Film Thread

[petep1981]

I actually don't mind the Transformers movies.

I'll admit I watch the latest one with Mark Wahlberg and had no idea what was going on, but I enjoyed it because it was one big action scene.

Say that being a 80s kid, Prime was my hero growing up and I don't think I'll ever be able to fully recover from him dying in the cartoon movie.

[hugo]

I slept through half of all the transformers movies. Not that they're bad or anything, just plain boring to me when you have a buttload of robots to parade around and you spend a lot of time on human drama and the rest is just slow motion sequences of debris blowing all over the place.

[Doogz]

Terminator Genisys was awful, haha.

It had a lot of potential. Unfortunately it was ruined by a ridiculously convoluted story and bad casting choices. 

I've been watching the Transformers films periodically, and they're actually all pretty cool, but they all seem to degenerate into an hour long battle scene that's so all over the place you no longer know who's fighting who or even care.  Weirdest movie formula ever, haha.

The first one of those Bayformers movies was okay, but the robot fight scenes suffered because you could hardly tell who was who. Then they sorted that out in the second film, only to give it a ham-fisted shit plot. The less said about the third one the better. Haven't seen Marky-MarkFormers yet.

Besides, there's only one REAL Transformers movie, and it was made in the 80's. :-)

[winterburner]

Only ever saw the first live action Transformers film, I think. Can't remember anything about the plot, so let that speak for itself. The most impressive thing are the CGI models of the Transformers. I mean, the level of detail is phenomenal. And the films are, I reckon, decent CGI action so should be somewhat enjoyable to watch.

Wasn't there a ridiculous Nokia product placement scene in the first one? "Nokia, that, like, Japanese?" "No, Finnish" Torilla tavataan jne.

[Al Hungerstrike]

I hear you all about the confusion with transformers movies by the end of it. I can't help but recall an interview with Michael Bay who identified himself as a post-content director. Yes, apparently that is a thing now. So he was saying in the interview that it is important in film to show spectacle without the need to attach narrative to it. No wonder his movies are often bereft of characters with depth or narrative.

Regarding terminator genysis. The trailer before the movie came out actually showed the major "plot twist". So when you see the film, you can't help but be non-plussed at the reveal. What a blunder that was. Anyway, I only count the first 2 movies. Also, I did really enjoy the Sarah Connor Chronicles TV show, touched on the interplay between using and fighting the machines really cleverly I think. Since 3, the movies have continued to build upon my disappointment for what was in the beginning an incredible post-apocalyptic universe. Such a shame.

[Doogz]

Rewatched T2 the other night actually. Such a perfect film, even 25 years later!

[hugo]

T1 and T2 are God.

[Al Hungerstrike]

I know. Both are so good. I feel T2 still holds up pretty well in special effects department too.

[Doogz]

Watched "BatFleck vs Supermope"(sic) last night.

What strikes me is this; Both Marvel and DC (well, Warner Bros) have now shown that they know how to make films that have all the tension, drama, emotion you expect from a superhero franchise. The difference is, Marvel also know how to pace it and make it FUN.

Can't fault the acting, Affleck is fantastic as an older, more cynical and less forgiving Bruce Wayne. And can't really fault the last 30 mins, where DC finally get their act together and salvage some thrills and enjoyment for the audience, which bodes well for both the forthcoming Wonder Woman and Justice League movies. Overall though, this really was a laborious two-and-a-half hours that I'd struggle to sit through in its entirety again.

[Al Hungerstrike]

I think I'll pass. Upcoming solo batman movies should be good though.