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Everyone who knows about films, will know about Transformers. There is a lot wrong with the franchise even though it is commercially very successful, but then again the disgraced and disgusting News of the World was incredibly commercially successful as well. Media commercial success is not a guide to the integrity of a film, book or publication.
I, of course understand that expecting a Michael Bay film to deliver some food for thought on the ethics of war, the development of the characters or a storyline which actually makes sense is expecting too much and is unfair. People watch these films for the adrenaline rush – that’s fine, everyone enjoys a little bit of escapism.
But in his quest for dollars and box office records, Bay has single-handedly destroyed the character of the main hero of the film – Optimus Prime. The Prime I remember from reading the old comics and watching the old cartoons was a great leader who could always make the right decision no matter what the circumstances. But in the new film, Prime executes his former mentor Sentinel whilst begging for mercy and proclaims he will, ‘kill them [the Decepticon] all’. It was not that Prime actually did these things that made me disillusioned it was the fact that Bay portrayed Prime as being comfortable and at ease with his deeds. There was no self doubt, no apprehension or moral quandary within Optimus Prime.
Hollywood films have long portrayed sadistic violence, victor’s justice and frequently morphed justice into violence giving rise to a distinctly harsh American attitude towards justice. This frequently comes up – the last time such a clash between these different conceptions of justice occurred was in the case of the Lockerbie bomber, who was allowed to return to Libya on the grounds of his poor deteriorating health. The American side was furious demanding retribution, but the Europeans were shocked at what they seemed to perceive as the American thirst for revenge. There was a distinct culture clash within ‘the West’ – that alone should prove that there is no ‘one’ West.
But Optimus Prime has been militarised American style – the impression given is that Prime would acknowledge and accept torture as well to achieve his goals, under the new look franchise of the Transformers. Prime is seen taking sides in human conflicts, leading the Autobots to bomb an Iranian nuclear site that is deemed ‘illegal’. Such blatant propaganda only detracts from the value of the film – American audiences will lap this up no doubt. Already conservative groups in America applaud the Transformers as being ‘patriotic’.
Apart from ‘freedom’, Prime speaks about little else. The compassion and mercy that is supposed to be part of his character is lost somewhere when he rips throats, hearts and beheads other robots. Bay destroyed the one thing about Prime’s Autobots – they were above human conflict and Prime himself was above the culture of revenge and tribal justice that ravaged their homeland Cybertron.
There, of course exists even throughout the old comics, a tension between the saintly aspirations of Optimus and the violent practicalities of being a leader. But Bay never explores that – he uses the robots in the film as playthings rather than developing them as real characters. That was what was most disappointing about the whole experience.
The audience never gets to understand Optimus – he is just the chief executor, a brilliant gladiator and of course a “freedom fighter”’. Perhaps that is the one redeeming feature of the whole film – Optimus’s creed of ‘freedom is the right of every sentient being’ stays throughout the whole franchise.
But Bay’s representation of the characters is woeful. The ploy of getting Shia LeBeouf a good looking co-star has meant the great tradition of objectifying women as a prize or reward for the hero’s conquest continues. If I wanted to see a cheap juvenile film, I would have just seen a Salman Khan film.
What’s more, the whole dynamic between Sentinel and Optimus is never explored throughout the film. Neither is the audience clued in about how Megatron featured in the relationship. Sentinel was the ‘Hero’ who had fallen and succumbed to violence but again this tension is never explored and Optimus’s reaction is never fully developed. Too much emphasis is given on the vacuous and empty-headed characters of Sam Witwhicky and his new girl-friend Carly.
It isn’t too much to ask for a bit of development on the characters – to portray a sense of empathy, to give an insight into the conflicts that plague the Transformers and their leaders beyond epic gladiatorial duels.
It is possible to combine a deep story with action and commercial success. The new Batman franchise has achieved that magnificently. The real coup, director Christopher Nolan pulled off was developing Batman’s character whilst providing him with equally complex villains such as the Joker. The tension and dynamic of this relationship defines the film’s conflict and its main premise.
Transformers 3 seems to suggest anything is permissible in the cause of freedom. Freedom is the new ‘Crusaders religion’, fight in the name of freedom and you don’t have to care about conscience, ethics or morality.
It’s just a shame that the good name of Optimus Prime had to be sacrificed at the altar of American patriotism. Not to forget here the rightful and just critique of the Pakistani culture which has its own problems with justice and attitudes to violence and war.
Optimus Prime was supposed to be the reluctant warrior, who always stressed peace whenever possible and who had a great distaste for violence. I am not suggesting pacifism as a creed worth holding – we do live in the real world but some sort of framework of ethics that guides us through the messy business of conflict is necessary.
Heroes are supposed to represent a side of human nature that we all aspire to, a paragon for a great ideal who have a central animating moral vision.
