Transformers 2 on Blu-Ray

[Darth Wong]

Well, now that the film has been released on Blu-Ray, I can update my impressions of it. I think I actually liked it better on second viewing. It's still a deeply flawed film, but much of my irritation the first time came from the shock of certain unwanted new elements. Those new elements are still unwanted, but they don't seem to be as large a part of the film as they were the first time I saw them.

I think that the first time I saw them, the fembot, the ultra-cliched asshole government guy, and the horrid twins seemed like they took up a huge part of the film. On second viewing in the comfort of my home, they're still really irritating but I know what to expect in advance, and they don't seem to be quite as prominent as I remembered them being.

Of course, that doesn't mean I'm going to give some big stupid-happy-smile thumbs-up to the film. It's got major flaws, but it seems less obnoxious than I recall it being from the summer.

Also: video quality looks quite good, and the extra features are quite good as well. I particularly like the "Big Effin Movie" extra, which is a video montage of behind the scenes footage which is cut together in a snappy manner which doesn't get boring. I didn't try listening to the Michael Bay commentary track.

[Vympel]

Did you get the IMAX edition? The motherfuckers made it a Wal-Mart exclusive in the States. Don't know how it is in Canada.

Blu-ray.com gave the Video and Audio of the TF2 blu-ray 5/5 each. They said it was a stunning transfer.

I haven't got it on blu-ray yet - I'm waiting to see what's happening with the IMAX edition (called "big screen edition") first.

However, watching the rip I have (only second time I've seen the movie), TF2's problem IMO is that the comic 'relief' takes up way too much of the running time (it's not relief if you're sick of it- and it really is gutter-quality comedy. I mean that guy in the deli? Really?) and because the plot, whilst there, makes less sense than the first movie. They just didn't need all that crap with the parents, primarily (Twins come second).

In terms of pacing, I also think the film never recovers the steam it had by the time Optimus is gutted. Everything goes to a crawl after that, and the ending fight does start to drag with all the slow-mo and Sam screaming.

TF1's action is inferior both technically and aesthetically, but TF1's plot is much tighter and so it doesn't feel as long, even though both movies are actually about the same length. TF1 is a 4/5 for me, TF2 is a 3.5/5. It was a 4/5 after I walked out of the cinema.

[Anguirus]

I'm gonna pick this up eventually. Far inferior to the first IMO, but still many really cool moments. Plus the movie series has pretty much gotten me into TF fanboyism (hey, they are as a whole friendlier and slightly saner than the Mandos and hardcore Trekkies).

[Ford Prefect]

I mean that guy in the deli? Really?

Whoa, Jesus. That guy. I had, somehow, managed to completely forget about him, and I think I can understand why. I'm not entirely sure how people are supposed to take him as being funny.

I didn't try listening to the Michael Bay commentary track.

Come on, surely you want listen to Michael Bay try to explain why he was thinking when he made the twins.

[Vympel]

I thought the commentary would just be him going on about how awesome he is and bathing in money. And then burning it because it's dirty.

The guy's a brand, and he's well aware of that fact. Look at the ad he did for verizon, or the one he did for Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

[Darth Wong]

Did you get the IMAX edition? The motherfuckers made it a Wal-Mart exclusive in the States. Don't know how it is in Canada.

I didn't even know there was an IMAX edition. I'm not sure what the point would be though, since it would have the same source.

Blu-ray.com gave the Video and Audio of the TF2 blu-ray 5/5 each. They said it was a stunning transfer.

I haven't got it on blu-ray yet - I'm waiting to see what's happening with the IMAX edition (called "big screen edition") first.

However, watching the rip I have (only second time I've seen the movie), TF2's problem IMO is that the comic 'relief' takes up way too much of the running time (it's not relief if you're sick of it- and it really is gutter-quality comedy. I mean that guy in the deli? Really?) and because the plot, whilst there, makes less sense than the first movie. They just didn't need all that crap with the parents, primarily (Twins come second).

Yeah, the humour is like a Wayans Brothers movie.

In terms of pacing, I also think the film ever recovers the steam it had by the time Optimus is gutted. Everything goes to a crawl after that, and the ending fight does start to drag with all the slow-mo and Sam screaming.

TF1's action is inferior both technically and aesthetically, but TF1's plot is much tighter and so it doesn't feel as long, even though both movies are actually about the same length. TF1 is a 4/5 for me, TF2 is a 3.5/5.

TF1 had the inherent advantage of introducing something new, hence there's a sense of wonder and a character development arc which is almost naturally built into it. Transformers is sort of like a mutation on the superhero film format, so the first film is the introduction film, and the second film is the standard "superhero sequel with no more sense of wonder" let-down.

[Vympel]

I didn't even know there was an IMAX edition. I'm not sure what the point would be though, since it would have the same source.

There's supposed to be extra footage in the IMAX edition, mostly in the robot fights. I have yet to figure out what exactly it is, though. I thought one of them was Bumblebee ripping Ravage to bits whilst fighting Rampage, but it wasn't. Apparently Grindor gets some hits in on Optimus in the forest fight is one example.

