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In an interview with the Chicago Sun Times, Transformers 3 director Michael Bay revealed what might be considered to be vague plot points.

Note: As usual, for those avoiding movie news, don't highlight the text, or visit the link.

"Though Bay keeps his ''Transformers 3'' story line close to the vest, he did reveal the Chicago footage ''is at the very end of the movie and the city is under alien attack, so it's very critical and important to the film's climax.''

The scene shot Monday between Michigan and Wabash focused on ''a number of base jumpers who are part of Josh Duhamel's unit. The heroes in this movie have very few people coming to help them this time. I like to think of it as the 'Black Hawk Down' version of 'Transformers' -- it's much more intimate in terms of what's happening.

''Something very bad has happened to America -- and this is at the very end of the movie.''"

"After the ''TF3'' crews leave Chicago at the end of next month, they will move on to Detroit, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Florida, ''plus a number of international locations we can't yet reveal,'' producer Ian Bryce said Monday."

Check out the Sun Times online article here.

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Sounds to me like the Autobots get to be heroes. Though, the way it sounded, it almost seems like it'll be very much a human scene rather than TF. Which doesn't quite work for me if true.

I think the humans inflict too much damage to the Robots, they should be merely an 'annoyance' to them... plus, i don't like all these pretty poster boys runnin round pretending to be killin machines and bustin caps off, they're too squeaky clean, they aint gritty enough for me to believe they'd ever survive these attacks, they look like they'd just curl up in a ball crying .

SEXFIGHTER wrote:I think the humans inflict too much damage to the Robots, they should be merely an 'annoyance' to them... plus, i don't like all these pretty poster boys runnin round pretending to be killin machines and bustin caps off, they're too squeaky clean, they aint gritty enough for me to believe they'd ever survive these attacks, they look like they'd just curl up in a ball crying .

Except that the military had direct oversight of their portrayal.

I think you're way off base. The military was shown in a really positive light in the films and the soliders are anything but transparent.

Counterpunch wrote:

SEXFIGHTER wrote:I think the humans inflict too much damage to the Robots, they should be merely an 'annoyance' to them... plus, i don't like all these pretty poster boys runnin round pretending to be killin machines and bustin caps off, they're too squeaky clean, they aint gritty enough for me to believe they'd ever survive these attacks, they look like they'd just curl up in a ball crying .

Except that the military had direct oversight of their portrayal.

I think you're way off base. The military was shown in a really positive light in the films and the soliders are anything but transparent.

I agree that these movies have actually represented the military very well. Now, Chuck Norris on the other hand.....

SEXFIGHTER wrote:I think the humans inflict too much damage to the Robots, they should be merely an 'annoyance' to them... plus, i don't like all these pretty poster boys runnin round pretending to be killin machines and bustin caps off, they're too squeaky clean, they aint gritty enough for me to believe they'd ever survive these attacks, they look like they'd just curl up in a ball crying .

I think the assumption is that- even though these are aliens- they have developed the same types of armor as human science; more advanced in cases, but it's still the elements as on the human periodic table of elements. I will also mention that the human weapons are doing FAR less damage to them as they do to other human technology. My theory is that the armor (self-regeneration molecular armor as mentioned in the first movie) is in fact nano-tech. In order to allow it to regenerate, they give up some of the firmness of other armors that don't regenerate. Nanotech- theoretically- is held together by mechanical bonds, which are significantly weaker than molecular bonds, which means that less potential kinetic force would be required to disassemble them- making them weaker or more reactive to some types of weaponry...

...isn't science fiction awesome?

The other thing is this: there are plenty of "pretty boys" in the military. The thing that sets them apart is the training. In this case, the actors are playing military, so you must make certain assumptions about their training. I'm sure there would be soldiers that would wet themselves if confronted by a 45 foot tall alien robot, but training WOULD kick in. The whole point of movies is the suspension of disbelief...so go ahead and do a little bit of it. Pretend. We all did it as kids. Sometimes I think adults need to do more pretending and less taking things seriously.

Anybody know where exactly they're filming in FL?

SwindleBot462 wrote:Anybody know where exactly they're filming in FL?

Kennedy Space Center I believe

Autobot032 wrote:Sounds to me like the Autobots get to be heroes. Though, the way it sounded, it almost seems like it'll be very much a human scene rather than TF. Which doesn't quite work for me if true.

Human scene, yes. It sounds like a scene of human suffering...it sounds like the 'Cons are beating the stuffing out of us.

As for the Autobots being heroes, that would make sense too, especially with the signs we've seen in the CHicago set with anti-Autobot sentiment. It would be a typical Hollywood moment for the very beings the people are protesting against to save the planet.

