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Parents' Guide to

Transformers

By Cynthia Fuchs, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Toys come to life in big, boomy explosion fest.

Movie PG-13 2007 144 minutes
Transformers Poster Image: Three Transformers' faces above the movie title; three humans underneath

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 11+

Based on 55 parent reviews

This dude
This dude Adult
January 26, 2019
age 8+

Campy action is fun, not very realistic.

I don't remember exactly how old I was when I saw this movie the first time, but I know for a fact I was under ten. I was a pretty sensitive kid back then, but I don't remember anything in this movie upsetting me. I had a great time. Violence: Human soldiers are disintegrated by alien robots in several scenes. One sequence briefly depicts a man being impaled by a blade, several people are killed when large, throwing star styled discs are launched into their chests. Humans are shown using real guns in a variety of situations, but never against other humans. Some of the Titular giant robots are killed or injured, losing limbs or even being decapitated. Being completely mechanical, this isn't particularly shocking, but they do groan in pain, and glowing blue fluid flows from their injuries much like blood would from a human. Sexuality: While the female lead is depicted as competent, and honestly braver the main protagonist at times; she is also almost always wearing very short shorts, and has her midriff exposed. Consumerism: The film is based off of a toy line, which also sold action figures inspired by the movie. When I was young I didn't really buy any of them, but I'm sure some kids did. The film never really feels like a commercial, but it was clearly produced because Hasbro wanted to move more stock. Positive messages: There is a general message about self sacrifice throughout the film. The protagonist risks his life for the greater good, and the primary robot character offers to sacrifice his own life to save the world. The phrase "No sacrifice, no victory" is used to convey the moral of the story. Language: "Damn" "Hell" "What would Jesus do?" single use of the word "M***terbation" Positive Role Models: The heroes are portrayed as honorable and selfless. Unfortunately, both of the black characters are really only there for comic relief, and feel slightly stereotypical.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much consumerism
5 people found this helpful.
Kvetchy Kvaddle
Kvetchy Kvaddle Parent of 9 and 12-year-old
June 18, 2023
age 12+

Be warned: You WILL get asked “What does m******** mean?”

Be warned: if your kids don’t already know, you are 100% guaranteed to be asked “What does ‘masturbating’ mean?” I wish we had known this before we sat down to watch the film with our 9 and 12 year old daughters. We had not planned to discuss the concept of masturbation with our 9 year old just yet, and would have preferred the infantile director Michael Bay not be the one to force our hands on that point. If he’d been sitting on the couch with us when that scene came up I would have turned to him and very politely given him a solid sock on the jaw for taking that choice out of our hands, (Yes, the CS review does mention the use of the word in passing, but that does not convey how foregrounded the moment is. Not something that has any chance of passing over a kid’s head, unlike some of the other language in the film.) Beyond that, what is there to say, other than that Transformers is about as dumb as a film can get. Plus it’s insanely long. So long, in fact, that my kids were starting to zone out at what was ostensibly the most exciting part of the film. Tedious beyond belief. And sexist, a little racist. Feels like it was written and directed by an adolescent boy who just discovered girls.
2 people found this helpful.
See all 55 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In TRANSFORMERS, a live-action film based on the 1980s cartoon series, the Decepticons, an evil race of alien robots, attack a U.S. military unit stationed in the Middle East. The soldiers launch an immediate offensive -- but meanwhile, back in the States, Secretary of Defense John Keller (Jon Voight) learns of a secret U.S. project involving Megatron (voiced by Hugo Weaving), a bad robot that crash-landed in the Arctic decades before. In the film's civilian side story, teenager Sam (Shia LaBeouf) buys a used car, unaware that it's an Autobot -- a good robot. Neither does Sam realize that he has in his possession the key to the all-powerful cube that all of the robots, good and bad, desperately want. The film's many characters and plots collide with the help of the Autobots' brave leader, Optimus Prime (Peter Cullen).

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (55 ):
Kids say (174 ):

Big and boomy, this toy-based movie skimps on plot and character development, instead focusing on its decidedly spectacular explosions. Though the opening voice-over offers a cursory backstory, it hardly matters why these giant robots have come to Earth. The point is much simpler: They blow stuff up. Just keep in mind that Transformers is most likely too intense for the kids who are the most interested in playing with Transformers toys.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why kids want to see Transformers. Is it because of the story or all of the toys and other tie-in products?

  • How does this Transformers movie compare to the different TV shows, movies, and games in the franchise? What stands out, and what remains constant?

  • How are women like Mikaela and Maggie depicted in the film? Are they empowered, or do they fall into stereotypes about women?

  • How are Black and Latino men portrayed in this movie? Is it acceptable or inappropriate? Why, or why not?

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