Hopefully TF3 isn't a Spider Man 3 level do-too-much disaster ...

[Darth Wong]

I didn't even know there was an IMAX edition. I'm not sure what the point would be though, since it would have the same source.

There's supposed to be extra footage in the IMAX edition, mostly in the robot fights. I have yet to figure out what exactly it is, though. I thought one of them was Bumblebee ripping Ravage to bits whilst fighting Rampage, but it wasn't. Apparently Grindor gets some hits in on Optimus in the forest fight is one example.

Hopefully TF3 isn't a Spider Man 3 level do-too-much disaster ...

I tried watching Spiderman 3 and couldn't actually get through it. As more and more trilogies appear, one learns to appreciate that the Star Wars Original Trilogy was about as good a trilogy as you're going to get. Most trilogies get downright awful by the third installment.

[Ghost Rider]

I didn't even know there was an IMAX edition. I'm not sure what the point would be though, since it would have the same source.

There's supposed to be extra footage in the IMAX edition, mostly in the robot fights. I have yet to figure out what exactly it is, though. I thought one of them was Bumblebee ripping Ravage to bits whilst fighting Rampage, but it wasn't. Apparently Grindor gets some hits in on Optimus in the forest fight is one example.

Hopefully TF3 isn't a Spider Man 3 level do-too-much disaster ...

Hmmm I will have to get the IMAX for a friend who loves the movie. He owns a big screen TV and would love any new extras.

As for TF3 not reaching Spiderman 3? As long as they maintain what story they have...and not try to stuff every bit of TF lore for kicks...it cannot be as bad. Spiderman 3 still makes me wonder what the fuck were they all thinking. It shifts tones, plots, and back story for nothing more then having a video game finale complete with crappy ending scene. I laughed so hard at the crying scene that really, it demonstrated to me that how bad it really was.

[neoolong]

There's supposed to be extra footage in the IMAX edition, mostly in the robot fights. I have yet to figure out what exactly it is, though. I thought one of them was Bumblebee ripping Ravage to bits whilst fighting Rampage, but it wasn't. Apparently Grindor gets some hits in on Optimus in the forest fight is one example.

Is it the stuff that opens up the frame? Because it looks like it's mainly extended fight stuff in the forest and during the Devastator/Simmons/Twins fight. There may be more after that, but I haven't gotten there yet.

Interesting thing about the Walmart exclusive, it's 19.96 on Blu-ray. So pretty damned cheap comparably.

[Vympel]

I tried watching Spiderman 3 and couldn't actually get through it. As more and more trilogies appear, one learns to appreciate that the Star Wars Original Trilogy was about as good a trilogy as you're going to get. Most trilogies get downright awful by the third installment.

I made the mistake of watching it in the cinema. However, as far as trilogies go, I think Indiana Jones (if it counts after the mostly mediocre Kingdom of the Crystal Skull?) and the Last Crusade was freaking awesome - easily on par with RotJ.

[Shroom Man 777]

Oh, fuck me, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade was really a wonderful ride with Indy and Sean Connery having one hell of a time running away from the greatest Nazzie villains ever! From punching Nazzies off zeppelins to ruining the shit out of Stukas with a flock of sea gulls, to sending a Panzer with a Nazzie plummeting to their demise, the Last Crusade was just great fun.

I think in terms of entertainment value, watching Harrison Ford and Sean Connery get Hitler's autograph while going in motorcycle chases jousting with Nazzie bike-troops was way better than RotJ. God, that movie was outrageous!

[Darth Wong]

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade was a really good movie. However, the Temple of Doom was not so good, which dragged down the trilogy.

[Oskuro]

Most trilogies get downright awful by the third installment.

Back to the Future would like to disagree.


I personally have two categories for these big ass trilogies. On one hand you have the true trilogies, that is, stories that have enough material to be presented as such, usually because they are adapted from other medium, like a novel (LOTR for example), but sometimes they are original material that just works (like SW, Indy, or BTTF).
On the other hand, there are the victims of "sequelitis", a movie is a succesful, a sequel is greenlighted, and they decide to go for the whole trilogy to be able to churn out another one, and the lack of planning or ideas shows.

As for TF2, guess I'll get it on DVD, if only to have it beside my TF1 copy, after all, you can skip annoying chapters at will and watch the good bits.

[charlemagne]

Back to the Future would like to disagree.


I personally have two categories for these big ass trilogies. On one hand you have the true trilogies, that is, stories that have enough material to be presented as such, usually because they are adapted from other medium, like a novel (LOTR for example), but sometimes they are original material that just works (like SW, Indy, or BTTF).
On the other hand, there are the victims of "sequelitis", a movie is a succesful, a sequel is greenlighted, and they decide to go for the whole trilogy to be able to churn out another one, and the lack of planning or ideas shows.

