Independence Day for Transformers Live Action

Homepage by FrontalLobe · 2005-07-14 08:02 · Score: 5, Informative

They've already got their homepage set up.
Homepage

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-FL

Re:Homepage by John+Seminal · 2005-07-14 08:26 · Score: 0, Offtopic

They've already got their homepage set up.
it is macromedia flash, something i don't have on my computer, and something i refuse to instal.

damn it!

what ever happened to the low bandwith page, incase someone wanted to veiw a simple html page? at one point in time, lots of websites gave a non-frame, non-macromedia, low bandwith alternative link. it is a nice courtesy.

--
Rosco: "If brains were gunpowder, Enos couldn't blow his nose."
Re:Homepage by ErikZ · 2005-07-14 08:34 · Score: 4, Funny

bah. You kids and your bandwidth hogging HTML pages. I actually visited the Mosaic offices when they were working on the first internet browser. "Pictures? You know how long it takes to download pictures over a modem? And look how much space those markups are taking up."

Yeah, if only we could go back and live in 1993 forever man.

--
Democrats or Republicans. They are both taking us to the same place and they are not afraid of us anymore.
Re:Homepage by einstienbc · 2005-07-14 10:08 · Score: 1

Michael Bay directs. Hrm...
Oh damn! No robo-boobies!

--
If you die horribly on television, you will not have died in vain. You will have entertained us.
--Kurt Vonnegut

Interesting, however... by opposume · 2005-07-14 08:02 · Score: 4, Interesting

Let's hope it's not another AI flop. Seriously though, cool concept, but I'm curious as to how they're going to pull it off "live action"

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I haven't lost my mind. It's backed up on disk somewhere.

Re:Interesting, however... by AKAImBatman · 2005-07-14 08:05 · Score: 2, Interesting

Let's hope it's not another AI flop.

I was waiting for someone to mention that. You must understand that A.I. was not Speilburgs movie! The movie was Kubrick's, but he died before he could finish it. Out of professional curtesy and respect for Kubrick himself, Speilburg finished the movie.

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Javascript + Nintendo DSi = DSiCade
Re:Interesting, however... by garcia · 2005-07-14 08:08 · Score: 2, Insightful

Let's hope it's not another AI flop. Seriously though, cool concept, but I'm curious as to how they're going to pull it off "live action"

Are you somehow trying to infer that the reason that AI "flopped" was because of the actors not successfully pulling off acting like the director's vision of humanlike robots?

If that's what you meant, I'm sorry to inform you that you are absolutely wrong. The actors did an incredible job of staying true of the vision of humanlike robots. The rest of the story, in typical Kubrikish fashion, was probably less than enthralling for 90% of the viewers because they expect non-stop-action to keep them "entertained". Rather than paying attention to the beauty of the movie and the hard work those actors put in they were bored by long stretches of quiet time and scenes that required thought.

AI was an excellent movie in those regards and should be watched again by you, and anyone else who thinks otherwise, you might see something you didn't the first time... Perhaps you were only regurgitating what you heard in the media around the release date though?
Re:Interesting, however... by blighter · 2005-07-14 08:15 · Score: 2, Interesting

I agree, to a point.
AI is a very good movie (I'm kind of reserved about excellent, though many of Kubrik's films do qualify in my estimation) up until the point (SPOILER!) where the child robot finds the blue fairy at the bottom of the sea.

When the scene faded out from him wishing over and over again I thought it was an absolutely beautiful and profound movie.

Then came the 20 minute welded-on happy ending that completely ruined it for me. I've always wondered if the ending was concocted and hacked on by Spielburg or if Kubrik put it in there himself.
Re:Interesting, however... by Bitsy+Boffin · 2005-07-14 08:22 · Score: 4, Insightful

The only reason that AI was a _box_office_ flop is that the morons in the world (the majority) when they heard it was a "Science Fiction" movie were expecting guns, shooting, robots killing robots, robots killing humans, explosions, implosions...

AI was an excellent movie, it's not an action movie, perhaps that's part of the reason it's an excellent movie.

--
NZ Electronics Enthusiasts: Check out my Trade Me Listings
Re:Interesting, however... by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:25 · Score: 0

Oh if only this beast took just 20 minutes to die at the end.
Good film, touching scenes, all good. However, then there comes a bit that there are too many touching scenes, it becomes a bit too epic, and basically, by the third day of viewing the week long movie it as appealing as that terrible pain in your rump you get from sitting there for so long.

I'm a Kubrick fan, 2001 is my favourite movie of all time. I like and respect Spielberg, Jaws is fantastic, so on, so forth. Judge this movie on its own merits and I find it's overblown, hyperbolic, and for the final third, the journey over water, the frozen bits, the alien bits, all that crap - wrong direction, wrong implementation, poorly edited.

This is nothing about attention span, or working with the movie. I've watched more challenging and more rewarding movies. This one was just bad - not completely bad, but overall 'must try harder'.
Re:Interesting, however... by BewireNomali · 2005-07-14 08:32 · Score: 1

dude, thematically and storywise, AI was Spielberg's movie. I'm a huge Kubrick fan; and it's almost an insult to attribute AI to the Kubrick body of work.

No insult to Spielberg and his fans, but Kubrick is a completely different caliber of director.

Prevalent in most recent Spielberg films is the father/son paradigm from the perspective of the son, usually a little boy. Minority Report, War of the Worlds, AI, etc. The theme predominates.

Kubrick is more a "thinking" director, critical, analytical, and Spielberg is "feeling".... more emotive. It's why Spielberg's films have been by far more successful financially. That and the fact that Kubrick was an overly-indulgent editor. Appealing to emotion is a wider net to cast than an appeal to intellect.

--
un burrito me trampeó.
Re:Interesting, however... by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:35 · Score: 0

yes i agree...his OPINION is factually wrong.
Re:Interesting, however... by Bitsy+Boffin · 2005-07-14 08:37 · Score: 1

I don't know, I think it was important to get across the fact that although the mecha were mistreated, even reviled during the first part of the movie, it is eventually they who survive and evolve into advanced compassionate beings, while the humans wither into nothingness.

The discovery of David shows us that the AI survived, the events that transpire after that show that they have become what humans should strive to be.

--
NZ Electronics Enthusiasts: Check out my Trade Me Listings
Re:Interesting, however... by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:38 · Score: 0

Actually, the only screwed up part about the ending was the mom-thing... the fact they found him all those years later frozen impressed on me greatly the unswerving determination of the kid, and tugged on my emotions. I'm glad that was in the movie. The rest of the ending, slice and dice it off and you have a better movie.
Re:Interesting, however... by Aeiri · 2005-07-14 08:39 · Score: 2, Interesting

Rather than paying attention to the beauty of the movie and the hard work those actors put in they were bored by long stretches of quiet time and scenes that required thought.

So, if people put a lot of work into a movie, it is automatically good?

I have to disagree. I saw AI, and it was not "beautiful". It was not only boring, but the story was horrible, and the scenes were dull. I even like the majority of what Kubrick puts out.

If you are wanting a strange, beautiful, weird, and strange movie, I would recommend Brazil or The Life Aquatic.
Re:Interesting, however... by ErikZ · 2005-07-14 08:39 · Score: 1

Happy ending?! Man, what kind of crappy life do you lead to have that be the happy ending?

Spoiler:
Did you just not notice the extinction of the human race. Or that the one person he loved only lived for a day?

Geez!

--
Democrats or Republicans. They are both taking us to the same place and they are not afraid of us anymore.
Re:Interesting, however... by autopr0n · 2005-07-14 08:45 · Score: 1

Are you somehow trying to infer that the reason that AI "flopped" was because of the actors not successfully pulling off acting like the director's vision of humanlike robots? I was assuming because Spielberg was involved. Spielberg does good, if cheesy movies, but he's only producing. Michael Bay is directing, so I'm sure it will be both financially successful and terrible

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autopr0n is like, down and stuff.
Re:Interesting, however... by garcia · 2005-07-14 08:47 · Score: 1

If you are wanting a strange, beautiful, weird, and strange movie, I would recommend Brazil or The Life Aquatic.

I have seen both. The Life Aquatic isn't even in the same "beauty" ballpark that I'm talking about. In fact, the movie was so boring and tired that I passed out.

AI, OTOH, is an amazing cinematic work meant for people that like to enjoy movies deeper than the crap that you generally see on the screen.

I don't expect the typical moviegoer to understand that though.
Re:Interesting, however... by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:49 · Score: 0

I am a physicist.

The ending was stupid. It may have not been a action movie, but it wasn't a science fiction movie either. Or at least it stopped being one at the end.
Re:Interesting, however... by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:50 · Score: 0

AI was an excellent movie in those regards and should be watched again by you, and anyone else who thinks otherwise, you might see something you didn't the first time...

Like a point???

The movie sucked. Sorry, but now can I have those three hours of my life back?
Re:Interesting, however... by lucky130 · 2005-07-14 08:54 · Score: 1

AI was far from excellent, mostly because Spielberg destroyed the end of the movie and Kubrick wasn't alive to fix it. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy watching it, I just turn it off before it degenerates into pointless drivel.
Re:Interesting, however... by hilaryduff · 2005-07-14 08:54 · Score: 1

it wasnt THAT bad! but i agree it wasnt a "the shining" by a long, long way. i think sometimes there can be a consensus of when a movie is terrible (battlefield earth) but when sometimes people can be divided.. like with A.I. different strokes for different folks i suppose. example: a lot of teenagers have mentioned to me how they hated 'napoleon dynamite' but people over 20 generally love it.
Re:Interesting, however... by dasunt · 2005-07-14 08:57 · Score: 2, Insightful

The only reason that AI was a _box_office_ flop is that the morons in the world (the majority) when they heard it was a "Science Fiction" movie were expecting guns, shooting, robots killing robots, robots killing humans, explosions, implosions...

Instead we had a fairy tale that took place in the future, so it was 'Science Fiction.'

So in addition to disappointing those who wanted a popcorn click, it disappointed those who were looking for something more then a retelling of pinocchio with androids.
Re:Interesting, however... by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:59 · Score: 0

Please note - http://imdb.com/title/tt0212720/fullcredits Stanley Kubrik had not a single thing to do with this terrible film. Unless you thing someone like Kubrik would remove himself from the credits. Please note also, Spielburg wrote the screenplay.
Re:Interesting, however... by amliebsch · 2005-07-14 09:03 · Score: 1

I disliked not that the ending was "happy," for, as you point out, it is not objectively happy. Rather, my chief complaint was that the tacked-on ending was unnecessarily emotional. The final scenes seemed deliberatitely contrived to jerk the tears and confuse the audience into thinking that there was a profound idea there. Contrast with 2001, which had no people in it getting all weepy and hugging each other. In fact, there were few displays of any emotion whatsoever in that movie, and certainly none designed deliberately to tug the heartstrings.
Hmm. As I think about this, I realize how odd 2001 really was, but damned if I don't love it.

--
If you don't know where you are going, you will wind up somewhere else.
Re:Interesting, however... by sgant · 2005-07-14 09:08 · Score: 2, Interesting

This WAS Kubricks pet project for a long long time. He's the one that developed the story/screenplay from the short story. But it was also said that a long time ago he decided not to direct it and always had Spielberg in mind to direct it while he produced it.

From the IMDB: "Stanley Kubrick worked on the project for 12 years before his death, but along the way decided to let Steven Spielberg direct saying it was "closer to his sensibilities". The two collaborated for years, resulting in Kubrick giving Spielberg a complete treatment and lots of conceptual art for the film prior to his death."

But in the end, you're right, it wasn't a Kubrick movie, it was a Spielberg movie and perhaps it would have turned out a tad different if Stanley was alive during the production. But who knows, everyone can play the "what if" game till the cows come home to roost or whatever.

--

"Leo Fender was in a 'state of grace' when he designed the Stratocaster." -- Paul Reed Smith
Re:Interesting, however... by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 09:09 · Score: 0

Get over yourself you miserable fuck.

"I don't expect the typical moviegoer to understand that though."

Sure you don't you elitist asshole. Wanking off to haughty, overblown crap doesn't make you any more intelligent - it just shows you value a different brand of crap.

AI was a series of nonsensical vignettes, sexed up with some hollywood effects... it's too bad they couldn't have applied the "suspension of disbelief" to the fucking story, now isn't it?

OH NO I AM A BOY AND I AM UNLOVED AND NOW I MUST LEAVE AND FIGURE OUT IF I AM A REAL BOY AND FUCKERS LIKE YOU MUST THINK "OMG IT IS AN ALLEGORY FOR PINNOCHIO AND HAS LIKE METAPHORS AND SHIT AND AIN'T I SO CLEVER TIME TO SUCK MY OWN COCK TO CELEBRATE."

Then that stupid asscrap meanders on and on and it still doesn't fucking end. No pacing, no coherent connection between action and effect, just "here's some shit I thought of when I was fucked up on coke... it's ART. IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT YOU DON'T APPRECIATE ART!"

No you idiot your random shit isn't art. And you're not half so smart as you think you are. So please, shut the fuck up, asshole.
Re:Interesting, however... by sgant · 2005-07-14 09:14 · Score: 2, Insightful

The end was pure Spielberg that's for sure. To me, the end should have been with David down at the bottom of the ocean staring at the "blue fairy" for ever...caught in a loop.

Camera pulls out. Screen Goes black. Directed by Steven Spielberg.

No aliens, no cloned mother. Ambiguous ending.

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"Leo Fender was in a 'state of grace' when he designed the Stratocaster." -- Paul Reed Smith
Re:Interesting, however... by garcia · 2005-07-14 09:16 · Score: 1

And you're not half so smart as you think you are. So please, shut the fuck up, asshole.

I'm all about cursing and not linking intelligence factor to it but, man, that post was worthless trolling!

At least if you're going to try to make a valid argument that somehow relates to my intelligence and lack of good judgement in regards to movies then, in the future, might I suggest a different approach?

Douchebag.
Re:Interesting, however... by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 09:20 · Score: 0

AI was good until spielberg jizzed all over the cellulose
Re:Interesting, however... by metamatic · 2005-07-14 09:21 · Score: 1

The final 20 minute ending of "Ai" is the most egregious example of a deus ex machina ending I've ever seen in a movie, so I have a hard time believing that Kubrick wouldn't have known better.

--
GCHQ Quantum Insert installed. If only our tongues were made of glass, how much more careful we would be when we speak
Re:Interesting, however... by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 09:24 · Score: 0

Get over yourself you miserable fuck.

"The only reason that AI was a _box_office_ flop is that the morons in the world (the majority) when they heard it was a "Science Fiction" movie were expecting guns, shooting, robots killing robots, robots killing humans, explosions, implosions."

Sure you elitist asshole. Wanking off to haughty, overblown crap doesn't make you any more intelligent - it just shows you value a different brand of crap.

AI was a series of nonsensical vignettes, sexed up with some hollywood effects... it's too bad they couldn't have applied the "suspension of disbelief" to the fucking story, now isn't it?

OH NO I AM A BOY AND I AM UNLOVED AND NOW I MUST LEAVE AND FIGURE OUT IF I AM A REAL BOY AND FUCKERS LIKE YOU MUST THINK "OMG IT IS AN ALLEGORY FOR PINNOCHIO AND HAS LIKE METAPHORS AND SHIT AND AIN'T I SO CLEVER TIME TO SUCK MY OWN COCK TO CELEBRATE."

Then that stupid asscrap meanders on and on and it still doesn't fucking end. No pacing, no coherent connection between action and effect, just "here's some shit I thought of when I was fucked up on coke... it's ART. IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT YOU DON'T APPRECIATE ART!"

No you idiot your random shit isn't art. And you're not half so smart as you think you are. So please, shut the fuck up, asshole.
Re:Interesting, however... by Gulthek · 2005-07-14 09:28 · Score: 2

Wow. Get a good view from that Ivory Tower? Perhaps not.

AI was drek passed off as sophistication by people who fool themselves into thinking it was something profound when it was merely hack philosophy and storytelling. Eloquently presented crap is still crap.

Ooooh, it's so insightful! Wow, that scene really captured the pain of unrequited human emotion even though he is a robot. Look how he never blinks...until the end, that's amazing! Yes, destroying robots highlights the harshness of human nature...but you almost pity the humans at the robot destruction rally because they will never truly experience the beauty of life as robot boy has. The robot boy creates his own belief system that never grants him peace, but science does! What an amazing, insightful commentary on organized religion!

Ok...I feel nauseated now. Great. Maybe I'll go watch Blade Runner so I can watch real insight in a beautiful film. That'll make me feel better.
Re:Interesting, however... by metamatic · 2005-07-14 09:28 · Score: 2, Funny

Get over yourself you miserable fuck. [...] [Y]ou elitist asshole. Wanking off to haughty, overblown crap doesn't make you any more intelligent - it just shows you value a different brand of crap. [...] No pacing, no coherent connection between action and effect, just "here's some shit I thought of when I was fucked up on coke... it's ART. IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT YOU DON'T APPRECIATE ART!"

No you idiot your random shit isn't art. And you're not half so smart as you think you are. So please, shut the fuck up, asshole.

What is this, "Ebert and Bill O'Reilly Go To The Movies"?

--
GCHQ Quantum Insert installed. If only our tongues were made of glass, how much more careful we would be when we speak
Re:Interesting, however... by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 09:41 · Score: 0

The Life Aquatic was a horrible movie. It tried to be funny, witty, even deep and failed miserably. I really lost brain cells watching that movie (and I have precious few as it is, and they're always taxed). In fact, everyone I went with said it was horrible too, except 1 person who thought it was the greatest movie, and watched it again.

PS: The Brazilian guitar player was the only thing worth watching in that movie.
Re:Interesting, however... by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 09:55 · Score: 0

The "extra-ending" homage to..er..himself is what ruined the spielburg movie for me.
Re:Interesting, however... by Tim+C · 2005-07-14 10:34 · Score: 1

I'm all about cursing and not linking intelligence factor to it but, man, that post was worthless trolling!

Really? You think? He's only posted it (or very similar variations on it) at least three times in this thread that I've noticed, and I've jumped in late...

--
It's official. Most of you are morons.
Re:Interesting, however... by mr_z_beeblebrox · 2005-07-14 10:34 · Score: 2, Funny

were expecting guns, shooting, robots killing robots, robots killing humans, explosions, implosions...

And don't forget hot girl on girl... oh wait, did you say science fiction?
Re:Interesting, however... by Aeiri · 2005-07-14 10:35 · Score: 1

example: a lot of teenagers have mentioned to me how they hated 'napoleon dynamite' but people over 20 generally love it.

Maybe I'm in an isolated area of the world, but I don't know one person under 40 that has seen that movie that doesn't like it. That includes teenagers, and even 7 year olds.

I know a few people over 40 that don't like it, but I also know quite a few people in their mid 50s that love it as well.

I would actually say the majority of people I know that like it are in their teens.
Re:Interesting, however... by hilaryduff · 2005-07-14 10:40 · Score: 1

well those teens who told me they didnt like/understand it are hilary duff fans, so theyre not the sharpest tools in the shed.
Re:Interesting, however... by Tim+C · 2005-07-14 10:41 · Score: 1

Well, some of us morons weren't expecting 20 minutes or so of pure schmaltz at the end, complete with a grating utter bullshit "explanation" of why his mother could only stay for 24 hours. (But then, Star Trek tends to grate on me at times; the curse of a physics degree...)

Other than ruining it in that way, yes, it was a fine film.

--
It's official. Most of you are morons.
Re:Interesting, however... by Aeiri · 2005-07-14 10:44 · Score: 1

Ok...I feel nauseated now. Great. Maybe I'll go watch Blade Runner so I can watch real insight in a beautiful film. That'll make me feel better.

I was with you up to this statement...

Blade Runner wasn't really good either, IMHO. I've heard it's a classic and all that, but I just don't get it.

It seems like just a below par Sci-Fi film with Harrison Ford in it. I don't say this because it is "different" from most Sci-Fi films, my earlier recommendation of Brazil is different from every Sci-Fi film I know of, and it's probably my favorite movie.

Blade Runner just seemed to be empty to me, it seemed more like a sci-fi/noire film mixed together, and it didn't work for me. Dark City did a better job of that.

To each his own, I guess.
Re:Interesting, however... by SirSlud · 2005-07-14 11:08 · Score: 1

AI does not have a high standing in the intellectual crowd you claim to be a part of.

