So today upon finding out that I actually had the day off, I decided to take in Transformers followed immediately by Live Free or Die Hard.
Transformers: I have to admit, I liked this movie a lot more than I thought I would. Here's some advice, FORGET what you know. Go in with zero expectations and you should walk out pleasantly surprised. If you were a fan when you were younger leave that at the door. This is a movie about robots that transform into cars. That may be simplifying it but it's very important to realize this. This movie was not made for fanboys, it was made for anyone who wants to see a big loud movie about robots that turn into cars. Yes it contains all the annoying Michael Bay staples (slow motion shots, a crew of ragtag soldiers, stuff blowing up really loud) but it's not TOO annoying.
I think my single biggest complaint was that it was hard to get a good look at the robots. Say what you will about Jurassic Park (I'm a fan) Spielberg made sure that the first chance we got to really see the dinosaurs was spectacular and allowed us to really just look at the dinosaurs. The decision to make the Transformers look so realistic was a good one but also made it really hard to just get a good look at the robots. I lied, I have another complaint and that is that the Decepticons aren't really developed, especially the most important one of all, Megatron. The Decepticons are largely without distinct personalities and there's a big plot point (won't mention it here) that is kind of haphazardly thrown out at the end.
Live Free or Die Hard: So the words "Die" and "Hard" are in the title and Bruce Wilis is the star but LFoDH doesn't really FEEL like a Die Hard movie. In a series known for being over the top and ludicrous this one I think pushes things so far beyond the realm of believability that you can't help but laugh. And I have to say for everyone that lives in the DC and Baltimore region, watching LFoDH will be a real treat for you. Whenever you see it, pay close attention to the following:
A) What direction McClane enters DC from after arriving from New Jersey.
B) How quickly and easily McClane is able to get from DC to West Virginia to Baltimore especially when [SLIGHT SPOILER ALERT BUT NOT REALLY] all the power is out and even the FBI admits that THEY can't get out of the city
C) "695"
D) The DC tags on the FBI cars
Now, to Joe Schmoe in Iowa these are trivial things that make no difference whatsoever to his/her reaction to the movie. To those of us who live in this area you will find these tidbits pretty amusing and I actually found some of them distracting (specifically B because that deals with explicitly with key plot points and kind of undermines what the filmmakers are hoping to accomplish...to me at least.)
Aside from these nitpicky nuggets, LFoDH is fairly enjoyable despite being completely unbelievable in just about every way.
Oh I saw a trailer for the new JJ Abrams movie that looks amazing and doesn't even mention the name of the movie.
