Transformers: Rise of the Fallen
Saturday, July 4, 2009


I broke down and saw it, but only because I was so bored.

Please don't ask me what Transformers: Rise of the Fallen was about. I just watch these things for the pure joy of watching objects get blown up, destroyed, and suspending my disbelief over sheer stupidity for nearly three hours.

A blank mind can accomplish a lot of things.

I read the hoopla over purported racism and sexism embedded deeply into this film. Not so. I don't know who, or what, Mudflaps and Skids are supposed to represent, but as a thinking person of African descent - I ain't claiming them.

See, for me, it is racism if I decided that these robotic, computer generated images actually represent black males. The thing is, I've never come across a black male that has sounded like, or acted like, Mudflaps and Skids. Can't be angry with something I don't identify with, or recognize.

I'm reminded of some Disney films where black crows, hyenas, and other strange animals are racist images, because the cartoons were supposed to represent black people.

Oh, hell no.

Sure, it may be intentionally offensive, but that doesn't mean one has to claim the negative images. I say, let it belong to those who create it. Looking at those images now, wouldn't one notice that there aren't any people who actually speak in that fashion? Lingo and behavior changes. Today's misdirected insult, becomes yesterday's wacky, distasteful, and stupid piece of work.

I'm not saying that there are scenes in the movie a person couldn't be reasonably be upset with. But to get mad at computer generated image of robots / cars that don't resemble people? No.

I did feel bad for John Turturro. Not sure why his hair, or his character, which I liked by the way, had to be denigrated. But then again, men sometimes speak roughly to one another. I guess one of the themes of the film was to celebrate male, juvenile, silliness: "Boys will be boys, and say nasty things to one another!"

I liked the latest Decepticon: an amalgamation of several construction heavy-duty trucks. Cute.

Megan Fox looked greasy-faced at times. Shia LaBeouf looked very, very, stressed, I don't think it was acting either.

The movie, like any film by Michael Bay was very pro-military, and about getting the big guns out (pun intended). I have no problem with that. Although, I was surprised to hear President Obama's name mentioned; it was a very strange inclusion.

Otherwise, most of the dialogue was stupid. This film could be watched on mute. It'd probably make more sense that way.

I think that's about it. The film was funny in some places. There was enough action, and momentum to make the 2.5 hours seem reasonable (it was not).

All in all, one of the loudest films I've seen this year. Although I think it ties with Terminator: Salvation Junkyard for noisiest.

Josh Duhamel looked hot in this film. I guess that's what happens when there's only one really good looking guy in the whole movie.

Labels: Disney, Josh Duhamel, Terminator: Salvation, Transformers, Transformers: Rise of the Fallen

posted by GoldenAh
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Transformers
Thursday, November 20, 2008

Back in the day, I'd watch this cartoon religiously. Don't ask me all the details! I don't remember everything as well as some people. However, when Optimus Prime was killed, (he came back as a ghost) I was seriously hurt by that. I cried! I love that voice. I was mad too, because his group of robots always seemed weak and kinda wack to me.

How can you have an awesome, can-do-almost-anything group of robots, and was always getting your butts kicked and outsmarted by the Decepticons?

The film was enjoyable simply because I find Shia LaBeouf so damn cute. I don't mean sexually, I mean, smooch his cheeks, and hug him, cute. Like I do with my half-grown, over 6 feet tall nephews.

I watched the DVD, 'cause no one was going to catch me watching this thing in the theatres. It's a teen boy flick. Films like this are made for them. I know it certainly wasn't made for black women such as myself. The only time black women were shown: as the silent wife of Bernie Mack, which he felt he needed to curse at, and the hectoring nosy busybody of Anthony Anderson's grandmother.

I won't get into how being rude and disrespectful to black women in a blockbuster film is supposed to be entertainment. It is not.

Do people need to start being taken out for this message to reach the critters that run the Media Industrial Complex?

The plot: many years ago the grandfather of Sam Witwicky (Why this name? I don't get the joke) found a frozen Megatron (leader of the evil Decepticons), and an all powerful cube. Therefore, everyone must chase Shia LaBeouf (Sam Witwicky) and Megan Fox (not a blonde and rather pretty!) around for 2 hours.

Hilarity! sometimes ensued. I like to see things blown up: har, har, har.

It took me a while to recognize Tyrese. Man, he's gotten big. I mean that in a good way. I don't get the fanfare (fanlust, rather) over Josh Duhamel. There he was, a sort of G.I. Joe character. Tyrese was the black G.I. Joe.

Black male characters say the same things as the white guys, but are required to do it with slang and more flavor. Rinse and repeat.

This is part one, of how many films I don't know, or care to. I expect perhaps two more, since Hollywood wants to milk out the big bucks. However, they never do a good job with multiple film story arcs, since most franchises run out of steam by the second flick.

I'll watch the ensuing films - maybe, but I don't expect much. I never did watch any more Harry Potter films after the first one.

Labels: Anthony Anderson, Bernie Mac, Decepticons, Josh Duhamel, Megan Fox, Megatron, Optimus Prime, Shia LaBeouf, Transformers, Tyrese Gibson

posted by GoldenAh
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