ROTTEN TOMATOES: Michael Bay Talks "Transformers" ... and "Bad Boys 3"?

Michael Bay Talks "Transformers" ... and "Bad Boys 3"?

by Scott Weinberg | February 16, 2007

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With his "Transformers" movie about to move into a worldwide full-court press push, director Michael Bay sat down with MTV's Josh Horowitz to discuss his "robots in disguise" epic ... and that's not all he talked about.

I'll just pass along my favorite Bay quotes and then let you read the whole piece for yourself.

1. "There are some mind-blowing visual effects and we're not even going to show them in the commercials. Normally when they advertise movies they show everything. Steven (Spielberg) and I are just going to show a few pieces."

2. "Yeah, of course you want to create a franchise. If you do "Transformers 2," we definitely have to go bigger."

3. "Oh yeah, there are tons of people that hate me and hate my movies. But hey, my movies have made a lot of money, two-something billion dollars. That's a lot of tickets. They said that I wrecked cinema. They said that I cut too fast and now you see it in movies everywhere. It's easy to bash a movie but until they know hard it is to actually make one ..."

Personally, I've always kinda liked Michael Bay. I think there's some pretty slick stuff to be found in "The Rock," "Bad Boys," and "The Island" -- and yes, I also quite enjoy "Armageddon." (There, I said it.) On the other hand, I'd rather wash my eyeballs with garlic before sitting through "Pearl Harbor" again, and the less said about "Bad Boys 2" the better. But if ever there was a perfect marriage between filmmaker and subject matter, I'd say it might be "Michael Bay" and "The Transformers." Guess we'll find out this summer.

Click here for the full interview at MTV Movies. "Transformers" opens on July 4th.

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Celeb:	Michael Bay
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Movie:	Bad Boys
	The Rock
	Armageddon
	Pearl Harbor
	Bad Boys II
	The Island
	Transformers

(1-20 of 42 posts) | Reply

7vonday writes:
on Feb 16 2007 06:49 AM

[b]Bad Boys II, are you kidding[/b]
I think there's some pretty slick stuff to be found in "The Rock," "Bad Boys," and "The Island". On the other hand, I'd rather wash my eyeballs with garlic before sitting through "Pearl Harbor" again, and the less said about "Bad Boys 2" the better.

How the hell do you rank Bad Boys II, below "The Island"? The concept was cool, the movie was stupid! And we turn to you for a review, you probely think "Street Fighter: The Movie", is better then "Undisputed II" as well! "And", then through "Armageddon" in there like it was only just a watchable film. Your taste in some movies somewhat scares the "HELL" out of me. (Most notably in action & scifi movies)

(Reply to this)

Dono writes:
on Feb 16 2007 06:55 AM

In reply to this comment (#856025)
easy now..

(Reply to this)

lonechicken writes:
on Feb 16 2007 07:05 AM

Bad Boys 2 ruled. Has there ever been more mayhem in car chases than that movie? Not Ronin, French Connection, Gone in 60 Seconds, The Rock, Terminator 2, nor Terminator 3. And it was pretty damn funny too.

(Reply to this)

dOiNk writes:
on Feb 16 2007 07:28 AM

[b]screw the haters![/b]
Michael Bay rocks, plain and simple. Movies are typically filled with amazing action scenes, great actors, and some fantastic music. He's one of the few guys out there where you absolutely have to see his movies on the big screen.

And what's with the Bad Boys 2 hate? That movie was fantastic... Some people just love to hate for the hell of it I think.

(Reply to this)

sir_mcchris_the_pirate writes:
on Feb 16 2007 08:02 AM

am I the only one who liked Pearl Harbor?

(Reply to this)

jeremyd4 writes:
on Feb 16 2007 08:39 AM

In reply to this comment (#856029)
yes.

...even Michael Bay himself thinks it blows.

(Reply to this)

taran72 writes:
on Feb 16 2007 09:13 AM

"They said that I cut too fast and now you see it in movies everywhere. It's easy to bash a movie but until they know hard it is to actually make one ..."

Ummm no...finding a good screenplay/script is the hard part. At least for YOU, it seems. Action sequences are EASY when you have a blank check. Go back to directing school and take Subtlety 101 again, you whiny moron. I don't care how much money your movies make - the only reason they do so is because of the big-time actors you get. The Island failed because you didn't follow this rule.

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Hieremias writes:
on Feb 16 2007 09:54 AM

Well I liked Bad Boys 2 at least as much as the first. I'd definitely be up for another go-round.

Hated Armageddon and Pearl Harbor, of course.

(Reply to this)

spawnwest writes:
on Feb 16 2007 10:17 AM

Bay has failed to realize that the only reason his movies made a lot of money is because of the hype created and used to market his films. A lot of people fall and jump on the bandwagon when something is hyped up, in turn a lot of movie tickets sold. Because of the hype everybody wants to go out and see the movie. However, after you watch the movie you realize that you have wasted 2 hours of your life on movies like the Island, Pearl Harbour, Armageddon, Bad Boys, etc. Good movies call attention where people are seeking sequel, or are wanting to watch the movie more than once (maybe even over and over) because it is that good. Nobody wants a sequel or prequel to the Island, armageddon, and please stop with bad boys. The movies Bay creates are good for one thing, you only watch his movies when there's nothing else on tv, for example, the president makes a speech, a vote recount, or some major sporting event, or holiday where tv networks like (usa, tnt, tbs, fx, fox) will play anything because the majority of the people will be tuned in to the sporting event, speech, politicial whatever, etc.

