The Energon Pub

News Credits: 1235 · by **LOST Cybertronian** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 2:49 pm

This is certainly the day for Dark Of The Moon news. An article posted on Hitfix. Shares some plot details involving Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Shia labeouf. There are some spoilers ahead so stop reading if you don't want to be spoiled.
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I think it's safe to say that there are many people who openly dislike "Transformers 2: Revenge Of The Fallen." And, after sitting with him for a half-hour yesterday to talk about the third chapter in the giant robots franchise, I'd say Michael Bay is one of those people.

And just wait till you see his apology.

There will be a new trailer for "Transformers: Dark Of The Moon" that appears in front of "Fast Five" next weekend, and Thursday morning, a small group of us met at Paramount to see the trailer, a chunk of scenes from the movie, and a 3D sizzle reel. And the trailer is, in a word, outrageous. The scale of this film is so different than what I thought it was that I'm almost at a loss to describe it. It's not even the same genre as the first two "Transformers" films. This time out, Bay is making a full-blown alien invasion movie that just happens to use Autobots and Decepticons, and the result looks like the craziest action movie ride this summer.

And, yes, I'm prepared to say that after just one presentation. I've certainly had my problem with some of Bay's films over the years, but he is as in love with pure action for the sake of action as any filmmaker working right now, and it looks to me like he's gone out of his way here to build scenes that no one's ever done before. It also looks like he's embraced the idea of 3D as a tool to enhance those action scenes, and like he's having fun with the pure little-boy-game of imagining giant robot mayhem this time.

There was certainly an emphasis on introducing Rosie Huntington-Whiteley to us through a number of clips that played up the relationship between Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) and Carly (Huntington-Whiteley). When she ends up trapped in Chicago after it's been taken over by Decepticons, Sam has to go into the city to find her, setting off what looks like one of the wildest series of scenes that Bay's ever orchestrated, and he was given unprecedented access to the city's resources to help stage his invasion. The result is a sense of urban chaos that I've never seen staged on this scale.

And "scale" seems to be a big word for this film. We saw battle sequences set on the home planet of the Transformers. We saw a crazy accident on the moon, and we saw what happens when all the robots scattered there by that accident finally wake up. We saw a jaw-dropping sequence involving soldiers jumping out of a transport over the city and using cutting-edge flight suits to glide down to the ground, racing between buildings as they do. We saw a piece of a scene involving an attack on a skyscraper where the Decepticons appear to saw an entire building in half using a giant sandworm-looking robot that burrows deep into the building while the human heroes struggle to find a way to ride it out in the upper half of the building.

We've been asked not to go through all the footage beat-for-beat, but honestly, I don't think I could even if I tried. The footage was that overstuffed with imagery. What I can tell you is that if you hate the sense of humor from the first two films, you'll probably hate the sense of humor in this one as well. One of the major themes of this film is the stress of finding your first real job, something that Bay sees as a major rite of passage akin to getting your first car, which was the sort of emotional heart of the first film for Bay. In the footage we saw, Sam interviews for a position at a high-tech company, and John Malkovich is positively chewing scenery as the guy interviewing him. We saw another scene involving Ken Jeong and a men's room that was positively manic, ending with a "Three's Company" style joke about what Jeon and Sam were up to in a stall.

But the emphasis was on action in the majority of the footage, and it looks like things get very personal for Sam in this one, and like he's learned some new tricks that help even the odds when he has to face the Decepticons. We saw a chunk of an alley fight between Starscream and Sam in which Sam reveals that he's been given some new weaponry, including a grapping gun glove of sorts that seems fairly effective.

News Credits: 37 · by **SlyTF1** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 2:58 pm

Holy crap, I cannot wait for this!!!

Like GEEWUN on Facebook · by **GEEWUN** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 3:13 pm

The way this dude is describing it it almost sounds like something decent

by **Malicron** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 3:27 pm

So, movie-verse meets AHM?

by **OptiMagnus** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 3:33 pm

This looks promising, except one phrase made me stop: full-blown alien invasion.
How original. Everything nowadays is an alien invasion, and the plot is always the same. Big thing appears in sky, thing starts sending stuff to attack people, the world is close its end, heroic human somehow finds a way to defeat big thing in sky, the end.
I hope this isn't just another cliched alien invasion movie.

