Its 2007 and the heads are talking in Hollywood about what's coming for the year. People from the online and print press have posted their predictions for the year. Between the dialog of what movies we will see in 2007 is a lot of discussion which ones will do the best. We did a little leg work to see where the Transformers movie sits with Hollywood pundits and reporters. From the inside looking out, it is hard for most of us reading this site to imagine Transformers any less than number one. What we found was surprising and illuminating. Like with any film that is not out yet. People had good, bad and ugly things to say.

The Good

First and foremost, Transformers makes the list on at least 5 top movies lists for 2007: MTV, Moviefone, Moviesay.com, MSN and Fantasy Moguls. Out of 100s of movies for the whole year. That's really something to be proud of. Being singled out by anyone in the movie industry is a sign you've got something special to offer. Even outside Hollywood, Transformers gets a plug from the largest advertising agency in the U.S. Making the list at #64 on JWT's list of Things to Watch in 2007.

Michael Bay is the guy to do it. Moviefone says that's the reason "Why We're Excited..." and "Perhaps there's more to it than meets the eye." Noted especially for his production work, Moviesay.com describes Transformers as Bay's "...next action-packed summer blockbuster project."

We were also delighted to see that people are looking to see some kick ass robots! MTV lays it down best: "It's not "Anna Karenina." Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron ... the only thing we care about is whether they look cool … Based on the trailer, the answer is a resounding "Yes."

The Bad

As to be expected, not all people see eye to eye. We found plenty of comments that were less than positive about the Transformers movie. Bay this time attracts blame for doubt about this film. MTV declares, "Their tagline promises they're "More than meets the eye," but with Michael Bay directing, we're not so sure." Another complaint we found over at Yahoo. Greg's Previews cites what he sees as a lack of focus: "...it looks like Michael Bay made a movie that teases us with the Transformers, but then spends 70% of its time focusing on human characters..."

Empire Magazine took issue with something most fans are sure to echo - We don't get to see enough of the robots! When the question comes up about not using humans at all in the article. Producer Lorenzo Di Bonaventura talk about about cost of special effects work: "The reality is you have to use your time with the Transformers very carefully because it costs millions of dollars every time you are playing around with these giant robots talking and emoting." Even if he stated a wild figure about the costs, we get the sense production cost will limit the time we see these robots on the screen.

The Robots aside, confidence seems thin with resepect to the story it self. Garth Franklin, Dark Horizons questions: "the trailers show the typical flashy Michael Bay action and superb effects but one wonders whether the human counterparts and script will be any good." Yahoo's Greg's Previews takes a deeper stab at the story question. "Like so many science fiction movies about aliens that come to Earth, this movie is about the "discovery" of the nature of our new friends, as we connect with human characters who learn more about the Transformers. This is a really tired and cliched approach, and especially ill-suited for the Transformers." Transformers is so vast, it is never going to live up to everyone's expectations. However, I have to agree. The movie producers will have completely missed the mark if we end up with an alien invasion movie.

The Ugly

Overwhelmingly the harshest comments we heard were aimed square at Transformers being a movie made for fan boys. Repeated explicitly and even though some pundits like the movie, they did cite a fan boy elelment to the film. Read the comments we found to that effect here below:

• Steve Mason, FantasyMoguls.com - "Transformers," "Ratatoille," "Fantastic Four 2," "The Bourne Ultimatum," "I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry," and "Evan Almighty." "Rush Hour 3," "Live Free or Die Hard" and "Ocean's Thirteen" will be the lowest grossing titles in their franchise history."



• Kim Voynar, managing editor, Cinematical - "Transformers" will draw the fan boy crowd on its July 4 opening weekend, but will it have legs enough to overcome its budget?"



• Erik Davis, east coast editor, Cinematical.com - "Transformers," "Blades of Glory," "Bratz," "Hairspray," "Underdog" and "Seven Day Itch" will make you never want to set foot in a movie theater again."
  
  
• Jake - 8bitjoystick.com - Jake - "Fan boy all over the US head explodes as the Transformers movie sucks."



• Sci-Fi Movie Page - "More likely to appeal to nostalgic male twentysomethingers who lived through the original... Unlikely to appeal to anyone else though, especially anyone of the opposite gender."



• Moviefone - "Michael Bay delivers a live-action flick based on an '80s cartoon about robotic aliens kicking each other's asses on Earth. Sounds preposterous..."



• Moviesay.com - "It is based on the Transformers franchise and toy line."

The irony of all this is Paramount and Hasbro are the ones banking on that nostalgia for this movies success - right? Still, there is doubt that Transformers as a franchise can pull it off at all. Movies based on 80s-retro properties are seen as a gamble by some. With a budget over $100 million, is Paramount spending a lot on a movie that has not garnered much respect as a serious movie on its own? Sci-Fi Movie Page sums up their concern in no uncertain terms: "The biggest gambles though are the film versions of some already dated material. "Transformers" is a huge risk for Paramount, the trailers show the typical flashy Michael Bay action and superb effects but one wonders whether the human counterparts and script will be any good."

Transformers Versus The World!

We had to ask. Who does Transformers have to contend with in 2007? We are no experts on movies, but it seems to us some well known die-hards continue to hold their ranks. What many are calling the year of the sequel means there's some heavy weights on the bill. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Spider-Man 3 and Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End seems to permeate just about everyone's selections for the top three films to watch this year. Even behind those Transformers has some stiff competition from popular culture heavies like The Simpsons Movie, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer and Shrek the Third vying for the fan's attention. If that's not enough, July 4th weekend is becoming mighty full with Fantastic 4 and Die-Hard 4 (among others) which debut that weekend as well. Super-Heroes, Super-Macs or Super-Bots? Its going to be a tough choice for movie goers July 4th.

We have republished some Top Lists for 2007 for you to see the other movies that Transformers is competing with this year.

MTV's Top 10

1. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
2. Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End
3. Spider-Man 3
4. The Bourne Ultimatum
5. Live Free or Die Hard
6. The Golden Compass
7. Evan Almighty
8. National Treasure: The Book of Secrets
9. Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
10. Transformers

Moviefone Top 20

1. Spider-Man 3
2. Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End
3. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
4. 300
5. Grindhouse
6. Shrek the Third
7. The Bourne Ultimatum
8. Ocean's 13
9. The Simpsons Movie
10. Knocked Up
11. Ratatouille
12. American Gangster
13. Evan Almighty
14. Be Kind Rewind
15. The Nanny Diaries
16. Beowulf
17. Zodiac
18. Live Free or Die Hard
19. Blades of Glory
20. Transformers

MovieSay.com Top 10

1. Spider-Man 3
2. Pirates Of The Caribbean: At Worlds End
3. Transformers
4. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
5. Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
6. Indiana Jones 4
7. The Simpsons Movie
8. Harry Potter and the Order Of The Phoenix
9. Shrek the Third
10. Ghost Rider


Fantasymoguls.com Top 10

1. Pirates Of The Caribbean: At Worlds End
2. Shrek the Third
3. Spider-Man III
4. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
5. Transformers
6. Ratatouille
7. Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
8. The Bourne Ultimatum
9. I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry
10. Evan Almighty

MSN Top 10

1. The Simpsons Movie
2. Spider-Man 3
3. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
4. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
5. Shrek the Third
6. His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
7. Transformers
8. Grindhouse
9. Sweeney Todd
10. Charlie Wilson's War