Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, co-writers of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, talked to the folks over at SCI FI Wire the other day and briefly discussed the Transformers sequel and what we can expect from it in terms of tone, style and comedy.
Kurtzman and Orci, who together wrote the first Transformers and this summer’s Star Trek, say that Revenge of the Fallen has the same tone as its predecessor and that it’ll flow better than the first.
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“Actually, I think you’ll find that it has all the same tone of the first movie… The story’s a little smoother, and it’s a little bit darker, so it does dip in there a little bit, but it has all the same humor, if not more than the first movie.”
We can definitely see the hints of a darker movie from the teaser and full trailer, but from the ShoWest footage for the movie we were shown an example of the humor that the sequel attempts to balance in the film with the action. That “comedic scene” came in the form of Bumblebee crying and gushing lubricant from his eyes as Sam tells him he’s leaving for college without him. It really wasn’t that funny, but I have higher hopes from the other humorous bits that the movie will include.
While I did enjoy a lot of the funny bits in Transformers, some things were just awful and out of place – the worst being when Agent Simmons tells Mikaela (Megan Fox) “She’s a criminal. And criminals are HOT!” Actually, pretty much all the scenes involving John Turturro’s character that were meant to be funny came off as awkward – to the point of taking me out of the movie experience.
If you haven’t watched the first movie in a while (hard to believe it came out nearly two years ago), I recommend watching it before seeing the sequel. I watched it recently and got a kick out of the action scenes which I loved the first time around but I found myself disappointed in the non-action bits. I had forgotten many of the weak parts of the movie until re-watching it again. Most of those parts centered around scenes or dialogue meant to be funny, but instead are childish (in a bad way) and/or nonsensical. From a stupid cop, to a stupid Defense Secretary, to a modelesque computer analyst and to the infamous government agent, Simmons, many supporting characters are intentionally written to not make sense and act stupid.
Is that what we’re getting more of? Does that sell more toys, tickets or DVDs? There were of course other characters that fans complained about but I enjoyed their comedic scenes for the most part.
I really hope this movie is better-constructed and well-developed. I want the characters to make sense in their roles and for their motivations to be believable. Most of all, I want fans to enjoy this more than the first and for the movie to earn itself some better reviews than the first did two summers ago. I hope it’s not too much to ask for.
What do you think of what the writers say about the humor about the Transformers sequel, is it a good or bad thing?
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen hits theaters June 24, 2009.
Source: SCI FI Wire
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93 Comments
Wow … from some of the comments in this thread you would think the last Transformers movie was the cause of our poor economy, bad foreign policy and rising debt and taxes.
Hmmm … could it be … Obamatron?
Just got home from curling…what movie???
@ 790
Those things ruined the movie for you? A movie about TRANSFORMERS from outer space fighting on Earth was RUINED by the secretary of defense not being believable?
Yeah the robots from space seemed real enough and then there’s the Secretary of Defense loading a SPAS 12,,,
I’m like, “that’s bs!!”.
@ ogb,
Ya it does unfortunately. A movie only maintains its suspension of disbelief by allowing the audience to watch and feel from the perspective of the characters, but when alien robots make more sense than the human protagonists, we have massive story issues and a ruined opportunity.
If there are two options:
1) Make a character believable and make sense
2) Make him unbelievable, stupid and not fit the role
When is it ever good to choose 2 over 1 when that’s not the focus of the movie? They’re there to carry you through the plot or to the comedic scenes or what have you. They are not funny themselves and everyone here seems to agree on that while some excuse it as “it’s just for kids” or “it’s intended to be stupid”.
What?
Do you think it’s better that they do that as opposed to not? I firmly believe, the movie would be better for all audiences and would garner positive reviews if it dropped the “stupid” elements while keeping it a mix of comedy and action – that’s what everyone wants to see and having dumb characters mixed with masturbation jokes doesn’t bring more kids to the theaters or in the toy stores or make them remember and love the movie forever (a la Star Wars original Trilogy which didn’t need stupid elements).
Perfect explanation Rob, that totally sums the film up for me as well,,,
yeah, the secretary of defense who was probably in the army or navy or whatever at one point can’t load a gun but robots from outer space are unbelievable. you guys are a joke
During a Robotic Alien invasion the Secretary of Defense wouldn’t be allowed to leave the Pentagon.
I thought everyone knew that ???
nitpick some more
welker officially in now as the voice of soundwave.
@ Jim
I can’t wait for this movie, it’s always been one of my most anticipated of 2009.
But, it sounds like you’re saying we shouldn’t dislike parts of the movie or expect better? That we should just accept it as is. A popcorn flick does not have to be intentionally stupid and just because its a summer “popcorn” flick, that doesn’t mean its okay to have weak unnecessary elements. I think it can be a lot better, do you?
What would you give the first Transformers out of 10 (and have you watched it recently)?