Something terrible has happened: the Decepticons hacked the world economy, everyone lost their money and no one can afford to go the cinema anymore.

Counterpunch wrote:

SEXFIGHTER wrote:I think the humans inflict too much damage to the Robots, they should be merely an 'annoyance' to them... plus, i don't like all these pretty poster boys runnin round pretending to be killin machines and bustin caps off, they're too squeaky clean, they aint gritty enough for me to believe they'd ever survive these attacks, they look like they'd just curl up in a ball crying .

Except that the military had direct oversight of their portrayal.

I think you're way off base. The military was shown in a really positive light in the films and the soliders are anything but transparent.

Well, I don't think he's saying the military has been portrayed wrong, he's just saying they look a little too "Hollywood" and are too pretty. I think he wants to see a more hardcore, grizzled look. I felt the same way too initially, but Duhamel and Gibson have won we over; they've done a good job so I find them to be believable now.

Regarding the "too much damage" thing, I think you're right, SF. From my perspective, sentient robots from space would have FAR superior technology than ours and would be pretty-much impervious to our weapons. Besides, I think they're far more menacing that way.

Energon Is My Drug wrote:

Counterpunch wrote:

SEXFIGHTER wrote:I think the humans inflict too much damage to the Robots, they should be merely an 'annoyance' to them... plus, i don't like all these pretty poster boys runnin round pretending to be killin machines and bustin caps off, they're too squeaky clean, they aint gritty enough for me to believe they'd ever survive these attacks, they look like they'd just curl up in a ball crying .

Except that the military had direct oversight of their portrayal.

I think you're way off base. The military was shown in a really positive light in the films and the soliders are anything but transparent.

Well, I don't think he's saying the military has been portrayed wrong, he's just saying they look a little too "Hollywood" and are too pretty. I think he wants to see a more hardcore, grizzled look. I felt the same way too initially, but Duhamel and Gibson have won we over; they've done a good job so I find them to be believable now.

Regarding the "too much damage" thing, I think you're right, SF. From my perspective, sentient robots from space would have FAR superior technology than ours and would be pretty-much impervious to our weapons. Besides, I think they're far more menacing that way.

The Transformers are menacing enough.

It takes like a squad of humans and 2-3 vehicles to bring down one TF...maybe. Blackout in the first film wipes out an entire base.

Starscream wrecks multiple jets in one engagement.

Yes, the humans are an enemy that the Transformers can not simply ignore...and you know what? Good. Until they bring in energy barriers that completely ignore physics all together, then heat, projectiles, and explosions are all fair game in terms of damaging these creatures.

Even considering suspension of disbelief...the kinds of ballistics humans hit the Transformers with would have to be somewhat effective.

Seeing Megatron hit by a tank round and staggered is cool anyway.

First-Aid wrote:

SwindleBot462 wrote:Anybody know where exactly they're filming in FL?

Kennedy Space Center I believe

Prepare for spoilers galore...

Interesting, though I find the formula very simular actually to the last two films.

I mean, he compares this to Black Hawk Down, a great film and in it's simplist concept is about a group of soldiers isolated and holding their own, hunkered down whom are unable to recieve significant outside assistnace or support. Alright....

Finale of TF1, group of soldiers are again stuck in the city holding their own, hunkered down in a showdown where they recieve very little support till the finale. Kay, get it, cool.

Finale of TF2. Again, group of soldiers are cut off in the middle of the desernt and have to hold their own (Thats right, Hunker down) because of limited support and cover. Oooookay, I mean it worked for the first one, and Black Hawk Down, I'm sure...wait did the Boat just shoot down the Giant Robot on the Pyramid?

Finale of TF3 (From whats been disclosed), again group of soldiers are hunkered down holding their own...back in the city this time, with of course, limited support and so on and so forth.....

So, I mean it's like every film has had the same forumla showdown and Josh can't for the life of him rally full cooperation of the military forces for a full on attack in the finale three times in a row, just seems like every Tf film can be likened to Black Hawk Down.
I personally was hopefull the Chicago sequence would be towards the middle, get the whole Bot Battle Shwdown in city routine checked and out of the way and end it with something fresh like the Military and Autobots invading Decepticon turf via the space center or something fresh...not fresh for the entire Action Film Genre but fresh for this film franchise. Meh, just don't know now.

Joshua Vallse wrote:So, I mean it's like every film has had the same forumla showdown and Josh can't for the life of him rally full cooperation of the military forces for a full on attack in the finale three times in a row, just seems like every Tf film can be likened to Black Hawk Down.

