Portal:Movies

Contents
[hide]*1 Plot
 * 2 Cast
 * 2.1 Human characters
 * 2.2 Autobots
 * 2.3 Decepticons
 * 3 Production
 * 3.1 Development
 * 3.2 Design
 * 3.3 Filming
 * 3.4 Effects
 * 3.5 Music
 * 4 Release
 * 4.1 Marketing
 * 5 Reception
 * 5.1 Reviews
 * 5.2 Box office
 * 5.3 Accolades
 * 5.4 Home media
 * 6 References
 * 7 External links
 * }

Plot
Optimus Prime, heroic leader of the benevolent Autobots, describes in a voice-over the shutdown of the Transformers' home world, Cybertron. It was destroyed by the malevolentDecepticon leader Megatron in his quest to get hold of the All Spark. The Autobots want to find the All Spark so they can use it to rebuild Cybertron and end the war between the Autobots and the Decepticons, while the Decepticons want to use it to obliterate the Autobots and take over the universe. Megatron had managed to locate the All Spark on Earth, but crash-landed in theArctic Circle and froze in the ice. After stumbling upon his frozen body in 1897, explorer Captain Archibald Witwicky accidentally activated Megatron's navigational system and his eye glasses were imprinted with the coordinates of the All Spark's location, an incident that left him blind and mentally unstable. Sector 7, a secret government organization created by PresidentHerbert Hoover, discovered the All Spark in the Colorado River and built the Hoover Dam around it to mask its energy emissions. The still-frozen Megatron was moved into this facility and was used to advance human technology through reverse engineering.

In the present day, a group of Decepticons composed of Blackout, Scorponok, Frenzy, Barricade, Starscream, Brawl and Bonecrusher, have landed on Earth and assumed the disguise of Earth vehicles. Blackout and Scorponok attack the U.S. SOCCENT forward operations base inQatar and try to hack into the U.S. Military network to find the location of Megatron and the All Spark. Their mission is thwarted when the base staff cuts the network cable connections. While Blackout destroys the rest of the base, Scorponok pursues a small group of survivors, led by Captain William Lennox and Sergeant Robert Epps, who have photographic evidence of the robots. Scorponok is eventually repelled and hides in the sand after the humans manage to call air support and damage his tail. During this battle, the military discovers the only effective weapons against the Decepticons' armor are high-heat sabot rounds.

After Blackout's failure, Frenzy infiltrates Air Force One to again hack into the military network, planting a computer virus. He finds the map imprinted on Captain Witwicky's glasses. While the Pentagon interferes with Frenzy's plan, he finds that Witwicky's descendant Sam Witwicky intends to sell the glasses on eBay. Frenzy and Barricade begin tracking Sam's location. Meanwhile, Sam unknowingly buys the Autobot scout Bumblebee (also on Earth disguised as a 1976 Camaro[3] ) as his first car. After Bumblebee helps Sam woo his crush, Mikaela Banes, he leaves at night to transmit a homing signal to the rest of the Autobots. Sam pursues Bumblebee, thinking someone is stealing his car, but is shocked to find his car is actually a giant robot, which he regards as evil as first. Sam is arrested, and in the police station, tries to explain to the police officer what happened, but the apathetic and impassive officer assumes that he is hallucinating under the influence of drugs. When Bumblebee (in car mode) returns the following day, Sam flees, thinking the car is stalking him. While out, Barricade attacks Sam and ferociously interrogates him about his grandfather's glasses. Bumblebee saves Sam and Mikaela and engages Barricade in battle. During the fight, Mikaela severs Frenzy's head but he disguises himself as her cellphone and hides in her purse. They leave to meet with the rest of the Autobot team—Optimus Prime, Jazz, Ironhide, and Ratchet—who have landed on Earth and taken the forms of Earth vehicles as well. Sam, Mikaela, and the Autobots return to Sam's home and obtain the glasses; however, agents from Sector 7 arrive and take Sam and Mikaela into custody. The Autobots intervene, but Sector 7 captures Bumblebee and sends Sam and Mikaela away.