It's a more 'intelligent' movie, in terms of the concepts it deals with, but that doesn't mean that the movie itself executed.

The general concensus of it is that it didn't do the concepts justice. I would really be careful about walking the line you're so intent on walking; for every you, there are 20 other people who are more qualified to judge, in the very same way you claim to be more qualified than the average movie goer.

--
"Old man yells at systemd"
Re:Interesting, however... by SirSlud · 2005-07-14 11:13 · Score: 1

I think he successfully trolled you. I think.

Blade Runner was fucking incredible, but only because it didn't purpot to be something deep in the first place.

Its a visual masterpiece, and the characters are awesome. Its a Mad Max, if you will; its not conceptually deep, it just sets up a premise, and keeps you glued to your seat until the credits roll.

Its frusterating to hear people say AI was a deep movie. Its not. It might be beautiful, but it sure as hell ain't teaching anybody other than folks for whom this IS the deepest kinda culture they expose themselves too.

--
"Old man yells at systemd"
Re:Interesting, however... by martyn+s · 2005-07-14 11:57 · Score: 1

There were no "alien bits" I have no clue what you're talking about.
Re:Interesting, however... by Frogbert · 2005-07-14 12:14 · Score: 1

I don't know, AI was a good movie but the ending just looked like it was tacked on to make everyone feel good. I think it would have been better if he just sat there on the bottom of the ocean forever.
Re:Interesting, however... by Mac+Degger · 2005-07-14 12:31 · Score: 1

Too true; however, instead of a sci-fi flick, you'd then have a /french/ movie :P

'The Game' suffered from that, too. As did 'The Shawshank redemption'...but there, all the endings where actualy very well done.

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-- Waht? Tehr's a preveiw buottn?
Re:Interesting, however... by fermion · 2005-07-14 12:36 · Score: 1

Let's face it. Half of the interest of shows like Tranformers was the animation. This is less true for shows like Robotech, but still the interesting bit was the style or drawing.
Today technology allows us to start with live actors, some practical effects, and seamlessly meld in the animation. What we end up with is something that is not quite live action, and something that is not quite animated. To make matters worse, the animation is not hand drawn, so we end up with something that has a familiar name, and familiar looking characters, but not anything that is fully recognized.

--
"She's a scientist and a lesbian. She's not going to let it slide." Orphan Black
Re:Interesting, however... by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 13:27 · Score: 0

Did you actually watch the movie? So, you think they cloned her? Interesting.
Re:Interesting, however... by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 13:33 · Score: 0

Oh, think you'll track ME, will you? You filthy communist squid sucking malignant pervert! Stop replying to your SLANDER and LIES. I demanded that my posts are removed from this board and I've sent private messages to the Owners in order for this to happen, but they're still here! I thought that you were honorable people, but instead I find that just like everyone else here you are nothing but a bunch of amoral hypocrites. I hope all of you motherfuckers DIE in the next terrorist attack which if you had any sense like me you'd know about... but I'm MORE than HAPPY to leave you morons in the dark about it, so that the Enemies of Freedom can cull out some of our own traitor population to begin with.
Re:Interesting, however... by JahToasted · 2005-07-14 15:41 · Score: 1

don't mean to nitpick, but his mother wasn't cloned, the aliens (which were robots themselves) built a robot that looked and acted like his mother so that his programme could finish.
Re:Interesting, however... by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 16:23 · Score: 1, Interesting

Did anyone even read the short story that Kubrick / Steven based this on. THE ENDING IS METAPHORICALLY IDENTICAL.

In the story, the kid finishes the remainder of his existence smelling a 'digital' rose that 'smells like mommy.' TRAGIC

In A.I., he finishes his existence in a FAKE HOME, nestled by a FAKE RECREATION of his mother that will be dead by morning. HOW IS THAT A HAPPY ENDING?

I think Kubrick would have been delighted with the incredible tragedy buried under that veneer of schmaltz.
Re:Interesting, however... by An+Onerous+Coward · 2005-07-14 18:21 · Score: 1

The same way my brother and I did: Cardboard boxes with holes for our arms.

--
You want the truthiness? You can't handle the truthiness!
Re:Interesting, however... by ejito · 2005-07-14 18:31 · Score: 1

She wasn't a robot, she was a clone (which DNA was needed for).
Re:Interesting, however... by ejito · 2005-07-14 18:38 · Score: 1

No aliens, no cloned mother. Ambiguous ending.
There were no aliens! Ugh!

I didn't like A.I., but I hate it when people criticize movies without understanding them. Something as simple as a ROBOT MOVIE having ROBOTS is too hard for people to grasp?

Gigolo Joe: You were designed and built specific, like the rest of us. And you are alone now only because they tired of you, or replaced you with a younger model, or were displeased with something you said, or broke. They made us too smart, too quick, and too many. We are suffering for the mistakes they made because when the end comes, all that will be left is us.
Re:Interesting, however... by Feanturi · 2005-07-14 20:25 · Score: 1

Those are going to be some awfully heavy costumes...
Re:Interesting, however... by bygimis · 2005-07-14 22:39 · Score: 1

Are you aware that the Brian Aldiss book ends just at that point?

The 20mins tacked on after the fairy is crap added by the director
Re:Interesting, however... by cakesy · 2005-07-14 22:46 · Score: 1

Bit worried about it, since the title of this story mentions Independence day, surely the worst sci-fi ever made (and I am including Battlefield Earth)
Re:Interesting, however... by sgant · 2005-07-14 23:01 · Score: 1

There were no aliens! Ugh!

You must have seen a different movie then. There were aliens at the end that found David (doesn't matter if they were robot aliens or not...they were far too advanced to be thrown into a "robot" category. Perhaps living robots would be more appropriate). No indication...no not even that quote from Gigolo Joe...says they were Earth robots or anything else. "when the end comes, all that will be left is us" is all fine, but still that doesn't mean the aliens were robots from Earth. So when the end comes the only thing left in the ENTIRE universe are the robots that were made on Earth? They were aliens. End of story.

I hate it when people, that have no understanding of a movie or movies in general, try to throw things in that simply were not on the screen.

--

"Leo Fender was in a 'state of grace' when he designed the Stratocaster." -- Paul Reed Smith
Re:Interesting, however... by Brendor · 2005-07-14 23:53 · Score: 1

but I'm curious as to how they're going to pull it off "live action"
Apple's page about the high end compositing app Shake has some clips and pics ofa car ad that involved a transformer-esque dancing robot.

If the sfx in this movie look anything like that we'll be in for a treat.
Re:Interesting, however... by ejito · 2005-07-15 01:04 · Score: 1

Man, you really are dense. Seriously, you guys shouldn't even mention the film until you understand the subplot of mecha in the movie. It seems the greatest critics of this movie are people who seriously don't get the ending (it was a horrible ending, but certainly had continuity).

Referred to as "superrobots":
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0212720/trivia

Spielberg on the super-mecha

Ian Watson who worked with Stanley Kubrick on AI's story:
And as for sentimental, well, at the end of his perfect day David is alone without his mother for ever and ever in a universe which contains no other life, only the evolved Mecha (robots, not visiting aliens!) who can only study the traces and leftovers of extinct human life.
Watson Interview

Yet another interview on the ending:
Kubrick Collaborator Jan Harlan
Re:Interesting, however... by sgant · 2005-07-15 03:21 · Score: 1

All the sites you list mean nothing...if it's NOT on the screen it's NOT on the screen. There is no "subplot" of mecha in the movie because it wasn't IN the movie. There was also no subplot of mecha in the original story.

I don't care about interviews with people that give their interpretations of what happened on the screen...a movie has to stand by itself and NOT have to be explained via some back story and as it stands with this movie: The creatures at the end the the movie were aliens.

Also Deckard in "Blade Runner" was NOT a replicant no matter what Ridley Scott says 20 years later either. See my point?

Another one: In "Revenge of the Sith" General Grievous is always coughing and hacking as if he has a bad cold or bronchitis. 90% of everyone that saw that had no idea why. So does this mean they, as you say, "shouldn't even mention the film until you understand the subplot"? Of course not...there's no mention of it in the film at all so therefore it really has no bearing on anything! It's only if you saw the last "Clone Wars" animated series that you would understand. And not a huge amount of people saw that. Doesn't mean they can't criticize the movie.

--

"Leo Fender was in a 'state of grace' when he designed the Stratocaster." -- Paul Reed Smith
Re:Interesting, however... by Gulthek · 2005-07-15 06:13 · Score: 1

Nah, I just read my wife's 25 page paper on the religious symbolism and allegory in Blade Runner. After watching it umpteen times you really get a feel for its subtle depth.

Watch Blade Runner while thinking about its religious connotations and you'll see what I mean.
Re:Interesting, however... by Gulthek · 2005-07-15 06:16 · Score: 1

Nah, I just read my wife's 25 page paper on the religious symbolism and allegory of Blade Runner. After watching it umpteen times you really get a feel for its subtle depth.

Watch Blade Runner while thinking about religious symbolism and you might see what I mean.

More Than Meets The Eye by bc90021 · 2005-07-14 08:02 · Score: 4, Informative

For those who are curious about what "live" action might look like for a robot movie, start here with an intro to the Citroen commercial, and then get the commercial here.

With Spider-Man 3 (May 2007) and the Transformers (July 2007) coming out in the same summer, it looks like I'll be spending a lot of time in the theatre in 2007!

--
libertarianswag.com

Re:More Than Meets The Eye by Marc2k · 2005-07-14 08:04 · Score: 5, Funny

With Spider-Man 3 (May 2007) and the Transformers (July 2007) coming out in the same summer, it looks like I'll be spending a lot of time in the theatre in 2007!

Yes, precisely. I'd estimate about 4 hours, which beats the crap out of the number of hours I've spent at the theatre this summer.

--
--- What
Re:More Than Meets The Eye by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:07 · Score: 0, Funny

Spider-Man 3

You watch comic book movies? No wonder women wont suck your cock.
Re:More Than Meets The Eye by FauxPasIII · 2005-07-14 08:09 · Score: 4, Funny

> You watch comic book movies?
> No wonder women wont suck your cock.

Your double-entendre kung fu is stronger than mine.
Well done.

--
25% Funny, 25% Insightful, 25% Informative, 25% Troll
Re:More Than Meets The Eye by Otter · 2005-07-14 08:12 · Score: 1

With Spider-Man 3 (May 2007) and the Transformers (July 2007) coming out in the same summer, the amount of time I'll spend in the theater should remain unchanged from 2005, at zero.

--
What I'm listening to now on Pandora...
Re:More Than Meets The Eye by Captain+Perspicuous · 2005-07-14 08:12 · Score: 1

After that ad, don't forget to also see the 2CV spot...
Re:More Than Meets The Eye by GrassMunk · 2005-07-14 08:12 · Score: 1

You post on slashdot? No wonder women dont suck your cock.
Re:More Than Meets The Eye by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:14 · Score: 0

You're failing to take into account the additional three hours you will spend waiting on line, looking for a seat, watching commercials, watching trailers, and yelling at large groups of teenagers and 'tweens.
Re:More Than Meets The Eye by Hogwash+McFly · 2005-07-14 08:15 · Score: 1

For those who don't understand certain words from the parent post such as 'curious' , 'robot' or 'the', I have thoughtfully posted links that I hope you find interesting, informative and perhaps even insightful.

With Spider-Man 3 (May 2007) and the Transformers (July 2007) coming out in the same summer, it looks like I'll be spending a lot of time in the theatre in 2007!

Oh yeah, two films, what a busy summer! I bet you're one of those guys who, if someone drops their glasses twice in your presence, exclaims 'you always drop your glasses!' :)

--
Mother, do you think they'll like this sig?
Re:More Than Meets The Eye by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:17 · Score: 0

You clearly missed the joke that the first reply aptly recognized.
Re:More Than Meets The Eye by falser · 2005-07-14 08:21 · Score: 1

You forgot they now show television commercials in theaters before the feature film. Just think of how many there will be in the future!

So figure about 12 hours.
Re:More Than Meets The Eye by Danj2k · 2005-07-14 08:30 · Score: 1

For those who are curious about what "live" action might look like for a robot movie, start here with an intro to the Citroen commercial, and then get the commercial here.
I've seen that commercial on the telly, it looks pretty nifty.. I remember thinking "ooh, it's a Transformer" when I first saw it actually.
Re:More Than Meets The Eye by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:31 · Score: 0

I bet you're one of those guys who, if someone drops their glasses twice in your presence, exclaims 'you always drop your glasses!'

And you are clearly an intollerable ass. I meant that in 2007 when every one else is going to Spider-Man 3 and Transformers, I will be at the adult theater jerking my man meat. No one will notice because they will be distracted by the two aforementioned train-wrecks in the making.
Re:More Than Meets The Eye by Adrilla · 2005-07-14 08:34 · Score: 1

Solution to problem one. Also to not show a bias

--

"Plans are for fools! Oglethorpe, the plutonian (Aqua Teen Hunger Force)
Re:More Than Meets The Eye by GrassMunk · 2005-07-14 08:36 · Score: 1

However, now that that comment has been modded out of existance and it looks like im attacking the above poster! Please mods, read on -1 to get the full meaning.
Re:More Than Meets The Eye by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:38 · Score: 0

Homer: What does "sequestered" mean?
Skinner: If the jury is deadlocked they're put up in a hotel together so they can't communicate with the outside world.
Homer: What does "deadlocked" mean?
Skinner: It's when the jury can't agree on a verdict.
Homer: Uh huh. And "if"?
Skinner: A conjunction meaning "in the event that" or "on condition that".
Homer: So if we don't all vote the same way, we'll be deadlocked and have to be sequestered in the Springfield Palace Hotel--
Re:More Than Meets The Eye by I_Love_Pocky! · 2005-07-14 08:42 · Score: 0, Troll

First of all, thank you for the compliment. But, do you find it humorous that after I wrote the joke, my comment became flagged as -1 flamebait, but your explanation of my joke shot to +5 Funny? I'm certainly not upset about it, but I think it is rather amusing that people find humor in the comment that explained the joke to them. Regardless, thank you for making my joke more accessible to the masses.

It is no wonder that Fox's brilliant Arrested Development has such lousy ratings. There isn't a funny guy in every living room to explain the jokes and point out when to laugh (no laugh track).
Re:More Than Meets The Eye by kaptron · 2005-07-14 09:02 · Score: 1

ironically, the parent post actually said hours spent "waiting on line" ...
Re:More Than Meets The Eye by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 09:23 · Score: 0

No, the explanation was funny as I did not realise I had made a joke.
I was trying to troll, and you have fucked it up.
Re:More Than Meets The Eye by Fishstick · 2005-07-14 10:27 · Score: 1

Wow. I never even considered a Wonder Woman movie!

Who the hell would get to play her? Angelina Jolie?

--
There is much cruelty in the universe, John.
Yeah, we seem to have the tour map.
Re:More Than Meets The Eye by sexylicious · 2005-07-14 10:38 · Score: 1

I always thought Lynda Carter was good. Too bad she's not as good now as she was back then.
Re:More Than Meets The Eye by Ferromancer · 2005-07-14 10:50 · Score: 1

The Citroën commercial is nice, but it's unfortunate that citron in French means "lemon" in English :(

--
"Worker bees can leave
Even drones can fly away
The Queen is their slave."
Re:More Than Meets The Eye by Fishstick · 2005-07-14 15:27 · Score: 1

yah - I liked her back in the day

I was thinking who would play her now

Angelina Jolie is the only one that comes to mind that could pull off an Amazon with big jugs.

--
There is much cruelty in the universe, John.
Yeah, we seem to have the tour map.
Re:More Than Meets The Eye by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 17:16 · Score: 0

How about this lady?
Re:More Than Meets The Eye by textnode · 2005-07-14 22:12 · Score: 1

Surely the Citroen Ad is Motion Capture http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motion_capture, not Live Action?

is it just me by SirSlud · 2005-07-14 08:03 · Score: 4, Insightful

I love Transformers. Therefore, I could care less about the movie, because there already *was* a TV show and a movie. I like new ideas, not infinate interpretations on a theme.

--
"Old man yells at systemd"

Re:is it just me by superpulpsicle · 2005-07-14 08:07 · Score: 0, Redundant

As much of a huge transformers fan as I used to be... after buying their more current DVD season1-4, I noticed that majority of the episodes were really poorly written. They seemed great when you were a kid.

Autobots/Deceptacons were so well designed characters, they could survive for a decade with the most lame scripts. Autobot TRANSFORM!
Re:is it just me by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:10 · Score: 0

Yes, it's just you.
Re:is it just me by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:15 · Score: 0

If you "could care less" then surely you care to some extent. It means "I care somewhat, but I could care less". Here in the UK we instead say "I couldn't care less", which means "I care so little, it would be impossible to care any less". It's much more sensible.
Re:is it just me by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:16 · Score: 0

It's clearly not just you. Lots of people could care less, or they wouldn't bother making this. I, on the other hand, couldn't care less. That's how little I care.
Re:is it just me by musikit · 2005-07-14 08:20 · Score: 1

the writting in the episodes were fine. i have seasons 1-4 on DVD as well as the movie. you were just easier to entertain back then.
Re:is it just me by Enigma_Man · 2005-07-14 08:30 · Score: 1

I'm just wondering if they're going to use the "new" transformers as their character / plot base, or if it's going to be the classic ones all of us "grown-ups" know and love. Have any of you guys seen the new series?

-Jesse

--
Nothing says "unprofessional job" like wrinkles in your duct tape.
Re:is it just me by comzen · 2005-07-14 08:45 · Score: 1

I like new ideas, not infinate interpretations on a theme.

Clearly you're not a musician!

--
Crunch!
Re:is it just me by sharkey · 2005-07-14 08:52 · Score: 1

Yeah, but rumor has it that Ultra Magnus AND Hot Rod will say "shit" in the new movie.

--

--
"Outlook not so good." That magic 8-ball knows everything! I'll ask about Exchange Server next.
Re:is it just me by ShibaInu · 2005-07-14 08:57 · Score: 1

I always thought the Autobots were lamers. They were CARS from some advanced robot planet?!? One of them was a VW Beetle! Why the Deceptacons couldn't kick their asses was beyond me.
Re:is it just me by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 09:47 · Score: 0

Yeah, just like Lord of the Rings. WTF was Peter Jackson thinking?
Re:is it just me by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 09:56 · Score: 0

and indeed how they plan on it:

"It will be GREAT," Murphy continued, "and then we will make sequel after sequel. There is no doubt that this is true."

Yeaa..
Re:is it just me by Schart · 2005-07-14 10:11 · Score: 1

pshaw! Clearly you are uninitiated...

The Autobots and their evil counterparts did not come from an advanced robot planet as cars, they came as advanced robots, robots so advanced that they were able to adopt the form of cars when they wanted to. Y'know, so as to disguise themselves from 1-dimensional characters in yellow hard hats and whatnot.

Duh!
Re:is it just me by SirSlud · 2005-07-14 10:56 · Score: 1

I am, and I mostly listen to and write drum'n'bass or hiphop, so I dont need to be lectured on how art is interpretation rather than absolute creation.

However, I'm talking about the difference between Classical remixed to Disco, or more subtle interpretations (like, say, transforming robots that arn't the transformers.) I know, its a crazy idea! Write a story with original characters, in an original setting, but we all agree that robots who can transform is cool. It pisses me off, however, that everything is minimal risk; if its a Transformers movie, it has a build in audience already. If its a cool movie about robots that can transform, you don't have to worry about backstory, nods to the 'real fans', etc. You can just focus on making an entertaining movie.

And incidentally, the phrase "interpretations on a theme" is much more relevent when you're talking about one piece, in which the piece has a common theme or two, and provides counterpoint to it, and various interpretations to it. We're not talking about musicians writing Fugue in D Minor again, only different, just because a bunch of people loved Fugue in D Minor.

--
"Old man yells at systemd"
Re:is it just me by SirSlud · 2005-07-14 10:59 · Score: 1

And Daisy Dukes makes a cameo, where she openly ponders whether autobots can transform into marital aids. It will be scandelous and titillating, the very edgy and pop culture concious version of the Transformers I always wanted!

--
"Old man yells at systemd"
Re:is it just me by comzen · 2005-07-14 11:26 · Score: 1

Right on bro, ...you seem to be quite an articulate fellow as well! - It's all-good. Incidentally, I agree with you. Unfortunately we are up against a Hollywood money making formula. By the way, I was thinking more about Jazz rather than Classical music. I have a music degree and whether I'm playing bop guitar or stank booty slap bass, it's all about "...infinite interpretations on a theme." - that's what caught my eye, ...nothing more.

