Transformers 3: Tread Cautiously

Michael Bay has done it again. Introducing yet another installment to the live action Transformers industry is risky business. Some naysayers compare the series to Star Wars, while I prefer not to tarnish the pinnacle of geekdom with giant robots.

Potential problems:
The writers, Roberto Orici and Alex Kurtzman, will not be returning for the third script, leaving it instead to their lesser known co-writer from Revenge of the Fallen. Ehren Kruger is taking up the role, a writer who worked on films such as The Ring, The Brothers Grimm, and Blood and Chocolate. Personally, and based on the latter two of those three movies, I trust Ehren to balance action with explanation so that we don't have another version of The Fifth Element on our hands.

Another potential problem arises in the time crunch placed upon both Michael Bay and the writers. Paramount announced July 1, 2011 to be the release date, shocking Bay who intended to take a year-long hiatus from robots until 2012. However, since the script was finished March 19, 2010 and filming began the following April and May, we can assume that any lag in script content will be filled with either sexual tension or shiny cars. Now therein lies the real secret to Hollywood success.

And then we come to the problem of Mikaela. Megan Fox and Michael Bay have been embroiled in a controversial swirl of events that border on the ridiculous and are better left undisclosed. As such, the character Mikaela, a fanboy's wet dream since she fixed Sam's car in the first movie, has been replaced. Audiences might prefer the new love interest: British Victoria's Secret model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. It is unclear as to whether Rosie will play Mikaela (fairly likely) or a completely new character altogether. Personally, I am a fan of keeping Mikaela around. With Patrick Dempsey cast as her boss, there would be a plot twist in order to give him enough screen time to be worth the role. Plus, having a lasting relationship between Sam and Mikaela is an essential theme of these movies. For heaven's sake, they only JUST got around to the "L" word 80% of the way through the last movie. It would be a pity to trash that romantic build up now.

Since this third movie is predicted to be even bloodier and more violent than the last, I wouldn't be surprised if they killed Mikaela off within the first 2 minutes. But that would be cheap, and I'm sure Michael Bay is above such a low blow.

Personal Quirks
I love the twins. Skids and Mudflap were wonderful comedic relief and they were not predicted to appear in this third movie as more than a cameo by two Chevrolets. However, these Black Chevrolet Sparks, very expensive and very zippy autobots, would not be worth the budget for two side characters. Also personally exciting: Josh Duhamel is reprising his role as Captain Lennox, another character fans latch onto from the first and second.

Conclusions:
I have high hopes for this movie. Can't go wrong with giant robots, fast cars, and the Transformers brand. I don't intend to dress in refrigerator boxes and costumes for this one (Too embarassing at the first premere) but I have a bid in for a midnight ticket already. However, I'm bracing myself for the backlash from fans and critics alike. I'd advise you to do the same.



*For the record, I love The Fifth Element. However, every time I see it I get more confused.