Sam and Mikaela are taken to Hoover Dam, as are Lennox and Epps, under Defense Secretary John Keller's orders. Frenzy sends an alert to the other Decepticons and sneaks into the technology system, freeing Megatron from his frozen state. Sam convinces the Sector 7 agents to release Bumblebee so that he can deliver the All Spark to Optimus. Frenzy's hacking has shut down government communications, but Keller and two hackers, Maggie and Glen, manage to establish a signal to the Air Force to support the Autobot-human convoy that has gone to nearby Mission City to hide the All Spark. The Decepticons attack; Bonecrusher, Frenzy, Jazz, Brawl, Barricade and Blackout are all killed during the ensuing battle. Sam, who was instructed to put the All Spark into Optimus' chest if Megatron prevailed (thereby destroying it and Optimus), instead rams the All Spark cube into Megatron's chest. The All Spark disintegrates, and its power obliterates Megatron. Optimus takes a fragment of the All Spark from Megatron's corpse, but admits that with its destruction, their home world Cybertron cannot be restored. The President orders the closure of Sector 7 and has the destroyed Megatron and other Decepticons dumped into the Laurentian Abyss. Lennox and Epps are reunited with their families, and Sam and Mikaela form a relationship. Optimus transmits a message to all surviving Autobots in space, telling them that they have a new home on Earth. During the credits, Starscream—the only surviving Decepticon besides Scorponok—escapes into space to tell the true leader of the Decepticons The Fallen of what has happened.

Cast
Main article: List of Transformers film characters===Human characters=== Vehicles used as the stand-ins for the robots in the film Transformers line up in front of an F-22A Raptor. The vehicles were on a military base to shoot several scenes for the film. Top: Starscream. Middle: Optimus Prime, Ironhide, Ratchet, Barricade. Bottom: Bumblebee, Jazz.*Shia LaBeouf as Sam Witwicky, a young descendant of an Arctic explorer who stumbled on a big secret, which becomes the last hope for Earth.
 * Josh Duhamel as Captain William Lennox, the captain of a special operations team based at the SOCCENT base in Qatar.
 * Tyrese Gibson as USAF Combat Controller Technical Sergeant Robert Epps, a member of Captain Lennox's team.
 * John Turturro as Agent Reggie Simmons, a member of Sector 7.
 * Rachael Taylor as Maggie Madsen, a Pentagon analyst recruited by the Department of Defense.
 * Megan Fox as Mikaela Banes, a classmate of Sam, who assists Sam in his mission using skills she learned as a juvenile car thief.
 * Anthony Anderson as Glen Whitmann, a hacker friend of Maggie.
 * Kevin Dunn Ron Witwicky, Sam's father.
 * Julie White Julie Witwicky, Sam's mother.
 * Jon Voight as John Keller, the United States Secretary of Defense.
 * Michael O'Neill as Tom Banachek, head of Sector 7 Advanced Research Division.
 * Amaury Nolasco as ACWO Jorge "Fig" Figueroa, a Special Operations soldier who survives the destruction of the base, and also a member of Captain Lennox's team.
 * Zack Ward as First Sergeant Donnelly, a member of SWAT.
 * Bernie Mac as Bobby Bolivia, a used cars salesman.

