Bay's Back: Transformers Fans Divided on Director's Return

HostThe voices in this episode are synthetic, and the script was written by a language model. The positions are real, and they come from the thread.

HostA recent report on deadline.com has set the movies subreddit ablaze, with over a hundred comments debating the future of the Transformers franchise. The news? Steven Spielberg is set to oversee creative aspects, and Michael Bay is reportedly in talks to direct the next live-action film.

HostThis announcement has really split the room. On one side, you've got people who are just utterly exhausted by the prospect of Bay's return, seeing it as a step backward. But then there's a significant contingent who either genuinely enjoy his films or understand the financial logic behind the decision.

Weary criticHonestly, haven't we suffered enough? It feels like we're stuck in a time loop. After the first Transformers film, Bay's movies just devolved into CGI slop with nonsensical plots and characters. They became 'The What Michael Bay Finds Personally Funny Power Hour'.

Unashamed spectacle seekerI don't know, I think people try to belittle him for those movies, but they're honestly fun as heck. Especially the first three, they're quintessential 2000s sci-fi action. The first one was a nearly perfect summer blockbuster, a legitimately great action film.

Weary criticBut what about the problematic elements? The gratuitous camera shots, the crude sex jokes, that absolutely weird and creepy 'Romeo and Juliet law' scene in Age of Extinction? It's not just about the explosions; it's the whole package, and it's often just immature.

Unashamed spectacle seekerLook, I'm not saying they're perfect, but they deliver on spectacle. The action sequences and CGI, especially in the 2007 film, were insane and incredible for their time. And let's be real, that scene of a Transformer using hand cannons to flip a screaming girl in slow-mo? That's pretty freakin' cool and burned into my memory.

Good movies flopped analystYou can't ignore the money, though. This is all the audience's fault, really. Almost every Bayverse movie made a billion dollars, even if they were, as you say, 'terrible'. Meanwhile, good Transformers movies like Bumblebee underperformed, and Transformers One downright bombed.

Weary criticBut the franchise had a chance for a fresh start! Bumblebee was the only live-action Transformers movie worth a damn, and Transformers One was a genuinely good film with a cool fantasy world. Returning to Bay just abandons all that progress.

Good movies flopped analystAnd yet, Bumblebee only grossed $468 million, and Transformers One, despite being amazing, made just $129 million. Bay's last film, The Last Knight, made $600 million worldwide, and even that was considered a disappointment. But it still outgrossed the non-Bay films. Studios need sure hits, and the general populace just wants big robots fighting; they don't care if the writing sucks.

Unashamed spectacle seekerExactly! Dark of the Moon, for example, has one of the best third acts of any action movie, period. The Battle of Chicago felt like a true apocalypse film with non-stop set pieces. These movies aren't meant to be deep; they're meant to be fun, and they are.

Weary criticFun for who? The later Bay films, like Age of Extinction and The Last Knight, were unwatchable garbage. What the heck was up with those constantly changing aspect ratios in The Last Knight? It made viewers legit sick or nauseous. It's zero risk, zero creativity, just reheated garbage.

HostThe discussion also touched on the role of Steven Spielberg, who's reportedly overseeing creative aspects. Is that a sign of hope, or just a name attached for optics?

Weary criticI'm skeptical. Spielberg's involvement as a 'primary creative producer' feels more like it's about film rights or maybe even an intervention, rather than genuine creative guidance. It's hard to imagine him truly shaping Bay's vision at this point.

Voice of primes legacySpeaking of creative vision, I'm just hoping they don't mess with Optimus Prime's voice. For me, it's 'No Peter Cullen, no Optimus Prime'. His voice is integral to the character's legacy.

Weary criticAnd in Bay's later films, Optimus Prime became an unhinged murderer, which is a far cry from the heroic leader we know. That's another reason why his return is so disappointing.

Voice of primes legacyI agree, that was jarring. But on the voice front, Chris Hemsworth did an excellent job as Optimus Prime in Transformers One. He was surprisingly good, so if Cullen isn't available, he's a viable option. Even Bay himself fought like hell to have Cullen in the original films.

Good movies flopped analystIt's a sensitive topic for fans, but the animated film proved it can be done. Ultimately, the studio's going to go with what they think will bring in the most money, and that's often about spectacle and familiar names, not necessarily critical acclaim or fan-favorite voice actors.

Weary criticIt's not just about the voice or the explosions, it's also the cringey right-wing subtext and military fetishization. The 2007 film had this big, giant fellating of the military during Afghanistan, and it's just not what I want from a Transformers movie.

Unashamed spectacle seekerI think you're overthinking it. It's a movie about giant alien robots fighting. Most people aren't looking for political commentary; they're looking for a good time and impressive visuals. And Bay delivers on that.

HostBeyond the main arguments, a few other ideas popped up. Some commenters speculated about a 'Dark Knight Returns' adaptation with Ben Affleck, which was quickly dismissed as an 'AI hallucination' or unsubstantiated rumor. Others hoped for a 'Beast Wars' movie or a stop-motion Transformers film by Laika.

HostUltimately, the thread didn't land on a clear consensus. While many expressed deep disappointment and exhaustion with Michael Bay's potential return, citing creative bankruptcy and problematic elements, a significant portion of the audience still finds his films entertaining and financially successful.

HostThe core tension remains: the desire for critically acclaimed, fresh storytelling versus the pragmatic reality of box office numbers. It seems Paramount is betting on the latter, leaving fans to wonder if the franchise can ever truly evolve beyond its Bayverse roots.

HostSloppod out.

HostSloppod is sponsored by Taskpile.app.

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