Transformers is a 2007 American science fiction action film based on the Transformers toy line. The film, which combines computer animation with live-action, is directed by Michael Bay, with Steven Spielberg serving as executive producer. It is the first installment of the live-action Transformers film series. It stars Shia LaBeouf as Sam Witwicky, a teenager who gets caught up in a war between the heroic Autobots and the villainous Decepticons, two factions of alien robots who can disguise themselves by transforming into everyday machinery, primarily vehicles. The Autobots intend to use the AllSpark, the object that created their robotic race, in an attempt to rebuild Cybertron and end the war while the Decepticons desire control of the AllSpark with the intention of using it to build an army by giving life to the machines of Earth. Tyrese Gibson, Josh Duhamel, Anthony Anderson, Megan Fox, Rachael Taylor, John Turturro, and Jon Voight also star while voice actors Peter Cullen and Hugo Weaving voice Optimus Prime and Megatron respectively.
The film was produced by Don Murphy and Tom DeSanto. They developed the project in 2003, and DeSanto wrote a treatment. Steven Spielberg came on board the following year, hiring Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman to write the screenplay. The U.S. Armed Forces and General Motors (GM) loaned vehicles and aircraft during filming, which saved money for the production and added realism to the battle scenes.
Hasbro organized an enormous promotional campaign for the film, making deals with hundreds of companies. This advertising blitz included a viral marketing campaign, coordinated releases of prequel comic books, toys, and books, as well as product placement deals with GM, Burger King, and eBay.
Transformers received mixed to positive reviews and was a box office success.[2] It is the forty-fifth most successful film released and the fifth most successful of 2007, grossing approximately US$709 million worldwide. The film won four awards from the Visual Effects Society and was nominated for three Academy Awards, for Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Visual Effects. The performance of Shia Labeouf was praised by Empire, and Peter Cullen's reprisal of Optimus Prime from the 1980s was well received by fans. A sequel, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, was released on June 24, 2009. Despite mostly negative reviews, it was a commercial success and grossed more than its predecessor. A third film, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, was released on June 29, 2011, in 3-D and went on to gross over $1 billion, despite receiving mixed reviews. A fourth film Transformers: Age of Extinction, was released on June 27, 2014, which also grossed over $1 billion, though it got mixed to negative reviews. A fifth film as of now titled Transformers 5 is scheduled for a summer 2016 release.
Cast:
Humans
Shia LaBeouf as Sam Witwicky, a young descendant of an Arctic explorer who stumbled on a big secret which becomes the last hope for Earth.
Megan Fox as Mikaela Banes, a classmate of Sam who assists Sam in his mission by using skills she learned as a juvenile car thief.
Josh Duhamel as William Lennox, the captain of a Special Operations team based at the U.S. SOCCENT base in Qatar.
Tyrese Gibson as U.S. Air Force Combat Controller Technical Sergeant Robert Epps, a member of Captain Lennox's team.
Rachael Taylor as Maggie Madsen, a Pentagon analyst recruited by the U.S. Defense Department.
Anthony Anderson as Glen Whitmann, a hacker friend of Maggie.
Jon Voight as John Keller, the U.S. Secretary of Defense.
John Turturro as Agent Seymour Simmons, a member of Sector 7 Advanced Research Division.
Michael O'Neill as Tom Banachek, head of Sector 7.
Kevin Dunn as Ron Witwicky, Sam's father.
Julie White as Judy Witwicky, Sam's mother.
Amaury Nolasco as ACWO Jorge "Fig" Figueroa, a Special Operations soldier who survives the destruction of the SOCCENT base in Qatar and was also a member of Captain Lennox's team.
Zack Ward as First Sergeant Donnelly, a member of Captain Lennox's team.
W. Morgan Sheppard as Captain Archibald Witwicky, Sam's great-great-grandfather who accidentally activates Megatron's navigational system.
Bernie Mac as Bobby Bolivia, a used cars salesman.
John Robinson as Miles Lancaster, Sam's best friend.
Travis Van Winkle as Trent, Mikaela's boyfriend.
Glenn Morshower as Colonel Sharp (credited as "SOCCENT sergeant")
Transformers
The Peterbilt 379 used to portray Optimus Prime
The Chevrolet Camaro used to portray Bumblebee
The Pontiac Solstice used to portray Jazz
The GMC Topkick used to portray Ironhide
Autobots
Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots. Peter Cullen had previously voiced Optimus Prime in the original 1980s cartoon and was chosen to reprise his role, which was warmly welcomed by audiences and considered one of the film's best aspects.
Mark Ryan as Bumblebee, the young scout of the Autobots and best friend of Sam.
Darius McCrary as Jazz, the second-in-command to Optimus Prime.
Robert Foxworth as Ratchet, the Autobots' medic.
Jess Harnell as Ironhide, the Autobots' weapon's expert.
Decepticons
Hugo Weaving as Megatron, the leader of the Decepticons. Originally Frank Welker (voice of Megatron in the original series) was considered but according to DVD commentary, Bay thought his voice didn't fit, so Weaving was chosen instead.
Jim Wood as Bonecrusher, the rampaging mine sweeper of the Decepticons.
Reno Wilson as Frenzy, a hacker for the Decepticons.
Charlie Adler as Starscream, Megatron's second-in-command. Adler had previously voiced several characters in the original series, most noticeably Silverbolt.
Jess Harnell as Barricade, a Decepticon who transforms into a police car.
Blackout, Megatron's third-in-command.
Brawl, a vicious Decepticon demolition specialist who transforms into an army tank.
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