DVD Review

Transformers: 2-Disc Edition (2007)

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AYE, ROBOT Josh Duhamel and Shia LaBeouf in the big, loud, confusing — but hugely entertaining — summer toy story Transformers, now on DVD

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Credits

Release Date: Oct 16, 2007; Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-fi; With: Shia LaBeouf and Tyrese; Distributor: Paramount Pictures See More

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Transformers

By Joshua Rich

Joshua Rich

Joshua Rich is a staff editor for EW.com

Transformers' arrival on DVD raises hopes that its ''hours of exclusive bonus features'' will clarify its muddled plot...and also elicits a fear that the shiny special-edition box will transform into an evil robot hell-bent on destroying my Honda Civic. Actually, neither is the case. The movie, about a goofball (Shia LaBeouf) caught in a war between shape-shifting Autobots and Decepticons, remains an impenetrable (but immensely amusing) mind-boggler, and I still have a way to drive to the toy store.

That's fortunate, because this two-hour-plus ode to consumerism is probably the most elaborate ad ever made; the DVD will only increase your longing for those famous movable figurines. Behind-the-scenes docs include a geektastic history of the Japanese-conceived toys, effects primers, and a glimpse into the arduous boot camp that actors endured so they could convincingly fire 50-caliber artillery at CG machines from outer space.

Ubiquitous throughout the extras is action auteur Michael Bay, a director I've always admired (he makes loud movies for boys better than anyone — so sue him). Unfortunately, some viewers may be put off by hearing about his working methods — fetishizing deadly weapons (''I got the phone number to the Pentagon!''), browbeating his crew (on the set, Bay says he's ''in your face,'' like a ''tough-ass basketball coach''), and casting Megan Fox in part because she has ''a nice stomach.'' Why he would reveal such dirt is a mystery. Then again, like the movie, it's really entertaining. B+

Posted Oct 19, 2007

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DVD Commentary DVDs by the numbers: 2007 (Jul 31, 2007) | Ken Tucker
Movie Review Transformers (Jul 03, 2007) | Owen Gleiberman
The Final Cut Is sci-fi out of ideas? (Dec 14, 2007) | Mark Harris
Movie News Explain Yourself: Michael Bay (Jul 03, 2007) | Vanessa Juarez, Adam B. Vary
Movie News Crash course in ''Transformers'' hierarchy (Jul 03, 2007) | Josh Rottenberg
Movie News Flashback to ''Transformers''' origins (Jul 03, 2007) | Josh Rottenberg

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