The Best And The Worst Moments From The Transformers Film Franchise

Despite the massive budgets, the impressive technological advancements, and the ever-expanding cast, none of the “Transformers” movies have surpassed Michael Bay’s original 2007 film, which remains one of the best summer blockbusters of the 21st century. It may be loud, occasionally obnoxious, and excessively long, but it also exudes Spielberg-esque heart through the underdog dynamic between Shia LaBeouf’s Sam Witwicky and the Autobot Bumblebee, as well as Sam’s budding romance with Mikaela (Megan Fox). Steve Jablonsky’s rousing score delivers a powerful impact, and the action sequences are reliably explosive.

In particular, the climactic set piece in which Optimus Prime and his comrades engage in a battle against Megatron’s forces in downtown L.A. stands out. Bay shoots the robots from a human perspective, emphasizing the immense size and intricate detailing of these colossal titans, while the sound design cranks up the volume to an eardrum-shattering level, intensifying the experience.

I’ve always appreciated the gradual escalation of chaos in this sequence. For some reason, the good guys decide to conceal the vital All-Spark in the heart of the city, leaving their parked vehicles in plain sight. Naturally, the villains arrive and encircle them, with Starscream patrolling from above. Amidst initial attacks and a spectacular Ironhide cartwheel, Sam seizes the All-Spark and races towards a nearby building, while metal clashes, bullets fly, and explosions erupt from all directions. The scene is exhilarating, with robots flinging each other through buildings and leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Bayhem at its finest.