Results tagged “TRANSFORMERS 2” from Birmingham Mail - Mega Movies

I SAW Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: The IMAX Experience down at Millennium Point on the Midlands' biggest screen today.

Which means that it's the second time I've seen it in a week.

One leading national newspaper critic has today given what is set to be one of the summer's biggest hits a No Stars 'turkey' rating.

But I still stand by my decision to award it four stars for the Birmingham Mail.

Yes, the film is badly plotted, the dialogue is awful and it can be difficult to tell what's going on (which is why it won't get five stars from me even at IMAX).

But does it really matter with Transformers? I think not.

It is what it is, an often amazing visual spectacle, to the extent that its strengths overcome its weaknesses.

When you are in the mood it's sooooooooooooo good to be able to leave your brain at home on life support, ready to lap up an enjoyably 'bad' film.

Some adults will really hate Transformers 2, but most teenagers will certainly be blown away by the major action sequences.

For fans of Megan Fox, the giant IMAX screen turns her performance into 'A-Lot-O-Lips Now'.

During the extended climax, director Michael Bay unashamedly combines his predilection for slow motion action sequences with Megan frequently running towards the camera.

Between them they've created a bouncing bosom special effect which perhaps ought to be called 'Slo-mo-bo'.

Judging by her relatively sulky mood on Monday when I met her in London, I don't think she'll be doing it again, though!

Meanwhile, I don't think the scenes shot on the IMAX cameras do as much to improve this film as they did with the U2 concert or The Dark Knight, but they are still very impressive and incredibly clear... watch out for the picture enlarging at IMAX every time they kick in.

Few will know this, but Transformers 2 has been reclassified by the BBFC today and given a running time of 151m 16s, compared with a time of 149m 45s when it first posted the 12A classification on June 15.

When I saw it on Monday at London's Leicester Square Odeon, Michael Bay told me himself that I hadn't seen the finished version, as he'd been working on that up until Wednesday of last week.

Just when you might have been expecting him to trim, it seems he's put more in!

If the IMAX version is bigger, the Odeon screening was certainly louder (I was surprised by how quiet the first half was at IMAX today compared with the second half so the technicians are looking at that as I write).

Meanwhile, all three Transformers 2 shows at IMAX have sold out today (the queues were huge for the first public screening at 5pm) and more than 3,000 tickets had been sold by tea-time for the barrage of forthcoming shows.

So, if you want to see it here, get booking quickly as there's another blockbuster on its way.

Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince is set to hit 153 minutes when it opens at IMAX on July 15.

IF YOU plan to be among the first to see Michael Bay's new movie Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (12A) on the night of Thursday, June 18 don't expect to be able to sleep afterwards if you forget to take some ear plugs.

Co-starring Megan Fox, the film is 149 minutes long and as loud as hell.

Shia LaBeouf returns as Sam Witwicky - what a daft name! - who is caught in the war between the Autobots and the evil Decepticons.

With the ancient origins of the Transformers revealed thanks to a vision sent by the Allspark, Sam becomes a target for the baddies.

The Decepticons have returned to Earth under the command of the formidable Starscream.

Optimus Prime forms an alliance with international armies to help the Autobots to protect the humankind.

But which cinemas are showing it first and which one will have it last? Click here to see my exclusive guide to who's showing it when and where.

I'VE BEEN in London today where I became one of the first people in the world to see the new Transformers 2 movie which opens everywhere this Friday.

The version I saw wasn't the final, final cut as the movie was only finished for good as recently as last Wednesday would you believe.

It certainly feels very topical, with references to President Obama and even swine flu.

Goodness me it's also very violent and action packed, but what a final half hour!

Now then, which film would I rather see again, Terminator Salvation or Transformers 2?

Not that it isn't without considerable faults as I'll be revealing in my review on Friday, but it's got to be the latter - especially as I'd like to see it next at IMAX, Millennium Point where it also opens on Friday.

It is said to have even more made-for-IMAX oomph than The Dark Knight so it should, er, Transform the experience.

I also met director Michael Bay today - who had some interesting things to tell me about violence in movies and whether children should be exposed to it - as well as stars Shia LaBeouf, John Turturro and Megan Fox.

Now then, is she really the No 1 sexiest woman as voted by readers of FHM magazine in 2008?

That would be telling. Find out in the Mail on Friday!

I SAW an exclusive preview of Madagascar - Escape 2 Africa (PG, 90 mins) tonight at the IMAX and I couldn't wipe the smile of my face from start to finish.

True, there's a scene of granny beating which goes over the top and way beyond Tom & Jerry, but the rest of the movie scarcely puts a hoof, or a paw, wrong.

For my money, it's the best animated sequel since Toy Story 2 (1999) and the 'courting' scene with two hippos is worth the admission alone.

Madagascar 2 is in cinemas everywhere this Saturday and Sunday thanks to special advance screenings.

But far and away the best place to see it will be at the extraordinary IMAX screen at Millennium Point.

Here, the ticket premium will more than 'pay' for itself given that you can see the adventure ten-times bigger than normal size and four times clearer thanks to the amazing technology involved with DMR (digital re-mastering).

IMAX DMR prices are £9.25 for adults and £7.25 for adults / concessions (two adults, two children - £30).

To book, visit www.imax.ac or call 0121 202 2222. The film's website is at www.madagascar-themovie.com

I'll be fully reviewing Madagascar 2 in the Mail on Friday, December 5.

Meanwhile, here's some exclusive news about forthcoming movies at IMAX.

Narrated by Jim Carrey, look out for Under the Sea 3D in February.

In March, there's Watchmen (2D), followed by Monsters vs Aliens 3D in April and Star Trek (2D) in May - the trailer looks amazing so try watching it at http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/startrek/small_trailer2.html

Also due in May is Night At The Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2D).

June heralds Transormers: Revenge of the Fallen (2D) before Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince (2D & 3D) arrives in July, followed by A Christmas Carol (3D) directed by Robert 'Polar Express' Zemeckis.

Then, there will be the daddy of them all - Avatar 3D.

James Cameron's long-awaited first film since Titanic is due in December, 2009 to round off the first decade (gulp!) of the 21st Century in style.

All told, next year is going to be the making of the IMAX Cinema.

It's one of the world's great screens and it's right on our doorstep at Millennium Point, Curzon St - just five minutes walk from New Street and Moor Street railway stations.

If you haven't been before, now's the time to start getting attached. You won't regret it.

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Following our recent office move to Fort Dunlop and various training courses for colleagues, I've not yet had the time to reveal who has won our Queen + Paul Rodgers film concert competition.

But I'll be letting everyone know tomorrow afternoon so stand by if you entered...

Tickets are also on sale for Queen and Paul Rodgers: Let The Cosmos Rock (PG) which will play at 8pm on Monday, December 1 at Vue Star City. The AIDS-awareness gig was filmed in Ukraine in September in front of a record 350,000 fans. More details from www.myvue.com