News Credits: 37 · by **SlyTF1** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 3:36 pm

OptiMagnus10 wrote:This looks promising, except one phrase made me stop: full-blown alien invasion.
How original. Everything nowadays is an alien invasion, and the plot is always the same. Big thing appears in sky, thing starts sending stuff to attack people, the world is close its end, heroic human somehow finds a way to defeat big thing in sky, the end.
I hope this isn't just another cliched alien invasion movie.

Hollywood's giving us a warning.

I've always wanted an alien invasion Transformers series!

News Credits: 2 · by **ConBotFormer** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 4:14 pm

OptiMagnus10 wrote:This looks promising, except one phrase made me stop: full-blown alien invasion.
How original. Everything nowadays is an alien invasion, and the plot is always the same. Big thing appears in sky, thing starts sending stuff to attack people, the world is close its end, heroic human somehow finds a way to defeat big thing in sky, the end.
I hope this isn't just another cliched alien invasion movie.

I do hope this movie rocks. But you have a point. I just watched Skyline last night and it sucked, same old same old. But hey, at least in this movie they won't be out to eat us or kill us for fun or kill us just because, like every other alien movie out there.

This movie sounds so damn sick!

News Credits: 3 · by **NatsumeRyu** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 4:23 pm

While the alien-invasion deal is typically a cliche, Battle: L.A. has proven that any cliche can be done well and not feel like the cliche it might be associated with.

That being said, alien-invasion, especially to finish a Transformers trilogy does not bother me one bit. That's what I always hope for by the end of any sort of "secret" stuff, be it films, comics, shows, games, etc. The big reveal.

Two of the parts that caught my eye most were:
1. bad: "if you hate the sense of humor from the first two films, you'll probably hate the sense of humor in this one as well"
2. good: "We saw battle sequences set on the home planet of the Transformers"
plural. Eee.

Everything's really juicy though. Great news.

News Credits: 8 · by **LiKwid** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 4:49 pm

NatsumeRyu wrote:While the alien-invasion deal is typically a cliche, Battle: L.A. has proven that any cliche can be done well and not feel like the cliche it might be associated with.

That being said, alien-invasion, especially to finish a Transformers trilogy does not bother me one bit. That's what I always hope for by the end of any sort of "secret" stuff, be it films, comics, shows, games, etc. The big reveal.

Two of the parts that caught my eye most were:
1. bad: "if you hate the sense of humor from the first two films, you'll probably hate the sense of humor in this one as well"
2. good: "We saw battle sequences set on the home planet of the Transformers"
plural. Eee.

Everything's really juicy though. Great news.

This may or may not be the last transformers movie. This will be MBays last transformer movie

I won't get excited like I did before ROTF..I've learned Mbays tricks and I won't ge excited until Im sittin in that sit sippin on my $5 soda

by **MINDVVIPE** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 4:52 pm

NatsumeRyu wrote:While the alien-invasion deal is typically a cliche, Battle: L.A. has proven that any cliche can be done well and not feel like the cliche it might be associated with.

Ew, no. haha. Battle LA was such a drag, so much buildup for not much payoff. I hope it isn't at all like Battle LA, coz that means we get soldiers looking at aliens and not really shooting much for the first half of the movie... not really seeing the aliens in detail much with all the overdone camera shake, overstuffed american patriotism, and a lame ending with barely any solidarity to the logic of the scene.. Oh god, i'm describing the TF movies.

Whatever, atleast i'll get way more action this time, that hopefully isn't crowded with unrecognizable generic bots.

News Credits: 5 · by **5150 Cruiser** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 5:12 pm

Sounds promising. I was hoping we'd get to see Shockwave in the trailer, but oh well. I'll take take whatever they give us at this point.

I hoping (like most here) hat the'll put there own twist on the whole aliean invasion thing. I have to agree that its getting old and played out. Its going to be interesting to see how a hand full of autobots can stop a full on invasion of decepticons though.

News Credits: 3 · by **NatsumeRyu** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 6:08 pm

MINDVVIPE wrote:
NatsumeRyu wrote:While the alien-invasion deal is typically a cliche, Battle: L.A. has proven that any cliche can be done well and not feel like the cliche it might be associated with.

Ew, no. haha. Battle LA was such a drag, so much buildup for not much payoff. I hope it isn't at all like Battle LA, coz that means we get soldiers looking at aliens and not really shooting much for the first half of the movie... not really seeing the aliens in detail much with all the overdone camera shake, overstuffed american patriotism, and a lame ending with barely any solidarity to the logic of the scene.. Oh god, i'm describing the TF movies.

Whatever, atleast i'll get way more action this time, that hopefully isn't crowded with unrecognizable generic bots.