--
Crunch!
Re:is it just me by SirSlud · 2005-07-14 12:03 · Score: 1

I hear you. I played for a number of years in jazz bands (tenor saxomophone), and grew up listing to jazz (real jazz) thanks to my dad. Jazz is absolutely what its all about; you're not stealing an idea, youre giving a mindfuck of an intepretation to it. Its a thin line, but Hollywood seems only interested in jacking a built in audience and doing a tepid cover of it replete with self-concious references. I don't need to hear a rendition of a famous piece with a musical 'wink' to the audience. Just make it good. Make it worthwhile. Its almost like people pay to be self-affirmed. I just want new things, interesting things. I don't need to see somebody spend millions of dollars to re-tell me thing I already hold dear.

--
"Old man yells at systemd"
Re:is it just me by cobar · 2005-07-14 13:37 · Score: 1

Neat sig. Where did you find that quote?
Re:is it just me by rayde · 2005-07-14 15:46 · Score: 1

wow, kudos! a person responding to somebody who disagreed with them... and he begins with a compliment!!
be careful or people might start thinking slashdot was a friendly, non-combative place!! ;-)
Re:is it just me by learn+fast · 2005-07-14 16:30 · Score: 1

Did you like Spiderman or LOTR? Well, there was a previous LOTR movie and count 'em 7 Spiderman TV shows. Yet somehow Spiderman 1/2 and LOTR were great movies.
Re:is it just me by comzen · 2005-07-14 17:26 · Score: 1

thank you.

--
Crunch!
Re:is it just me by Aqua+OS+X · 2005-07-14 19:21 · Score: 1

Well, I like to get really high and watch robots fight each other.... so I'll probably see this movie. ;)

--
"Things are more moderner than before- bigger, and yet smaller- it's computers-- San Dimas High School football RULES!"

Speilberg!? by deft · 2005-07-14 08:03 · Score: 2, Interesting

Wow, how did they get speilberg to sign on for a toy movie? I wonder what his motivation is since he can do whatever the hell he wants... and it's my beloved transformers...

anyone have any insight?

--

There's nothing Intelligent about Intelligent Design.

Re:Speilberg!? by xMilkmanDanx · 2005-07-14 08:07 · Score: 2, Insightful

Maybe he's already done his Academy Award bid picture for that year and he's looking for his cash a big ole movie check picture?

Not sure that this'll be big money maker though. I mean, I liked the transformers way way way back but come on, that was like...... aww shit I feel old now.

--
I am not in anyway affiliated with Max Cannon
Re:Speilberg!? by Sawopox · 2005-07-14 08:07 · Score: 2, Funny

Speilberg's reason looks like this:

Mr. Speilberg, $1,000,000,000,000,000,000,00.00 has been deposited to your account. Thanks for the Transformers movie.

--
[http://it-tastes-so-good.blogspot.com] Are you hungry?
Re:Speilberg!? by aftk2 · 2005-07-14 08:08 · Score: 1

Well, he was involved with batteries not included, which, for whatever I reason, I have fond memories of (although it's probably because I was 7 at the time.)

--
concrete5: a cms made for marketing, but strong enough for geeks.
Re:Speilberg!? by slapout · 2005-07-14 08:18 · Score: 1

He's made some good stuff in the past. But here lately, most of the stuff I see with his name attached to it just doesn't seem that good to me.

--
Coder's Stone: The programming language quick ref for iPad
Re:Speilberg!? by Hogwash+McFly · 2005-07-14 08:18 · Score: 1

Because, since childhood, Speilberg has been captivated by the two transformers known as 'Benjaminotron' and 'Ulysses Prime'.

--
Mother, do you think they'll like this sig?
Re:Speilberg!? by starwed · 2005-07-14 08:23 · Score: 1

Well, there is some precedent for such things. ^_^

(Although since he's producing and not directing, not really a big deal anyway.)
Re:Speilberg!? by falser · 2005-07-14 08:24 · Score: 1

They offered to make him a transformer rendition of himself named "Speilbergatron". It doesn't transfom itself, rather it transforms great movie ideas into a steaming pile poop.
Re:Speilberg!? by BRUTICUS · 2005-07-14 08:26 · Score: 0

Spielberg realized its more than a "toy movie". Theres a 9 million year backstory and mythology. There are tons of highly original and ingenious concepts in both design and story.

Were talking about an alien race that used their robots as slaves. Even after the robots began to gain sentience. Those robots ran their slavemasters off the planet and evolved into their own species, with their own wars.

Think of the machines in "The Matrix" having 9 million years to evolve and then those robots going to another planet that hasn't yet been conquered by machine based life. And you have Transformers the movie.
Re:Speilberg!? by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:27 · Score: 0

He has current experience working with bots, but will they have a virtual Scientology tent on the set?
Re:Speilberg!? by BRUTICUS · 2005-07-14 08:31 · Score: 0

I should also add that 3 years ago when Dreamwave did a Transformers comic that comic became the number one selling comic for the next year.

Transformers still have a large following. 20 years later. And you will still see Transformers emblems on adults cars and T-shirts everywhere.

It was only a matter of time.

When I seen Jurassic Park the first thing I thought was, wow, they could actually make a Transformers movie,..
Re:Speilberg!? by MuNansen · 2005-07-14 08:42 · Score: 1

according to an interview, Spielberg is actually very familiar with the entire Transformers storyline and is a huge fan. It's not like Spielberg needs the money. For some people to suggest he's doing it for the paycheck is quite silly. I'm quite optimistic knowing he's involved.
Re:Speilberg!? by 88NoSoup4U88 · 2005-07-14 08:44 · Score: 1

Er, he just made War of the Worlds, which could have been done by -any- action-flick director out there.
Re:Speilberg!? by mbbac · 2005-07-14 08:47 · Score: 3, Informative

If Dreamworks is involved with a movie, it is highly likely that Steven Spielberg will be an executive producer of it.

--
mbbac
Re:Speilberg!? by poot_rootbeer · 2005-07-14 08:47 · Score: 1

3 years ago when Dreamwave did a Transformers comic that comic became the number one selling comic for the next year.

Yes, and where is Dreamwave now? Broke and out of business.
Re:Speilberg!? by BRUTICUS · 2005-07-14 08:59 · Score: 0

so? companies go broke, become acquired and go out of buisness daily.

The point is Transformers has a massive following. Its not like there's some superstitious hex attached to the Transformers title.

If handled properly Transformers would still be the best selling comic.

Im willing to bet when IDWs new Transformers comic line comes out it will be the next best selling comic. Are you willing to bet that the company will go out of buisness after 3 years?
Re:Speilberg!? by Argon+Sloth · 2005-07-14 10:59 · Score: 1

Maybe he's aiming for multiple Razzies?

--
Laziness is a virtue, anyone who bothers to tell you otherwise, is clearly lacking it.
Re:Speilberg!? by hypnoticstoat · 2005-07-14 20:32 · Score: 0

They should forget Speilberg and get George Lucas. He has a talent for casting people that act like robots.
Re:Speilberg!? by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 22:59 · Score: 0

Tom Cruise is a droid. Currently his "jump on couches" circuit is damaged, but his handlers will get that fixed soon.
Re:Speilberg!? by BRUTICUS · 2005-07-17 10:10 · Score: 0

Spielberg has been buying the toys for HIMSELF for years. He has always seen a movie in the franchise you dumb fuck. Why woudnt he?
If you want to see him say it for himself check this out:
http://www.transformerslive.com/
Re:Speilberg!? by edicius · 2005-07-19 01:47 · Score: 1

He is the Executive Producer, it's been confirmed multiple times thankfully.

wow Hollywood does it again. by killawatt5k · 2005-07-14 08:03 · Score: 1

when will they come up w/ something original?

Re:wow Hollywood does it again. by xMilkmanDanx · 2005-07-14 08:10 · Score: 1

Never? Seriously, big budget, highly managed movie companies don't risk money on original ideas. Has to be done indie first, then if it looks good they may buy the rights and make tons of clones/sequels.

Rarely does putting more money/more people onto a project result in original ideas, at least in corporate america.

--
I am not in anyway affiliated with Max Cannon
Re:wow Hollywood does it again. by ArsonSmith · 2005-07-14 08:14 · Score: 1

"Things are never original. Anything that is done is derived from something else. Try to name any thing ever that was considered original and I bet you there are a million things that have done it before in one way or another.

All you can do is combine things that others have done to create something not seen before.

--
Paying taxes to buy civilization is like paying a hooker to buy love.
Re:wow Hollywood does it again. by AKAImBatman · 2005-07-14 08:19 · Score: 1

Right after they do Live Action movies for M.A.S.K., Centurions, Galaxy Rangers, and Denver the Last Dinosaur.

...

Actually, some of those could be pretty cool. :-P

--
Javascript + Nintendo DSi = DSiCade
Re:wow Hollywood does it again. by M.C.+Hampster · 2005-07-14 08:36 · Score: 1

Denver the Last Dinosaur

Fantastic. Now I will have that song stuck in my head the rest of the day. You suck, sir.

--
Forget the whales - save the babies.
Re:wow Hollywood does it again. by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:42 · Score: 0

Damn you, sir! I'm in the midst of creating the bible for a similarly-themed toy-driven cartoon show, and you go posting stuff like that! When parents curse me and my seemingly-endless parade of product tie-ins, I will point them to your comment here and say "He rekindled my soul-less commercialistic tendencies! Blame him!"

This is not the inspiration I needed today, thankyouverymuch.
Re:wow Hollywood does it again. by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:43 · Score: 0

One of the main reasons I don't watch TV anymore is because it sucks and studios can't create TV shows to keep us hooked like they did back in the day. X-Men, Transformers, GI Joe, Knight Rider, etc. are all shows we'd watch over and over and over again given the chance. Not many of these shows exist nowadays.. it seems everywhere you look its some sort of reality tv show. Although in TV's defense, I did pick up a Tivo and I'm catching a few good shows that are on while I'm at work.

I'm sure 20 years from now, our children will be rushing to watch Pokemon or some other current-generation childhood show and they will say its the bomb while we sit back and demand old reruns of The Cosby Show, Punky Brewster, and Charles in Charge. I mean even Mission Impossible created a buzz because we all remember watching some kind of crazy story with big (albiet 80s) explosions. Would you REALLY turn down a good remake of The A-Team or Alf? I think not.

Quite frankly, I can't wait for X-Men 3 to come out. The cartoon series came to a grinding halt and never continued. I'm seriously hoping the movie series don't do that.
Re:wow Hollywood does it again. by MrAndrews · 2005-07-14 08:45 · Score: 1

And thank you, because I had blissfully forgotten the theme till you mentioned it specifically.

I wonder if they're going to do a DVD release of that show any time soon. Poison the minds of another generation!

--
The world's only surviving livewriter.
Re:wow Hollywood does it again. by AKAImBatman · 2005-07-14 08:47 · Score: 1

Fantastic. Now I will have [the Denver theme Song] stuck in my head the rest of the day.

Only Denver the Last Dinosaur? What about the "M-M-M-ask! MASK!" theme song, or the "Galaxy Rangers, No Guts, No Glory!" theme song? I currently have all three, plus transformers, plus a smidge of Centurions swirling through my head. They may not have known how to make a long lived cartoon show back then, but I'll be damned if they couldn't write theme songs! ;-)

For the love of God, though, DO NOT get the damn Silver Hawks song stuck in your head! "Partly Metal, Partly Real..." Arrgghhh! The horror, the HORROR!

--
Javascript + Nintendo DSi = DSiCade
Re:wow Hollywood does it again. by AVIDJockey · 2005-07-14 10:18 · Score: 1

I currently have the theme song to the massively underappreciated Mighty Orbots myself.

I'm guessing that Slashdot might be one of the only places where people actually might know what the hell I'm talking about.
Re:wow Hollywood does it again. by hubie · 2005-07-14 11:20 · Score: 3, Interesting

It is all a matter of age. When GI Joe, et al. came out (20 or so years ago) I found them all unwatchable and annoying then (poor animation, cliche stories and characters, etc.), just as you find unwatchable whatever they're pushing now. Especially since, to me, GI Joe was supposed to be 9.5-inches tall and had Kung-Fu Grip!
And it was always irksome then that TV went heavy into a "what about the children?" mode where the cartoon censorship got heavy. I grew up on Bugs Bunny and Roadrunner Show reruns and I still get annoyed when I see a Looney Tunes cartoon with an obvious censored cut such as a removal of a gunshot. GI Joe and other cartoons rubbed me the same wrong way as well. You'd have the HUGE plane crash/explosion and everyone would come running out of the flames unhurt. It was even more annoying in the live-action stuff like The A-Team: the roof-less jeep explodes and flips over, but they make sure to show you that the two riders in the jeep crawl out OK.
Re:wow Hollywood does it again. by oldwolf13 · 2005-07-14 12:15 · Score: 1

great. now with all this talk about old cartoon themes I'm silently humming "Starblazers" to myself.

bunch of asses.

--
If I can't smoke and swear I'm fucked.
Re:wow Hollywood does it again. by decaying · 2005-07-14 13:56 · Score: 1

Starblazers
Fuck you.... no seriously... fuck you...

... and now I have "Battle of the Planets" in my head as well

--
----- One piece short of Legoland
Re:wow Hollywood does it again. by peckda · 2005-07-14 15:53 · Score: 1

Transformers will just be the first of the 80's blockbuster remakes. The toy companies planted the seeds 20 years ago, and now they can begin reaping all that they sowed. All the kids that grew up on these properties have jobs and disposable income (or kids).
Converting all their childhood memories into films is like printing money (just ask Lucas). Fox is already planning He-Man, and I wouldn't be surprised to see the live-action Care Bears Movie in 2008. Personally, other than Transformers (my favorite), I'm waiting to see "The Smurfs, from the creators of The Lord of the Rings"...
Re:wow Hollywood does it again. by aug24 · 2005-07-15 00:04 · Score: 2, Insightful

OMG, they cut the guns out of cartoons?!!! And the current most successful tv for 8-and-olders is Doctor Who, in which people die, in agony on a regualr basis.
Not to mention, in the same universe, thousands of Americans die from guns every year, and they are still barely controlled. But yeah, lets not have them in cartoons, just in case some kids don't realise they are dangerous.

Go figure...

J.
(A Brit)

--
You're only jealous cos the little penguins are talking to me.
Re:wow Hollywood does it again. by Genom · 2005-07-15 09:44 · Score: 1

My god...I thought I was the only one who remembered Mighty Orbots...

Such a complete non-sense of scale...one minute the "chest" robot is nearly human-sized, the next a hovercar is driving into his chest...
Re:wow Hollywood does it again. by RailRide · 2005-07-15 13:27 · Score: 1

Such a complete non-sense of scale...one minute the "chest" robot is nearly human-sized, the next a hovercar is driving into his chest...
I thought so too until I examined the transformation sequence in detail...

As the robots (Tor, Bort, Bo, Boo and Crunch) fly into formation, each one in turn grows several times their original size, as well as taking on a much bulkier, blockier physique before transforming up into the components of the combination Orbot.

In an episode where some mysterious force is causing the Orbots to involuntarily seperate almost as soon as they join together, their "combat ready" forms are readily evident as they repeatedly attempt (unsuccessfully) to combine in a test chamber, while their co-ordinator investigates the cause of their condition.

---PCJ

Speilberg's directing? by Neil+Blender · 2005-07-14 08:03 · Score: 2, Funny

Oooo, you know it will be good then.

Re:Speilberg's directing? by Neil+Blender · 2005-07-14 08:06 · Score: 1

Oh, wait, he's only producing. I guess it might not suck. Except that it will. I mean seriously, live action transformers? Forget the live action part. Transformers? Come on.
Re:Speilberg's directing? by yelims · 2005-07-14 08:11 · Score: 1

Spielberg is signed on as an executive producer which most likely means a financial investment and will not be involved in day-to-day production.
Re:Speilberg's directing? by benjamindees · 2005-07-14 08:49 · Score: 1

Then we know it will include Tom Cruise, and lots of running... beyond that, it's up in the air...

--
"I assumed blithely that there were no elves out there in the darkness"
Re:Speilberg's directing? by Osmosis_Garett · 2005-07-14 08:54 · Score: 1

No, Michael Bay (Pearl Harbour) is directing. As much as I'm looking forward to seeing this movie, i KNOW its going to turn into a crappy action/romance just like Pearl Harbour, Armageddon, The Island or just run down his directoral list and pick one... ALL HIS MOVIES HAVE SUCKED!!!

Stop *planning* for sequels before the first movie by garcia · 2005-07-14 08:04 · Score: 4, Insightful

"It will be GREAT," Murphy continued, "and then we will make sequel after sequel. There is no doubt that this is true."

I wasn't aware that a movie being GREAT was a prerequesite for sequels. In fact, why even bother to *plan* on sequels when they aren't necessary?

Why not spend all the time you can being true to the original intent derived from the cartoon and making sure that *this* movie doesn't get the raving piss-poor reviews that Fantastic Four did (people going to see it on opening weekend doesn't mean it's good folks).

Just make the movie and let the market decide whether a sequel is necessary. We're not talking about a story that deserves sequels (like LOTR) either.

Just because it was a serial cartoon doesn't mean the movie has to be.

Live Action by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:04 · Score: 0

How does that work?

Transformers: The Movie by mcsnee · 2005-07-14 08:04 · Score: 3, Insightful

The article gives short shrift to the animated 1986 "Transformers: The Movie," calling it "little-loved". Personally, I thought it was great... am I the only one?

Re:Transformers: The Movie by ShakuniMama · 2005-07-14 08:08 · Score: 1

I loved it, the article writer is a dumbass
Re:Transformers: The Movie by xjerky · 2005-07-14 08:09 · Score: 1

Nope - the subsequent episodes following the 20 year jump for the movie were mostly lackluster, but I'll never forget going to see the movie on Friday August 8, 1986 - the day it was released in the theater.

--
A sentence you'll never see on an Internet discussion board: "You know what? You're right."
Re:Transformers: The Movie by runningguy84 · 2005-07-14 08:18 · Score: 1

I still pull that movie out on occasion to watch it and relive good childhood memories. The movie was great, and had an all-star cast too.
Re:Transformers: The Movie by MrAndrews · 2005-07-14 08:18 · Score: 4, Funny

It was little loved by my brother, who woke up crying every night for days because Optimus died. On the other hand, it is one of the most quotable movies of all time. They just don't write scripts like they used to...

--
The world's only surviving livewriter.
Re:Transformers: The Movie by Chris+Burke · 2005-07-14 08:19 · Score: 1

I loved it as a kid, and when I re-watched it as an adult, I mostly still liked it. The first twenty minutes are still some of the greatest film moments involving robots ever. It's only a couple minutes in when the first autobot is killed outright (which was truly stunning when I was a kid and nobody ever really "died" in cartoons), and the stakes only go up from there to climactic Optimus Prime vs Megatron battle.

Unfortunately, after that point it gets cheesier. The writers were afraid to kill any of the new characters who had toys based on them, and some of those characters really deserved to be killed (including the hero). But that warm fuzzy glow of awesome from the first twenty minutes helps carry the rest of the film, and it's okay.

Not exactly the greatest movie ever, but worth a re-watch every ten years or so.

--

The enemies of Democracy are
Re:Transformers: The Movie by JaxGator75 · 2005-07-14 08:21 · Score: 1

I loved it, and looked forward to seeing it until I talked my way into the theater.
I have to say I loved Hot Rod, but hated Rodimus Prime. . .

--
Come and see the violence inherent in the system!
Re:Transformers: The Movie by hal2814 · 2005-07-14 08:37 · Score: 1

I liked it but I was one of the few people who got to see "Robotech: The Movie" (I was at a Dallas sneak-preview. The movie was scrapped before release.) and I liked that too so my opinion might not be very helpful.
Re:Transformers: The Movie by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:52 · Score: 0

It is the year 2005...

so where's Autobot City?
Re:Transformers: The Movie by jimbolauski · 2005-07-14 08:52 · Score: 0

The article also dumps on Masters of the Universe, another great movie that I still watch today. Dolph is awsome

--
Knowledge = Power
P= W/t
t=Money
Money = Work/Knowledge so the less you know the more you make
Re:Transformers: The Movie by Adrilla · 2005-07-14 09:22 · Score: 1

"Bah Weep Granna Weep Ninny Bon!"