Autobots
Voices: Peterbilt 379 used in Transformers, portraying the Autobot Optimus Prime.*Peter Cullen voices Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots Chevrolet Camaro in Transformers, portraying the Autobot Bumblebee.*Mark Ryan voices Bumblebee Pontiac Solstice portraying the Autobot Jazz*Darius McCrary voices Jazz GMC Topkick, portraying the Autobot Ironhide.*Jess Harnell voices Ironhide
 * Robert Foxworth voices Ratchet

Decepticons
Voices:
 * Hugo Weaving voices Megatron, leader of the Decepticons
 * Charles Adler voices Starscream
 * Jess Harnell voices Barricade
 * Reno Wilson voices Frenzy
 * Jimmie Wood voices Bonecrusher

Development
Producer Don Murphy was planning a G.I. Joe film adaptation, but when the United States launched the invasion of Iraq in March 2003, Hasbro suggested adapting the Transformers franchise instead.[5] Tom DeSanto joined Murphy because he was a fan of the series.[6] They met with comic book writer Simon Furman, and cited the Generation 1 cartoon and comics as their main influence.[5] They made the Creation Matrix their plot device, though Murphy had it renamed because of the film series The Matrix.[7] DeSanto chose to write the treatmentfrom a human point-of-view to engage the audience,[8] while Murphy wanted it to have a realistic tone, reminiscent of a disaster film.[7] The treatment featured the Autobots Optimus Prime, Ironhide, Jazz, Prowl, Arcee, Ratchet, Wheeljack, and Bumblebee, and theDecepticons Megatron, Starscream, Soundwave, Ravage, Laserbeak, Rumble, Skywarp andShockwave.[9]

Steven Spielberg, a fan of the comics and toys,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-history_5-1" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[6] signed on as executive producer in 2004.John Rogers wrote the first draft, which pitted four Autobots against four Decepticons,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-quotes_9-0" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[10] and featured the Ark spaceship.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-10" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[11] Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, fans of the cartoon,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-toyfare_11-0" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[12] were hired to rewrite the script in February 2005.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-12" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[13] Spielberg suggested that "a boy and his car" should be the focus.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-boycar_13-0" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[14] This appealed to Orci and Kurtzman because it conveyed themes of adulthood and responsibility, "the things that a car represents in the United States".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-kaboom_14-0" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[15] The characters of Sam and Mikaela were the sole point-of-view given in Orci and Kurtzman's first draft.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-everywhere_15-0" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[16] The Transformers had no dialogue, as the producers feared talking robots would look ridiculous. The writers felt that even if it would look silly, not having the robots speak would betray the fanbase.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-toyfare_11-1" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[12] The first draft also had a battle scene in theGrand Canyon.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-16" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[17] Spielberg read each of Orci and Kurtzman's drafts and gave notes for improvement.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-boycar_13-1" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[14] The writers remained involved throughout production, adding additional dialogue for the robots during the sound mixing (although none of this was kept in the final film, which ran fifteen minutes shorter than the initial edit).<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-postmovie_17-0" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[18] Furman's The Ultimate Guide, published by Dorling Kindersley, remained as a resource to the writers throughout production.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-postmovie_17-1" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[18] Prime Directive was used as a fake working title. This was also the name of Dreamwave Productions' first Transformers comic book.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-18" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[19]

<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">Michael Bay was asked to direct by Spielberg on July 30, 2005,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-commentary_19-0" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[20] but he dismissed the film as a "stupid toy movie".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-rise_20-0" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[21] Nonetheless, he wanted to work with Spielberg, and gained a new respect for the mythology upon visiting Hasbro.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-commentary_19-1" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[20] Bay considered the first draft "too kiddie", so he increased the military's role in the story.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-commentary_19-2" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[20] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-edit_21-0" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[22] The writers sought inspiration from G.I. Joe for the soldier characters, being careful not to mix the brands.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-revealing_22-0" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[23] Because Orci and Kurtzman were concerned the film could feel like a military recruitment commercial, they chose to make the military believe nations like Iran were behind the Decepticon attack as well as making the Decepticons primarily military vehicles.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-23" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[24] Bay based Lennox' struggle to get to the Pentagon phoneline while struggling with an unhelpful operator from a real account he was given by a soldier when working on another film.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-commentary_19-3" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[20]

