I went to see Transformers tonight with my girlfriend Pernille and my brother Tommy, and I have to tell you, the movie was pretty darned good. Not awesome, but better than most dreck out there now a days, and certainly better than Spider Man 3.
But the biggest eye opener of the whole night was something that doesn't even have a name (officially, anyway).
Imagine if you will; a hand held video camera is recording a going away party for "Robert." The videographer is getting everyone's comments on how much Robert will be missed, how much he means to them, and the party seems to be going pretty well. This goes on for about a full minute and just when you're wondering if there is a point coming from all this, the lights suddenly go out, and there is a horrific sound of... something wicked. The party goers rush to the roof top, where they witness a tremendous fireball rise up in the middle of NYC, which casts off smaller fireballs that crash around them as they scatter. A street level shot shows more devastation, and as you're left mouth agape wondering what the hoary hell you're watching, a large chunk of debris smashes into the side of a building and comes to a grinding halt. As it comes to a rest we see it is the head of the Statue of Liberty. The screen then tells us that it is a J.J. Abrams (Lost, Alias, Star Trek XI) production, and it is due to be released 1/18/08.
That's it. No title. No Hollywood film quality. Just rough home video of NYC getting gutted by a very large fireball.
Holy Shit.
I think my racing mind actually prevented me from truly enjoying the Transformers Movie. The project is being called alternatively Cloverfield, JJ Abrams Monster Movie, and JJ Abrams Untitled Project. All I know is I can't wait for 2008 already. Truly, J.J., you've shown us that less is more when it comes to trailers.
And while I know Zack Snyder is heading it, and J.J. Abrams won't be involved, the first thing I thought of when I saw that fireball was the end of Chapter 11 in The Watchmen. Wouldn't THAT be neat?