ViralCast #11: Transformers 2, District 9, Recent Deaths and More!

In our latest ViralCast, the staff reviews Transformers 2 (the viral and the movie), and discusses viral news and the recent death of some of our most beloved celebrities.

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Review: Transformers 2 – Spectacle Of The Summer

The buildup is huge, the TV spots are on every commercial break, the toys are on the shelves, and my ass is in the seat. God, did I love this movie. It was just too amazing. I know that makes absolutely no sense, but I don’t think I have ever seen action scenes that are so awesome that it completely negates the rest of the story. Which is a completely good thing. Since the plot is terrible (I really expected more from Orci and Kurtzman), it might have something to do with the Writer’s Strike, as I have heard that the script was rushed to beat the strike.

Now onto the action. The fight scenes in here are almost perfect, especially in IMAX (Which you have to see the film in; it’s totally worth it.). The IMAX screen really does add to the film, although the transition from IMAX resolution to up-converted 35mm can be a little rough. But, you get your moneys worth. I mean, I’m the kinda guy who’d pay $20 JUST to see Optimus Prime in life size, and to see Devastator on the huge screen, but like I said earlier, see it in IMAX, it’s completely worth it. (Make sure you go to a real IMAX screen, there is a Google map of real locations and the “LieMAX” locations at http://destroyfakeimax.blogspot.com)

Now onto the “plot”, not that anyone cares. The story follows Sam Witwicky, as he loses his mind, gets chased around New York, ends up in Egypt, goes all Indiana Jones on the pyramids, and he’s tapping Megan Fox. This part keeps your interest until the Transformers are on screen again. However, the sequences with Josh Duhamal’s character and Tyrese Gibson are very entertaining, its the closest thing to and actual plot in this film. Overall, the plot was very weak, yet it kept me interested, and that’s all it really needed to do.

Everyone knows why you want to see this movie: the Transformers, and are they awesome. Sure some autobots are shoved into the background after one big moment (Sideswipe, Ironhide, and Ratchet). But the main robots are funny, awesome, and they kickass. Now, I’ve heard some people complain about ‘The Twins’, saying they’re the racist/Jar Jar character in this film, and I honestly do not think they are racist. I will cover it in deeper detail on this weeks Soapbox. The real shining star in the film is Optimus Prime, who is the biggest badass of them all. Really, he is just that damn awesome here.

Overall, the film is good. Really good, but it’s definitely not for everyone. So check it out of you can (Preferably in IMAX).

I give Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen a solid 8/10

Transfomers Viral Updates

If you haven’t heard by know, Transformers is doing a viral campaign, or as they call it an ‘extended film experience’ campaign. Recently, there has been a plethora of videos with machines turning into Transformers. Take a look at the newest one.

Pretty cool if you ask me, and well done. This being released just a week before Transformers hits the theatres.

Check out some past ‘sightings’.

Some less obvious sightings are below:

The most recent sightings have been in France and the UK. In France, a model airplane turned into a Transformer:  http://www.dailymotion.com/Vinnylemans/video/16143347 And the newest, the scooter turning into a Transformer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo0cwRY59X4.

And if you haven’t seen them by now, check out the viral website: http://www.therealeffingdeal.com/ andhttp://www.gianteffingrobots.com.

The official website is http://www.TransformersMovie.com and the movie releases nation wide June 24th.

Follow Nick Butler on Twitter!

This Week In Viral: Week of 6/8/09

This was a good week for viral, especially for District 9, which saw more posters, an official website (finally), and now more footage. Matt will have a full breakdown of the footage screened in front of Pelham 123 in some theaters tomorrow. The clips showed more of the aliens (including full body and action shots) and gave a bit more info on Mult-National United.

This Week In Viral covers viral news from the week that for whatever reason didn’t make it into it’s own post. [Read more...]

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Viral Updates

Transformers 2

Two of the three main viral sites for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen have had a couple significant updates in the past few days.

TheRealEffingDeal posted a blog update last week about potential alien sightings over Eau Galle, Wisconsin. Not long after, an eye witness report appeared with some new blurry photos along with it.

Moreso, the site has a new post about what could be Transformer landings. It contains a video of a couple guys in Italy on May 27th witnessing a Transformer walking around the city. Some pretty bad special effects, but it’s just a short viral video, so nothing to complain about. There is also an article with images of a Transformer walking out of the ocean near Australia.

The second site, GiantEffingRobots (run by Agent Simmons), has been updated for the first time since the sites were discovered. The article is about their investigation into the Eau Galle sightings, which ultimately ended with them finding nothing.

So what do the images show and what’s going on? Discuss it in the comments.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen opens nationwide on June 24th, 2009.

Thanks to Transformers Live for the information.

Rumor: G.I. Joe/Transformers Crossover

Could Hasbro be going the way of Marvel? Matt found this tidbit of trivia on IMDB.com:

SPOILER: Tyrese Gibson confirmed that his character Sergeant Epps would make contact with Hawk from G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra(2009). Both Transformers and G.I. Joe are Hasbro toylines, and have crossed over in the past: an episode of “Transformers” (1984) featured a character from “G.I. Joe” (1985), and crossovers have also occurred between the two in their own comics.

[Read more...]

Rebuttal: 5 Reasons Why Transformers 2 Will Be The Worst Film Ever

If you have yet to read Matt’s article citing the 5 reasons Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen will be the greatest flick ever, check it out here. This is my rebuttal: 5 reasons it will be the worst movie of all time.
[Read more...]

The Soapbox: 5 Reasons Why Transformers 2 Will be The Greatest Film Ever

In this edition, I shall list 10 reasons why ‘Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen’ will be the greatest film ever made. Ever. 

Update: See Dan’s rebuttal listing 5 reasons Transformers will be the worst film ever here.
[Read more...]

This Week In Viral: Terminator Viral Ends?

Terminator Salvation opened this weekend, and thus another viral ends. Or does it? One of the challenges of covering viral campaigns is knowing when they really end. Usually it’s the weekend, if not the day, the movie opens in theaters. However, even if the main viral campaign ends, tidbits of it may linger for months (see: Cloverfield), usually in anticipation of the DVD release or even a sequel. Also, the websites created for these campaigns seem to last far beyond the movie’s opening, so anything’s possible.
[Read more...]

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Viral Campaign Begins

As mentioned in the last TWIV, The Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen viral campaign has kicked off finally. With Linkin Park’s song New Divide available now, Paramount’s efforts to get people to the theater are in full force. Check out our Transformers page, and read about the new viral sites after the jump.
[Read more...]