<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">Orci and Kurtzman experimented with numerous robots from the franchise, ultimately selecting the characters most popular among the filmmakers to form the final cast.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-history_5-2" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[6] Bay acknowledged that most of the Decepticons were selected before their names or roles were developed, as Hasbro had to start designing the toys.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-prime_time_24-0" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[25] Some of their names were changed because Bay was upset that they had been leaked.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-25" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[26] Optimus, Megatron, Bumblebee and Starscream were the only characters present in each version of the script.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-toyfare_11-2" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[12] Arcee was afemale Transformer introduced by Orci and Kurtzman, but she was cut because they found it difficult to explain robotic gender; Bay also disliked her motorcycle form, which he found too small.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-revealing_22-1" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[23] An early idea to have the Decepticons simultaneously strike multiple places around the world was also dropped.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-everywhere_15-1" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[16]

Design
The filmmakers incorporated valid physics into their designs, establishing the necessity for a robot's size to correspond to that of its disguise. The layout of Optimus Prime's robotic body within his truck mode is seen here. <p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">The filmmakers created the size of each robot with the size of their vehicle mode in mind, supporting the Transformer's rationale for their choice of disguise on Earth.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-theirwar_26-0" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[27] The concept of traveling protoforms was developed by Roberto Orci when he wondered why "aliens who moonlight as vehicles need other vehicles to travel".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-27" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[28] This reflected a desire to move to a more alien look, away from the "blocky" Generation 1 Transformers.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Lombardo_on_toys_28-0" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[29] Another major influence in the designs wassamurai armor, returning full-circle to the Japanese origins of the toy line.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-theirwar_26-1" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[27] The robots also had to look alien, or else they would have resembled other cinematic robots made in the image of man.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-29" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[30]

<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">A product placement deal with General Motors supplied alternate forms for most of the Autobots, which saved $3 million for the production.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bay_conference_30-0" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[31] GM also provided nearly two hundred cars, destined for destruction in the climactic battle scene.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-theirwar_26-2" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[27] The United States Armed Forces provided significant support, enhancing the film's realism: the film features F-22s, F-117s, and V-22 Ospreys, the first time these aircraft were used for a film; soldiers served as extras, and authentic uniforms were provided for the actors.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-commentary_19-4" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[20] A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and Lockheed AC-130s also appear. Captain Christian Hodge joked that he had to explain to his superiors that the filmmakers wanted to portray most of their aircraft as evil Decepticons: however, he remarked "people love bad guys".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-theirwar_26-3" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[27]

Filming
Director Michael Bay filming at Holloman Air Force Base <p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">To save money for the production, director Michael Bay reduced his usual fee by 30%. He planned an eighty-three day shooting schedule,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-commentary_19-5" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[20] maintaining the required pace by doing more camera set-ups per day than usual. Bay chose to shoot the film in the United States instead of Australia or Canada, allowing him to work with a crew he was familiar with, and who understood his work ethic.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-commentary_19-6" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[20] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-edit_21-1" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[22] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bay_conference_30-1" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[31] A pre-shoot took place on April 19, 2006, and principal photography began on April 22 at Holloman Air Force Base,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-making_of_2-1" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[3] which stood in for Qatar.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-commentary_19-7" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[20] To film the Scorponok sequence atWhite Sands Missile Range, a sweep was performed to remove unexploded ordnance before building of a village set could begin; ironically, the village would be blown up. The scene wasbroken down for the pilots flying the AWACS aircraft, who improvised dialogue as if it were an actual battle.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-commentary_19-8" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[20] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ourworld_31-0" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[32]

