Renny Harlin: Man, Myth, and Auteur

[B_Metal]

E.T.A. B's on the money. Balls to all this 1,000,000 moving parts per second malarkey. Just give me a halfway house between that and a smart update of the original Generation One designs. This franchise needs some colour put back in its cheeks. And some distinction between the Transformers. Preferably, personalities too.

They also have X-Men Syndrome as far as the Decepti-creeps designs go; just uninspired and drab shades of gray everywhere doing nothing to help discern one from the other.

At least the Stormtroopers got cool shit to die in.

THAT ALL OF IT!!

[FilmNerdJamie]

Harlin also gave the world the most stomach-churning (for me) Nightmare on Elm Street death. Oh yeah...the cockroach motel.

[B_Metal]

Harlin also gave the world the most awesome (for me) Nightmare on Elm Street death. Oh yeah...the cockroach motel.

Agreed.

[Bobby Bear]

They also have X-Men Syndrome as far as the Decepti-creeps designs go; just uninspired and drab shades of gray everywhere doing nothing to help discern one from the other. Get some colors on those expensive pieces of cannon fodder. Flames optional.

Hot on the heels of Ed announcing his non-sexual fondness for you, I think I'm gonna have to do the same after you dropping "Decpti-creeps" like this.

Totally bang-on about the designs, mate. Nothing striking about any of 'em on the villains' side. And what happened to the complete disavowal of physics from the cartoons? Megatron isn't Megatron unless he's flouting science by transforming from a giant robotic humanoid into a regular Earth size rifle and possibly from there into a tank of some description.

They're aliens and it isn't any more of a stretch than the tripe Bay tried to make us swallow so why not actually use stuff from the franchise that's already there which could maximize fun?

[B_Metal]

I'd have shit bricks if Megatron SOUNDED like Megatron AND looked somewhat like him. That and when he went rifle mode Starscream would shoot him even though Megatron hated him.

I'm saddened that my two sentences above have more character development than THREE TF's films.

[FilmNerdJamie]

Harlin also gave us the great defining Samuel L. Jackson moment for all times. You know what I'm talking about, baby.

Oh, uh, "Spoiler alert?"

[Captain Russ]

I'd kill to see Renny recycle some of his previous work in a TF movie like Mikey B did on top of the call to arms regarding the design overhauls.

I'm specifically talking about Cliffhanger and the most memorable use of a stalagtite in film history.

Just replace Sly with Ironhide and Leon with Starscream. Scratch that. Replace Leon with Scourge.

Yeah.

[FilmNerdJamie]

That's it!

Harlin marathon at my place! I'll get the pizza and beer. Someone bring the DVDs!

[Matt]

Jamie, I'd totally be there if I could.

[Captain Russ]

Ditto.

[FilmNerdJamie]

I want to get this get right...

In some alternate Sliders reality where there was CG technology in the 80s like there is now, Harlin would have done Transformers? Is that what we're saying?

[Bobby Bear]

That and when he went rifle mode Starscream would shoot him even though Megatron hated him.

I'm saddened that my two sentences above have more character development than THREE TF's films.

Frank Welker's still alive. It's not too late to bring him back for your debut, Renny!

Also, I share your sadness at that fact. Sincerely.

Just replace Sly with Ironhide and Leon with Starscream. Scratch that. Replace Leon with Scourge.

Yeah.

What about Thrust? I always liked his red paint-job. He almost didn't look evil enough to be a Decepticon.

Jamie, I'd totally be there if I could.

Me too. That'd go down a treat right now.

I'm in the mood to extend fan-casting so I'm just gonna say it: Kurt Russell as Springer.

[B_Metal]

But who sings the remake of "The Touch"?

[Ed Hocken]

Linkin Park...sadly.

-Edit-

Oh, in the 80s....Hmm.

Can I say Huey Lewis and The News?

[Bobby Bear]

But who sings the remake of "The Touch"?

I'd be happy with a remastered version of Bush's original, although if David Lee Roth fancied taking a shot at a proper Van Halen version (again, via the wonder of this 80's Sliders scenario we've got going on) with his patented high-pitched "WOOOOOOW"s after almost every line, I might be persuaded.