What if 'Transformers' was made by different directors?

[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