<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">The company also shot at the Hoover Dam and the Pentagon, the first time since the September 11, 2001, attacks that film crews had been allowed at these locations.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-making_of_2-2" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[3] The external Hoover Dam scenes were shot before tourists arrived daily at 10:00 a.m., with shooting moving inside for the remainder of the day.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ourworld_31-1" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[32] Production in California was based at Hughes Aircraft at Playa Vista, where the hangar in whichMegatron is imprisoned was built.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ourworld_31-2" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[32] Six weekends were spent in Los Angeles, California shooting the climactic battle, with some elements being shot on the Universal Studios backlot and at Detroit's Michigan Central Station.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-making_of_2-3" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[3] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ourworld_31-3" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[32] The crew was allowed to shoot at Griffith Observatory, which was still closed for renovations begun in 2002.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-making_of_2-4" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[3] Filming wrapped on October 4, 2006.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-edit_21-2" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[22]

Effects
<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">Spielberg encouraged Bay to restrict computer-generated imagery to the robots and background elements in the action sequences.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-commentary_19-9" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[20] Stunts such as Bonecrusher smashing through a bus were done practically, while cameras were placed into the midst of car crashes and explosions to make it look more exciting.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ourworld_31-4" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[32] Work on the animatics began in April 2005.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-quotes_9-1" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[10] Bay indicated that three quarters of the film's effects were made by Industrial Light & Magic, while Digital Domain made the rest,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-commentary_19-10" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[20] including the Arctic discovery of Megatron; Frenzy'ssevered head; a vending machine mutated by the All Spark, and the Autobots' protoforms.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-32" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[33] Many of the animators were big Transformers fans and were given free rein to experiment: a scene where Jazz attacks Brawl is a reference to a scene in The Transformers: The Moviewhere Kup jumps on Blitzwing.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-theirwar_26-4" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[27] <p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">ILM created computer-generated transformations during six months in 2005, looking at every inch of the car models.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-34" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[35] Initially the transformations were made to follow the laws of physics, but it did not look exciting enough and was changed to be more fluid.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-35" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[36] Bay rejected a liquid metal surface for the characters' faces, instead going for a "Rubik's Cube" style of modeling.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-commentary_19-11" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[20] He wanted numerous mechanical pieces visible so the robots would look more interesting, realistic, dynamic and quick, rather than like lumbering beasts.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-commentary_19-12" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[20] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-divulge_33-1" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[34] One such decision was to have the wheels stay on the ground for as long as possible, allowing the robots to cruise around as they changed.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-jaeger_36-0" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[37] Bay instructed the animators to observe footage of two martial artists and numerous martial arts films to make the fights look graceful.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-commentary_19-13" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[20]

<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">Due to the intricate designs of the Transformers, even the simplest motion of turning a wrist needs 17 visible parts;<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-making_of_2-5" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[3] each of Ironhide's guns are made of ten thousand parts.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-divulge_33-2" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[34] Bumblebee uses a piece below his faceplate as an eyebrow, pieces in his cheeks swivel to resemble a smile, and all the characters' eyes are designed to dilate and brighten.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-jaeger_36-1" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[37] According to Bay, "The visual effects were so complex it took a staggering 38 hours for ILM to render just one frame of movement;"<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-making_of_2-6" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[3] that meant ILM had to increase their processing facilities.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ratcheting_37-0" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[38] Each rendered piece had to look like real metal, shiny or dull. This was difficult to model because the aged and scarred robots had to transform from clean cars. Close-up shots of the robots were sped up to look "cool", but in wide shots the animation was slowed down to convincingly illustrate a sense of weight. Photographs were taken of each set. These were used as a reference for the lighting environment, which was reproduced within a computer, so the robots would look like they were convincingly moving there. Bay, who has directed numerous car commercials, understood ray tracing was the key to making the robots look real; the CG models would look realistic based on how much of the environment was reflecting on their bodies.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-theirwar_26-5" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[27] Numerous simulations were programmed into the robots, so the animators could focus on animating the particular areas needed for a convincing performance.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ratcheting_37-1" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[38]

