What if 'Transformers' was made by different directors?

[SofaMan]

http://au.rottentomatoes.com/m/transformers_revenge_of_the_fallen/news/1829196/director_bots_transform

:D

[Robzy]

What??? No James Cameron??? :eek:


:p

[Lordy]

Yeah, a James Cameron Transformers, or even Ripley Scott, would rock.

[Ironhide63]

oh oh...even better, a michael b-oh yea...sorry.

[Paulbot]

Yeah, a James Cameron Transformers ... would rock.

You mean the one where a young rascal named Sam boards an ancient Transformer boat, falls in love with a woman named Mikaela who is totally-out-of-his-class-but-still-in-to-him, only for their love to be doomed when the Autobot to be sunk when an iceberg containing the frozen remains of Megatron collides with it?

[jaydisc]

I thought he was talking about the one where the decepticons send Barricade back in time to kill Sam so he can't become the leader of the human resistance. Of course, the Autobots send back Bumblebee to protect Sam, who in a bizarre twist becomes his father.

[Robzy]

You mean the one where a young rascal named Sam boards an ancient Transformer boat, falls in love with a woman named Mikaela who is totally-out-of-his-class-but-still-in-to-him, only for their love to be doomed when the Autobot to be sunk when an iceberg containing the frozen remains of Megatron collides with it?


I thought he was talking about the one where the decepticons send Barricade back in time to kill Sam so he can't become the leader of the human resistance. Of course, the Autobots send back Bumblebee to protect Sam, who in a bizarre twist becomes his father.

No... you see, that's where you're confusing James Cameron with lesser hack-action directors like Michael Bay... you see, James Cameron wouldn't directly rip off another film and try to disguise it as Transformers, unlike ROTF (which copied Star Wars, Crystal Skull, Stargate, Cheech & Chong and many others)...

[Lord_Zed]

No... you see, that's where you're confusing James Cameron with lesser hack-action directors like Michael Bay... you see, James Cameron wouldn't directly rip off another film and try to disguise it as Transformers, unlike ROTF (which copied Star Wars, Crystal Skull, Stargate, Cheech & Chong and many others)...

I dunno what's he done for us lately, except make it impossible to get battle Angel Alita stuff released outside of japan?:D

My favourte in that article is the M Knight Shamalamalamalan one, probably because he is a director as set in his way as Bay.

[Tiby]

No... you see, that's where you're confusing James Cameron with lesser hack-action directors like Michael Bay... you see, James Cameron wouldn't directly rip off another film and try to disguise it as Transformers, unlike ROTF (which copied Star Wars, Crystal Skull, Stargate, Cheech & Chong and many others)...

I don't think this is quite fair. The available number of core story ideas was filled long ago, with the ancient poets and playwrights. These days, everything fits into one of the core stories, but it is the execution that changes. Further, the same stories need to be redone with each generation to keep them in the public mind. Movies are today's version of the campfire, fairy tales and nursery rhymes.

While I'm not saying that's exactly what Bay did, what I am saying is that there is only so much that can be done. Star Wars classically and effectively addressed all the hero and redemption stories and motifs. Crystal Skull itself was a version of many prior stories. Stargate mixes alien life with planet Earth for the eternal "where did we come from" story. Cheech and Chong, well, that's just comedy relief!

[STL]

I don't think this is quite fair. The available number of core story ideas was filled long ago, with the ancient poets and playwrights. These days, everything fits into one of the core stories, but it is the execution that changes. Further, the same stories need to be redone with each generation to keep them in the public mind. Movies are today's version of the campfire, fairy tales and nursery rhymes.


I completely agree with that. It's much the same for comics these days too. There are only so many themes and ideas. It's a lot about execution these days. Everything is a rip off of something else but the three things that matter are:
a.) the mix of elements
b.) the execution
c.) the readiness of the audience to accept it

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

The thought of Ridley Scott doing Transformers almost made me cry.:(
Personally I'd like to see a Mamoru Oshii take, though the pace would have to be upped from his usual style.

EDIT - Scrap that, give it to Dr Smoov.:D

[MV75]

Anyone see that south park episode where they raped Indy.....?

Thank goodness those two didn't get their stink on our beloved characters, or we'd be having nightmares about optimus taking it up the exhaust pipe.....

Oh yea, and all the while g1 wheelies and kremzeeks would be dancing around making stupid noises in the background.....

[SofaMan]

Actually, Paul Verhoeven might have fun with it.