(Reply to this)

Kid_Ikarus writes:
on Feb 16 2007 10:24 AM

I hope he keeps making films just to piss you guys off, I think it's hilarious how bent out of shape you guys get about him.

(Reply to this)

indiephantom writes:
on Feb 16 2007 11:03 AM

[b]I confess...I love Michael Bay movies[/b]
Seriously, every one of them, especially the "Bad Boys" films. I've never been bored and I think his films look absolutely gorgeous...especially "Pearl Harbor"

Glad to hear I'm not the only one, lonechicken and dOiNk. It's time Bay gets some credit for actually delivering on the promise off big blockbuster action.

(Reply to this)

Merlin235 writes:
on Feb 16 2007 12:08 PM

This movie will probably be cool. Bay does action pretty well. They at least look very nice. Personally, I liked The Rock, The Island, Armageddon. Didn't like Bad Boys, Bad Boys 2, or Pearl Harbor. I'd say he's about 50/50 in my book.

(Reply to this)

murray84 writes:
on Feb 16 2007 12:15 PM

yea im a fan of Bay as well..i loved bad boys 2..it may be long and pointless..but who cares... lol
lookin forward to transformers!!

(Reply to this)

helmetinthebush writes:
on Feb 16 2007 12:30 PM

[b]I own the Island and The Rock[/b]
Okay so they were previously-viewed, but still, I do enjoy his movies. Only real stinker was Pearl Harbour.
A sequel does not a good movie make, personally I think there are far too many sequels and not enough orginal stuff out there, so i don't agree wth spawnwest. (Just look at the horror movie sequels coming out)
And he's only made 6 major movies, is that really enough to judge someone as far to say he's ruining cinema? Movies are for ENTERTAINMENT people, and he has done a good job of that. I mean, he's no Uwe Boll, come on now!
Oh and I'm looking forward to Transformers as well.
P.S. Looks like I'm strolling down my childhood cartoon memory lane this year with a new Ninja Turtles movie and Simpsons movie to watch this year as well.

(Reply to this)

Circe Prankster writes:
on Feb 16 2007 12:34 PM

I agree with Merlin - I've enjoyed some of his movies as fun eye-candy popcorn entertainment. The Rock was fine and I also liked The Island - not brilliant by any means, but I wouldn't deluge it with the outpouring of hate it has received. It was silly, so what? If you don't expect depth you won't be disappointed.

The problem with Pearl Harbor was that Bay took on a real historical subject, one that merited complex, sensitive treatment, and that's not his forte. The cheesy oversimplification to which he is prone just became offensive in that context. But for Transformers I think it will be appropriate and probably damn entertaining.

(Reply to this)

Santos L. Halper writes:
on Feb 16 2007 12:47 PM

I'm not sure where all the Bay hate comes from. I enjoy his movies. Good mindless action films

(Reply to this)

dOiNk writes:
on Feb 16 2007 12:52 PM

In reply to this comment (#856033)
[b]yeah ok[/b]
Wasted 2 hours? The Island was a pretty cool movie and Bad Boys was fantastic... I fail to see what was wrong with either one. Island had a pretty original story, awesome action, and great music. Bad Boys had the same except it had a better cast, great humor, and awesome chemistry between the main characters... What more do you want?

(Reply to this)

Foxtalker writes:
on Feb 16 2007 01:23 PM

I don't even know why people are acting like this isn't going to be the biggest movie event of July. Seriously, even if you despise Bay, think Transformers are "just toys," and have a date with 2 high school cheerleaders for the 4th, you will be in line for this movie. It's goddamn Febuary and the hype of this movie is just starting to swell. I mean I was on ESPN.com checking up on scores and they had a poll for what people are most hyped about this summer. It was something like the start of the MLB season, NFL offseason, something else, and "The Transformers" movie. AND IT WAS GODDAMN SECOND!! Transformers is a cultural icon and if you throw in the billions there going to be spending on ads when the movie ISN'T 5 months away, you've got one powerhouse of a movie. And I can't friggin wait.

Autobots! Roll Out!

(Reply to this)

ZiGyStRdUsT writes:
on Feb 16 2007 02:11 PM

I think everyone hates Michael Bay because he is a sort of symbol of the commercialization of film. His movies are very shallow and most of the time not worth a damn. The only movie I liked of his was "The Rock", and partly because I love Sean Connery. I dont HATE him, but he is not a good director, maybe a mediocer one.

BTW, I reserve my opinion of Transformers. There is one thing that dissapoints me and one that gived me hope for the movie. It does'nt seem that the movie is going to be too loyal to the series, but at the same time Spielberg is involved and that makes me happy.

(Reply to this)

kickout2005 writes:
on Feb 16 2007 07:48 PM

sick i love bad boys 2 and would completely be there for a 3rd installment opening day

(Reply to this)