Ahmad Ali Khalid is a freelance writer and blogger based in the UK. He can be reached at ahmadalikhalid@ymail.com
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
Dude! American films have been loaded with propaganda since time immemorial. Even Superman from the 70s has American prop in it. There’s nothing new here with Transformers 3.
If you wanted to see a deep and meaningful movie with the right moralistic tone, picking Transformers was not a smart choice. And then to see number 3 in the sequel means you were really asking for it.
Totally agree with you Jason
To agree with this article is stupid. To think that the '86 transformers is a masterpiece involving deep storyline and morals is stupid. I don't get how you can get meaningful and moral life lessons from a cartoon with child-minded storylines and flawed animation.And this is coming from a G1 fan who grew up on the series and collects the action figures. Come on…we all know that the cartoon was made to push a product down kids' throats.
Bay's Optimus is a proper,realistic interpretation of a red truck that transforms into a towering robot. How? Think about it, this war has been going on for millions of years and for war to wage for so long, you have to ask yourself…how many more lives must be lost? How many more need to suffer at the hands of the Decepticons? Prime understands that the only way to stop the Decepticons is to "kill 'em all." Why? Because they would "never stop at one" and "could never be trusted." Prime did what he found to be necessary FOR THE GREATER GOOD. This is WAR and he is a soldier doing what needs to be done. So stop bickering about your childhood hero being transformed into a modern day killing machine "with no morals" his morals are simple protecting freedom (in doing so defeating Megatron)…no matter the cost. No matter the cost…hmmm…doesn't killing count? Heck, as someone earlier pointed out, Prime was about to kill Megatron anyways…Sure this movie was violent and the killing was "gruesome" theres no denying that, but theres also no denying of the entertainment value of watching the Autobots kick some Decepticon tail. So please, set aside your hyper-fanboyism, and enjoy yourself. Transformers came to the big screen, just be happy with that much.
Well…. seems interesting here
better look the history of Hollywood.
Majority of the movies which took from comics or any inspiring story they try to mold the actual story to what viewers want to see…. MOM n Pop and Oklahoma
I also don't like the movie, as it is too much violence in it, further i also agree with one my fellow that why hollywood cast celebrity in thier movie when they don't have any role to play, for those who haven't saw the movie is if they see tins and cans and no story go for it.
I totally agree with you. People do you even know the legacy of Transformers. Most of these guys writing comments that justice by all means do not even know the story line of original transformers. This movies have completely ruined the legacy and tradition of the Transformer series. Guys if you had known what Optimus Prime in the older version you would have agreed with this article whole heatedly. JAZE AND FAWAZ please go read the comics and the animated series of Transformers before you even write a comment about the movie
Okay first things first. dude, get a life!!! the movie was awesome. dont be a hater if u didnt get it. in the future, dont watch it if u cant digest such stuff. not every movie is for everyone. live and let live. love and let love.
so true……… optimus is seen more as an opportunist in his fighting scenes with sentinel. there is no story line in the movie, just pure mindless action.
I thought the movie was the typical Mike Bay transformers movie. Meaning, the action is in your face, can’t tell who is who, all over the place, a mess. The new girl is too hot to be in this movie, she’s a victoria secretes model, looks and acts like one too. Why can’t they get a normal looking girl and not a super model? Anyways, boring, almost fell asleep twice, starts off very sloooowwww and Sam acts like an idiot goof ball just like in the other tf movies. Once again, Bay is trying to make this movie too comical and funny which fails badly. All the jokes are dumb and pointless. Lots of good action, beware, I got a head ache after watching this one.
optimus prime was disapointing in the moviz through out.. i mean im like huge fan since childhood.. wtching op do stuff and say all thz thngz.. damn it was amazing.. but now in th movies.. thy are like totally mocking him… even his action scenes are not th glorifying ones.. like for instance whn he cmes flying into th scene to rescue sam.. whats the end of the scene? lol hes swinging ropes upside down!
"If I wanted to see a cheap juvenile film, I would have just seen a Salman Khan film." – GOLD!!!
Take it easy guys. I can't handle such heavy conversation at this ungodly hour. You guys have really taken this conversation to a new level. Who cares about what Prime does or doesn't do? Just go there for the food, have a little fun watching metal grinding against one another, come back home and go to sleep. That's life. And not these deep conversations about good and evil and the meaning of life. Yeah, I'm bored too.
People who think that this article is worthless definitely have not read any comics in their lives. How many of you even heard of (let alone know) about Stan Lee, Jack Kirby or Steve Ditko?? They were the real deal. Hasbro created Transformers as toys. So now please tell me you knew all this and then maybe we can admit your claims on this article as valid. Until then sign off!!
The movie was a waste of time and money.
