SJ

Transformers: Age of Extinction

Jun 28, 2014

RW
Stage· 50 messages
Jun 28, 2014

Another blockbuster, another sequel. Is it worth it? Join Steve Johnson and Robert Willis as they talk about Transformers; Age of Extinction and what the rest of the summer holds on the big screen!

SJ

Steve Johnson · 7:00 PM

Good afternoon everybody. I'm Steve Johnson here with Bob Willis to talk about "Transformers: Age of Extinction." How are you Bob?
RW

Robert Willis · 7:01 PM

I'm good Steve. Thanks for having me.
SJ

Steve Johnson · 7:01 PM

Let's jump right in. Did you see it last night?
RW

Robert Willis · 7:02 PM

I did. I fought the crowds to be there on opening Night of Transformers: Age of Extinction. I'm sure you were as well?
SJ

Steve Johnson · 7:02 PM

Of course! I never miss the opening night of a Michael Bay movie. What was your opinion?
RW

Robert Willis · 7:03 PM

Well, it was cerrtainly entertaining for waht it was. As an over the top action movie devoid of subtlety it was amazing.
SJ

Steve Johnson · 7:03 PM

Subtle is certainly not a word to go with Michael bay!
RW

Robert Willis · 7:03 PM

LOL, no it is not! I was suprised, however, at how long it was.
SJ

Steve Johnson · 7:04 PM

Me too. At tweo hours and forty five minutes I thought that maybe they bit off more than they could chew.
RW

Robert Willis · 7:04 PM

Most big event "tent pole" movies try to keep it right around a running time of 2:15.
SJ

Steve Johnson · 7:04 PM

Do you think the extra time took anything away?
RW

Robert Willis · 7:05 PM

It's hard to say. Plot and character development in a movie like Transformers: Age of Extinction are secondary to the action sequences, so if they can include enough to sustain attention for that long, then by all means do it.
SJ

Steve Johnson · 7:06 PM

The only problem i had with the length of time was that it got in the way of me making a double feature out of the night.
RW

Robert Willis · 7:06 PM

What else were you planning on seeing?
SJ

Steve Johnson · 7:07 PM

Snowpiercer. Are you familiar with it?
RW

Robert Willis · 7:07 PM

By name only. And by that I mean I've heard the name of it as well as of two of the stars: Chris Evans and Tilda Swinton.
RW

Robert Willis · 7:07 PM

Takes place on a train right?
SJ

Steve Johnson · 7:08 PM

Yes. It's a future time where earth is completely frozen and everyone who is left alive lives on a train that continually travels around the globe.
RW

Robert Willis · 7:08 PM

Ummmmm, okay.....
SJ

Steve Johnson · 7:09 PM

Ha, yeah you definitely have to suspend disbelief. the plot (and unlike Transformers, Snowpiercer has a plot) is that the train is divided into classes, with the upper class living in luxury and the lower class living in filth, all on the same train,
SJ

Steve Johnson · 7:09 PM

when, as you could probably guess, the lower class revolts.
RW

Robert Willis · 7:10 PM

Huh. That sounds interesting enough to check out. It's certainly original, which is more than can be said for a lot of movies that Hollywood puts out. What is this, the fourth Transformers movie?
SJ

Steve Johnson · 7:11 PM

It is the fourth, and it seems like Michael Bay picked the right time to switch from Shia Labeouf to Mark Wahlberg!
RW

Robert Willis · 7:11 PM

You heard about that too?! Arrested in a Broadway theater for smoking and slapping people on the butts!
SJ

Steve Johnson · 7:12 PM

He is an interesting character, to say the least. To be honest, Snowpiercer isn't totally original. It is based on a French graphic novel from several years back.
SJ

Steve Johnson · 7:13 PM

if I remember right, a French source made by a South Korean director filmed in Croatia with a predominantly Amercian cast.
RW

Robert Willis · 7:13 PM

That makes it sound like the official film for the United Nations!
SJ

Steve Johnson · 7:13 PM

LOL!!
RW

Robert Willis · 7:14 PM

Still, that is a much more original source than Transformers. It's a whole group of movies based on a toy!
SJ

Steve Johnson · 7:14 PM

In a way you can thank Star Wars for that.
RW

Robert Willis · 7:15 PM

Hey, just because George Lucas was smart enough to hold onto the licensing rights for Star Wars toys (which eventually made him a billionaire) doesn't mean you have to throw him under the bus driven by Michael Bay.
SJ

Steve Johnson · 7:16 PM

No, but it was the first movie to show how connected it all could be. Plus, these movies aren't cheap to make, so any cross-marketing they can tie in helps.
RW

Robert Willis · 7:16 PM

Still, at what point do you draw the line? With the movie Battleship as evidence, I don't think you do.
SJ

Steve Johnson · 7:17 PM

Especially not after the success of The lego Movie. What was your decision to see Transformers: Age of Extinction in the theater?
RW

Robert Willis · 7:17 PM

The special effects are so complicated and nuanced that when I tried to watch the earlier movies on television, I end up missing so much that the movie just isn't enjoyable.
RW

Robert Willis · 7:18 PM

That and I was babysitting my 14 year old nephew.
SJ

Steve Johnson · 7:18 PM

You call blowing up Chicago nuanced?!
RW

Robert Willis · 7:18 PM

I mean when the transformers transform!
SJ

Steve Johnson · 7:18 PM

Ha!
RW

Robert Willis · 7:19 PM

So are you going to try and see Snowpiercer tonight?
SJ

Steve Johnson · 7:19 PM

Already bought my tickets! If you are still babysitting you should take your nephew.
RW

Robert Willis · 7:20 PM

I can't spoil him on all his summer movies at once. There are still eight more weeks of blockbusters to go see.
SJ

Steve Johnson · 7:20 PM

Final thoughts on Transformers; Age of Extinction?
RW

Robert Willis · 7:20 PM

If you like movies made from toys and you are a fan of Michael Bay and Mark Wahlberg, AND you have three hours to kill....
SJ

Steve Johnson · 7:21 PM

Cut to the chase: yes or no? :-)
RW

Robert Willis · 7:21 PM

Mostly yes. Just don't go expecting Citizen Kane.
SJ

Steve Johnson · 7:21 PM

Are you kidding? I never take my brain to any Michael Bay movie!
RW

Robert Willis · 7:21 PM

Didn't know you had one to take!
SJ

Steve Johnson · 7:22 PM

And on that note, that's all the time we have. I'll be back next week to talk about my latest movie adventure. Thanks Bob.
RW

Robert Willis · 7:22 PM

Thank you Steve. Have a great weekend.