[Robzy]

I don't think this is quite fair. The available number of core story ideas was filled long ago, with the ancient poets and playwrights. These days, everything fits into one of the core stories, but it is the execution that changes. Yes, well... my original post was actually tongue-in-cheek! I'm sure Transformers wouldn't be set on the Titanic anyway... ;)

But in all seriousness, I totally agree! It's not about how original the story is (let's face it - there's NOTHING new under the sun!), it's all about how you tell the story! This, I believe, is top on the list of Michael Bay's shortcomings!


Actually, Paul Verhoeven might have fun with it.Oh YES! Yes! Yes! :eek:

[SMHFConvoy]

Yes, well... my original post was actually tongue-in-cheek!

Yes it was and then it all got horribly serious :p

I just wanted a story, a simple, decent story! I'm not asking for Shakespeare. Just a story and maybe some characterisation...

[RageOnTheRoads]

EDIT - Scrap that, give it to Dr Smoov.:D

LOL +1 :D

[Autobot_Hound]

Yeah, we need a decent story.

Like Sam trying to find out when Optimus Prime's birthday is, so he can make him a cake. :p


Ray.

[SofaMan]

Yeah, we need a decent story.

Like Sam trying to find out when Optimus Prime's birthday is, so he can make him a cake. :p

Mmmmm...cake.

That could have brought some much needed depth to the plot.

[BigTransformerTrev]

Personally after the great job he did with The Avengers I'd like to see Joss Whedon be given the job for TF5, or perhaps J.J Abrams after he reinvigorated the Star Trek franchise. :)

Gotta get through Bay doing T4 first though :(

[DELTAprime]

Personally after the great job he did with The Avengers I'd like to see Joss Whedon be given the job for TF5, or perhaps J.J Abrams after he reinvigorated the Star Trek franchise. :)

Gotta get through Bay doing T4 first though :(

I just wish Exec Producer Steven Spielberg would stop insisting on focusing on the Human Companions instead of the Transformers. There is a reason why it's called Transformers and not Human Companions. I'll take any Exec Producer/Director combo that focuses on the Transformers.

[Paulbot]

... or perhaps J.J Abrams after he reinvigorated the Star Trek franchise. :)


I know everyone loves to blame Bay, but he can't be fully responsible. The same writing pair wrote both Star Trek and Transformers but one has a better screenplay. I think the difference is that they were actually fans of Star Trek.

[tinyJazz]

Okay, so we just need James Roberts to write the next movie.

[SMHFConvoy]

I know everyone loves to blame Bay, but he can't be fully responsible. The same writing pair wrote both Star Trek and Transformers but one has a better screenplay. I think the difference is that they were actually fans of Star Trek.

True but Bay was mostly responsible for ROTF.

That aside I want to see Guillermo del Toro take a crack at the franchise.

[DELTAprime]

True but Bay was mostly responsible for ROTF.

+1

Orci and Kurtzman had very little to do with ROTF. Bay was boasting on the Blu-ray Directors Commentary how he wrote much of ROTF while Orci and Kurtzman were on strike along with all the other writers in 07/08.

[GoktimusPrime]

Peter Jackson. <---just puttin' it out there. :o

[Sharky]

Peter Jackson. <---just puttin' it out there. :o

Ugh... Movie would be 3 hours long and that is just prime transforming and then standing atop a mountain looking at a space shuttle land... To be continue... Sucker....

[GoktimusPrime]

...or Bumblebee shoving his head up his own exhaust... #Feebles :p

[Sinnertwin]

Uwe Boll. Then he and Michael can duke it out for once and for all (http://www.wired.com/underwire/2008/04/uwe-boll-to-mic/)

[nofacej]

No... you see, that's where you're confusing James Cameron with lesser hack-action directors like Michael Bay... you see, James Cameron wouldn't directly rip off another film and try to disguise it as Transformers, unlike ROTF (which copied Star Wars, Crystal Skull, Stargate, Cheech & Chong and many others)...

Say what?
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4037/4245957438_12633077a5_z.jpg?zz=1

[UltraMarginal]

Personally after the great job he did with The Avengers I'd like to see Joss Whedon be given the job for TF5, or perhaps J.J Abrams after he reinvigorated the Star Trek franchise. :)

Gotta get through Bay doing T4 first though :(

Unfortunately J. J. Abrams is going to have his hands full for a long while with Star Trek and Star Wars...

You'd expect Arcee to have a pretty big Role if Joss Whedon was involved. She'd probably end up being the next Prime:rolleyes::D


There are plenty of directors out there who would be able to make a pretty good crack at a Transformers film, and there are plenty who's "set in their ways" styles would do an aweful job.
and for all the things people don't like about Bays movies, They have massively reinvigorated the transformers franchise, and you have to admit, if anyone can do a great chase scene it's Michal Bay, and if you're going to have one thing in a Transformers film, it's an epic chase scene.:D