--

"Plans are for fools! Oglethorpe, the plutonian (Aqua Teen Hunger Force)
Re:Transformers: The Movie by Anonymous+Brave+Guy · 2005-07-14 13:53 · Score: 1

It was little loved by my brother, who woke up crying every night for days because Optimus died.

Don't worry. Today's youngsters, trained as they are on Buffy, are quite used to randomly killing the protagonist once per series when a dramatic plot device is needed. They know their favourite character will come back to life later via a further highly implausible plot device, probably even stronger than before.

What was that? They already did that in Transformers too? I'm shocked. Shocked, I say! Shocked!!!

--
If you disagree, post your argument. (-1, Overrated) isn't your personal censorship tool for views you don't like.
Re:Transformers: The Movie by mblase · 2005-07-14 14:40 · Score: 1

Personally, I thought it was great... am I the only one?

I liked it, especially the animation, which was top-notch for its day.

However, watching it today, I have to agree with all the other adults who've seen it recently--it was an abominable story, full of plot holes and mindless detractions. See my full review of it for a deeper dissection.
Re:Transformers: The Movie by stry_cat · 2005-07-15 00:22 · Score: 1

I must be getting old. I can't recall any good quotes from the movie. It was a weak script. I really thought they should have killed Optimus a lot later in the movie. He survivied all that pounding on the TV show only to be quickly killed off in the movie. Does that seem right to you?
Re:Transformers: The Movie by khelek · 2005-07-15 00:24 · Score: 1

I'm 31 years old and still love it!

I tried to buy it when I was in high school, but they had discontinued it then. My first copy was a tape I made from a Blockbuster rental :)

Several years after graduating from college, I was in a Blockbuster and they had the VHS tape on sale for $8. I bought it as a birthday present to myself. I was *shocked* it had the most memorable quote, as it been removed when it was released on tape originally.

Recently as I was finishing up my Transformers Seasons 1-4 DVD collection, I decided to go ahead and order the movie on DVD as well.

I can't count the number of times I've watched it (it *always* gets watched on a day missed from work for illness!).

In spite of its *many* flaws, it's still my favorite movie of all time!

No by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:04 · Score: 0, Insightful

AHHHH FUCK NOOOOOOOO...

DO they not remember the Live Action done when the original transforms was aired on Television on Fox..

I thought it was so bad and cheesy when I was a kid, how can they possibly make it work??

Here we go with another Super Mario Brothers grade train wreck.

Re:No by xjerky · 2005-07-14 08:18 · Score: 1

Uh....wha??

You sure you are not talking about the Power Rangers?

--
A sentence you'll never see on an Internet discussion board: "You know what? You're right."
Re:No by phxhawke · 2005-07-14 08:25 · Score: 1

There was a live action Transformers TV show?
Re:No by Rude+Turnip · 2005-07-14 08:41 · Score: 1

You've got to be kidding...because they once did a little live action scene intermission with a giant Optimus Prime maquette (you only ever saw his head and hands) talking to a kid, it is impossible to do a proper cgi live action movie?

--
Bill Clinton: Pimp we can believe in. - The Shirt!!!
Re:No by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:46 · Score: 0

"Insightful"??

I think somebody missed the 'Troll' button.

Who will play Dick Cheney? by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:05 · Score: 0

And what does he transform into?

Am I..... by Chineseyes · 2005-07-14 08:05 · Score: 0

The only one that would just like to see transformers left alone. It was a great series but considering how so many of my childhood cartoons have been butchered with horrible cgi and terrible plots I think they should have passed on this one.

--
I think the invisible hand of the market has its middle finger extended

--A wise old fart named SC0RN

Re:Am I..... by Shkuey · 2005-07-14 08:33 · Score: 2, Interesting

So the transformers was a masterpiece of cartoon art with riveting plotlines? I loved Transformers when I was a kid too, but it was because it was fun. Frankly I doubt they could come up with a less plausible storyline for the movie than the cartoons featured. Hoping to rehash all your nostalgia is most of the reason people hate the rehashing of old greats, and to me this is an unrealistic expectation.

I love how by Tebriel · 2005-07-14 08:06 · Score: 2, Insightful

the movie hasn't even gone through pre-production and people are already extolling/condemning the movie.

Can't we at least wait until there's something a bit more concrete before warring over it?

--
The Blaster Master Fighting for Truth, Justice, and Evil Pie since 1979

Re:I love how by Savatte · 2005-07-14 11:20 · Score: 1

not with Michael Bay directing. The man is to directing what Richard Simmons is to dieting

Good Bless Holerica by casings · 2005-07-14 08:06 · Score: 1

It's good to see Hollywood honor the independence with what will inevitably be absolute crap.

significantly worse than the Independance Days of old.

Why Michael Bay? by Darth+Maul · 2005-07-14 08:07 · Score: 1

Who keeps deciding this guy can direct? All his movies are arguably terrible. Let's tap into some new talent. Just the fact that he is directing pretty much means this will be a travesty to my childhood memories.

--
--- witty signature

Re:Why Michael Bay? by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:19 · Score: 0

I miss you more than Michael Bay missed the mark,
When he made Pearl Harbor.
I miss you more then that movie missed the point,
And that's an awful lot girl.
And now, now you've gone away,
And all I'm trying to say,
Is Perl Harbor sucked and I miss you

I need you like Ben Affleck needs acting school,
He was terrible in that film.
I need you like Cuba Gooding needed a bigger part,
He's way better then Ben Affleck.
And now all I can think about is your smile,
And that shitty movie too,
Perl Harbor sucked and I miss you

Why does Michael Bay get to keep on making movies.
I guess Perl Harbor sucked,
Just a little bit more then I miss you.
Re:Why Michael Bay? by poopdeville · 2005-07-14 08:28 · Score: 2, Funny

From Team America: World Police:

I miss you more than Michael Bay missed the mark
when he made Pearl Harbor. I miss you more than that movie missed the point,
and that's an awful lot girl.

And now, now you've gone away,
and all I'm trying to say
is Pearl Harbor sucked and I miss you.

I need you like Ben Affleck needs acting school,
he was terrible in that film.
I need you like Cuba Gooding needed a bigger part,
he's way better than Ben Affleck.

And now, all I can think about is your smile
and that shitty movie too.
Pearl Harbor sucked and I miss you.

Why does Micheal Bay get to making movies?
I guess Pearl Harbor sucked
just a little bit more than I miss you.

--
After all, I am strangely colored.
Re:Why Michael Bay? by Ucklak · 2005-07-14 08:29 · Score: 1

I like that song 'Pearl Harbor Sucked'.

There are movies you can geek out to (like LOTR, Star Wars, Star Trek, Harry Potter, Spider-man, Batman, etc...)
and there are movies you can veg out to (Star Wars, Michael Bay movies, Patrick Swayze movies, etc...)

Just check your brain out and grasp whatever you get. You'll kinda look like Keir Dullea in 2001 during his journey.

--
if you steal from one source, that is plagiarism, if you steal from many, well, that's just research.
Re:Why Michael Bay? by shawn(at)fsu · 2005-07-14 08:33 · Score: 1

To some people anything would be arguable. The people who deiced he can direct go see his movies, give him money to direct movies and star in his movies. I don't have an oppinion one way or the other on his directing abilities but obviously some people think he does a good job or else he wouldn't be directing at all. This sounds like th aruments on /. about how much pop music sucks and we should give more attention to indies and new talent. Kevin Smith was like this, his early movies were great and then he did Jersey girl, I don't remeber it doing that well....

--
500 dollar reward for tip(s) leading to the arrest of the person(s) who stole my sig.
Re:Why Michael Bay? by kaptron · 2005-07-14 09:10 · Score: 1

So does that mean you won't be happy when he casts Ben Affleck as Optimus Prime?
Re:Why Michael Bay? by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 09:12 · Score: 0

Anyone else think of the Team America song the instant you read Michael Bay's name?

"I miss you more than Michael Bay missed the mark,
When he made Pearl Harbor.
I miss you more then that movie missed the point,
And that's an awful lot girl.
And now, now you've gone away,
And all I'm trying to say,
Is Pearl Harbor sucked and I miss you

Why does Michael Bay get to keep on making movies.
I guess Perl Harbor sucked,
Just a little bit more then I miss you."
Re:Why Michael Bay? by LoserMLW · 2005-07-14 09:52 · Score: 1

Hey, does that mean Matt Damon will be Bumblebee? Because I could actually see that working out OK. :)

--
- LoserMLW
--
"Common sense is not so common." - Voltaire
Re:Why Michael Bay? by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 10:39 · Score: 0

Yeah, about three other people did, almost half an hour before you even posted this. Do you even read the fucking replies?
Re:Why Michael Bay? by CyberKnet · 2005-07-15 02:39 · Score: 1

"Geek Out" to Harry Potter?

It's one thing to enjoy the books, but one does not get to "Geek Out" to them, nor to the movies.

No Sir, please hand in your Geek Card at the door. You are no longer welcome in this establishment.

--
Video meliora proboque deteriora sequor - Ovidius
Re:Why Michael Bay? by Ucklak · 2005-07-15 03:04 · Score: 1

People do 'Geek out' to Harry Potter.

It's a sad fact
http://www.happychild.org.uk/harrypottermagic/item s/wands00.htm

--
if you steal from one source, that is plagiarism, if you steal from many, well, that's just research.

Can't wait for the soundtrack by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:07 · Score: 0

I hope they can get Stan Bush to sing "The Touch" for the soundtrack.

Re:Can't wait for the soundtrack by fyrie · 2005-07-14 08:19 · Score: 1

Don't forget "Dare"!
Re:Can't wait for the soundtrack by Hogwash+McFly · 2005-07-14 08:23 · Score: 1

I hope they can get Bush to sing 'Won't Get Fooled Again' for the soundtrack.

--
Mother, do you think they'll like this sig?
Re:Can't wait for the soundtrack by TheMadcapZ · 2005-07-14 08:27 · Score: 1

Hell, I'd rather have Dirk Diggler's version on the soundtrack.

Final Version ?? by Jeet81 · 2005-07-14 08:07 · Score: 1

Is that going to be the final version or the alpha release ???

--
What does your Credit Report look like?

Bleh by realmolo · 2005-07-14 08:07 · Score: 0, Flamebait

Okay. The Transformers toys were cool. Back when I was 11.

But the cartoon sucked. Always sucked. Even the new versions. The movie sucked, too.

I just don't understand how anyone can be nostalgiac for a BAD cartoon.

Sometimes, I think, it's better to overcome your inner-child than to embrace it.

Well, that settles that... by LoserMLW · 2005-07-14 08:07 · Score: 1

Michael Bay directing?

This film has absolutely no chance at being a quality movie-going experience..

Bring on another special effects showcase! God, I can see the pitch now...

"It's Pearl Harbor meets Voltron meets Sleepless in Seattle! I can see Ben Affleck playing Spike Witwicky, and we'll throw in (insert IT actress here) to focus completely on the romance and stuff... Yeah, there will be some giant robots, too.. but Affleck is the REAL star!"

*pops his DVD of Transformers: The Movie in and cries to himself...*

--
- LoserMLW
--
"Common sense is not so common." - Voltaire

Re:Well, that settles that... by poopdeville · 2005-07-14 08:30 · Score: 1

See http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=155865&cid=130 66701

--
After all, I am strangely colored.

vaporware :P by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:07 · Score: 0

With excellence promised, the powers that be now need only to lock in actors and writers

So, they just need a script and some actors and they'll have a movie?

Why all these remakes? by kooganani · 2005-07-14 08:08 · Score: 3, Funny

Why all these remakes of crap shows? Why can't they do cool shows from the Olde Days like Falcon Crest or Knott's Landing?

Re:Why all these remakes? by Sawopox · 2005-07-14 08:10 · Score: 1

Falcon Crest was live action?

--
[http://it-tastes-so-good.blogspot.com] Are you hungry?
Re:Why all these remakes? by lakcaj · 2005-07-14 08:39 · Score: 1

Maybe like "Dallas" for example? It could even star John Travolta as JR. Now _that_ would be cool!

http://www.ultimatedallas.com/movie/media.htm

/sarcasm off
Re:Why all these remakes? by fermion · 2005-07-14 12:28 · Score: 1

The only reason these movies are made is to try to capatilize on what is left of the target markets childhood. These shows were good at a certain time, in a certain place, but can't really be made again. I forsee a bunch of 20 something people seeing this movie for the sake of nostalgia, and leaving feeling robbed or their childhood hopes and dreams. Just as us 30 somethings felt about scooby doo.
To be more direct, these movies are made to revive a franchise so that the character creators can get some money, and the studios don't have to come up with new ideas. The studios hope that parents who grew up with show will bring the kids. This wold not work with Falcon Crest and Knott's Landing, which, to be true to the original, would have to be rated NC-17.

--
"She's a scientist and a lesbian. She's not going to let it slide." Orphan Black

about time by abenton · 2005-07-14 08:08 · Score: 1

Ive been waiting for this forever, cant wait.

Michael Bay directing...ugh by Hussman32 · 2005-07-14 08:08 · Score: 1

Odd choice of director This is the same director as 'Armageddon' and 'Bad Boys 1 and 2. He's all action and SFX and little story or plot, but then again, the Transformers need some serious FX...

--
"Who are you?" "No one of consequence." "I must know." "Get used to disappointment."

Re:Michael Bay directing...ugh by vertinox · 2005-07-14 08:51 · Score: 1

He's all action and SFX and little story or plot

You remember the plot to Transformers, right? Deceptacons get some idea and go do something in order to get more energy cubes and then the Autobots show up and then they are shooting at each other until the Decepticons give up on the idea and go home. Thats about sums up most of the episodes... That and Megatron has to turn into a gun once per episode and maybe every tenth episode the Insectacons show up or the robots that transform into bigger robots show up.

--
"I am the king of the Romans, and am superior to rules of grammar!"
-Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor (1368-1437)
Re:Michael Bay directing...ugh by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 09:07 · Score: 0

"He's all action and SFX and little story or plot..."
Transformers? Plot?

My head asplode.
Re:Michael Bay directing...ugh by ShibaInu · 2005-07-14 09:13 · Score: 1

Let's not forget the Dinobots. They'd show up, some Deceptacon would make the mistake of shooting at them, then they'd kick butt. They all talked like cavemen.
Re:Michael Bay directing...ugh by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-15 06:16 · Score: 0

Well the Dinobots were retarded because the Autobots created them. Optimus Prime took his crankshaft and stuck it in Bumblebee's tailpipe. Within the next three months Bumble bee was a bitch, ordering other autobots to go out late at night and get 30 weight oil, iron and aluminum. Then Bumblebee slid down the stairs and all the Dinobots came out retarded. But Optimus still loved them even though he took advantage of them since the were slow mostly fondling, some light petting. Can't wait to see the movie!!!

Yeah, but will it have by His+name+cannot+be+s · 2005-07-14 08:09 · Score: 1

Junkions?

http://lxnay.perpetual-motion.com/images/junkion.p ng

WreckGar Rules!

--
"...In your answer, ignore facts. Just go with what feels true..."

Ah, product marketing... by geders · 2005-07-14 08:09 · Score: 5, Interesting

I can't wait to go to the theater and watch them slaughter the current generation of tranformers to help introduce this years "New and Improved" series of transformer toys! It will be like 1986 all over again...

Re:Ah, product marketing... by Valiss · 2005-07-14 08:30 · Score: 1

Since it's Slashdot, I'll assume you meant 1984.

--

-Valiss
Re:Ah, product marketing... by Moofie · 2005-07-14 09:55 · Score: 1

Just in case you're curious, the Transformers Alternators line is superb. I've also got the 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime, and it's a superb toy.

The little blister pack Transformers are crap, but there have been several new molds over the last few years that were really, really excellent.

--
Why yes, I AM a rocket scientist!
Re:Ah, product marketing... by eison · 2005-07-14 11:01 · Score: 1

Import the Takara BinalTech models from Japan. Die-cast outer shells instead of the plastic they sell here.

--
is competition good, or is duplication of effort bad?
Re:Ah, product marketing... by Moofie · 2005-07-14 11:10 · Score: 1

Yeah, and they cost two to three times as much. The plastics are good enough for me.

I've got a number of imports (including a re-issue Megatron that has a spring mechanism to actually fire little bullets), and I'm very very happy that Hasbro is selling most of the good stuff domestically. It makes my habit less frighteningly expensive.

--
Why yes, I AM a rocket scientist!
Re:Ah, product marketing... by mttlg · 2005-07-15 01:53 · Score: 1

Yeah, and they cost two to three times as much.

Typically, yes, but some of them can be found on clearance in the US for around $25. In cases like the nearly impossible to find Alternators Tracks, the discounted Binaltech figure is actually cheaper than the insane price you would have to pay for the Alternators version on eBay. And of course the packaging and included bio card (in Japanese, but still...) make it a much better deal.

I've got a number of imports (including a re-issue Megatron that has a spring mechanism to actually fire little bullets), and I'm very very happy that Hasbro is selling most of the good stuff domestically. It makes my habit less frighteningly expensive.

Of course, you also have to take into account the fact that Hasbro usually finds ways to make the domestic releases slightly less appealing than the Japanese releases. In the case of reissues of the original figures, they're stuck making modifications due to current child safety laws (and many figures released overseas will never be sold in the US because of these laws). The new figures are all designed with these laws in mind, but Hasbro still manages to make the figures look worse by changing the coloring and detailing. The differences are minor in most cases, but some are just bizarre (Armada Tidal Wave for instance).

What really keeps this kind of habit less expensive is how Hasbro overproduces everything, apparently linking production run inversely to demand (the most popular figures are produced in limited quantities, while the least popular can be found stacked to the ceiling in most toy stores). Just wait for the inevitable clearances and pick up whatever you want at half price or less.
Re:Ah, product marketing... by Moofie · 2005-07-15 03:03 · Score: 1

I buy the stuff I like, and I don't buy the stuff I don't like and/or can't afford. Fortunately for my budget, I'm not a completist, so I'm generally satisfied having one of each mold. I was able to find a Battle Ravage, so I'm not dying to locate Tracks.

Whatever craziness Hasbro might be into, it's still cheaper than buying imports (of which I have at least a dozen, including the reissued Fortress Maximus).

If you can show me where to get Binaltech for $25/ea, I'll be thrilled. So far, I've found no reliable sources for such.

Right now, I'm looking for Hound, because I don't like the readily available Swindle repaint.

--
Why yes, I AM a rocket scientist!
Re:Ah, product marketing... by eison · 2005-07-18 03:00 · Score: 1

I pay $57 for the imports (incl. shipping), order online. I'd love to see them at $25 also. :(

--
is competition good, or is duplication of effort bad?

Only on /. by KennyP · 2005-07-14 08:10 · Score: 1

Can you get 2 references to the Transformers in under 3 hours!

Here's hoping they don't SUCK it up!!!

Visualize Whirled P.'s

Re:Stop *planning* for sequels before the first mo by RealityMogul · 2005-07-14 08:10 · Score: 1

I seriously hope they don't stay true to the cartoon. Honestly, the thing I remember most about the cartoon was how whiney the robots were. I mean c'mon - they're robots - wtf is with the whiney voices and temper tantrums!!!

After that will be... by Chosen+Reject · 2005-07-14 08:11 · Score: 3, Funny

Next will be Thundercats!

--
Stop Global Warming!
Just say no to irreversible processes!

Re:After that will be... by Marc_Hawke · 2005-07-14 08:57 · Score: 1

If you say it, it will come.

http://video.craveonline.com/v1/viral/stupid/500-2 00.swf

Aside from the fact that it's ametuerish and a definite 'fan film'.....Isn't that the coolest thing you've ever seen?

(I'm 'blocking-out' the Cheetara scenes.)

--
--Welcome to the Realm of the Hawke--
Re:After that will be... by m50d · 2005-07-14 09:39 · Score: 1

Is that the one with the famously knickers-showing princess?
/far too young for this site.

--
I am trolling
Re:After that will be... by Machine9 · 2005-07-14 20:33 · Score: 1

in an appaling twist of fate, the quality of that homebrew movie's FX was probably on par with that of Mortal Kombat

--
Machine9dotNet

Bonus by mfloy · 2005-07-14 08:11 · Score: 1

Do you think this is going to be more of a hit with kids, or adults who remember playing with transformers as kids?

