Transformers

Transformers (PG) * * * *

Short Circuit!

Hold on to your popcorn! Wall to wall action awaits one and all in Transformers, the latest escapist fare from Dreamworks and Paramount Studios now thrilling audiences at Scotiabank Theatre, The Esplanade 6, Colossus, Empire Studio 12 and Famous Players Theatres around B.C. Just try to catch your breath as this non-stop adventure yarn from master filmmakers Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg rocks from start to finish.

Those in the know are aware that transformers were originally toy contraptions marketed by Hasbro. Made famous by the plastic models from the 80s as well as a spin-off cartoon series this big budget movie pulls out all the stops. State of the art special effects combine with outstanding acting to put you right in the midst of controlled chaos.

What Jurassic Park did for dinosaurs Transformers should do for assembly toys. Plot-wise, this science-fiction layered fantasy concerns the battle of two alien races for control of the universe. World domination is one of the best Hollywood standbys but here there really is a sense of desperation. Doom and gloom sees two robot races duke it out on earth with sunny Los Angeles being the perfect road to Armageddon.

Oh, by the way, the good robots are called Automans and the bad androids go by the name Deceptions, led by the evil Megatron. Earthlings trapped between the two warring factions are either fundamentally brave or ferociously foolish. Military might seems futile against these alien troublemakers who have the unique ability to change shapes. Creepy crawlers that are shiny with wicked tempers come out of the woodwork as both intruders turn things upside down in a quest for some mystery box that may well unlock the key to the future. Only one lone boy stands in the way of preventing our annihilation.

Adolescence is a tough time for anyone and 16 year old Sam Witwicky has more than his share of girl problems and transit woes. Such dilemmas pale in comparison to the ride Sam gets taken on when cars come to life and hardened military men perish as the government doesn't quite know what they're dealing with.

Rare is it for a smart film to be made in the action arena but Transformers shows warmth, suspense and timely modern references anyone with a computer will be able to discern. Busy Shia LaBeouf (Disturbia) perfectly conveys all that teen angst as Sam Witwicky. Elder statesmen will be in Jon Voight's (Midnight Cowboy) corner as a defense minister with light comedy coming off of the rants and raves of Anthony Anderson (Big Momma's House) and Bernie Mac (Ocean's 11). Slight jokes won't dampen the spirit of this edge of your seat thriller that should come with a warning to fasten your seatbelts as this film really takes off.

Large scale productions are nothing new for Michael Bay (Pearl Harbor). Lots of explosions, chases and colossal battles make Transformers eye popping fun. Issues that haunt teens, like parental control and budding sexuality are effectively breached in this spectacular. Tons of military might are presented rather effectively on screen with a supporting cast including the likes of Josh Duhamel (Win a Date with Tad Hamilton), John Turturro (Barton Fink) Megan Fox (Confessions of a Teenage Dance Queen) and Rachael Taylor (See No Evil).

Any way you slice it Transformers is the most imaginative film this year and well worth attending.