As for TF2, guess I'll get it on DVD, if only to have it beside my TF1 copy, after all, you can skip annoying chapters at will and watch the good bits.

Well, BTTF only got sequels when part 1 was so successful, but then they wrote (and shot) part 2 & 3 in one go. That's why BTTF 2 + 3 fit together seamlessy with BTTF1 sticking out a bit (not even mentioning the terrible corner they wrote themselves into with Jennifer being on the Delorean when going to the future, which was only meant as a neat funny note to end the movie on).

Like you said, it's only a "real" trilogy when it's meant to be one big story stretched over 3 films from the very beginning. Most franchises churn out movies with not much more than the main characters holding them together. This is pointless nerdragey nitpicking, of course There's nothing wrong with that when it works like with Die Hard or Indy, of course.

[Vympel]

Yeah, Die Hard with a Vengeance was pretty awesome too.

However, I've never tested how many people agree with me, but I hated BTTF2.

EDIT: for those who collect Leader-class toys (or any TF toys) like me - first images of the much anticipated and very awesome looking Leader-class Starscream are out:-

Link

[Kuja]

However, I've never tested how many people agree with me, but I hated BTTF2.

I definately found it a more awkward movie than the first and it does tend to drag along at points (or at least I remember it doing so - I haven't seen it in awhile), but I still thought it had the humor and heart of the original.

[Oskuro]

As a kid I loved BTTF2 because it showed the future. Now I see it kind of like Empire Strikes Back, a darker movie that sets up the resolution on the final movie. I'm also of the opinion that, being BTTF1 and 3 so upbeat, the dark aspects of BTTF2 might turn some people off, wich is understandable, not everyone likes that kind of thing. But to me, the final scene where Marty is back to the high School dance is awesome, specially all the effort that went into making it mesh with the previous movie.

[Anguirus]

EDIT: for those who collect Leader-class toys (or any TF toys) like me - first images of the much anticipated and very awesome looking Leader-class Starscream are out:-

Link

I'm getting it. Granted I've pretty much metamorphosed into a full-on collector at this point (movie meh, toys for movie actually really good), but I think even if I weren't, I would pick up that Starscream.

There's also Bludgeon coming soon, who isn't actually in the movie, but as he is a tank who turns into a skeletal samurai, I require him anyway.

[Vympel]

I'm glad I only picked up the three Leader-class toys available (Optimus, Megatron, Jetfire) because if I had picked up any Voyager-class toys I'd have to get them all. I'm a psychotic completionist with everything I do.

They should do a Leader-class Bumblebee. I know there's an even better than Leader-class version of him, but just for consistencies sake ...

[Anguirus]

^ Rumor is that there is one in the pipeline! I won't buy it (not in scale with anything) but sounds like you would enjoy it.

I have exactly no Leaders yet. I'll have to get SS, and then I'll probably pick up OP. I don't feel the need to collect categories, I just collect ones I like. Mostly Voyager and Deluxe Decepticons.

[The Kernel]

I just saw this film for the first time on a flight from San Francisco to Dubai...and I gotta say I don't see how anyone can reasonably defend it as being "good" in any meaningful way.

Putting aside all the problems I had with plot, how the hell did the filmmakers get away with the incredibly racist depiction of the "twins"? Was I the only one who nearly punched the screen when they talked proudly about being illiterate?

[Vympel]

Putting aside all the problems I had with plot, how the hell did the filmmakers get away with the incredibly racist depiction of the "twins"? Was I the only one who nearly punched the screen when they talked proudly about being illiterate?

How is saying "we don't do much reading", in the context of reading ancient Cybertronian which only Jetfire is known to understand 'talking proudly about being illiterate'? It's a straightforward admission. No other robot (Wheelie for certain) can read it either.

I'm also not feeling the 'incredibly racist' depiction of the Twins. Why, because they talk in a bizarre Eminem-on-crack manner and act like a pair of fucking annoying dumbasses? I never assumed whilst watching "oh, they're meant to be black people."

[Shroom Man 777]

The fact that the two of them were stereotypically stupid and grotesque comedy characters? I think Kernel misspoke, I think what he meant to type was that he "nearly punched the screen" at any single time the twins said anything, at all.

Great, Optimus Christ just got crucificated by Megatron, and in the wake of it we see some bucktoothed robots acting like tools? Christ. That's like a Revenge of the Sith where, immediately after Anakin gets immolated, the next scene has Jar Jar going "meesa! meesa!" or some shit.

[Vympel]

The fact that the two of them were stereotypically stupid and grotesque comedy characters? I think Kernel misspoke, I think what he meant to type was that he "nearly punched the screen" at any single time the twins said anything, at all.

Great, Optimus Christ just got crucificated by Megatron, and in the wake of it we see some bucktoothed robots acting like tools? Christ. That's like a Revenge of the Sith where, immediately after Anakin gets immolated, the next scene has Jar Jar going "meesa! meesa!" or some shit.

Indeed. That's why they're the comic non-relief.