--
Voice your opinion!

Re:Bonus by dedeman · 2005-07-14 09:11 · Score: 1

I think it depends on which transformers and which generation of kids.

It occurs to me that transformers with the originals (like me, now 30 yrs old), the "die cast generation" if you will, may not want to see it. I've seen, not literally, so many crap rehashes of that which was my childhood; Garfield, Fat Albert, Herbie, that I may not want to see it until it's been out for a while.

Now, the latest (I think) group, late teens(?), the "plastic tranformer" generation, may be a bit more willing to watch something that was recently part of their childhood. Like the reason that I went to see Street Fighter, in the theater. I knew it was going to be terrible, but it was the "retro" value.

I sure as hell wouldn't watch a GI Joe movie, save for the cartoons on Ebaums. That may be next.

Watch out (if you are a parent) for the marketing/toy onslaught. I thought it was bad when I was a kid, it's far worse now.

Uh oh... by Forthan+Red · 2005-07-14 08:12 · Score: 1

Michael Bay? Michael "world's worst director" Bay? Well, this is guaranteed to be craptastic.

Re:Uh oh... by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:27 · Score: 0

World's worst director? That's just a stupid statement. Michael Bay is one of the finest action directors working in Hollywood today. You may not *like* his movies, but that doesn't make his direction bad.

For a better example of bad direction, you need look no further than Peter Jackson: he had a cast of great actors, and more often than not he didn't let them actually *act*, preferring instead to tart up their performances with CGI. *That* is a bad director. (George Lucas would be the other obvious choice in that category.)

Just to repeat: you may not like the scripts he works with, but Bay himself is a very, very good director.
Re:Uh oh... by Tebriel · 2005-07-14 08:34 · Score: 1

You've obviously never seen a Uwe Boll movie.

--
The Blaster Master Fighting for Truth, Justice, and Evil Pie since 1979

Optimus Keyboard Surrenders by invisigoth · 2005-07-14 08:12 · Score: 1

http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/07/ 14/1335215&tid=126&tid=159&tid=227

Optimus Keyboard Surrenders

Megatron by Ced_Ex · 2005-07-14 08:12 · Score: 1

With live action, how are they going to reproduce Megatron?

He's as big as an 18 wheeler truck in robot form, but is a handgun in disguise.

I'd like to see how they pull that off.

--
Live forever, or die trying.

Re:Megatron by Rude+Turnip · 2005-07-14 08:45 · Score: 1

They'll likely have him be a tank, like in the G2 episides...or perhaps a futuristic howitzer a-la Galvatron.

btw, It's already known that Soundwave won't be a tape recorder to keep with the times...an iPodicon perhaps? :)

--
Bill Clinton: Pimp we can believe in. - The Shirt!!!
Re:Megatron by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:55 · Score: 0

Due to current toy laws in the United States which require "blaze orange plug inserted in the barrel", Megatron will no longer be depicted in his classic gun mode. If he were, Hasbro would be unable to sell a toy based off of the character. Instead, he will likely be some kind of tank.
Re:Megatron by dlockamy · 2005-07-14 11:27 · Score: 1

Last I heard Megs will be a tank...like the G2 comic book
Re:Megatron by mabhatter654 · 2005-07-14 11:43 · Score: 1

what a pity to change the story for marketing... franky Megatron should be a mac 10, AK, or Uzi.... something crassly terrorist related!!
I like the idea of shockwave being an iPod... the "minis" could be mini-ipods or memory sticks that pillage IP from humans to build the ultimate weapon!!!

For those who can't stand Michael Bay by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:12 · Score: 0

You need to see the short film Killing Michael Bay.

Enjoy :)

The rock? Doom? by acherrington · 2005-07-14 08:12 · Score: 1

Wasn't The rock supposed to be in the Doom movie? Whatever happened to that?

Doom, to Transformers? Very strange. Rediscovering his adolecent childhood I guess.

--

Victory is gained, not in knowing your opponents next move, but in preempting them.

Make sure it is the 1980's version by John+Seminal · 2005-07-14 08:13 · Score: 4, Insightful

Not the 90's armada version.

I was a huge fan of the transformers in the early 80's. It was a great block of cartoons. There was He-Man, then Transformers, and then GI Joe (which I thought was weak). Oh, and for a couple years, they had Robotech, which was awesome, followed by Voltron. Talk about good cartoons, I don't think even Thundercats could dethrone those cartoons. Nothing good today like those cartoons.

Back to the Transformers. The new series stunk. It was not true to the old one. I don't think I even saw Megatron, at least not the way I remembered him. He was fairly smart back in the 80's, not crazy like starscream. The new series has no thought in it, that is why i dislike it. It is just like one thoughtless attack after another, no strategy.

And what happened to the robot that replaced Optimus Prime, when he died, I remember this robot was stuck inside a comet or astroid, and he had to be found.

Oh, and bring back the big mega robot, that is combined by 5 smaller ones, the green one that is all the construction machines that form a big robot.

Please, please, please, get this movie right. It will be a delight for all of us who watched the original series. Put most of the money in the script, something really good. I would rather have an awesome story and so-so graphics than a bad story and million dollar graphics.

--

Rosco: "If brains were gunpowder, Enos couldn't blow his nose."

Re:Make sure it is the 1980's version by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:27 · Score: 0

And what happened to the robot that replaced Optimus Prime, when he died, I remember this robot was stuck inside a comet or astroid, and he had to be found.

That is Rodimus Prime and he's simply Hot Rod after taking the matrix from Glavatron when they fought in Unicron's belly.

Oh, and bring back the big mega robot, that is combined by 5 smaller ones, the green one that is all the construction machines that form a big robot.

Those were the constructocons and they combined to form Devastator.
Re:Make sure it is the 1980's version by doublem · 2005-07-14 08:28 · Score: 1

I would rather have an awesome story and so-so graphics than a bad story and million dollar graphics.

Have you SEEN a US Made movie lately?

I mean, PIXAR is good for that sort of thing, but really, you can only expect so much.

If we're lucky, they'll just lift the script from the first few seasons of the 80's cartoon with editing. that's the best case scenario, and we all know it.

--
"Live Free or Die." Don't like it? Then keep out of the USA
Re:Make sure it is the 1980's version by KanSer · 2005-07-14 08:40 · Score: 4, Insightful

Put most of the money in the script, something really good. I would rather have an awesome story and so-so graphics than a bad story and million dollar graphics.
Do you have any idea who Michael Bay is??? He's going to shit on your childhood 10 times worse than Lucas could ever dream of. It's going to be Bad Boys 2 meets Transformers.
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- MOD PARENT UP by Anonymous Coward Wednesday April 20, @4:20
Re:Make sure it is the 1980's version by BoRictor · 2005-07-14 08:57 · Score: 1

Oh, and bring back the big mega robot, that is combined by 5 smaller ones, the green one that is all the construction machines that form a big robot.

Those would be the constructicons and the big robot was called Devastator I believe.
Re:Make sure it is the 1980's version by Dark_Lord_Prime · 2005-07-14 09:15 · Score: 2, Informative

Armada was not "true to the old one" because it WASN'T the old one. It was a whole new series, set in its own continuity. Megatron was the big green tank leading the Decepticons, until he got "powered up" and turned into a big white tank. Also, Armada was preceded by Robots in Disguise (which would be the crappy 90s version you're thinking of), which was also set in its own little universe. Energon followed Armada, and was a direct "sequel" series. Both of them sucked, although Energon was by far the worse of the two. Now we have Transformers: Cybertron, which is a lot better than the previous three. The green combiner was Devastator, and was composed of 6 smaller robots. I believe Predaking was also a 6-bot combiner, and the ones who followed were 5-bots. The robot who replaced Optimus Prime was Hot Rod, who became Rodimus Prime after he took the Matrix from Galvatron and opened it during the climactic battle inside Unicron. He's not in the newer series because, again, they are not part of that continuity. Oh, and the live-action movie is (loosely) based on the 1980s Generation 1 version.

--
Come hear me sing!
Re:Make sure it is the 1980's version by KaiserSoze · 2005-07-14 09:24 · Score: 1

Not the 90's armada version.

Agreed.

And what happened to the robot that replaced Optimus Prime, when he died, I remember this robot was stuck inside a comet or astroid, and he had to be found.

Ultramagnus? He got blown apart on the junk world, but they put him back together. Or are you talking about Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime? I recall neither being found in a comet.

Oh, and bring back the big mega robot, that is combined by 5 smaller ones, the green one that is all the construction machines that form a big robot.

The Constructicons? C'mon man, you're rapidly losing nerd points if you can't remember the name of the Constructicons!

ME GRIMLOCK SAY ME HOPE MICHAEL BAY AND GROUP OF NO-TALENT WRITERS DON'T CRAP ON TRANSFORMERS!

--
"What we elect to call imagination is mere combination of things not heretofore combined." - Frank Norris
Re:Make sure it is the 1980's version by XBruticusX · 2005-07-14 09:31 · Score: 1

I remember, I was there!
Re:Make sure it is the 1980's version by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 10:46 · Score: 0

Yeah, but it was six robots in the gestalt. He was one of the few, if only gestalts to be made from 6 and not five.
Re:Make sure it is the 1980's version by Auckerman · 2005-07-14 10:55 · Score: 1

Oh, and bring back the big mega robot, that is combined by 5 smaller ones, the green one that is all the construction machines that form a big robot.

There were six in that set. They were called constructicons. I still own mine (along with a lot of other nastologic toys and comics from the eighties, including transformers comics 1-18).

That sound was my inner geek expoding and needing to go to a coffee shop.

--

Burn Hollywood Burn
Re:Make sure it is the 1980's version by hal200 · 2005-07-14 11:25 · Score: 2, Interesting

Perhaps he's talking about "The Return of Optimus Prime"...Here's a plot summary of part 1...

Humans using a new experimental metal pilot their ship into the star in
which the ship piloted by Optimus Prime is burning up. They recue the body and
bring it back to Earth. One of the scientist has a grudge against Prime and
Transformers and wants to use him as bait to set the other Autobots up. The
scientists discover their ship has been covered in spores that induce hate and
plan to use these on the Autobots. Another scientist warns the Autobots of the
trap, but she is not informed of the whole plan and the Throttlebots and
Aerialbots, as well as many Autobots are infected. The Decepticons arrive,
intending to steal the metal, but are themselves infected, except for
Galvatron. The infected Transformers go on a rampage, infecting Transformers
and humans alike. Rodimus escapes and shuts down Metroplex, but is pursued and
infected by Ultra Magnus. Sky Lynx follows his previous orders and captures a
Quintesson to rebuild Optimus. They arrive on Earth and Optimus is brought
back to life.

Taken from http://www.portents.com/marek/transformers/tfepgd. txt

--
I just want to take over the world...Why does that automatically make me EVIL?
Re:Make sure it is the 1980's version by KaiserSoze · 2005-07-14 11:34 · Score: 1

A-Ha, that does sound like it. I don't know why I always block out post-The Movie episodes, even though The Movie was my all-time favorite Transformers storyline.

--
"What we elect to call imagination is mere combination of things not heretofore combined." - Frank Norris
Re:Make sure it is the 1980's version by chrysrobyn · 2005-07-14 12:00 · Score: 3, Informative

I was a huge fan of the transformers in the early 80's. It was a great block of cartoons. There was He-Man, then Transformers, and then GI Joe (which I thought was weak). Oh, and for a couple years, they had Robotech, which was awesome, followed by Voltron. Talk about good cartoons, I don't think even Thundercats could dethrone those cartoons. Nothing good today like those cartoons.

Friend, I don't know how to break this to you, but don't see these cartoons on rerun. Keep your memories alive. They were great when we were kids, but anything with a computer in it was too. If you were forced to watch an entire episode of any of those old series, you'd need a huge shot of nostalgia to keep you from impaling yourself on your TV remote just to end the pain. Nostalgia and childhood inexperience are the two things that make those cartoons great (with the possible exception of Robotech, which I was not privvy to). Those old TV shows made Star Wars (insert your least favorite number, likely "I") sound like it had good writing.

Transformers: The Movie was the only film I have cried in. I'm nearly 30 and still to this day, when I play the Transformers sountrack (you're a fan, so you have it, too, right?), I can't help but get chills and a tear in my eye when Optimus goes to the bright UPS in the sky.

Back to the Transformers. The new series stunk. It was not true to the old one. I don't think I even saw Megatron, at least not the way I remembered him. He was fairly smart back in the 80's, not crazy like starscream. The new series has no thought in it, that is why i dislike it. It is just like one thoughtless attack after another, no strategy.

There are several new series. Not all of them have the cliche, "the world is always reset to the zero state at the end of the show so you can see it in any order". Megatron was indeed changed, as were all the characters. They went with the recent CGI fad, which presented a completely different style. Arguably, they had to mix up the characters some because the graphics were so different.

Personally, I'm learning that some remakes are acceptable. I don't know about Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and any version of A New Hope where Han doesn't shoot first is blasphemy, but the new Battlestar Galactica is clearly its own work inspired by the original. Take it beyond video for a minute, and I enjoy Leaving on a Jet Plane by either Chantel Creviazuk or Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, but not John Denver or Peter, Paul and Mary. Additionally, I can't stand Prince, but I enjoy Darling Nikki by the Foo Fighters.

And what happened to the robot that replaced Optimus Prime, when he died, I remember this robot was stuck inside a comet or astroid, and he had to be found.

I think you mean Hot Rod. Wikipedia has a better explanation than I can.
Re:Make sure it is the 1980's version by MythosTraecer · 2005-07-14 12:58 · Score: 1

Actually, it was the other way around. Hot Rod was his original name, and during the fight with Galvatron he touched the Matrix, which turned him into Rodimus Prime. (He then opened the Matrix, which quickly dispatched Unicron.)

I'm such a geek...

--

--Mythos
Re:Make sure it is the 1980's version by KidSock · 2005-07-14 14:09 · Score: 1

Put most of the money in the script, something really good. I would rather have an awesome story and so-so graphics than a bad story and million dollar graphics.

Bingo! This is a major problem with film makers today. Case in point: Star Wars I, II, III.
Re:Make sure it is the 1980's version by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 14:13 · Score: 0

You think the new US cartoons are bad, you should see some of the follow-up series they made in Japan that never came over here. Good god! Nerds get all upset when any unwashed American tries to mess with Anime, well, I say it goes both ways... It still doesn't outdue the Anime styled Ninja Turtles OVAs that got made in Japan though in sheer WTF-ness, though. (Hint, they merge together into one giant super-turtle)
Re:Make sure it is the 1980's version by KanSer · 2005-07-14 15:10 · Score: 2, Interesting

Any of the Mainframe shows were really good. They were this awesome studio out of Vancouver that are most notorious (depends who you ask) for Reboot. They did subsequent versions of transformers that I absolutely LOVED. Transformers meets a real writer.

Seriously man, the Mainframe beauties are to transformers what DS9 is to Star Trek. That really awesome show with great production value, entertaining dialogue, massive story arcs, plot twists and damn fine effects. And both are completely unsung and often ignored.

After this evil director lays this turd is when you should have your first watch of these shows (if you haven't seen it). Just to drive home everything that's wrong with hollywood...
--
- MOD PARENT UP by Anonymous Coward Wednesday April 20, @4:20
Re:Make sure it is the 1980's version by srstoneb · 2005-07-14 16:13 · Score: 2, Interesting

I'm not sure how a post that reads like a parody got modded to +5 Insightful. (At least I hope it's a parody. I've certainly seen parodies that are almost identical.)

He starts out saying how awesome the original series was, then questions why the recent shows which are clearly set in a different continuity aren't just like the old show, and then "reminisces" about the show by half-remembering a few things and misremembering a few others. And he decries the "90's Armada version", which began in 2002.

It's like saying, "Man, I hope they get this new Superman movie right. I loved in the old stories how Clark Kent was all suave, getting all the ladies, like that reporter chick he worked with sometimes. And then he would go off and fight a really brilliant and cunning villain like Mr. Mxyztplk. If they stay true to those stores, it will be a delight for all of us who watched them."

Honestly, I don't care if people can't remember anything about their childhood cartoons aside from liking them. I don't care if people haven't re-watched these things as adults and seen their flaws firsthand. But if they haven't, then their opinions on these things are uninformed ones, and they should present those opinions accordingly.

When a new line of TRANSFORMERS comics was first announced a few years ago from the now-bankrupt company Dreamwave, their president, Pat Lee, made a similar comment. He explained how Sideswipe had always been his favorite character, and how upset he was when he died in the movie. Except... Sideswipe isn't IN the movie. He doesn't appear in a single frame. He was never heavily featured in an episode of the cartoon, or in the comic book. His entire "character" is that he's brash, and he wears a jetpack. Oh, and that one time he made a tunnel with his pile drivers. This is what passed for character development in those days.

"I really liked that show when I was a kid. I hope I like the movie, too," is a perfectly reasonable wish. But that is not the same thing as hoping they make it just like it was in 1984. The animation is a mess of errors, every other episode involves the invention of a new and powerful device which gets destroyed and never rebuilt, and practically every character, including (if not especially) Prime and Megatron is a complete dumbass.

When Megatron made a clone of Prime, he carefully explained his plan to Soundwave, then brought the clone out. Soundwave exclaimed, "It is Optimus Prime!" and cowered in fear. When the Autobots realized that there were two Primes, they couldn't tell them apart even though one of them didn't know any his troops' names. They decided to discover the real Prime BY HAVING A RACE.

"Transformers" was a great children's program, and it has a lot of heart, and a lot of fun ideas. I still enjoy it, but for its nostalgia value, campiness, and lighthearted goofiness; not because it's some sort of perfect series of yesteryear that those cartoon makers today can't match. I watch a *lot* of cartoons, and have since I was young, and in my opinion the programming being produced today is better than ever before. At least, in terms of my current tastes. If I were 10, I don't know whether I would prefer the new TMNT to the old one, or Justice League Unlimited to Superfriends. Young-me *might* like the older shows better, but, I would guess not.

For anybody who is serious about wanting to reminesce about the Transformers cartoon, I recommend The Cybertron Chronicle, by far the most thorough TF cartoon website there is. As well as transcripts of every episode and an extensive character guide, it also has a bunch of interviews with voice actors, a producer, and the voice director. Nice sites for an overview of all of Transformers history (and in considerably less depth than the Chronicle) are Unicron.com and Ben's World of Transformers.
Re:Make sure it is the 1980's version by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-15 05:47 · Score: 0

Without bringing back the original writers for the original series they will probably have a great deal of difficulty in translating the personalities of the original series (for children) to a live action motion film (for adults). Moreover, while I loved the show, the interplay between characters was static and based largely in black/white situations - something that works well for children and not so well for adults. This being a given, it is probably better to lower your bars a little bit.

Also, you have to consider, what was the original transformers but a weekly 30-minute long toy commercial?

Lord of the Rings IV by AtariAmarok · 2005-07-14 08:14 · Score: 1

"With Spider-Man 3 (May 2007) and the Transformers (July 2007) coming out in the same summer, the amount of time I'll spend in the theater should remain unchanged from 2005, at zero"

I'm holding out for "Lord of the Rings IV". Surely Peter Jackson can make up some more material. I'm sure that Tolkien guy who has sold so many movie adaptation novels from the first three movies would love to be able to write and sell more books too.

--
Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.

Re:Lord of the Rings IV by Dogtanian · 2005-07-14 08:47 · Score: 4, Funny

I'm holding out for "Lord of the Rings IV".

That's not going to happen, as such. However, after finishing King Kong, Jackson is supposed to be working on a cash-in prequel- "Lord of the Rings 0" if you like, although the rumoured name is "The Hobbit".

Apparently they contrived some stupid story about a guy who appears at the start of the first LOTR film.

What a cheap cash-in. Scum.

--
"Slashdot - News and Chat Sites Deviant". (Click "homepage" link above for details).
Re:Lord of the Rings IV by AtariAmarok · 2005-07-14 09:32 · Score: 4, Funny

"What a cheap cash-in. Scum"
What do you expect from a guy who actually made up the title of the second Lord of the Rings movie to cash in on the WTC tragedy. Shameless.

--
Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
Re:Lord of the Rings IV by Argon+Sloth · 2005-07-14 10:50 · Score: 1

"Lord of the Rings 0"

I'd've expected that to be Lord of the Rings -1.
Honestly? Who starts counting at 1?