Music
See also: Transformers: The Album and Transformers: The Score <p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">Composer Steve Jablonsky, who collaborated with Bay on The Island, scored music for the trailers before work began on the film itself. Recording took place in April 2007 at the Sony Scoring Stage in Culver City, California. The score, including the teaser music, uses six major themes across ninety minutes of music.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-38" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[39] The Autobots have three themes, one named "Optimus" to represent the wisdom and compassion of the Autobot leader, and another played during their arrival on Earth. The Decepticons have a chanted theme which relies on electronics, unlike most of the score. The All Spark also has its own theme.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-39" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[40] Hans Zimmer, Jablonsky's mentor, also helped to compose the score.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-commentary_19-14" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[20]

Release
<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">Transformers had its worldwide premiere at N Seoul Tower on June 11, 2007.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-40" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[41] The film's June 27 premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festivalused a live digital satellite feed to project the film on to a screen.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-41" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[42] A premiere took place at Rhode Island on June 28, which was a freely available event giving attendees the opportunity to buy tickets for $75 to benefit four charities: the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, the Autism Project of Rhode Island, Adoption Rhode Island, and Hasbro Children's Hospital.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-42" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[43] The film was released on IMAX on September 21, 2007,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-43" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[44] with additional footage that were not included in the general theatrical release.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-44" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[45]

Marketing
Further information: Transformers: The Movie toy line, Transformers: Movie Prequel, Transformers: Movie Adaptation, Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday, and Transformers: The Game <p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">Hasbro's toy line for the film was created over two months in late 2005/early 2006, in heavy collaboration with the filmmakers.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Lombardo_on_toys_28-1" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[29] ProtoformOptimus Prime and Starscream were released in the United States on May 1, 2007, and the first wave of figures was released on June 2.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Lombardo_on_toys_28-2" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[29] The line featured characters not in the film, including Arcee.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-theirwar_26-6" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[27] A second wave, titled "All Spark Power", was set for release late 2007, which consisted of repaints and robotic versions of ordinary vehicles in the film.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-45" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[46] The toys feature "Automorph Technology", where moving parts of the toy allow other parts to shift automatically.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-46" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[47] Merchandise for the film earned Hasbro $480 million in 2007.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-47" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[48]

<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">Deals were made with 200 companies to promote the film in 70 countries.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-48" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[49] Michael Bay directed tie-in commercials for General Motors,Panasonic, Burger King and PepsiCo,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-49" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[50] while props — including the Camaro used for Bumblebee and the All Spark — were put up for charity sale on eBay.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-50" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[51] A viral marketing alternate reality game was employed through the Sector 7 website, which presented the film and all previous Transformers toys and media as part of a cover-up operation called "Hungry Dragon," perpetrated by a "real life" Sector 7 to hide the existence of "real" Transformers. The site featured several videos presenting "evidence" of Transformers on Earth, including a cameo from the original Bumblebee.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-51" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[52]

Reception
<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">Transformers fans were initially divided over the film due to the radical redesigns of many characters, although the casting of Peter Cullen was warmly received.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-theirwar_26-7" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[27] Transformers comic book writer Simon Furman and Beast Wars script consultant Benson Yee both warmly received it as spectacular fun, but Furman argued there were too many human storylines.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-53" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[54] Yee felt that being the first in a series, the film had to establish much of the fictional universe and therefore did not have time to focus on the Decepticons.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-54" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[55]

<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">The film created a greater awareness of the franchise and drew in many new fans.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-55" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[56] Transformers' box office success led to the active development of films based on Voltron and Robotech,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-56" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[57] as well as a Knight Rider remake.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-57" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[58] When filming the sequel, Bay was told by soldiers the film helped their children understand what their work was like, and that many had christened their Buffalos – the vehicle used for Bonecrusher – after various Transformer characters.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-58" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[59]

<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">After the film's 2009 sequel was titled Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Roberto Orci was asked if this film would be retitled, just as Star Wars was titled Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope when re-released. He doubted the possibility, but said if it was retitled, he would call itTransformers: More Than Meets the Eye.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-59" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[60]

