My Transformers ROTF IMAX experience

Yes, saw this thing, on the really really big screen, and as for the movie, it certainly has its STRENGTHS, and plenty of flaws, and there are also FLAWS. I won't go into any of that, cause all the different words are out there for that, so without further adieu, here's my night with big f***ing robots on the very big f***ing screen.

So before the movie started, I took the precaution to use the restroom, then I refilled my Cherry Coke. The lights darkened, and something new was afoot... BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!! An IMAX AMC intro I haven't seen (may have existed elsewhere, but definitely not when I saw Star Trek a couple months earlier in the same place). Following that came the only trailer which was obviously going to be Harry Potter (guess this being the only trailer due to there being no more IMAX releases noteworthy). So the movie started.

As I have indicated before, there was this massively loud opening bit when the reels started rolling in the auditorium. I will say now what I am about to say is not heard from me normally at all. I am a guy who likes my stuff loud. If that opening thingy was any indication of the capabilities of the sound system, then here came the real deal: the Michael Bayhem Payload! This movie opened up super atrociously loud. The Shanghai scene with everyone transforming – Ironhide being the first, and although the volume there, as will be repeated surely again, was super mega loud, sounded really cool – blowing s*** up all over the place, the huge Decepticon transforming, the chases… was all absolutely pulverizing my ears. The bass was rocking heavy duty, and the highs were piercing. It does not go without saying the scene was overall cool all over the place, it sent my senses to different places.

Well, as the movie progressed, I either got used to it, or the volume then did subdue, the action was all over the place as is known right now... But so far notice I haven’t said anything about the screen going FULL IMAX? That did not happen until things (if this is the place to say it) really got into gear when there was a superb action scene going on. When that screen went all out, it was truly a WHOA! moment there, and it was the part I was waiting for: seeing big f***ing robots kicking each other’s ass on a big giant f***ing screen! Well, that came and went, and the movie went on.
Slowly, something was afoot. I had that dreaded feeling come around – I think this is where I truly blame the bass for that, and what’s worse is that I endured this increasingly for the rest of the movie (more on that later).
At this point, was I getting bored? Hardly, the movie kept my interest given plot device after plot device, and then OH! all of a sudden something’s really going on and all these plots were ACTUALLY leading somewhere. It’s a good thing that happened, otherwise I know we’d be in trouble for sure. Then came the “But wait! There’s more!” cliché… Which sort of was a good thing considering it’s one of those things to the side you wanted to happen anyway (see the movie and you’ll see what I mean).

This now leads up to the expected finale of the movie. To Michael Bay this means “okay, I gotta make this big-over-the-top-action-scene-with-explosions-but-gotta-make-this-the-biggest-finale-a-sequel-could-ever-ask-for-so-that-hopefully-when-this-is-over-people-will-want-more kind of action scene.” As I mentioned before there came the dreaded feeling from within that I hoped would not happen. This sort of action scene made it a tad unbearable to sit through. It was certainly good action, but mark my words… when there’s THIS MUCH ACTION, it’s hard to sit through when there’s so much booming going on, and fast-paced movement, it’s a wonder I still had a freaking bladder! Changing the subject right now before I get too far, remember I mentioned there was one part earlier with IMAX moments? Well, this final action bit had more of that, but only on a focused part. Yeah, it’s great and all (what can I say, it actually helped make the scope more present), but why so limited when Dark Knight went really all out on this format.

So the action goes on, and on, and on, and on… The funny thing is that I forgot who was there more than what was going on. When they were there, you see them do their thing to contribute and it’s on to this part of the battle, and so on. That’s what made it harder on me.

All right, I’m starting to speak like I’m reviewing the movie, so I will say that when the movie ended, it was a release from all the Bayhem Michael provided. I will say it’s nice to see the movie in IMAX for sure, cause it’s heavy duty. But man, I’m amazed I survived that ordeal… cause when I made it to the men’s room, I had to survive a little line (I even remarked either the sink or the trash looked awfully tempting). So relief came, and that concluded my IMAX experience with big f***ing robots.

In short, it actually felt like going to a well-awaited concert, the volume initially was massively assaulting, then lets up and lets you enjoy the parts you came to see, then comes that one point where you don’t know where it ends, and when it does, you’ve had so much you really don’t want an encore. The REALLY good news is that the encore will not arrive until 2011, so I have time to recollect myself until then.

In the meantime, I’m sure I’ll get this on Blu-Ray, and at the levels where it’s truly comfortable to me – but maybe not my neighbors!!!!!

i had a headache after watching on the imax screen.... the really really big one lol, sound was great, but there was only one imax scene that i could remember, when there fighting in the Forrest , the screen filled up, other than that i dont remember seeing any

Last IMAX I watched was Star Trek and I have to say I wasn't too overwhelmed, it was a great experience. Transformers on the other hand. I can see how IMAX would make the movie to much to handle for some viewers, not to mention it's a sh#t movie to begin with but hey that's just my opinion.

The other IMAX moment was the mega huge robot... the one that sucks everything, and whose nuts John Turturro was looking at.