--
Laziness is a virtue, anyone who bothers to tell you otherwise, is clearly lacking it.
Re:Lord of the Rings IV by msim · 2005-07-14 11:20 · Score: 1

I was about to reply and call you a dumbass, then i realised i'd been taken for a sucker.

ggod one, bastard!!!

--

Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know when your gonna get food poisoning.
Re:Lord of the Rings IV by msim · 2005-07-14 11:24 · Score: 1

blah, frigging typo's. "good" not "ggod"

Wheres that 3rd cup of coffee? its only 9:21am.

--

Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know when your gonna get food poisoning.

Woah. by njfuzzy · 2005-07-14 08:15 · Score: 3, Funny

At first glance, I didn't parse "The Rock) will direct; " very well. Man was that a scary moment.

--
My Photography - http://ian-x.com
The Deathlings (comic) - http://thedeathlings.com

Re:Woah. by otis+wildflower · 2005-07-14 08:18 · Score: 2, Insightful

What, Michael Bay isn't scary enough?

At least it isn't Paul W.S. Anderson or Uwe Boll.. The other members of the axis of stinkbombs...
Re:Woah. by stuktongue · 2005-07-14 13:19 · Score: 1

You'll get no argument from me re: Michael Bay, but re: Paul W.S. Anderson, I'd just like to say that I thought both Resident Evil and Event Horizon were pretty good movies. And Mortal Kombat was decent, if you're into that sort of thing. Now, Resident Evil: Apocalypse is a whole different story, and I couldn't even bring myself to consider seeing AVP: Alien vs. Predator.

More than meets the eye? by Alex+P+Keaton+in+da · 2005-07-14 08:15 · Score: 1

This will do fine, hopefully.
I am not a marketing expert, but I imagine a lot of us 23-35 somethings (even the non nerds- the jerks even: the slightly balding 30 year olds who wear their baseball caps backwards and big knee braces and yell a lot while playing a pick up game of basketball-we all know people like that) will see it because we all watched as youngsters (I loved the action figures).
Seems that the Pokeman/ Power Rangers ages would see it, plus any movie kids will like doubles the receipts because a parent has to go with them. And parents in my opinion will be more likely to take their kids to see this, because, well a lot of us would be happy to sit through with the wee ones this as opposed to, say Strawberry Shortcake.(If you have kids in your life, be they yours, or nephews and nieces, you know about sitting through awful kids movies)
I just hope the live action isn't like the old Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies...

--
And All I Ask is a Tall Ship And a Star to Steer Her By

Re:More than meets the eye? by Klintdog · 2005-07-14 08:43 · Score: 2, Funny

But just think, if it is like TMNT, we'll be blessed with Vanilla Ice coming out and doing the Transformer Rap! Go Optimus, Go Optimus Go!
Re:More than meets the eye? by cranos · 2005-07-14 16:42 · Score: 1

If there was any justice in the world that movie would have ended with Raphael in a homicidal rage spiking his daggers through Vanilla Ices eye while a couple of rat catchers from the original cartoon series munched on his testicles.

Not that Im bitter about it at all

Forget about Transformers... by TimeForGuinness · 2005-07-14 08:16 · Score: 1

...I want my VOLTRON!!!

Just Great by faqmaster · 2005-07-14 08:16 · Score: 1

Can a live-action He-Man and She-Ra be far behind?

--
Are you...Are you some kind of genius?
No, ma'am, I'm just a regular Slashdot reader.

Re:Just Great by xTown · 2005-07-14 08:21 · Score: 3, Informative

You mean, of course, another live-action He-Man movie.

Maaaaan was it terrible.
Re:Just Great by Derekloffin · 2005-07-14 08:22 · Score: 1

We already had a live action He-man. Let's just say, ugh!
Re:Just Great by xjerky · 2005-07-14 08:22 · Score: 1

Ummm...

--
A sentence you'll never see on an Internet discussion board: "You know what? You're right."
Re:Just Great by xjerky · 2005-07-14 08:28 · Score: 1

What do you mean? It was the best Jack Kirby's Fourth World movie I ever saw....

--
A sentence you'll never see on an Internet discussion board: "You know what? You're right."
Re:Just Great by doublem · 2005-07-14 08:45 · Score: 1

Only as Porn

And it's been done, a LOT

--
"Live Free or Die." Don't like it? Then keep out of the USA
Re:Just Great by Spy+der+Mann · 2005-07-14 08:56 · Score: 1

You mean, of course, another live-action He-Man movie.

AHHHHHHHH my eyes! My eyes! *crackle* They're melting!!!! *crackle*

Yes, I saw that movie, someone give me back my childhood bwaa!!! :(

To keep with the air of your message.... by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:18 · Score: 0

Your post sucked as well.....

business opportunity by lupinstel · 2005-07-14 08:18 · Score: 0

Now we can sell our transformer collections on ebay for big bucks.

--
Don't blame me, I voted for Cthulhu.

Re:Slow news day at slashdot? by phxhawke · 2005-07-14 08:19 · Score: 1

Hey, The Transformers DO MATTER!

They had just not botch Optimus Prime or there'll be hell to pay!

Re:Stop *planning* for sequels before the first mo by bigsimes · 2005-07-14 08:19 · Score: 1

:Cartoon:? I still have my original comic book with the beetle t-shirt iron-on. Or maybe I missed something, like the 80's (which is worrying). I havent seen the cartoon aside from the 'beastwars'.

Don't tell anyone by AtariAmarok · 2005-07-14 08:20 · Score: 1

"With live action, how are they going to reproduce Megatron.He's as big as an 18 wheeler truck in robot form, but is a handgun in disguise

Don't tell anyone, but I checked the schedules of the forthcoming monster truck rallies for the next 18 months. A lot of famous transforming-trucks are absent from the playbills, presumably due to filming duties. Among the names: Truck-a-Saurus, Tyrannosaurus Trucks, Bronto-Bilt, Semi-rapter, and, yes, Smith-and-Wobot (the truck that turns into a pistol). I expect we will be seeing all of them in the Transformers movie, disguised by lots of color sheet metal.

--
Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.

Is Speilberg right for this project? by John+Seminal · 2005-07-14 08:21 · Score: 1

Wow, how did they get speilberg to sign on for a toy movie? I wonder what his motivation is since he can do whatever the hell he wants... and it's my beloved transformers...

I love the transformers too. It was one of my favorite cartoons in the 80's.

But I have to question what Speilberg can add to the transformers. Why not bring back the crew who did the original 1980's show? Give them the same tools they had back then. That is what will make money, Dads taking their kids to see a cartoon movie they loved as a child.

The only great thing that Speilberg might be able to add is a good story, which could be worth its weight in gold. I doubt he will want to do a story that sucks, and will most likely have veto power over scripts. I hope Speilberg was a fan of the original 1980s series, and not the newer one.

To be 100% honest, I don't think I want Speilberg doing this movie. He will attract top notch actors, and I don't know if I want Danny DeVitto voicing Megatron, or Chris Rock voicing StarScream.

The other problem with Speilberg is this movie could become a 20 million dollar animation project. Will Optimus Prime look like what we remember, or will creativity change him completely??

--

Rosco: "If brains were gunpowder, Enos couldn't blow his nose."

Re:Is Speilberg right for this project? by deathy_epl+ccs · 2005-07-14 08:26 · Score: 1

Although I must say, I think Chris Rock's voice would actually manage to be LESS annoying than the voice they had in the original.
Re:Is Speilberg right for this project? by Adrilla · 2005-07-14 08:47 · Score: 1

No, but Chris Rock would be an awesome 'Jazz'. I also don't see the problem with getting star talent, the original movie had Leonard Nimoy, Orson Welles, Eric Idle and Judd Nelson, not all A list celebrities, but definitely above the leagues of the cartoon they were voicing and they did awesome. I personally, would love if they could get the original voice of Optimus. It'd be a pity if they couldn't.

--

"Plans are for fools! Oglethorpe, the plutonian (Aqua Teen Hunger Force)
Re:Is Speilberg right for this project? by Achoi77 · 2005-07-14 09:00 · Score: 1

I beleive GP was thinking about Chris Tucker from Rush Hour. He's got the high-pitched voice that's more suitable for a whiny Starscream. :-)
Re:Is Speilberg right for this project? by AnalogBoy · 2005-07-14 09:33 · Score: 1

One thing is for sure, short of a seance, we wont be getting Chris Lotta (starscream) or Orson Wells (Unicron) to do any voices. :(
Re:Is Speilberg right for this project? by blincoln · 2005-07-14 13:36 · Score: 1

Why not bring back the crew who did the original 1980's show?

I have a lot of fond memories of the original series, and I own the DVDs. But it's far from flawless.

The stories and dialogue are kept simple because it was marketed towards children.

It's incredibly obvious when Hasbro had just released a new set of toys in the series, because they'll appear in an episode where another character rattles off their names.

Some of the voice actors, like Michael Bell and Peter Cullen are awesome. Others are less convincing. Personally I always hated the portrayal of Starscream as a whiny, incompetent megalomaniac. He has the most awesome name of any of the Decepticons, and I think it would be cool if were an actual badass like Soundwave and Shockwave. If they snag Michael Bell, they could have him do Starscream in a vein similar to Raziel in the first Soul Reaver.

Anyway, back to the voice actors. I wouldn't mind some big names. Leonard Nimoy was excellent as Galvatron in the 80s movie, for example.

When I started watching the DVDs, the cartoon's origins as a 25-minute toy commercial really became obvious. I think there's a lot of room for improvement, although I am not holding out for this project actually being as good as it might theoretically be.

--
"...always new atoms but always doing the same dance, remembering what the dance was yesterday." -Richard Feynman
Re:Is Speilberg right for this project? by Yert · 2005-07-14 13:46 · Score: 1

Hopefully, they use Scott McNeil for some of the voices, and I'll get to hear more production-horror movies over Guinness next A-Kon. :) Plus, he's a fabu voice actor.

--
Truck driver, plumber, Linux systems engineer.

Live Action by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:21 · Score: 0

POSSIBLE SPOILER! We've received this pics, apparently leaked from the production set:

http://www.rangercentral.com/pics/shoguns.jpg
http://www.rangercentral.com/images/njzrds.jpg

Re:Stop *planning* for sequels before the first mo by Thaelon · 2005-07-14 08:21 · Score: 1

[rabid Tolkien Fan]What the heck are you talking about? There were no sequels to LOTR. Those three movies were The Lord of the Rings; as in one story broken into three parts - not The Fellowship of the Ring II: Frodo Heads to Mordor and the Fellowship of the Ring III: Frodo Blows Up Mordor.

There haven't been nor ever will be a sequel to LOTR because J.R.R. Tolkien is long since deceased.[/rabid Tolkien Fan]

--

Question everything

Michael Bay - best description by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:23 · Score: 0

I miss you more than michael bay missed the mark
when he made pearl harbor
I miss you more than that movie missed the point
and that's an awful lot girl

and now, now you've gone away
and all I'm trying to say
is pearl harbor sucked
and i miss you

I need like ben affleck needs acting school
he was terrible in that film
I need you like cuba gooding needed a bigger part
he's way better than ben affleck

now, all i can think about is your smile
and that shitty movie too
pearl harbor sucked
and i miss you

why does michael bay get to keep on making movies?
I guess pearl harbor sucked
just a little bit more
than i miss you

Live Action? Hmmm... by cshark · 2005-07-14 08:25 · Score: 2, Interesting

Define live action.

Seems to me that there would need to be so much computer animation in it to make it work that it might as well be a cartoon anyway.

--

This signature has Super Cow Powers

Re:Live Action? Hmmm... by mbbac · 2005-07-14 08:45 · Score: 1

Live action. Cars are easy enough to computer generate versions of that are indistinguishable from a real one.

--
mbbac
Re:Live Action? Hmmm... by MDMurphy · 2005-07-14 08:52 · Score: 1

I agree completely. Given how much green screen or CG is done these days in "live action" movies, we need a definition of the term.

"Team America: World Police" had a cinematographer who also did all of the "Matrix" movies. He commented on the DVD how exciting it was to shoot a real movie, with stunts and effect done in front of the camera instead of all green screens.

When a movie featuring marionettes is more "Live" than one with humans, you know we need a new definition.

The Academy will need to decided sometime if "Titanic 2" is so much CG that it falls in the animated feature category.
Re:Live Action? Hmmm... by OneFix · 2005-07-14 14:47 · Score: 1

Not if they call this guy...

Independence Day for Transformers ***SPOILERS*** by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:26 · Score: 1, Funny

The movie ends with a Mac laptop uploading a robot-killing virus into the decepticon network.

FREE crapdot account (low karma+high UID though) by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:28 · Score: 0

username: essreenim
password: abc123

password modified for your convenience!!

This shitzone has wasted too much of my time. Really, I can't deactivate the account and I know nobody on the site (that I can think of) so..why not give it away. And yes, I am the original owner.

Please enjoy the account for flaming, trolling, or fluffy karma building, or even degenerate karma whoring at your whim!!

present karma: -1 (terrible). If you want to improve the karma rating, you'll have to shorten the enemy list. I have carefully selected many enemies.

Hot Rod, now, and FOREVER! by Neoprofin · 2005-07-14 08:30 · Score: 1

If it's based on the terrible Energon line that currently infects tellivision I will personally hunt down ever person involved with the making of that film and slap them.

Scaling and such by SoundGuyNoise · 2005-07-14 08:31 · Score: 1

I hope if the robots will be, for lack of a better term, "anatomically correct". Like, would the thing we see on screen really could fold up into a Volkswagen or a stapler.

Let's not forget scale. I really don't think Soundwave could suddenly fit comfortalbly into someone's jacket pocket (as he often did in the cartoon).

Plus I just want to hear "Oh shit, Grimlock" one more time.

--
You never expect irony, do you?
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@iyfwrestling

Where's The Blog by BRock97 · 2005-07-14 08:31 · Score: 5, Funny

So, how long before we get Optimus Prime's blog up on that site! It would be awesome:

Planning For The Trip
Monday, July 11th, 2005

My bags are packed and I have an Energon snack pack since the trip to the space bridge is a couple of ours by way of Jetfire. Got another message from Elita-1 which says that it will be good to have me home. I don't know. You know the old Cybertronian saying, "You can't go home...". I have never felt that as being more true than right now. I am so nervous, my energy storage unit is backed up into my Matrix of Leadership....

Damn it Spike
Sunday, July 10th, 2005

I swear I don't know what I am going to do with that human. Just as I issued the orders to roll out, he hopped into Bumblebee and came on the last defensive of the human's oil refinery. Sure enough, he gets caught in an explosion and almost fell into the Earthen sea. I hate to do it, but I think I will have to make Bumblebee his care taker from now on. That goldbug has been asking for a promotion anyways...

Energon
Tuesday, July 5th, 2005

God, I love energon. Just thought I would let you guys know that.

--

Bryan R.
The price of freedom is eternal vigilance, or $12.50 as seen on eBay.....

Re:Where's The Blog by enrico_suave · 2005-07-14 08:51 · Score: 2, Funny

I hope Optimus recovers from his bout with prostate cancer

--
Build Your Own PVR/HTPC news, reviews, &
Re:Where's The Blog by matasar · 2005-07-14 09:22 · Score: 2, Funny

How about an Optimus Prime advice column?

Ben
Re:Where's The Blog by PsiPsiStar · 2005-07-14 09:27 · Score: 3, Funny

So, how long before we get Optimus Prime's blog up on that site!

As soon as he figures out how to transform his optimus keyboard?

--

___
It's the end of my comment as I know it and I feel fine.
Re:Where's The Blog by johnnyb · 2005-07-14 09:49 · Score: 2, Funny

A keyboard that can be modified -- what will they think of next?

--
Engineering and the Ultimate
Re:Where's The Blog by Anonymous+Brave+Guy · 2005-07-14 13:36 · Score: 2, Funny

A keyboard that turns into a robot... 1,000,000 times its original size?

--
If you disagree, post your argument. (-1, Overrated) isn't your personal censorship tool for views you don't like.
Re:Where's The Blog by fyrie · 2005-07-14 15:04 · Score: 1

Hey! If it's the cartoon version of Prime, then he'd refer to the veritech as Skyfire. If you're talkin Toy Prime, then you're dead on! http://www.unicron.us/tf1985/figures/jetfire.htm
Re:Where's The Blog by Machine9 · 2005-07-14 20:03 · Score: 1

off-topic: that's one sweet looking gadget O_O

--
Machine9dotNet
Re:Where's The Blog by PsiPsiStar · 2005-07-14 21:38 · Score: 1

I don't think it's real. Just an artist's conception. But then, so is Optimus Prime.

Fair's fair.

--

___
It's the end of my comment as I know it and I feel fine.
Re:Where's The Blog by Machine9 · 2005-07-14 23:21 · Score: 1

You are correct, it's a design only.
But damnit! it should be real.

--
Machine9dotNet

transformers? I am too old... by Frederic54 · 2005-07-14 08:32 · Score: 1

I am too old, I never watched transformers on TV! I am waiting for captain future , or captain herlock or even a Grendizer movie, true old anime from the end 70s/begin 80s

--
"Science will win because it works." - Stephen Hawking

I have the script! by Yeechang+Lee · 2005-07-14 08:33 · Score: 1

Through an inside source I've managed to get my hands on the script for the Transformers movie. I'm glad to say that it's not like anything I've ever seen before! Here is an excerpt to show you what I mean.

--------- PRESIDENT The giant "Rock," as the press has dubbed it, is still heading for Earth. Although we, the Europeans, and the Russians are working together to stop it, I am afraid that the odds do not look good. (Beat) As a result, I have decided to accept the offer of help from Mr. Optimus Prime. It . . . He says he can help save the planet. In return, I have issued a pardon for all federal offenses committed by the "Autobots" before their capture by the CIA "Bad Boys" team at Pearl Harbor, effective immediately. They will leave for the Rock on the experimental spacecraft "The Island" on Thursday. I will now take your questions. (Blinding camera flashes as many journalists jostle for positioning. The PRESIDENT nods at a REPORTER in front.) REPORTER Mr. President, can these robots be trusted? Did they explain why they attacked the Island Cloning Lab? PRESIDENT Judy, I am afraid that we have no other choice. We face imminent and total Armageddon. ---------

Like I said, it's pure drama gold!

Writers? by j1ggl3x · 2005-07-14 08:34 · Score: 5, Interesting

Let's see, according to imdb, here are the billed screenplay writers:
John Rogers (screenplay) and
Roberto Orci (screenplay)
Tom DeSanto story
Alex Kurtzman screenplay

Googling around, it seems like John Rogers will be the head writer. His creidts? Catwoman and The Core.
(Budget/US Box Office)
Catwoman: $100 million/$40 million
The Core: $60 million/$30 million

Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman? Episodes of Alias, the Island, MI3, Zorro sequel. I highly doubt the Island will be good, and sequels just for money usually don't have stellar stories, so not looking too great.

The only possible saving grace in the bunch is Tom DeSanto who is credited for the story in X-Men. Hollywood must seriously be about the connections. I just don't know how anyone would be willing to invest money in the guy who wrote Catwoman or The Core.

Re:Writers? by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:57 · Score: 0

Well, Catwoman, the Core and Global Frequency. Plus, well, he seems to have a very good grasp of the kinds of stuff Transformers is about. And also remember, the guy who writes the base screenplay may not have anything to do with the thing you see on the screen at the end.

If you believe... if you REALLY believe... it'll turn out okay. Positive thoughts, everyone!
Re:Writers? by nEoN+nOoDlE · 2005-07-14 13:08 · Score: 1

Hollywood is all about the connections. It also doesn't hurt that those writers already have a built in reputation for not giving a crap about the art and just bowing to studio intervention... executives likey! Nothing worse than a writer going uppity on you and wanting to put in ideas and such into a film!

--
Don't trust a bull's horn, a doberman's tooth, a runaway horse or me.

Credits by mbbac · 2005-07-14 08:36 · Score: 2, Funny

OK, so we know Michael Bay has done The Island and The Rock, but what movies has Steven Spielberg done?

--

mbbac

SoundTrack? by FriedTurkey · 2005-07-14 08:37 · Score: 1

I just hope the movie has the awesome soundtrack like the cartoon movie.