Reviews
<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">The film received mixed reviews from film critics.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-meta_60-0" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[61] Review aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes reported that 57% of critics gave the film positive write-ups, based on 215 reviews,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-61" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[62] with a positive 68% rating from selected "notable" critics.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-62" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[63] At the website Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the film has received a rating average of 61, based on 35 reviews.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-meta_60-1" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[61] IGN's Todd Gilchrist called it Michael Bay's best film, and "one of the few instances where it's OK to enjoy something for being smart and dumb at the same time, mostly because it's undeniably also a whole lot of fun".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-gilchrist_63-0" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[64] The Advertiser's Sean Fewster found the visual effects so seamless that "you may come to believe the studio somehow engineered artificial intelligence".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-64" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[65] The Denver Post's Lisa Kennedy praised the depiction of the robots as having "a believably rendered scale and intimacy",<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-65" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[66] and ABC presenter Margaret Pomeranzwas surprised "that a complete newcomer to the Transformers phenomenon like myself became involved in the fate of these mega-machines".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-66" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[67] Ain't It Cool News's Drew McWeeny felt most of the cast grounded the story, and that "it has a real sense of wonder, one of the things that’s missing from so much of the big CGI lightshows released these days".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-67" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[68] Author Peter David found it ludicrous fun, and said that "[Bay] manages to hold on to his audience's suspension of disbelief long enough for us to segue into some truly spectacular battle scenes".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-68" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[69]

<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">Despite the praise for the visual effects, there was division over the human storylines. The Hollywood Reporter's Kirk Honeycutt liked "how a teen plotline gets tied in to the end of the world",<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-69" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[70] while Empire's Ian Nathan praised Shia LaBeouf as "a smart, natural comedian, [who] levels the bluntness of this toy story with an ironic bluster".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-70" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[71] Ain't It Cool News founder Harry Knowles felt Bay's style conflicted with Spielberg's, arguing the military story only served as a distraction from Sam.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-71" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[72] James Berardinelli hated the film as he did not connect with the characters in-between the action, which he found tedious.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-72" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[73] Los Angeles Times' Kenneth Turan found the humans "oddly lifeless, doing little besides marking time until those big toys fill the screen",<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-73" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[74] while ComingSoon.net's Joshua Stames felt the Transformers were "completely believable, right up to the moment they open their mouths to talk, when they revert to bad cartoon characters".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-74" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[75] Daily Herald'sMatt Arado was annoyed that "the Transformers [are] little more than supporting players", and felt the middle act was sluggish.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-75" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[76] CNN'sTom Charity questioned the idea of a film based on a toy, and felt it would "buzz its youthful demographic [...] but leave the rest of us wondering if Hollywood could possibly aim lower".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-76" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[77]

Box office
<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">Worldwide, the film was the highest grossing non-sequel movie in 2007. It grossed $709.7 million, making it Michael Bay's second highest grossing film to date, with only the sequel surpassing this amount by more than $100 million.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-boxmojo_1-2" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[2] The film was released in ten international markets on June 28, 2007, including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and the Philippines. Transformers made $29.5 million in its first weekend, topping the box office in ten countries.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-77" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[78] It grossed $5.2 million in Malaysia, becoming the most successful film in the country's history.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-78" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[79] Transformers opened in China on July 11, and became the second highest-grossing foreign film in the country (behind Titanic), making $37.3 million.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-79" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[80] Its opening there set a record for a foreign language film, making $3 million.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-80" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[81] The film was officially released in the United Kingdom on July 27, making £8.7 million, and helped contribute to the biggest attendance record ever for that weekend. It was second at the UK box office, behind The Simpsons Movie.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-81" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[82] In South Korea, Transformers recorded the largest audience for a foreign film in 2007, and recorded highest foreign revenue of the movie.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-82" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[83]