I don't know; the way Bay was talking, it sounds like there may not be any human forces left to fight; the attitude seems much darker. WHo knows? Speculation just gets people riled up anyways...better to wait for the final product or more leaks.

First-Aid wrote:I don't know; the way Bay was talking, it sounds like there may not be any human forces left to fight; the attitude seems much darker. WHo knows? Speculation just gets people riled up anyways...better to wait for the final product or more leaks.

Quite True, and the fact Bay is a liar also helps stem this fear of yet more repetitive plot devices. Hopefully this sequence isn't the finale, being I find The Space Center more apt. Reasons being it's a type of symbolism of mankinds last frontier, space, which is also where the Cybertronian race visited from. Just, all ties together and you really can't get any bigger then space.

Even so, with images of a possible Combiner foot floating around, it makes sense Bay would save his Combiner for the end again (Ala Devestator) and sadly, the Small Band of Soliders hunkered Down Black Hawk routine is once again our finale.

Eh, at least it will be in 3D.

Joshua Vallse wrote:

First-Aid wrote:I don't know; the way Bay was talking, it sounds like there may not be any human forces left to fight; the attitude seems much darker. WHo knows? Speculation just gets people riled up anyways...better to wait for the final product or more leaks.

Quite True, and the fact Bay is a liar also helps stem this fear of yet more repetitive plot devices. Hopefully this sequence isn't the finale, being I find The Space Center more apt. Reasons being it's a type of symbolism of mankinds last frontier, space, which is also where the Cybertronian race visited from. Just, all ties together and you really can't get any bigger then space.

Even so, with images of a possible Combiner foot floating around, it makes sense Bay would save his Combiner for the end again (Ala Devestator) and sadly, the Small Band of Soliders hunkered Down Black Hawk routine is once again our finale.

Eh, at least it will be in 3D.

It's the final sequence. Even though Bay said Chicago wouldn't be Chicago, then confirmed it is, through out all of this misdirection, one thing remained constant: He clearly stated that it's the end of the film, when he told the truth or misdirected, this never changed.

From the looks of it, and the fact that Shockwave makes his appearance in the city, this is the climax.

Now, onto a different subject. Has anyone noticed that even though they said he'd have a bigger part in this film, no one's seen hide nor hair of Leo? I can't recall one filming scene in which he's present. Now, I realize they still have some filming to do and whatnot, but he's obviously not in the climax of the film, he wasn't with Sam and the Datsun Bumblebee, and he's never been seen with Carly. So I have to wonder, will he even be in it, and if so, how can this be a bigger part when most of the story telling and action scenes have pretty much been filmed?

I realize a lot of fans didn't like him, but a few of us did, but I have to say I could still enjoy the flick without him, it's just a bit weird that we've yet to see him.

Ha ha, I swear I'm going to be branded and burt at the stake for this.....

I liked Leo. Damn, here come the torches.

Anyways I don't mind him reprising his role, though I'd also point out we haven't seen anything of John Malkovich either. I think if anything they're more Central Command based characters. Like Maggie and Glen and Defense Secretary Keller were in the first film. If they would see any action, it may be restricted to where said base of command is taking place in terms of plot.

So, the finale is Chicago huh? Well so much for new plot devices...but then again, it is in 3d this time so...eh why not.

Joshua Vallse wrote: I'd also point out we haven't seen anything of John Malkovich either.

Actually I think we've seen him. Remember the blue bot head with the hair, goggles and mustache - Doctor Arkeville (Sam's boss).

LOL, oh Lord, you know there's a part of me that kinda wants to see this realized on film. And with Johnny boy playing the part, I know I'd be entertained no matter which way this concept would swing.

Counterpunch wrote:

SEXFIGHTER wrote:I think the humans inflict too much damage to the Robots, they should be merely an 'annoyance' to them... plus, i don't like all these pretty poster boys runnin round pretending to be killin machines and bustin caps off, they're too squeaky clean, they aint gritty enough for me to believe they'd ever survive these attacks, they look like they'd just curl up in a ball crying .

Except that the military had direct oversight of their portrayal.

I think you're way off base. The military was shown in a really positive light in the films and the soliders are anything but transparent.

Look mate, if you think those soldiers were hardcore and gritty, then i'm sorry but i disagree. Of course the military were portrayed in a positive light if the army, U.S army, is providing technical advice. However, for me, all these male models doin' their 'badass' routine, its transparent, and at least Chuck Norris OFF CAMERA was the real deal, these jokers...???. I believe in the old expression...You can't put HEART in a FART.