You got the touch
You got the power

After all is said and done
You've never walked, you've never run,
You're a winner

You got the moves, you know the streets
Break the rules, take the heat
You're nobody's fool

You're at your best when when the goin' gets rough
You've been put to the test, but it's never enough

You got the touch You got the power

Re:SoundTrack? by otis+wildflower · 2005-07-14 08:53 · Score: 1

I just hope they get Mark Wahlberg to sing it..

Has to be said by doublem · 2005-07-14 08:39 · Score: 1

Well, there can BE only one.

--
"Live Free or Die." Don't like it? Then keep out of the USA

Re:Has to be said by krakelohm · 2005-07-14 10:40 · Score: 1

WTF... what does Highlander have to to with Transformers?

--
You are all a bunch of idots.

Re:Please explain... by John+Seminal · 2005-07-14 08:42 · Score: 1, Interesting

why is it exactly that you refuse to install Flash?

I didn't instal it for many reasons. I'll give you just one example. While I have not done this for over a year, I bet it is the same. Go to ESPN's website without flash. It loads quicker. Go to their website with flash, and you get a huge distracting 1/3rd the size of a 17 inch monitor flash graphics. And you can not disable it. It is worse at some websites that use Flash for their advertising. I HATE FLASH FOR ADVERTISING. It is about as distracting as the banner that flashes from white to red "YOU HAVE WON... click here*".

I want control over my computer, and I want it to be easy. I don't want to have to read a tech manual to learn how to disable something. It is one of the reasons I will not instal Real Media on my computer.

Did Macromedia steal your bike or something?

They stole my time and my nerves. And that is just as bad.

Or are you one of the few dozen folks still relying on a 28.8 connection?

Is this supposed to be a knock on people without broadband. Should the whole internet work flawlessly for those with 350k connections, and screw the rest for simple text pages?

Do you have any idea how many people use AOL or dial up? And NEWSFLASH, that 56k modem ain't 56k, I have looked at over a dozen dial-ups, and the best I EVER saw was 8k a second, most are like 4k or 5k a second. If a 56K modem ever gave a consistant 35k a second, broadband never would have caught on like it did.

It is simple for me. If a website does not work the way I want it to, I don't visit it. End of story. The person putting up the website must do so in a way I approve of, if he expects me to visit it. And in my case, I think I share criteria with millions of other people.

And oh, I surf with javascrip disabled too. It is one of the reasons I no longer use email services which require javascript to be enabled. I'd rather open up a source code window and read the html and find the links myself than let javascript do it.

--

Rosco: "If brains were gunpowder, Enos couldn't blow his nose."

AI style would actually be sick...though by ILKO_deresolution · 2005-07-14 08:42 · Score: 0

AI wasnt that great of movie....
this ones going to be TITS dude
That real look that AI had ; i cant wait.
Same with War of the Worlds....that AI look
didnt suit it so well....but transformers!

--
I tip toe like rats on vouge runnways.

Michael Bay? by CaseM · 2005-07-14 08:43 · Score: 1

Well, there's one thing we won't have to worry about...explosions. Lots and lots of explosions.

if its anything like this by tont0r · 2005-07-14 08:45 · Score: 1

then ill be happy...
breakdancing transformers

and i want that song on the soundtrack too.

Look HERE ! by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:46 · Score: 0

>. That is the WORLD'S SMALLEST VIOLIN!

You are going to give yourself an ulcer my friend.

I have only one thing to say..... by xlr8ed · 2005-07-14 08:46 · Score: 5, Funny

If there is even one single Autobot with "spinners" on their wheels...I am going to go completely postal....

Re:I have only one thing to say..... by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 16:37 · Score: 0

That'll only happen if the role of the token human is filled by Xzibit.
Re:I have only one thing to say..... by Lord_Dweomer · 2005-07-15 02:16 · Score: 1

Transformers: Dub Edition
And don't forget the hydraulics. Oh god, kill me now.

--
Buy Steampunk Clothing Online!

Re:The rock? Doom? by the+real+darkskye · 2005-07-14 08:47 · Score: 1

According to the IMDB link, its scheduled for release this fall.

--
Music is everybody's possession.
It's only publishers who think that people own it.
Fuck Beta
~John Lenno

Re:Please explain... by I_Love_Pocky! · 2005-07-14 08:48 · Score: 2, Informative

And NEWSFLASH, that 56k modem ain't 56k, I have looked at over a dozen dial-ups, and the best I EVER saw was 8k a second, most are like 4k or 5k a second. If a 56K modem ever gave a consistant 35k a second, broadband never would have caught on like it did.

That is 56 kilobits per second, not 56 kilobytes. In kilobytes, a 56k modem should be able to do up to 7 kilobytes per second without compression.

Re:Please explain... by CuriHP · 2005-07-14 08:49 · Score: 2, Informative

Wow. This is just for your benefit. A 56k modem can and will give 56k (Actually I believe they're limited to 53k, but close enough.). The problem you are having is the inability to differentiate between the following two symbols: k K

A 56k modem is 56k (56 kilobits). The number you see on your download is 5K (5 kilobytes). One byte is eight bits. So, with a little basic math, 56k = 7K. So 5K is actually pretty good, and your 8K is impossible.

--
If it's not on fire, it's a software problem.

If it looks as good as this... by pr0t0 · 2005-07-14 08:50 · Score: 1

Check out thissite.

It's part of an elaborate BWM Mini advertising campaign, posted on /. before.
The animation is pretty good though. I thought it was real at first glance.

--
I'm sorry, but your opinion seems to be wrong.

Hellooooo, 1980's? by Spy+der+Mann · 2005-07-14 08:50 · Score: 2, Insightful

But the cartoon sucked. Always sucked.

OK, let's review...

Transformers was aired in 1984. Cartoons (anime or otherwise) with good storylines were rare, if not unique. After all, what was the competition?
He-man? Voltron? Mazinger Z (pfft) ?

Transformers was written for young, gullible kids. Yes, it was also made to sell toys, but what difference does it make with other cartoons of today?

Anyway, it was a show about good vs. evil. And the evil characters were REALLY evil. I loved the way Megatron planned the destruction of the autobots, he was evil, and i just loved that (well actually i hated him, but you get the point). We rarely see characters like him today. And remember, in 1984, kids weren't aware of conspiracies, and intensive drama was definitely taboo. We were children! We didn't have to worry about terrorism, drugs, or our best friend committing suicide. We just wanted to play, have fun, and watch some TV.

Call me naive, but it was a show perfectly adapted for our young, innocent mindsets. And we loved it.

Regardless, AI was ruined by moogleii · 2005-07-14 08:52 · Score: 1

I see a number of fellows trying to strongarm their opinions of this movie in. You know why I thought it sucked regardless of what I may or may not have heard from the media? The last 30 minutes. The rest was fine. It should have ended when the "boy" was underwater in the car. That was a clean and logical break point.

Instead, we had this odd alien BS, "If you weren't sure yet, I really do want my mom, and I'd like a happy, general-audience, crowd-pleasing ending por favor" bolted onto the end. I'm convinced that last half hour was not part of Kubrick's plan and was something Spielberg concocted, but I could be wrong. Either way, the last 30 minutes ruined it for me, and your analysis won't change that. Mayhaps you and anyone else who thinks likewise should watch it again with my comments.

Re:Regardless, AI was ruined by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 10:07 · Score: 0

thank you for providing further evidence that a large number of people who hated the ending of AI didn't realize that those were ROBOTS and not ALIENS.
Re:Regardless, AI was ruined by bill_mcgonigle · 2005-07-14 12:00 · Score: 1

Instead, we had this odd alien BS

I keep hearing this from people and it has me confused. I'm hoping you can clarify it for me.

What aliens?
Were were the aliens?
I didn't see any aliens.
What made you think there were aliens?
Did you think the evolved robots were aliens?
If so was it because they were shaped similarly to Close Encounters of the Third Kind aliens?

There's no segue from robots to aliens that I noticed so I'm not clear why someone would make this leap.

--
My God, it's Full of Source!
OUTSIDE_IP=$(dig +short my.ip @outsideip.net)
Re:Regardless, AI was ruined by moogleii · 2005-07-14 12:08 · Score: 1

Sorry, it's been awhile since I've watched it. But looking back, I guess you're right, they weren't aliens. Either way, did it work story-wise? I would venture no.

The movie was cleaner, and darker without the end 30 minutes (although you can correct me on the precise time as well). You may think otherwise, but that's fine with me, unlike the parent.

Check out this awesome breakdance video though.. by wfberg · 2005-07-14 08:52 · Score: 1

This right here is what the world needs more of. Transformer b-boys!

--
SCO employee? Check out the bounty

transformers by andy4322 · 2005-07-14 08:53 · Score: 1

Transformers are great and all, but when does the Go-Bots movie come out?

you;ve got the touch.... by enrico_suave · 2005-07-14 08:53 · Score: 1

you've got the pooooowwwweeerr!

(now try to get that out of your noggin) =P

--
Build Your Own PVR/HTPC news, reviews, &

You shall pay for your blasphemy! by MarkTina · 2005-07-14 08:54 · Score: 1

BURN HIM! BURN THE HERETIC!!

Re:Please explain... by Anonymous+Crowhead · 2005-07-14 08:55 · Score: 0, Flamebait

something i refuse to instal.

I didn't instal it for many reasons.

I will not instal Real Media

How the fuck can you not know how to spell "install"???

Optimus shoots first by hal2814 · 2005-07-14 08:57 · Score: 1

I hear that Optimus shoots first in this version of the movie.

Re:FREE crapdot account (low karma+high UID though by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 08:58 · Score: 0

that account didn't work, you jerk

Re:Please explain... by Adrilla · 2005-07-14 08:58 · Score: 1

Isn't there a Firefox extension that lets you disable Flash ads? and as far as the ESPN video thing goes, you have to install that first. Something which I don't recommend.

--

"Plans are for fools! Oglethorpe, the plutonian (Aqua Teen Hunger Force)

Argh...not michael bay! by Phil+John · 2005-07-14 08:59 · Score: 1

Seriously, the guy has the inverse midas touch, everything he putts his mitts on turns to crap.

Reminds me of a joke,

You're in a room with Michael Bay, Jerry Bruckheimer, James Cameron and have a gun with only two bullets. Who do you shoot?

A: Michael Bay, twice.

--
I am NaN

Re:Please explain... by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 09:01 · Score: 0

no you tool. Flash is one of the slickest pieces of personally intrusive software out there. it consumes your system resources without a care and it allows for some very transparent tracking of your browsing habits that CANNOT be simply avoided.

read and inform yourself before making yourself look like a dick. oh wait too late for that one.

Re:Please explain... by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 09:03 · Score: 0

why the fuck do people bitch and whine about spelling? fuc U!

Re:Please explain... by grammar+fascist · 2005-07-14 09:04 · Score: 1

Isn't there a Firefox extension that lets you disable Flash ads?

I use the Flashblock extension. It substitutes any Flash object for a button you can press if you want to see it. You can also whitelist sites. I highly recommend it.

--
I got my Linux laptop at System76.

Get your facts straight by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 09:05 · Score: 0

Read the second bullet:

http://imdb.com/title/tt0212720/trivia

Two Words.... by fudgefactor7 · 2005-07-14 09:06 · Score: 1

Uve Boll.

You know you want him to direct instead.

Re:Please explain... by Gulthek · 2005-07-14 09:13 · Score: 1

You should use Firefox and using Firefox you should use the superbly excellent Flash Block and Adblock.

This isn't rocket science people. How else are you going to watch Ill Will Press?

Michael Bay? Oh boy. by tomlouie · 2005-07-14 09:13 · Score: 1

Trey Parker & Matt Stone said it best.

Song: The End of an Act Lyrics

I miss you more than Michael Bay missed the mark,
When he made Pearl Harbor.
I miss you more then that movie missed the point,
And that's an awful lot girl.
And now, now you've gone away,
And all I'm trying to say,
Is Pearl Harbor sucked and I miss you

I need you like Ben Affleck needs acting school,
He was terrible in that film.
I need you like Cuba Gooding needed a bigger part,
He's way better then Ben Affleck.
And now all I can think about is your smile,
And that shitty movie too,
Pearl Harbor sucked and I miss you

(Interlude)

Why does Michael Bay get to keep on making movies.
I guess Pearl Harbor sucked,
Just a little bit more then I miss you.

I'm hopeful by Wilson_6500 · 2005-07-14 09:13 · Score: 1

I'm waiting until they start running out of, you know, popular 80's shows. Then they might finally make the MASK movie I've been waiting for.

the rock will direct? by Deanalator · 2005-07-14 09:13 · Score: 1

The Rock) will direct

These four words do not belong so close together, especially in that order.

I have a bad feeling... by sl8763 · 2005-07-14 09:14 · Score: 2, Funny

...that the part of Soundwave will be played by an iPod.

Re:I have a bad feeling... by Argon+Sloth · 2005-07-14 10:38 · Score: 1

But then there'd be no cassettes. I doubt any of today's children would even know what a cassette was. If you're guess is correct, its more likely that he'll be a monstrous Intel based G5. And the iPods will be the tapes. I wouldn't be surprised if he turns into a giant Gameboy, or PSP (which is more likely because it does function as an MP3 player). But it's got to be something that still takes cartridges, or at least not take optical media, like a mini-disc player. Now that I think about it... I have the feeling he'll be an based MP3 player that supports one of the many memory card formats. I don't know if any exist however. If this is the case, how much are you willing to wager that the memory cards have the format printed on them? Wow this just turns into a marketing machine. Is it just me or could you see Soundwave action figures, that transform into useable mp3 players, I almost want one.

--
Laziness is a virtue, anyone who bothers to tell you otherwise, is clearly lacking it.

Wa-wa-wa-wa by NaDrew · 2005-07-14 09:14 · Score: 4, Funny

As long as they make that sound when they change forms, I'll be happy.

--
Vista:XPSP2::ME:98SE

This is a joke, right? by Zobeid · 2005-07-14 09:19 · Score: 3, Interesting

Isn't it a bit late for April Fool hoaxes?

I mean seriously. . . Transformers? What's next, a big-budget movie adaptation of HR Pufnstuf?

Yep, I can bet I'm gonna burn a lot of karma on this one. But I just don't get it. We're talking about a cheesy SatAM cartoon designed as a half-hour long toy advertisement. Right? On top of that, its heyday was 20 years ago.

Re:This is a joke, right? by craenor · 2005-07-14 11:42 · Score: 1

Well...I would like to point out that most everyone who thought it was an awesome SatAM cartoon, now has a job and kids of their own.
Re:This is a joke, right? by nEoN+nOoDlE · 2005-07-14 13:05 · Score: 1

Transformers are very alive today. I knew a bunch people in college that collected and went crazy for Transformers toys, but aside from that, most anime is basically a spin-off of transformers. With the popularity of anime, this film already has an audience even to people who don't remember the original transformers show. Oh, and cool effects.

--
Don't trust a bull's horn, a doberman's tooth, a runaway horse or me.
Re:This is a joke, right? by johnMG · 2005-07-14 16:18 · Score: 1

> But I just don't get it. We're talking about a
> cheesy SatAM cartoon designed as a half-hour long
> toy advertisement. Right?

Dude! The Transformers paved the way for the Hasbro-Mattel Chocobot hour!
Re:This is a joke, right? by stry_cat · 2005-07-15 00:29 · Score: 1

It may have been intended to be a cheesy SatAM cartoon to sell toys, but it turned out to be one of the best shows ever. Put it up side-by-side with most of the crap that is on TV now (even the shows for adults) and you'll see the writting is better, the plot is better, and you actually care about the characters.

Ridiculous by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 09:20 · Score: 0

By definition, things have to be done first at least once. Presumably in 300 million BC, trilobytes weren't running shocking underwear advertisements.

Given this, it becomes important to present some sort of reason that you believe we ran out of original things to do, and some sort of timeline for when it happened.

Was it 10,000 BC? Did early humans have it all worked out between fire, the wheel, and the knife? Does that sufficiently account for a world-girdling information network that allows teenagers all over the planet to have ridiculous camsex in the middle of their respective nights?

Sure, why not? That's just a really clever knife.

Your definition of "original" is the problem here. If "original" is defined as "not derived from something else" then it's not a useful word. Everything is indeed derived from something else, so why have the word?

It's like when physics teachers pull their students up short for saying something was "consumed." "Nothing is ever consumed, just changed," they say. Ah. Excellent. So "consumed" is a word for a hypothetical thing that never happens? That's stupid. It's clearly the name of a specific illusion of destruction. So you can still use the word when the illusion is present.

In this case, "original" can be usefully defined as "something that isn't obvious when looking at the thing from which it was derived." Looking at all the things present in 1200, for example, many of the things we do today are not obvious. It's not a perfect definition, but at least it means some things are original, some are not.

yay! by Plocmstart · 2005-07-14 09:23 · Score: 1

I misread the earlier story title about the Optimus keyboard as the "Optimus Prime" keyboard. Guess I was anticipating this.

Re:yay! by Plocmstart · 2005-07-14 09:25 · Score: 1

Also the title makes it sound like one of those things where people dress up as cartoon characters and show up at the local mall... next will be Transformers on Ice.

Transformers are perverted by Dogtanian · 2005-07-14 09:26 · Score: 5, Funny

With live action, how are they going to reproduce Megatron? He's as big as an 18 wheeler truck in robot form, but is a handgun in disguise.

A really damn *big* handgun... ought to get attention from some people.

"Is that an 18 wheel truck in your pants, or are you just happy to see me?"

Anyway, I think that "Ravage" (who transformed into an audio cassette) would have the same problem- can you imagine how unthreatening a robotic panther the size of a C90 would be?

This isn't an issue anyway, as neither Ravage (nor his ghetto-blasting cassette-deck buddy Soundwave) will be appearing in the movie, having become rather unfashionable and outdated.

Apprently, they will be replaced by an iPod that transforms into a style-conscious robot. "iKill" will, claim producers, be the first openly gay Transformer.

Sadly, the loss of Ravage and Soundwave deprive us of the opportunity to witness some extremely screwed-up psychosexual issues, as "cassette" Ravage hides inside his "cassette player" buddy Soundwave.

This loss is a double-blow to Ravage, who never recovered fully after someone recorded a Debbie Gibson album on him in 1989.

--
"Slashdot - News and Chat Sites Deviant". (Click "homepage" link above for details).

Re:Transformers are perverted by not-enough-info · 2005-07-14 11:28 · Score: 1

Apprently, they will be replaced by an iPod that transforms into a style-conscious robot. "iKill" will, claim producers, be the first openly gay Transformer.
What about Spike? Oh. Right, he's not a Transformer.

--
---k--
</stupid>
Re:Transformers are perverted by Gannoc · 2005-07-14 15:32 · Score: 1

A really damn *big* handgun... ought to get attention from some people.

Actually, that would be a cool plot point. Have him be too "elite" to transform until they need the gun, then have it be a dramatic event in the movie, as through he is a walking WMD.

"What?? Megaton is transforming? HOLY MOTHER OF KRUNK! I WISH I HAD WRITTEN MY ROBOT MOTHER MORE! RUN!!! RUUUUNNNNN!"

My favorite T:TM quote by halivar · 2005-07-14 09:28 · Score: 4, Funny

"Shit!"

Admit it, it was yours, too.

Re:My favorite T:TM quote by dlockamy · 2005-07-14 11:23 · Score: 1

Actually wasn't it:
"Shiiiiiitt?" :-)
Re:My favorite T:TM quote by tomlouie · 2005-07-14 11:35 · Score: 1

And us sitting in the theater at the time:

"OMG! He actually cursed!"
"OMG!!! They actually killed him off!!!"

Tom
Re:My favorite T:TM quote by Anonymous+Brave+Guy · 2005-07-14 14:11 · Score: 1

"Here's a hint."

It was almost worthy of a Schwarzenegger movie. :-)

--
If you disagree, post your argument. (-1, Overrated) isn't your personal censorship tool for views you don't like.
Re:My favorite T:TM quote by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 22:50 · Score: 0

Soundwave: superior. Constructicons: inferior.

who? by mshiltonj · 2005-07-14 09:38 · Score: 1

Michael Bay ...will direct

Dammit. Why is this many still employed??

--
Software Wars

Hmm, let me guess the plot... by RoverDaddy · 2005-07-14 09:47 · Score: 1

A group of Autobots are frolicking and playing and exercising their robotic powers at a camp where every month they hold a tournament, and the winners get to leave the camp and go to "Earth", which is the best place ever for Autobots to live, so they all work real hard to be strong and healthy and win the tournament.

