Transformers (2007)

Boys will be boys and bots will be bots but let's ignore the nostalgia effect. As a parent, I've studiously ignored Transformers all my life but trust me and check it out -- this movie stands on its own and rocks! The acting is subpar, beneath War of the Worlds and even Back to the Future, but if you don't sweat it then the special effects will impress you. This movie depicts military satellite and other technology believably but the overwhelming attraction is the Transformers. Seeing those vehicles rachet, contort and morph into towering robotic hulks with emotionally expressive mecha-faces will blow you away every time. Vaguely reminiscent of Spider-Man, King Kong and The Matrix for its urban battle for the cosmos, Transformers will only disappoint SFX-driven action movie fans if they complain about expecting more from a movie that's based on a children's toy and TV series. If that's all you were expecting, you will have a blast! 5 stars.