Sci Fi Showdown: Transformers Returns
Joy Fleishhacker -- School Library Journal, 6/17/2009
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen(PG-13), a live-action sci-fi thriller from DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures, thunders into theaters on June 24. The film’s predecessor was a box-office hit in 2007 (as well as the top-selling DVD) and greatly expanded general interest in the Transformers franchise. For the sequel, Michael Bay returns as director, Steven Spielberg as executive producer, and Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman as screenwriters (with the addition of newcomer Ehren Kruger). Once again, Shia LaBeouf stars as Sam Witwicky, an unassuming teenager who finds himself caught in the middle of a war between two factions of robotic aliens with the amazing ability to disguise themselves as commonplace machinery. After fighting side by side with the benevolent Autobots to save Earth from the evil Decepticon army in the first movie, Sam is ready to settle into life as a college freshman while maintaining a long-distance romance with his girlfriend Mikaela (again played by Megan Fox). However, Sam soon begins to receive inexplicable visions from a remaining shard of the AllSpark—the artifact that’s the source of life for all Transformers. Meanwhile, the Decepticons are rebuilding their forces under the leadership of a mysterious and malevolent ancient robot known as The Fallen. Autobot commander Optimus Prime asks a reluctant Sam for his help, but is the self-doubting teenager willing to reprise his role as hero?
The action spans through human history as well as across the globe, culminating at the Giza pyramid complex. The special effects look dazzling, with plenty of focus placed on the ’bots and an array of new Transformers characters. Teens can visit the official site to watch trailers, get downloads, and browse the Fan Art Gallery, which showcases original sketches and paintings, real-life vehicles souped-up Transformers style, and even tattoos.
Novelizations
Two tie-in titles have been written by sci-fi specialist Alan Dean Foster and published by Del Rey. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, a novelization based on the movie screenplay, begins with an enticing prologue that chronicles first contact between ancient humans and shiny god-like creatures before quickly zooming in on the action set in the modern day. The plot unfolds at high speed and suspenseful combat scenes are balanced with clear descriptive passages (appropriately peppered with technical terminology), snappy dialogue (with some strong language), and appealing characterizations (both human and robotic). Segueing between the two movies, Transformers: The Veiled Threat describes how human and Autobot forces, led by Captain Lennox and Optimus Prime, work together to hunt down and destroy Decepticons across the globe. The lively narrative sparkles with humor, and the book adds depth to familiar characters, introduces some new players, and delves more deeply into human-’bot conflicts and alliances, while building suspense for Revenge of the Fallen.
Graphic Novels
Originally produced by Marvel, Transformers comics have been around since Hasbro first introduced the toy 
line in the United States in 1984. The Transformers torch has since been passed on to IDW Publishing, which has issued several eye-catching movie tie-ins. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: Movie Adaptation, written by franchise veteran Simon Furman with art by Jon Davis-Hunt and Alex Milne, relates the plot elements in gripping graphic novel format. The dialogue (flavored with some strong language from the humans) is rapid fire and the action moves at an explosive pace. Bathed in bright colors and packed with hyped-up images that spring off the pages, the artwork conveys the size differential between the monumental robots and the more diminutive humans, while underscoring the complexities of relations between the two species. Film fans will be riveted.
Two official movie prequels, both written by Chris Mowry, flesh out the incidents leading up to Revenge of the Fallen. Beginning with the Mission City battle that served as climax for the first movie, Alliance details the post-confrontation cleanup (including the deep-sea disposal of Megatron and other defeated
Decepticons); describes the fate of Agent Simmons and his mysterious Sector Seven; and traces the growing allegiance between human forces and the Autobots as they ferret out, destroy, and cover up a continued Decepticon presence. Alex Milne’s crystalline artwork dramatically delineates both human and robotic characters as they butt heads and forge alliances. Set long ago on Cybertron, Defiance relates Transformers history as Megatron morphs into an aggressive tyrant under the influence of a mysterious artifact, science officer Optimus steps up to become an inspirational and just leader, and The Fallen emerges as a force to be reckoned with. Artists Dan Khanna, Don Figueroa, and Andrew Griffith depict the action in slick metallic grays and blues.
Explore the Universe
Furman’s experience with and enthusiasm for his subject matter shine throughout Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe, from DK. Lusciously illustrated spreads introduce the larger-than-life characters, depicting and detailing their differen
t incarnations: robot mode, vehicle mode (their Earth disguises), and weapon mode. Brief paragraphs and captions describe each ’bot’s history and motivations, strengths and weaknesses (in terms of both moral fiber and mechanical ability), and technical features. Incorporating loads of down-and-dirty statistics, the content will satisfy even the most knowledgeable Transformers devotees. The writing is consistently colorful (Constructicons are hailed as “maestros of mayhem and purveyors of panic and pandemonium”), and the tone combines traditional warrior attitude with cutting-edge techno punch. The book is illustrated with full-color movie photos and diagrams that carefully label specific robot parts—from hyper-coil musculature to tri-titanium fingertips.
While not as up to date, Transformers: The Ultimate Guide (DK, 2007) also penned by Furman, provides a thorough look at the Transformers universe and mythology, the characters and their abilities, and major storylines. The author also explores different aspects of this “evolving world,” describing and carefully time-lining the various generations of toys, comic books, and animated television shows through the years. Labeled diagrams of Cybertron and its environs as well as the Ark spacecraft are also included. The volume is profusely illustrated with cartoon stills, comic book images, and photos of mint-condition action figures. This is a must-have for readers seeking total immersion in Transformers lore.
Got budding artists? In You Can Draw: Transformers (DK, 2007), Furman, with the help of “Transformers artist extraordinaire” Guido Guidi, introduces the ins and outs of depicting these characters and bringing them to life in a comic book setting. The level of detail is appropriate for teens, even those with some drawing experience, as the author discusses perspective, shading and lighting, foreshortening, inking and coloring, and comic-book layout. Full-color cartoon artwork, step-by-step pencil drawings, and trace overlays appear throughout, along with entertaining bits of Transformers trivia and artists’ tips. The sturdy, spiral-bound volume ends with a page of comic-bubble stencils. This book is a good choice for YAs interested in making their own comic books or investigating the finer points of the genre.
Pub Info
Transformers. Dreamworks Video. 2007. DVD. $19.99; Two-Disc Special Edition. $29.98.
FOSTER, Alan Dean. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. based on the screenplay by Ehren Kruger, Alex Kurtzman, & Roberto Orci. Del Rey. 2009. pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0-345-51593-3.
_____. Transformers: The Veiled Threat. Del Rey. 2009. pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0-345-51592-6.
FURMAN, Simon. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: Movie Adaptation. illus. by Jon Davis-Hunt & Alex Milne. based on the screenplay by Ehren Kruger, Alex Kurtzman, & Roberto Orci. IDW Publishing, dist. by Diamond Book Distributors. June 2009. pap. $17.99. ISBN 978-1600104558.
MOWRY, Chris. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: Alliance. illus. by Alex Milne. IDW Publishing, dist. by Diamond Book Distributors. June 2009. pap. $17.99. ISBN 978-1600104565.
_____. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: Defiance. illus. by Dan Khanna, Don Figueroa, & Andrew Griffith. IDW Publishing, dist. by Diamond Book Distributors. June 2009. pap. $17.99. ISBN 978-1600104572.
FURMAN, Simon. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe. DK. June 2009. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-5172-5.
_____. Transformers: The Ultimate Guide. DK. updated ed. 2007. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-3012-6.
_____. You Can Draw: Transformers. illus. by Guido Guidi. DK. 2007. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-2746-1.