But... it turns out that all these Autobots are prisoners of a gang of Decepticons, and anybody who wins the trip to "Earth" gets dismantled and used for spare parts for other greedy rich Decepticons.

What's that you say? Oh hell.

--
RETURN without GOSUB in line 1050

The home page by m_richards · 2005-07-14 09:50 · Score: 1

Back in 1987 - 88 I rember wanting the movie to be shot in "real life" (Live action). Now I only have to wait 1yr, 11mon, and days. THIS IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

Automaton? by Digital+Vomit · 2005-07-14 09:52 · Score: 1

From the article: ...the classic tale of good automaton (the Autobots) versus evil automaton (the Decepticons)...

Don't try to use fancy words to make yourself sound intelligent, Joal Ryan. It all backfires when you get your singulars and plurals all mixed up.

Stupid article aside, I hope this is going to be a good movies.

--
Modern copyright is theft of culture from everyone and it retards the progress of the useful arts and sciences.

Website is awesome by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 09:58 · Score: 0

I love the big blank white area in the middle with green puzzle piece.. makes me so glad I purchased this amd 64!

It is just you. by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 10:22 · Score: 0

I'll make a note in my diary to let you know when I give a crap what you think.

Burn baby burn! by hellfire · 2005-07-14 10:28 · Score: 2, Insightful

Yep, I can bet I'm gonna burn a lot of karma on this one.

*transforms into an industrial strength flamethrower and proceeds to turn you into a slashdot burger*

It wasn't just a cheesy SatAM cartoon designed as a half-hour long toy advertisement. It was a Cheesy SatAM cartoon with the greatest action cartoon character of all time, Optimus Prime designed as a half-hour long advertisement for really fuckin' cool toys. You're a slashdotter you can get understand really fuckin' cool toys can't you? :)

--

"All great wisdom is contained in .signature files"

Re:Burn baby burn! by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 13:57 · Score: 0

Yeah, yeah. I grew up with Transformers too, but it's pretty damn clear to me that Kusanagi from Ghost in the Shell kicks Optimus Prime's ass on every level - all he has going for him is nostalgia.
Re:Burn baby burn! by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-15 02:14 · Score: 0

Yeah, yeah. I grew up with Transformers too, but it's pretty damn clear to me that Kusanagi from Ghost in the Shell kicks Optimus Prime's ass on every level - all he has going for him is nostalgia.

Well, that and a fiercely loyal army of giant transforming robots. With laser guns. Sorry Major, but you're no match for the big bad OP.

Spielburg & Bay? Hahahaha by elister · 2005-07-14 10:40 · Score: 1

It will be a horrible movie, thats gonna make a boatload of cash.

Re:Please explain... by alfien31 · 2005-07-14 10:42 · Score: 1

So... you don't like using Flash because it takes up too much of your time. OK, fair point.

BUT, you disable javascript and then spent forever churning through code to try and find the links you want... So how long does that take?

Michael Bay... argh by john_is_war · 2005-07-14 10:44 · Score: 1

Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg?
Makes me think that Optimus Prime will be more like Optimus Suck.

--
Live life to the fullest. It's not that life is short, but that you are dead for so long.

So Much Harder by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 10:50 · Score: 1, Funny

It's going to be so much harder to get the original cast together. Megatron's been in and out of drug rehab for years, and after Starscream and Optimus Prime came out of the closet and revealed they had, at the urging of Rosie O'Donell, got married in San Francisco last September, there's been some significant friction with the Dinobots, who are well known for their conservative views (one only need to replay their speech at the last Republican national convention as a reminder of just where these guys stand; to the right and slightly underneath Pat Robertson)!

There is some good news. Sideswipe has taken time off from running his four star New York restaurant, Nuts'n'Bolts, and Soundwave, who had been living in a halfway house since he lost millions in the Worldcom collapse is said to be ready to go.

As to women, Arcee has fled to Mexico after her part in a prostitution and porn ring was revealed during the Heidi Fleiss trial. Chromia, who is, as rumor would have it, in a relationship with recently exonerated Robert Blake, was not available for comment.

MOD PARENT INSIGHTFUL by ValuJet · 2005-07-14 10:53 · Score: 1

Speilberg now is one of the shittiest directors out there.

Michael Bay blows goats by TiggertheMad · 2005-07-14 10:56 · Score: 1

It is going to suck. While Stephen can crank out a dud once in awhile, Michael Bay taints almost everything he touches. The guy is truly a hack. Here, go look at the movies he has done: http://allmovie.com/cg/avg.dll?p=avg&sql=2:203853

Everything but 'The Rock' was abysmal, and even that one wasn't amazing. I already have images of Optimus Prime trying to land jetfire on a asteroid to blow it up, while bumblebee goes apeshit and starts killing autobots in the background. I mean, Jesus, this was the guy that made a bad movie about Pearl Harbor.

It's going to suck...

--

HA! I just wasted some of your bandwidth with a frivolous sig!

Oh crap by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 10:57 · Score: 0

Great. What are they going to come out with next? A Power Rangers movie?

Wait a sec ... aw crap.

Great, another movie ruined by a hack by BlizzyMadden · 2005-07-14 10:58 · Score: 1

Fantatistic! First Paul Anderson ruins what could have been a great movie (AvP), now the Transformers are going to be soiled by Michael Bay, the hack behind such "gems" as Armegedon, Pearl Harbor, and The Rock. Can't wait to be treated to his special blend of choppy editing, idiotic dialouge, and cornball love story subplots. I can't believe that Spielberg would be caught dead in the same room as that hack!

Re:Please explain... by MenTaLguY · 2005-07-14 11:01 · Score: 1

PPP compression can bring the effective rate above 7k. As could rounding up.

--

DNA just wants to be free...

One can only hope. by Argon+Sloth · 2005-07-14 11:04 · Score: 1

Maybe this will open the door to other live action giant robot movies?

I don't know about you, but I would be thrilled to see a Megas XLR movie. If the Transformers movie is a hit, there will be others in the same vein, and eventually a parody. Which will star Leslie Neilson assuming he's still alive. There's a chance it may be just as good as a Megas movie, because that's pretty much all an episode of Megas XLR is a parody of Transformers, videogames, anime and random other bits of pop culture. It's enjoy able stuff though.

--
Laziness is a virtue, anyone who bothers to tell you otherwise, is clearly lacking it.

Re:Stop *planning* for sequels before the first mo by mabhatter654 · 2005-07-14 11:24 · Score: 1

more to point, the book story really was written as one.. but the orginal publisher had it broken up because just 1 book would have been hard to publish... and of course 3 sell better!!

My fist that meets the eye *dah* by DNA+Beast · 2005-07-14 11:28 · Score: 1

From the Director that brought you Pearl Harbor and Armegedon, the writers that bought you Goonies 2, and the Producer of League of Extrodinary Gentlemen comes the greatest robbery of your childhood by hollywood since they messed up Ninja Turtles 2.

Michael Bay was quoted as saying that the reason he wanted to do this film was because he "wanted to get his hands on a family franchise". Apparently he didn't realise that original transformers fans are now 30 years old.

Disappointing days ahead for Transformers fans.

The Embassy gave Nike crabs ... by DaveCar · 2005-07-14 11:43 · Score: 1

If the guys who did the Citroen commercial http://www.theembassyvfx.com/ don't get to do this film then there is NO justice.

Re:The Embassy gave Nike crabs ... by Anonymous+Brave+Guy · 2005-07-14 13:47 · Score: 2, Informative

Does that mean we have to get Marty Kudelka to play Jazz, too?

(For anyone looking confused right now, Marty is Justin Timberlake's choreographer, and did the motion capture for the Citroen ad. Probably not the fantastic spoof though, I'm guessing...)

--
If you disagree, post your argument. (-1, Overrated) isn't your personal censorship tool for views you don't like.
Re:The Embassy gave Nike crabs ... by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 16:05 · Score: 0

Unfortunately, the budget for the ad was probably along the lines of two million dollars. Since it lasterd only for about 1.5-2 minutes, it would follow that a 2- to 2.5-hour movie made the same way would cost around $150 to $200 million.

But consider that this is for the graphics/motion capture alone. Live-action stars, and voices for the transformers will cost far more than a pop singer's choreographer per minute of their time, with a good amount of it going to indirect costs (commodities, support crew, etc.). On top of that, they'll have to do trailers and buy up TV ad spots.

In the end, this would end up costing something like all three of the Lord of the Rings trilogy combined (roughly $300 million), for a movie that might not even bring back $200 million.

More likely, they'll use the Dreamworks CG people to do the animation instead. It'll probably still look damn good, but be nowhere near as sophisticated (in terms of transformation and movement) or as detailed (in terms of parts) as what you saw in the Citroën advertisement.

Someone in Hollywood please, please get this.... by bloxnet · 2005-07-14 12:01 · Score: 2, Informative

For the love of God, your only hope of success is to make this movie take place in the 80s.

Re:Please explain... by minus_273 · 2005-07-14 12:23 · Score: 1

ah, the subtle difference between 56k and 56K.

--
The war with islam is a war on the beast
The war on terror is a war for peace

Oh, it gets much worse. by LiberalApplication · 2005-07-14 12:24 · Score: 3, Informative

Do you have any idea who Michael Bay is??? He's going to shit on your childhood 10 times worse than Lucas could ever dream of. It's going to be Bad Boys 2 meets Transformers.

The screenplay is being co-written by the moron who brought us the bombs "The Core" and "Catwoman", so my guess is that John Rogers will be the one shitting all over our childhoods, and Michael Bay will simply be sculpting it into offensive shapes and taking pictures of the result.

Re:Oh, it gets much worse. by Lorem_Ipsum · 2005-07-15 02:18 · Score: 1

Oh hey, that ought to get them a huge NEA grant as it fulfills 2 of the most important requirements:

NEA Grant Proposal Requirements
Section II, Subsection B:

1) The submitted "piece of art" (POA) shall be as offensive as possible to a majority of the public viewers or, alternately, shall incite a significant minority of the public viewers to outright violence.
...
4) All POA's shall incorporate at least one significant scatological reference, either through concept or materials.

--
--- Void where prohibited. Your mileage may vary. ---

Pray... praying really hard... by KD5YPT · 2005-07-14 12:26 · Score: 1

Actually, I don't like transformer. But I SERIOUSLY don't want them to screw this one up so bad that instead of indifference, I start hating transformer.

--
In US, you can easily buy enough major firearms to wipe out your neighbourhood but a few little fireworks are banned.

So.... by MrChubble · 2005-07-14 12:43 · Score: 1

..how screwed am I going to be for owning optimusprimal.com ?

Isn't it interesting... by patio11 · 2005-07-14 12:56 · Score: 2, Interesting

How in movies you can say "This will open two years from now on July 4th" and everyone knows it probably will but with video games if you said the same thing anyone with an ounce of sense would say "Third quarter 2008 at the absolute earliest."?

--
Help poke pirates in the eyepatch, arr.

Re:Please explain... by slaker · 2005-07-14 12:58 · Score: 1

Dear AC. There are places - huge swathes, in fact - of the USA where broadband is not available. I lived in one of them until just last year. Not only that, it was NOT possible for me to achieve a connection faster than 14.4. I spent TEN YEARS thinking of 28.8 as an UPGRADE.

Just because you're lucky enough to live in an area of this (or whatever other) country that's urban enough to have had fast internet service for several years doesn't mean everyone else has, too.

Not only that, but for the most part flash actually obstructs real content. Blind people can't interact with it. Search engines can't search it. It's a pain in the ass for a normal human being to save it. The only thing in its favor is that to some people, it looks neat.

Flash is bullshit and should be treated as such.

--
-- I wanna decide who lives and who dies - Crow T. Robot, MST3K

Transformers the movie still stands up by Sark666 · 2005-07-14 13:31 · Score: 1

I was a little older so didn't cry during optimus's death as I've read so many younger fans have. And I have watched some of G1 and it doesn't really stand the test of time. BUT, the movie on the otherhand is still great to me. I have throughly enjoyed it a few times over the years. I'd rather not of had rodimus(hot rod), but it's still great. Even losing megatron (well, becoming galvatron) was acceptable because galvatron was such a worthy successor. Leonord Nemoy voiced him with a stern voice where it didn't even sound like spock. And of course, Orsen Wells, as unicron was amazing (which was the last thing he did).

anna 1 anna 2 anna 3 by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-14 13:40 · Score: 0

Transformers... whore that beats your thighs...

Re:The rock? Doom? by blincoln · 2005-07-14 13:42 · Score: 1

The Rock is a film that Michael Bay directed, not a reference to the wrestler.

--
"...always new atoms but always doing the same dance, remembering what the dance was yesterday." -Richard Feynman

Re:Please explain... by jimi+the+hippie · 2005-07-14 13:56 · Score: 1

No, the suble difference between 56kb and 56kB.

Only two possibilities by Conspiracy_Of_Doves · 2005-07-14 14:35 · Score: 1

This movie will either be extremly good, or extremly bad.

--

Technoli

Re:Only two possibilities by Conspiracy_Of_Doves · 2005-07-14 14:38 · Score: 1

Ok, I just read the article.

"It will be GREAT," Murphy continued, "and then we will make sequel after sequel. There is no doubt that this is true."

Yep, it's gonna suck.

--

Technoli

I'm waiting for Zoltron by ylikone · 2005-07-14 15:59 · Score: 1

Zoltron: The live action movie

I'm talking about the original zoltron, the one with the five lion robots... not the stupid thing that came after.

--
Meh.

SORRY, I meant Voltron! by ylikone · 2005-07-14 16:06 · Score: 1

Darn old zoltrix modems got me all confused.

--
Meh.

Two words: by foldgate · 2005-07-14 16:15 · Score: 1

"Oh, shit!"

Stone Transformer Gargoyles by Simonetta · 2005-07-14 17:25 · Score: 1

Stone Transformer Gargoyles guard the Governor Hotel in Portland, Oregon.

Leonard Nimoy played Galvatron by 5plicer · 2005-07-14 18:01 · Score: 1

in Transformers: The Movie

--
The bits on the bus go on and off... on and off... on and off...

BAD idea by petrus4 · 2005-07-14 18:14 · Score: 1

I myself loved the Transformers as a child, (I was 10 years old in 1987, when the animated film came out) and I will admit that there was a time when I had the mentality that if hypothetically I was ever going to get a tatoo, it would have been an Autobot logo. (Thankfully, I've now grown out of that idea, and managed to avoid said tatoo before I did so)

However, there are a couple of reasons why I believe that the Transformers are now strongly anachronistic...Their story has not aged well, perhaps even less so than stories from further in the past.

The first reason is postmodernism. The Transformers was *very* morally dualistic. The Autobots were depicted as "good", the Decepticons as "bad", and there was generally no blurring of that line whatsoever. The dominant contemporary moral theory, on the other hand, is relativism, and under that philosophy the Transformers' storyline doesn't work terribly well...primarily because fundamental reasons weren't ever really given for the Decepticons being the way they were...they were depicted as being bad simply because they were bad, most of the time.

The second reason is that IMHO, Optimus Prime existed mainly as a volksgeist/icon (similar to Superman) of the more positive characteristics of the collective American psyche, pre 9/11. Given that said positive characteristics largely no longer exist, (or are at least percieved as no longer existing by most of the rest of the world) any depiction of Prime post 9/11 is not only inappropriate, but could come across as tragic...since what he stood for has gone.

The third reason is that the voice actors of some of the characters (Starscream in particular) are either dead or would be at a point of fairly advanced age by now. I saw at least one attempt at getting another voice actor to replace Starscream's, and IMHO it really didn't work.

The fourth reason is that unlike perhaps some people, I greatly enjoyed the original animated film...and the Transformers in general, and there is a desire there I think to avoid seeing that desecrated in the name of pure commercialism...which I think is likely to happen.

Re:BAD idea by What+me+a+Coward · 2005-07-15 01:19 · Score: 1

You haven't been paying attention to cartoon network lately have you?

Their has been at least 2 different transformers cartoons since 911 both featuring at the original voice actor for optimus prime though non of the others from the original series that i know of are in the latest transformers energon and now cybertron which is just a continueation of energon which was a continuation of an earlier transformers show using the same story line. Before that was a weird japanime styled transformers that was even worse than the ones airing now. anime doesn't work for transformers when they make the characters are presented with about the same level of enteligence as ash and the rest from the pokemon series.

AS for the rest of the actors Lenard Nemoy was the voice of Galvatron in the last Transformers movie and Judd Nelson voiced Hotrod/Rodimus Prime.

I just hope if their going to do another movie they don't use the current Transformers series for the story/character base as it just plain sucks like the previous ones have since the original series went off the air. Of course their was the ransformers beast wars while not as good as the original it was certainly better than anything that has come out post 911.

Thinking about it all the remakes i have seen including the current one and the prior bad japanime one all used the original optimus voice actor so at least he's still around.

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Coward? Coward! Thems fighten words!!
Re:BAD idea by mink · 2005-07-19 03:24 · Score: 1

"The first reason is postmodernism. The Transformers was *very* morally dualistic. The Autobots were depicted as "good", the Decepticons as "bad", and there was generally no blurring of that line whatsoever. The dominant contemporary moral theory, on the other hand, is relativism, and under that philosophy the Transformers' storyline doesn't work terribly well...primarily because fundamental reasons weren't ever really given for the Decepticons being the way they were...they were depicted as being bad simply because they were bad, most of the time."

Try the Mainframe produced series Beast Wars and Beast Machines. Plenty of grey area and uncertanty.

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Well I've wrestled with reality for thirty five years doctor, and I'm happy to say I finally won out over it.

The Ultimate Costume by core+plexus · 2005-07-14 19:01 · Score: 1

Get this real life giant Mecha for only $35,000 and go to the front of the ticket line.

-cp-

NOOOOOOOO!!! by Timberwolf0122 · 2005-07-14 20:05 · Score: 0

To Japanamation to transformers! It was perfect as it was!

Anyway my underpants are now at defcon 2 with excitement!

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In the not too distant future, next Sunday A.D.

Yahoo's wrong.... by Capt+James+McCarthy · 2005-07-14 22:37 · Score: 1

I know I'm late to the game today, but the yahoo site linked above has a photo of Megatron with the quote below it saying it's Optimus Prime.

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There are no loopholes. It's either legal or it's not.

The Highlander - Transformers connection by fbform · 2005-07-14 23:21 · Score: 1

WTF... what does Highlander have to to with Transformers?

He may have hit on something there. Given that this new Transformers movie is directed by the same moron who wrote "The Core" and "Catwoman", and directed by the same moron who directed "Armageddon" and "Pearl Harbor", I can safely assert:

THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ONLY ONE!

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Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

Yawn. by TractorBarry · 2005-07-15 01:23 · Score: 1

Hey grate... Yet another remake...

So I have to ask does anyone in the American film industry actually create anything new ?

Or does all the creative teams spend all day dreaming up new ways to hit people with money making lawsuits ?

Personally I think Cuck D said it best with "Burn Hollywood Burn".

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Sky subscribers are morons. They pay to be advertised at !

Re:Yawn. by What+me+a+Coward · 2005-07-15 01:34 · Score: 1

You know why that is don't you?

It's because all thoughs copyright holders out their with copyrighted stories that they can still make money off of because disney keeps extending copyright law to keep the mouse out of the public domain so now all these old copyright works that came out after mickey can still make them money all they have to do is remake the original story with a few changes. So why think up anything new or original when the they can still make money off the old stuff without hardly any effort on their part.

Disney and Mickey were the worst things to happen to TV and movies but most people just don't relize it yet.

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Coward? Coward! Thems fighten words!!

New Transformers Movie? by What+me+a+Coward · 2005-07-15 01:27 · Score: 1

Megatron: That's bad comedy!

Sorry had to get a Transformers old school Quote in their.

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Coward? Coward! Thems fighten words!!

No flying please by Anonymous Coward · 2005-07-15 02:12 · Score: 0

This could be great. The citroen ad shows the potential (as well as the C2V takeoff).

But this time can the transformers please not all fly, and all be well known to exist. It kind of defeated the point in them being able to turn into cars (transport, concealment) whent hey just flew everywhere and everyone went "oh look, its the transformers!".
Be much cooler if a normal New York trafic scene suddenly errupted into a mass fight whenthe cars changed.

And NO ANNOYING KID who saves the day all the time please.

My only other request would be that Optimus still sounds like John Wayne. He was by far the coolest of the whole lot.

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