Ahmed, I am not going to watch this film because I knew MB was going to fully commercialize this film. I watched TF2 after 3 years… and i was seriously disgusted. There is a article on cracked.com talking about how racist and insensitive TF2 was… black talking robots who can't read, old robot with a walking stick that lets out gas, mom who takes drugs, I could go on… but we are fans.. and people are shallow.. so who watched the movie to kill time have to understand that this was really a beautiful franchise that was ruined. looking forward to watching Dark Knight Rises
Dear Ahmad,
I am not sure why you are comparing two different medias newspaper information & film's story and than concluding wrong conception. First of all Transformer sequels are fictional films and made for the masses. Secondly, Optimus is protrait as a normal filmi hero who makes both right & wrong decisions. So if you are expecting that Optimus will act like Salman Khan…than I would suggest you limit yourself to Bollywood films.
Also if you see US patriotism in the film, than I think this is the right thing to do as it is an American film and not a PAKISTANI movie.
One thing I don't understand on one hand people hate USA and it's propoganda, but on the other hand they LOVE to watch Hollywood movies.
Lastly, I fully agree with Mr. Fawaz Khalil's statement where he stated "if you have to use your space to write critically about such things, focus on our homeland first….and keep on writing till we get it right."
I hope in future you will focus on Pakistan's domestic issues and their resolutions rather criticising US and Hollywood movies.
hahahaha dude you got so much time to waste ..you actually talking about amazing movie that made 100 of miillions of dollars..
Dude…the movie is fine, has great effects. I wouldn't seek meaning of life, freedom, mercy and revenge etc. into sci-fi fantasy movies such as these. And for us (Pakistanis) to pooh pooh others for a culture of over-the-top patriotism, might-is-right, and exacting revenge-by-all-means necesssary is a bit rich. Granted you may not subscribe to these sentiments, as also many others of our compatriots do not, but my point is that if you have to use your space to write critically about such things, focus on our homeland first….and keep on writing till we get it right.
Excellent! I agree.
so happy
LOL it's not surprising. It's Michael Bay. If you watch any of his films character/plot development is the last thing on his mind. He's just an action man which is a huge money maker…especially in the states. Hence the hot female actors too. I mean do you really think he hired Megan Fox or Rosie Huntington because of their wicked acting skills?
Well written Ahmed. An insightful critique of both the film and of the trend of over-simplification in American pop-culture.
While I wholeheartedly agree with your point of view on the flaws that engulfed this final flick, I don't think too many people will be happy about the fact that you gave away so many spoilers with so little warning in b/w.
Hahahahhhaaa….you are seriously analysing "Transformers 3"? Michael Bay, I am sure, would faint if he read this article.
Thanks for the spoilers.
Yeah, seriously.
I have to say I was a little surprised when Optimus Prime ended Sentinel, but I think it came down to him making the "hard" decisions. OP did what he had to do to save mankind, unlike Sentinel who only wanted to recreate Cybertron. But I do have to agree that the film is fiction and the sole purpose would have been to make money. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the bad guy get his arse kicked and particularly don't want to analyze ethics or think about right and wrong when watching a kick butt film. I just hope Optimus Prime does not follow Spiderman's lead and begin to whine about having to be a super hero!
Even though I didn't like the latest of the transformers movies as it didnt live upto the hype created by T-II and of course no Megan Fox. But a great leader and hero should be ruthless in persute of justice. So I don't quite agree with you on Prime not showing remose on killing Sentinel.
Outstanding Ahmad, I'm not gonna lie about enjoying that movie for it's BAY-effect – but the glory of Optimus (that you captured, with a gratifying nostalgic feeling) was definitely lacking. Along with any real development of the "Transformers".
I must say I wholeheartedly agree with you on this. The ending of the movie was especially disturbing, when even though Megatron saves Primes life he murders him in cold blood :, Not even incapacitating him, or offering maybe a word to make peace with the two cybertron-ians he has just killed. Nope In fact he just stands there and beams proudly, mission accomplished, "WE KILLED THEM ALL.". Primes nature has always been one of forgiving and offering to make peace, to see a violent nature exhibited like this is betrayal to the Transformers Universe. I applaud your effort to voice what every transformer true fan is thinking at the end of Michael Bay's fiasco.
i agree to most part of the article its true and evident from history america is not at times neutral when when we least expect them to be biased perhaps in their terms patriotic i think its something that gets inbibed over course of nation building… finally becoming part of structurally integrity of one nation you knw.. as they reflect in various arts and forms which dominates in our minds. so no surprise element in this movie good to see u pointed out rightly… since being die hard fan of this franchise i felt the same to some extent… !
A brilliantly written article, which gives me the satisfaction that there are still people out there who are not just watching movies for enjoyment, but also look deep within the meanings of the story, and what message such movies are giving to us
@ All
I get that Transformers isn't meant to be a deep film. I'm just peeved off that Optimus Prime's role as a hero has been tarnished by the films. Its part of a widrer cultural trend where today's superheroes are not paragons of virtue
Any way we have been presented a false choice. A film can both have a deep story and be action packed. Why should we have to choose?