<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">In North America, the film had the highest per-screen and per-theater gross in 2007.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-83" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[84] It was released on July 3, 2007, with 8 p.m. preview screenings on July 2. The U.S. previews earned $8.8 million,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-84" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[85] and in its first day of general release it grossed $27.8 million, a record for Tuesday box office attendance. It broke Spider-Man 2's record for the biggest July 4 gross, making $29 million.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-85" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[86] Transformers opened in over 4,050 theaters in North America,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-boxmojo_1-3" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[2] grossed $70.5 million in its first weekend, amounting to a $155.4 million opening week, giving it the record for the biggest opening week for a non-sequel.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-86" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[87] The opening's gross in the United States was 50% more than Paramount Picturesexpected. One executive attributed it to word of mouth that explained to parents that "it [was] OK to take the kids". A CinemaScore poll indicated the film was most popular with children and parents, including older women, and attracted many African American and Latinoviewers.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-87" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[88]

Accolades
<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">Before its release, Transformers was voted "Best Summer Movie You Haven't Seen Yet" at the 2007 MTV Movie Awards,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-88" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[89] and at the 2008 MTV Movie Awards, it was voted "best movie". It was nominated for three Academy Awards, in the fields of Achievement in Sound Editing, Achievement in Sound Mixing, and Achievement in Visual Effects, but lost to The Bourne Ultimatum and The Golden Compass, respectively.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-89" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[90] It received a 2008 Kids' Choice Award nomination for Favorite Movie, but lost to Alvin and the Chipmunks.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-90" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[91] The film received a Jury Merit Award for Best Special Effects in the 2007 Kuala Lumpur International Film Festival.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-91" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[92] Visual effects supervisor Scott Farrar was honored at the Hollywood Film Festival and Hollywood Awards Gala Ceremony on October 22, 2007 for his work on the film.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-92" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[93]

<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">In 2008, the Visual Effects Society awarded Transformers four awards: for the best visual effects in an "effects driven" film and the "best single visual effects sequence" (the Optimus-Bonecrusher battle). The film's other two awards were for its miniatures and compositing.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-93" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[94] Broadcast Music Incorporated awarded composer Steve Jablonsky for his score.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-94" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[95] Entertainment Weekly named Bumblebee as their fourth favorite computer generated character,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-95" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[96] while The Times listed Optimus Prime's depiction as the thirtieth best film robot, citing hiscoolness and dangerousness.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-96" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[97]

Home media
<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">Transformers was released in Region 1 territories on October 16, 2007 on DVD and the now defunct HD DVD format. The Wal-Mart edition of the DVD included a shortened animated version of the prequel comic book, titled Transformers Beginnings and featuring the voices of Mark Ryan, Peter Cullen and Kevin Dunn, as well as Frank Welker as Megatron.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-walmart_97-0" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[98] The Target copy was packaged with a transforming Optimus Prime DVD case and a prequel comic book about the Decepticons.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-walmart_97-1" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[98] The DVD sold 8.3 million copies in its first week, making it the fastest-selling DVD of 2007 in North America, and it sold 190,000 copies on HD DVD, which was the biggest debut on the format.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-98" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[99] The DVDs sold 13.74 million copies, making the film the most popular DVD title of 2007.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-99" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[100]

<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">It was released on Blu-ray on September 2, 2008.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-100" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[101] In the first week, the two-disc edition of the Blu-ray was number one in sales compared to other films on the format. The Blu-ray version accounted for two-thirds of the film's DVD sales that first week, selling the third most in overall DVD sales.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-101" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[102] On June 16, 2009, Paramount included a sticker on all new Transformers DVDs that contained a code to view exclusive content online from the first film and get a sneak peek at Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The content includes three exclusive clips from Revenge of the Fallen, behind-the-scenes footage from both films, and never-before-seen deleted scenes from the first film.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-102" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[103] The DVD has sold 15.63 million copies, earning approximately $286,099,392 after more than two years.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-103" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[104]