Lol, we differ there in interests then.

I loved B:LA. Thought it was great as an action/sci-fi movie. Kept me interested throughout.

I don't want it to be the same as Battle:LA though...just using it as an example that I thought it was good when I was going into the theater expecting a typical alien-invasion flick.

A lot of stuff would be wrong with Transformers if it tried to mimic Battle:LA - first and foremost to me the fact that the opponent is an enemy that we are not taught to empathize with much...We'd get even less characterization from the Cons, lol.

News Credits: 5749 · by **El Duque** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 6:43 pm

Autobots ripping Decepticons apart "Day of the Dead" style! Sounds fun!

News Credits: 5 · by **alexison** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 6:45 pm

I must say I am looking forward to this movie. I expect good things and I like what I've seen so far.

NatsumeRyu wrote:
MINDVVIPE wrote:
NatsumeRyu wrote:While the alien-invasion deal is typically a cliche, Battle: L.A. has proven that any cliche can be done well and not feel like the cliche it might be associated with.

Ew, no. haha. Battle LA was such a drag, so much buildup for not much payoff. I hope it isn't at all like Battle LA, coz that means we get soldiers looking at aliens and not really shooting much for the first half of the movie... not really seeing the aliens in detail much with all the overdone camera shake, overstuffed american patriotism, and a lame ending with barely any solidarity to the logic of the scene.. Oh god, i'm describing the TF movies.

Whatever, atleast i'll get way more action this time, that hopefully isn't crowded with unrecognizable generic bots.

Lol, we differ there in interests then. I loved B:LA. Thought it was great as an action/sci-fi movie. Kept me interested throughout.

I don't want it to be the same as Battle:LA though...just using it as an example that I thought it was good when I was going into the theater expecting a typical alien-invasion flick.
A lot of stuff would be wrong with Transformers if it tried to mimic Battle:LA - first and foremost to me the fact that the opponent is an enemy that we are not taught to empathize with much...We'd get even less characterization from the Cons, lol.

I agree, I think Battle: LA took a cliche idea and made it believable. Yes the beginning was slow but I think that is necessary for some plot building. It also allowed for us to believe the situations was desperate and "world ending."

The only problem I have with the third film is that it seems like it is going to be a stand alone movie, and in a sense, thanks to ROTF and the inconsistencies in this trilogy, it has to be. I think this will be a great movie but it's a shame it isn't a great trilogy like LOTR or the Matrix Trilogy. All of them can stand alone but are best when viewed together. The TF trilogy is unfortunately not the same way.

by **MINDVVIPE** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 6:55 pm

amcgrath929 wrote: Yes the beginning was slow but I think that is necessary for some plot building. It also allowed for us to believe the situations was desperate and "world ending."

I'm all down for plot building, but when their gun sights are ON the target and they are NOT FIRING! ARGHH it was such a tease, driving me nuts. It's like watching a 5 year old play Call of duty... the potential is there..but... nothing happens. hehe. Anyway, I am not trying to argue, I accept your different opinion. Just saying

And yea, I think your right about it being a standalone. I'm happy about that though, Anything to sever the bitter memories of the last movies and make a TF movie like it should be, focused on robot on robot mayhem, and TF characters using their oldschool tricks to outsmart and outgun. Sam should just be given an exosuit already, might as well if hes going to be this one human always picked on by the Decepticons. Unless the Autobots secretly want him to perish.

News Credits: 10 · by **Trikeboy** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 8:13 pm

amcgrath929 wrote:The only problem I have with the third film is that it seems like it is going to be a stand alone movie, and in a sense, thanks to ROTF and the inconsistencies in this trilogy, it has to be. I think this will be a great movie but it's a shame it isn't a great trilogy like LOTR or the Matrix Trilogy. All of them can stand alone but are best when viewed together. The TF trilogy is unfortunately not the same way.

OMG, you just called the Matrix movies a great Trilogy!!! I agree that the first one is good but the sequels were so bad that I can no longer watch the original anymore. The last one had an ending right out of Superman 2 for godsake.