The comparison between the film and the newspaper wasn't substantive in terms of its substance- it was merely a comparison of commerical success.
Anyway the point is that the Transformers franchise pre-Bay did carry with it some meaning – that has all been obliterated by Bay's work. So Bay took a concept that was great and then gave it the Hollywood treatment. As a Transformers fan (back when it wasn't ''hip) it's disappointing to see such a good concept be corrupted.
As for newspapers not selling ''fiction'', I'll let that comment slide that's another whole debate….
Magnificently put, I couldn't agree more with how disgusted I felt in the final scene at Optimus's total disregard for both villains life. Though knowing Michael Bay, "American" and "Explosions" is all that really ever comes to mind
As a true transformers fan, one who feel in love with the autobots as a child and detested the decepticons in the mid 80s when the cartoons were aired, I have to say micheal bay has completely destroyed the legacy and memory of the great cartoons. Each and every one of these movies sucks, and as new ones have arrived at the theater, they have been worse than the one before it.
Hence, I think a movie that doesnt even do justice to the old memory of the autobots isnt even worth writing about, much less paying money to watch.
BUT in the cartoons, youre right, Optimus never wants to kill anyone. They always used different words, but that was also because it was a cartoon. Also, the whole idea of Transformers in the 80s was very political in its core, Freedom. It was the freedom that the good guys, the autobots, wanted and the decepticons wanted to take away. Obviously the parallels to the US and the old Soviet Union are not a coincidence.
Anyway, the best thing you could have written would be a simple "Dont watch the movie cuz it sucks!"
Excellent review.
There is a lot of truth to this article. I grew up on the cartoons and find little depth to the new films. This new franchise feels lower in quality and character of the roots it is built on just for the sake of the almighty dollar.
even i was surprised how member of one race can betray his own race, the moment prime killed sentinal, i felt pity for him as he was begging to prime for sparing his life, prime shpuld have left sentinal alone as he made a msitake to side of deceptiocons
Well written Ahmad Sahab. YOU HAVE DONE JUSTICE WITH OPTIMUS PRIME
It is an action movie based off a toy. The animated series was only created to sell the toy. I feel as though the "complexity" behind Optimus Prime is as deep as the plastic and metallic toy he originated from. And of course he wasn't going to give them mercy, they were blowing up Chicago and slaughtering thousands of humans. They were going to consume Earth to bring back their Cybertron. Optimus's actions were necessary to keep them from having the entire human race enslaved to work for evil alien machines. This was a pretty good action movie, you have to admit. But as far the art behind it and the plot, it was lacking. We aren't going to see Transformers to have our minds opened and leave slightly more intellectual than before. We go to see giant robots wreaking havoc, fighting each other and ripping each other apart in cool ways.
thank you! someone with logic in these comments!
Dude! American films have been loaded with propaganda since time immemorial. Even Superman from the 70s has American prop in it. There's nothing new here with Transformers 3.
If you wanted to see a deep and meaningful movie with the right moralistic tone, picking Transformers was not a smart choice. And then to see number 3 in the sequel means you were really asking for it.
Hey, relax. It's a movie. All this talk of ethics and propaganda is good for an article… I get it.
"I, of course understand that expecting a Michael Bay film to deliver some food for thought on the ethics of war, the development of the characters or a storyline which actually makes sense is expecting too much and is unfair." – you should have just ended there.
Sentinel cut off Optimus' right arm and tried to kill him. Of course he needed to kill Sentinel, it was the only way to stop him. Also in '86 animated movie Optimus prepared to kill Megatron, but Megatron was faster.
@Ahmad! Nice critique ! Bay just called me to confirm that he's going to give the title "Transformers 3 – The rise of Optimus Prime" to the upcoming sequel…! You really inspired the freak !
Dear Ahmad,
You must understand that a movie is suppose to be entertainment. Its not a director's job to show us how to live our life or to be historically accurate. They are only creating entertaiment for the masses. Optimus prime might have made a mistake, but he also corrected it and saved everyone in the end.
I believe your comparision between the movie and a newspaper was very ignorant. You have a newspaper which cannot sell fiction and on te other hand you have a movie, which is based on fiction. And the success of a movie is completely based on how it does commercially. And Transformers 3 is not the higest grossing movie of 2011. So, you might have not liked it, but millions of others did and it also recieved critical acclaim.
The movie scored only 36% on Rotten Tomatoes. It has NOT achieved critical acclaim. The commercial success is graphics driven. And the author is right, Michael Bay has destroyed a much loved canon in a flurry of quick-n-dirty film-making. (Contrast with Nolan's treatment of Batman). But if you were not a fan of the old cartoons, you have no cause for lament.