Transformers

[Ryan Scott]

This is the "live" action version of the 1980's cartoon of the same name. It's rated PG-13 for "intense sequences of sci-fi action violence, brief sexual humor, and language."

I was really impressed with this movie. I went in with very low expectations. Turning a kids cartoon show into an adult action thriller seems a difficult task to do well. I went just because I grew up on the Transformers and was feeling nostalgic.

The movie runs about two and a half hours. The first hour of the movie played like a comedy. It was truly witty and humorous, with a good script and better than average acting performances. Someone actually took time to craft a script for this and someone seemed to show some care in doing so. Really amazing.

The middle dragged a little as they set up the trouble and introduced the main plot conflicts, but the end was, as expected, a giant, all-out battle between hundred foot tall alien machines with lots of explosions and people running in fear.

You obviously have to suspend disbelief for any sci-fi movie, but in transformers you also have to suspend disbelief from the facts of the world they've created. Even among the parameters set down by the plot, a lot of the action is totally nonsensical, but it's a fun movie than anyone 35 and younger will really appreciate (if you watched Transformers growing up).

I went on the 4th of July, so there were a lot of parents there with their children. In fact I commented to my friend on the way in that I wish every good movie were rater R, even if it didn't deserve it so people under 17 would be kept out. We had one episode of crying baby near the beginning and a child who looked about five or six got really scared near the end and had to be taken out crying, but otherwise, the kids did ok.

I, on the other hand, was a little worried for them. This movie is NOT for kids with a little sci-fi violence that moved it to PG-13 rating. It is definitely a movie for adults. There's some crude humor and adult-oriented jokes that would not have been appropriate for kids (and I'm about as liberal as they come when it comes to entertainment viewing). For a number of you for conservative parents, you should probably treat it more as a PG-16.

That being said, there are a number of very positive messages and themes in the film (much like the original cartoon) if one is old enough to pick up on the metaphor. The idea of no victory without sacrifice is evident throughout the film, as is the concept of fighting for the weak and defenseless. Some of this was far more overt than I ever would have expected.

If you're one of those people more concerned with the overall movie and enjoy this kind of sci-fi fantasy, definitely go see it. If you're one of those people who gets caught up in inappropriate or crude details that might offend you, then you might want to skip it. Regardless, it was awesome. I loved it and I hope that they can do as well with the obviously in-the-works sequel.

[Ryan Scott]

I believe it was the 1997 General Assembly that official made that change in the manual. Now when it became acceptable, that probably depends on where you live and who your parents were.

[Hans Deventer]

Please help me out here. As a former attendee of the Church of the Nazarene and a former subscriber to the Herald of Holiness, when did it become acceptable for Nazarenes to attend movies? The prohibition was outlined in the Manual and as recently as the late 1980s, movies, even Disney animations/cartoons were not acceptable. When did the policy change, how did it come about, who was the head of the church at the time of the change. A response would be welcome. Thanks.

I think the article as it still is today was most recently changed at the 1997 General Assembly in San Antonio.
At that time the computer was added in 34.1, and the last two paragraphs were added.

This necessitates the teaching and preaching of these
moral standards of Christian living, and that our people be
taught to use prayerful discernment in continually choosing
the “high road” of holy living. We therefore call upon our
leaders and pastors to give strong emphasis in our periodicals
and from our pulpits to such fundamental truths as will
develop the principle of discrimination between the evil and
good to be found in these media.
We suggest that the standard given to John Wesley by his
mother, namely, “whatever weakens your reason, impairs
the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of
God, or takes off the relish of spiritual things, whatever increases
the authority of your body over mind, that thing for
you is sin,” form the basis for this teaching of discrimination.

That specific resolution came from the Washington District Resolutions Committee, Tennessee District G.A. Delegation and the Washington District Assembly.

Resolution CA-700b was adopted in committee by 79 for and 5 against, and adopted by the GA (I didn't write down the vote on that one)

During that Assembly, the chairmen were the Board of General Superintendents as always (we don't have a pope), and they were Jerald Johnson, John Knight, William Prince, Donald Owens, James Diehl and Paul Cunningham. Don't ask me who was in the chair during that specific resolution, I don't remember.

I hope this answers some of your questions.

As for me, I initiated this forum and its goal is teach discernment.