On topic, this is sounding good but it does lead to one question. Why do the Decepticons need to invade our planet? Ok, the Autobots are on it but is that the only reason they invade in such a large scale? What threat do we pose them? Something more has to be spurring Shockwave. The action sounds typical Michael Bay but what else do you expect from him?

by **Fortress Rodimus** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 8:19 pm

Now i really cannot wait to see this movie. It is also going to be the only movie that i will see in 3D. So cool.

by **BATTOUSAIXD** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 8:20 pm

DOTM is sounding really good! Hopefully not too much Sam and his new girlfriend stuff though. And I hope the humor isn't nearly as forced as ROTF. The first movie was a little awkward in it's humor, but it made me laugh for the most part. I like alien invasions, so I think that will work out well and I did really like Battle:L.A. I have to agree that Skyline was horrible though. And as for these movies being a good trilogy, I think the first movie was great and this one looks like it will be too; you just have to read the prequel comic Defiance to fill in a lot of ROTF's holes and skip the all-human scenes and you have a good hour of Transformers 2.

News Credits: 2 · by **NemesisMonkeySupreme** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 8:39 pm

Meh. Bay and crew have been milking that hat-in-hand "yeah, ROTF was a piece of crap" bit for a while now.

If you thought it was a piece of crap, why did you release it?! If I remember correctly they spouted all the same "this movie is gonna be great, it'll blow your socks off" stuff before ROTF was released too. I-)

He may be rich, he may be famous, but he's an idiot as far as I'm considered… I mean, he obviously still thinks "Shia l'Erreur de Nom" can act.

by **MINDVVIPE** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 9:07 pm

NemesisMonkeySupreme wrote:Meh. Bay and crew have been milking that hat-in-hand "yeah, ROTF was a piece of crap" bit for a while now. If you thought it was a piece of crap, why did you release it?! If I remember correctly they spouted all the same "this movie is gonna be great, it'll blow your socks off" stuff before ROTF was released too.

He may be rich, he may be famous, but he's an idiot as far as I'm considered… I mean, he obviously still thinks "Shia l'Erreur de Nom" can act.

HEhehe... sounds like a post i'd make. Precisely why i'm not holding my breath. I'd hate to have to read a Bayverse comic to understand the movie, thats like fuel for the fire. What I AM Interested in is the video game tie in, nothing like some more High Moon Studios TF gaming.

by **Capt.Failure** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 9:58 pm

NemesisMonkeySupreme wrote:Meh. Bay and crew have been milking that hat-in-hand "yeah, ROTF was a piece of crap" bit for a while now. If you thought it was a piece of crap, why did you release it?! If I remember correctly they spouted all the same "this movie is gonna be great, it'll blow your socks off" stuff before ROTF was released too.

I'm still firmly in the school of thought that Bay is only "apologizing" for RotF to make the executives happy. I've said it before the guy made Pearl Harbor and didn't apologize, and that's the second worst movie every made (Battlefield: Earth was first, for the record). The executives are trying to cover their ass for the critics despite the fact that the audience made the final decision about RotF and voted in overwhelming favor of it.

That said, DotM is gonna rock. With RotF's success I doubt it'll be disavowed from the series.

by **OptiMagnus** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 9:59 pm

SlyTF1 wrote:
OptiMagnus10 wrote:This looks promising, except one phrase made me stop: full-blown alien invasion.
How original. Everything nowadays is an alien invasion, and the plot is always the same. Big thing appears in sky, thing starts sending stuff to attack people, the world is close its end, heroic human somehow finds a way to defeat big thing in sky, the end.
I hope this isn't just another cliched alien invasion movie.

Hollywood's giving us a warning.

I've always wanted an alien invasion Transformers series!

Gee, I thought you'd want to kill me for questioning the greatness of a Michael Bay TF movie. :lol:

News Credits: 226 · by **Burn** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 10:28 pm

Capt.Failure wrote:I've said it before the guy made Pearl Harbor and didn't apologize, and that's the second worst movie every made (Battlefield: Earth was first, for the record).

Never seen Gabriel have you?

by **Capt.Failure** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 10:34 pm

Burn wrote:
Capt.Failure wrote:I've said it before the guy made Pearl Harbor and didn't apologize, and that's the second worst movie every made (Battlefield: Earth was first, for the record).

Never seen Gabriel have you?

No but something tells me ignorance is bliss. <_<

Besides, Pearl Harbor and BF:E did two things that are unforgivable in my eyes. Screw up history and promote Scientology. :BANG_HEAD:

News Credits: 226 · by **Burn** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 11:49 pm

Capt.Failure wrote:
Burn wrote:
Capt.Failure wrote:I've said it before the guy made Pearl Harbor and didn't apologize, and that's the second worst movie every made (Battlefield: Earth was first, for the record).

Never seen Gabriel have you?

No but something tells me ignorance is bliss. <_<

In this case it most certaintly is.

But I dare you to watch it anyway. :twisted: