If you doubt that Microsoft retain some of the brightest minds in their industry, or like to believe that they are unable to innovate, then you should read about their Photosynth project and reconsider your position.
Phenomenal.
Based on the Hasbro toy line that initially captivated kids in the 1980s, director Michael Bay’s TRANSFORMERS finds two warring bands of shape-shifting alien robots renewing their intergalactic conflict on Earth. While the Decepticons, followers of the malevolent Megatron (voiced by Hugo Weaving), strive to take over the planet, the Autobots, led by the valiant Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen), are intent on protecting humanity.
When young Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) discovers that his new car is really the Autobot Bumblebee (voiced by Mark Ryan), it sets the stage for a massive giant-robot showdown.
So I saw Transformers last night. I’d been dreading it: as a kid I played with the toys, read the comic, watched the cartoon. I was six years old when I saw the animated movie and cried when Optimus Prime died! In many ways Transformers was to me what Star Wars was to some of my friends.
So you can imagine my disgust when I heard that Michael “Pearl Harbour” Bay was directing it. Great, all Bay knows how to do it blow stuff up. He won’t give the characters their due, they’ll just be the threat that our human heroes are running away from. News of design decisions (the notorious flames on Prime, Bumblebee not being a VW Beetle) got fans all riled up…
Then good news started to appear. Peter Cullen would reprise his role of Prime, whose final design I really liked. Hugo Weaving would play Megatron, which I thought was a good choice. Dreamworks claimed the G1 characters’ personalities would be (somewhat) as we remembered them…
YES! It was a very entertaining summer blockbuster movie. Yes, there were redundant human characters and subplots. Yes, Optimus Prime’s role was mostly Mr Exposition. Yes, some of the characters were short-changed – mainly Megatron and Starscream. But you know what? It didn’t matter too much. This was a first film, and should be compared to the likes of X-Men 1. Its job was to create a reality in which these robots could exist. I expect more character development in future.
There were some nice little nods to the fans in dialogue and visuals. It was funny where it meant to be and exciting where it meant to be. My only criticism of the action set pieces was that some were a bit hard to follow.
Well done Mr Bay! I thought it was miles better than any comic book film I’ve seen since Batman Begins, or any blockbuster this year. Bring on the sequel!
[rating:4]
I’ve made the text white because there are spoilers for the current movie. Select the text to read it:
Optimus Prime was wrong, Megatron is not dead. Why would absorbing their life source kill him?!? In the Laurentian Abyss, Megatron has been restored by the power of the AllSpark. He is stronger than ever and in possession of the AllSpark cube. He has the power to bestow life and build his army.
Meanwhile, Starscream returns to Earth at the head of a new squad of Decepticons (I’d like to see the seekers and Soundwave). He won’t give up leadership of the Decepticons without a fight.
Their power struggles culminate with Starscream either subjugated or dead, and Megatron will create his most terrible weapon: a gestalt (Menasor? Bruticus?) a skyscraper-sized monster which it will take the combined strength of Optimus Prime and his Autobots (original and newly arrived) and the humans to bring down.
Megatron will escape. In Transformers 3 he’ll hatch a plan to deceive the humans and turn them against the Autobots.
Any bets on how long it will take someone to copy this? I reckon MTV in six months.
My good friend Stephen Meehan has relaunched his d3creative website. It includes his portfolio as well as details of his new packages, which he offers in addition to his freelance services:
“Everything you need for a professional web presence, designed, built and published by d3creative.”
“The perfect way to collect information via your website and distribute a highly targeted e-newsletter to your customers.”
“Managed hosting for 12 months, domain registration, web space and email setup all in one simple package.”
Take a look. Stephen is not only a talented graphic designer but gives real thought to helping his clients devise and execute a strategy that will deliver return on their investment. If you need a designer for your next project he could well be your man.
… in the UK. Back to business as usual. As the holiday starts to fade, I thought I’d post a few pictures. I’ll be adding more to my Flickr page soon.
Chicago is a fantastic city and New Orleans was brilliant too, in a wierd and seedy kinda way! It was great to see Brent and Lisa, and good to hear that they’ll be paying the UK a visit in December.
Back to work…
I’m going on holiday tomorrow! First stop: Chicago, for a wedding and a week of mooching around the Windy City. Then it’s down to Baton Rouge for a long overdue visit with my friends Brent and Lisa. There’ll be a weekend stay in New Orleans (that hopefully I’ll retain enough brain cells undestroyed by alchohol) to remember…
I’ve explained firmly to my girlfriend Steph that I don’t care how desperate she is to see the Transformers movie on opening night, we’re going to see the Independence Day celebrations *nods*.
Expect my Flickr page to be stuffed full of photos from the trip…
My posts have been infrequent lately, mainly because of social commitments. Normal service on this website will resume from Monday July 23rd, with version 1.1 of simpleContact following in early August.
I’d like to thank all the early adopters who have downloaded it so far. Your feedback and encouragement has been most gratifying. Some of you will find your requests answered very soon 
Time to pack my suitcase!
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