[Jen Blackburn]

as a mom of a 12 year old boy who LOVES the Transformers, i'm very disappointed that this movie is made as violent as it is. Transformers are geared for 8-12 year old boys. Why make a movie that's PG-13, and is so violent? he may see it when it comes out on DVD, with my husband present, but there's no way he's going to the theater to see it, and my younger children will definately not be in the room when he & my husband watch it!

[Ryan Scott]

as a mom of a 12 year old boy who LOVES the Transformers, i'm very disappointed that this movie is made as violent as it is.


This was obvious a movie for people like me, in their 20's and 30's who grew up with the original cartoon and toys. I would hope at some point they'd figure out how to cash in on another generation of little kids with some more cartoons.

On my viewing of the movie, it just seemed like it wasn't a film that would even appeal to younger children. Many of the jokes would be over their heads and the main characters are 17 year old kids, dealing with more grown up issues.

It's just not a kids movie, regardless of the violence, language, etc. The plot just isn't kid friendly.

[Jen Blackburn]

The plot just isn't kid friendly.


and that's very sad, considering all the Transformers toys that are in the toy department marketed towards my son and his peers! ;)

[Mike Schutz]

Even among the parameters set down by the plot, a lot of the action is totally nonsensical, but it's a fun movie than anyone 35 and younger will really appreciate (if you watched Transformers growing up).

Ryan, AS USUAL, your lack of understanding of senior adults is laughable. This 51 YEAR OLD completely enjoyed it. Oh yes, so did my 16 year old son.

It is TOO intense for young children. The violence is not at all scary or bloody, just intense. And the story line makes no attempt to reach out to young children.

[Ryan Scott]

I didn't say older people wouldn't enjoy it. I just said younger people definitely will.

[Mike Schutz]

I didn't say older people wouldn't enjoy it.

You calling me old?

You want a piece of me?

Remember, I know where you live, where you go to church, where you study.

(Okay, I don't know EXACTLY where you live, but I've got people who will tell me, and then you'll be in trouble!)

[Ryan Scott]

I refer to anyone even one second older than me, old. It seems like a good, factual definition to me. You called yourself a "senior adult" which I would consider more gratuitous.

[Dale Cozby]

This movie was written for the 14-17yr old male audience.

The humor is middle school humor aimed as teen boy sexual inuendo mostly. Reminded me of restroom talk in middle school.

The level of violence is far beyond the old cartoons on TV, but it is almost all CG based.

The computer graphics are second to none though. You need to slow motion it just to be impressed with the detail of the CG work.

If you took out the teenage sexual humor and a bit of the graphic violence you would have a PG movie worthy of the Transformers name.

I would recommend your husband sit down and watch it first then be ready to fast forward through the cheesy/raunchy humor or violent stuff for your 12 yr old.

[Lindsey Grant]

Personally, I didn't think it was that violent. The thing I was most disappointed with was the crude humor. Other than that, I thought it was really a pretty cool movie. The computer animation was AMAZING as everyone else as said, but I thought there a lot of untied ends at the end of the movie or scenes that were completely pointless. Other than that, however, it was really good :)

[Jeff Scott]

I rented this movie from "Red Box" today. I went home and cranked up the surround sound and sat on my couch for two and a half hours. I couldn't believe how "good" this movie was. I also expected it to be terrible, but ended up loving it. It is interesting to see how differently we all measure "intense violence". I didn't find it all that intense. I can't remember any blood, though a lot of people die. I surprised they had as many exploding buildings as they did, even with one sequence of a plane going through a building.

All in all, I liked it. LOVED the CGI and sound effects. I'll watch it again.

[Ed Laubster]

Personally, I didn't think it was that violent. The thing I was most disappointed with was the crude humor. Other than that, I thought it was really a pretty cool movie. The computer animation was AMAZING as everyone else as said, but I thought there a lot of untied ends at the end of the movie or scenes that were completely pointless. Other than that, however, it was really good :)

I pretty much completely agree with this. This young lady must be a genius. :q)


The crude humor of this movie upsets me immensely. It would be such a better movie without it. I loved Transformers growing up, and knew the violence would be there and accepted it before I saw the movie. But I really could have done with the, as someone else put it, Jr. High humor.