skills and will be a very successful actor. Don't mistake good comic timing for character type. Seems like someone here holds a prejudice towards a guy who got his start on a Disney show. I think Bay's doing a good thing in leaking misinformation for punks who take pleasure in leaking the story of a film before it's completed.
What a way to harm the fruit of hard work of the creators as well as the excitment and anticipation for the fans. I've singed enough NDAs to know the damage that can be caused by unscrupulous individuals. Bay's not the prick, other way around. I say put all that spare time and passion into something constructive. Get really good at something useful in the film industry. Or a bona fide critic.

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xxJOxSNxx writes:
on Nov 11 2007 10:21 AM

I enjoyed the first one and i'll enjoy this one just more fighting would be good and keep the main actors e.g. Shia he was brilliant. i just van't believe i heard some bad comments all ican say is bring on the movies :D

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blank blank writes:
on Nov 11 2007 11:23 AM

the movie didnt really do anything for me, even as useless entertainment eye candy, so, whatever

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gigantor21 writes:
on Nov 11 2007 11:24 AM

In reply to this comment (#1268530)
380687
High School With Money writes:
on Nov 11 2007 01:27 AM

"Regardless of how I feel about Bay, I just have to love someone who screws with fans, the fickle, whiny bunch they are. Let them drown in this Information Age. Sure beats constant damage control to soothe them."

Well, it's pretty one-sided in this case. So it's not just whining fanboys. If it was someone with genuine clout and talent, and the first one was good, I'd agree with you.

"But this could backfire with fake designs and scripts being better than the end result."

I wouldn't be surprised at all. In fact, I kind of expect it--especially regarding the scripts.

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N720MF writes:
on Nov 11 2007 11:33 AM

Michael Bay: "We have three very good writers."

Uh, I clicked on the links for these "very good writers" and I had to use a hand towel to wipe off the **** that was loaded on my screen?

Legend of Zorro? Blood and Chocolate? The Ring? These are not "good" screenplays, by any stretch.

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stevegilpin writes:
on Nov 11 2007 11:47 AM

I just watched Transformers the other day. That was one of the worst movies I have ever seen. Shame on you, Michael Bay.

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The_Duckling writes:
on Nov 11 2007 12:59 PM

i loved transformers, despite it having almost no plot, not enough transformer duke-it-out time, and looking like one giant, 2 1/2 hour long chevy commercial. My guess is that Bay is gonna leak the real script out, but nobody will think its real, just as a ***** you to his fans.

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harrismonkey writes:
on Nov 11 2007 03:33 PM

"I just watched Transformers the other day. That was one of the worst movies I have ever seen. Shame on you, Michael Bay. "

I've actually found that it's quite good on DVD if I just watch the 20 minutes of the movie where the robots actually fight with the language turned to french so I don't have to listen to any of the dialogue. After about the second viewing I could also follow what was going on in the final battle scene. It no longer seemed incomprehensible.

ILM did a great job.

I'm looking forward to the next one's DVD release for more than it's theatrical run. :P

P.S. I do wonder if Michael Bay realizes just how funny it is that every time Iron Hide goes anywhere he does a bunch of summersault rolls. Because no one can hit you when you're summersaulting.

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Hamburglar23 writes:
on Nov 11 2007 04:55 PM

Make it BEAST WARS that way everyone is happy since there is no humans in BEast wars and beast wars would have a awesome ending

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Hamburglar23 writes:
on Nov 11 2007 04:57 PM

Make it BEAST WARS that way everyone is happy since there is no humans in BEast wars and beast wars would have a awesome ending

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GhostSong writes:
on Nov 11 2007 07:09 PM

I hope in the sequels it doesn't focus on the robots so much. I didn't even get why they were there.

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MrTravis writes:
on Nov 11 2007 09:02 PM

More Grimlock

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