Me, I have it at a 6.5.
@ Cat,
It’s not entirely confirmed yet, Orci said in an interview he thinks it is.
It’s great news though, I’m glad Welker has a role in the live-action franchise after his work on the cartoons.
@ ROB
I can’t believe we’re arguing about this again.
The protagonists did not make sense to YOU but they did to others, as shown by numerous other people in this discussion.
No one will win this argument. But this argument will be started on websites such as this simply because people read what you guys write and say “I disagree”. Arguing with OPINIONS as your evidence will not solve anything. You are not better than anyone and vice versa.
My stance is always ENJOY THE MOVIE – emphasis on MOVIE. If you can’t get over some parts, fine. Some people CHOOSE not to get over those parts because they are stubborn. Some people just can’t, for whatever reason, fine. But please guys, don’t come here and tell us that there’s ABSOLUTELY no excuse/explanation for those parts, because there ARE.
I get that Transformers has a large fan base that defends the film, but (for my money) the film had more than a few problems. I really don’t feel like listing them all, I mean come on.
For any Transformer fans living in So Cal, there’s going to be a Transformer convention in Pasadena a few weeks before the film comes out.
If anyones interested I’ll get the date for you.
Hmm I actually liked the scene where the transformers are all hiding in the yard of Shia’s character’s house. I thought that was the only genuinely funny scene.
My issue with the movie was more the action scenes which were confusing and the lame ending. Humans got too much screen time.
@ Vid – You like that scene. Others complain about it being really dumb. Who’s right? NO ONE!
@ rob
I completely understand what your saying but i gotta agree with ogb’s last comment… This is a debate in which no one can win. I mean you yourself pretty much admitted that because its your opinion on the weak points of the movie doesnt mean we have to agree with you. Me personally i hated the cartoon but loved the robots… So when they put this type of humor in the first movie i loved it. Don’t know who the comedy was aimed for. Oh and also why do you mention the first star wars trilogy when this is transformers. I mean on my behalf every episode sucked… First and second trilogy. I fall asleep everytime i try to see it…i know i know alot of people liked it but to me it sucks… So if you were using that as an example… Bad baaad example. No offense though… Love this site.
Lol where were you guys when I was getting jumped about this issue on another thread?
Anyway, let’s all agree to disagree.
Love the site also
@ogb
I was defending you on the other thread man… Remember when you said the keyboard warrior comment and i made a bigger description of it but you thought i was mocking you… I wasn’t though… Oh and btw… Not a star trek fan either but this movie has csught my eye though… And since its the same writers hopefully they have the same humor… Have spock talk about masturbation… I could just imagine the faces of the people that hated that joke on transformers… Priceless.
Obg,,, I had some probs with Transformers but I don’t have any problems with anyone who’s a fan of the film.
All films are subjective, we all like different movies. Don’t take it personal,,,
Lol, Jago, if that happens to Star Trek the fans will be relentless in their attacks…
@ Jago
I apologize for any misunderstanding. I never like Star Trek either but I’m going to be in the theater, opening weekend since I have faith in JJ Abrams (and the trailers looks great, reviews have been 95% positive)
@790
Sorry, I understand it’s your opinion. No problems there. I just want people to enjoy movies more for what they are.
Plus, I just finished listening to a stand up comedy routine that went something like what you said.
The comedian said: “I was in the theater watching Superman. The roof scene comes and Superman gets shot and you see the bullet hit his eyeball and no damage, the bullet drops to the ground. The guy next to me goes “Psssh, yeah right”. Like up to that point it was believable but this part just ruined it for him.”
I’m paraphrasing and it’s a lot funnier than it sounds.
Anyway, no harm no foul.
Haha, well THAT guys just stupid.
Rob made some valid points. Come on lol,,,
That wasn’t the Kevin Smith concert per chance???
Superman,,, ohboy.
Again another film that had some great scenes yet overall failed because of the writing…
I think we can all come together and agree that “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past’ is total crap cinema… Right?
@ 790
See, that’s where you’re wrong, Ghosts of Girlfriends Past can actually……
Okay I CAN”T DO THIS!
Yeah, that movie will be hot garbage for sure lol
@ jago,
lol on the Spock comment.
As for my Star Wars example, if you don’t like the original trilogy, I’m afraid no movie example would work for ya, heh.
@jim
If no one “nit picks” and tries to hold filmmakers to a higher standard, we’ll end up with an unending string of Uwe Boll movies.
BTW: Our site, we win.
Vic
@ vid,
With the bigger budget and experience learned for doing the CG renders of the robots in the first movie, we can expect to see plenty more screen time devoted to our Cybertronian friends this time around
@ogb
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past will be hot garbage IN YOUR OPINION.
Sorry, just couldn’t restrain myself.
Vic
vic
your site, you win? that’s professional.
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