Transformers 2007 Movie Script Review

Its now being hailed at the most anticipated movie of 2007, and its production has been a long time in the making and the subject of much fan speculation, cheer, and frustration.

I have read John Roger’s script, “Pime Directive.” I am going to let you know right now I am a Transformers fan. I’ve read virtually every issue of every comic series, spent thousands on toys, and can recite the 1986 movie word for word. But I’m also a movie fan, and would rather have no new Transformer movie than another terrible summer action movie, and I recognize how even the best adaptations end up shattered promises, failing to deliver on the origins of a great source.

New elements do not puzzle or needlessly change the history of the franchise, but enhance the narrative, allowing the introduction and origin to be told in a more accesible way. The military presence in the movie is felt throughout, and not only does it work, it makes me wonder why the army never took up arms against Transformers before. This does not take away, this does not change, this adds to the story.

Not to say its perfect. In fact, theres 2 characters I don’t really care for at all and could be taken out completely and even losing their expository dialog we’d still have a functional plot and movie. But I do like what I have read. It will not win any academy awards, but it will satisfy a summer movie audience.

Weighing in at 112 pages, this would make the movie, if shot directly from the page, a little less than 2 hours. Fans might not like that it takes a while to really get any Autobots, but the first half of Spiderman and Batman Begins are decidedly without the title hero, so its not that big a deal. It is felt right away this is a movie for Michael Bay when action sequences come with little down time within minutes of the films start. This will be a spectacle film, and I have high hopes the fights suggested on the page translate into elaborate brawls and firefights.

I’m also happy to report the new characters Blackout and Barricade are really cool. Blackout (called “Vortex” in script) is a military attack helicopter, and one of the largest Decepticons. He’s involved very early on in the film, and is interesting enough to make you wonder why any helicopter Transformers of the past had been this well utilized. Barricade (script name “Brawl”) is a high powered police car, and while theres no corny “bad cop” stuff in his dialog or actions, it all really works when put together.

Thats really a ringing endorsement if there ever was one. This movie is not corny. It is not Scooby Doo. Its not Spy Kids. It takes itself seriously whenever possible. The Bumblebee & Spike stuff is bordering on stupid, but Shia LaBeouf is a good comedic actor and he may be able to pull this off. Everyone involved openly says they want to start a new movie franchise, and Michael Bay is anxious to direct a movie kids and parents can both enjoy. I’ve got to have faith they’re not interested in ruining it for the existing fans, and really trying to make new ones.

Continue on for a spoiler-enhanced review.

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The Megatron I read in the script is appropriate for this body. In fact, G1 and BW Megs would fit in well in this body, as neither had any taste for humans, their planet, or their technology. This Megatron has been lost and locked up on a planet he already didn’t like, and he’s none to happy to find his brother Prime here too.

Yeah. Brother.
Ok, so thats a difference that might be hard to overcome for those steeped in the mythology of the comics and such, but considering how polar opposite Prime and Megatron are, I think it works nicely. Its certainly better than Prime’s other brother or any of his clones over the years.

Optimus Prime has his fair share of lines, and all of the Autobots get some character defining moments. Whats really missing is any kind of Decepticon characterization. Megatron doesn’t play an active part in the story until way late in the movie and still has more lines than any of the other Decepticons. Though I guess Barricade, Scorponok, Blackout, and Frenzy making life hell for the humans with actions over words for the first hour does make up for that a little bit.

I guess what is really missing is Starscream. He’s a more well drawn character than Megatron in past stories, with a far more iconic look and nature. He’s a bad guy even the other bad guys won’t trust. So why is he left with only 2 lines here? I’m hoping the fact that he’s still standing when the smoke clears at the end means he can take up as the lead threat in a sequel.

One thing I will not spoil: The deathtoll is on par with the ’86 movie. No one will be disappointed, and all will be shocked.

You can watch this exact page of the script being filmed on Access Hollywood. This is exactly what I was talking about. Theres an excellent oppurtunity for a bad or lazy writer to insert cop jokes for Sam or Barricade. Maybe I shouldn’t congratulate the writers for not taking the low road, but that happens too often in movies and in Transformers, and its refreshing to not have an eye rolling groaner in the middle of what should be a frightening scene.

For even MORE Transformers 2007 movie news…
Character Names & Images for Transformers Movie
Transformers Movie Megatron Revealed
Peter Cullen is Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime’s movie truck mode
Optimus Prime – Robot Revealed?
Transformers Movie: Picture of Bumblebee on the set