Transformers coming to Universal Singapore and Hollywood

Seems to be the ride will Spiderman:Transformers::Indiana Jones:Dinsoaur

This is going to be interesting, hopefully the ride is better than the movie...

Transformers the ride.... something I have been hoping to see for about 5 years :)

For those of you who do not know, Transformers began in Japan as "Microman" in 1981 or so, and when brought here in 1983 the waive only lasted until 1989... however, they still continued on in Asia and Europe until they resurfaced in 1992 in the states and are continueing to this day with various alterations.

The movie based on this franchise has made a spot in the Guinuess book of world records in terms of record breaking revenue and the series will continue on screen in 2009 and a rumored 3rd sequel (depending on how well TF2 does) in 2011 or 2012

I thought the movie was pretty decent.. it definatly sparked a whole new generation of interest and I am glad they they were able to keep the storyline seperated from the 80's series but similar... meaning: repackaged variations of well known characters.

I thought the movie was great.

It's about time USH gets a HUGE, NEW attraction like this. I don't consider Mummy to be a huge attraction and the Simpsons is just a re-themed BTTF. Backdraft will be missed but it was time for it to be retired.

I also enjoyed the movie. For what it was, it did pretty well for itself.

As for the attraction, I have to say I'm pretty excited. The Simpsons ride conversion was a little underwhelming and Revenge of the Mummy can't really hold a candle to a dark-ride coaster like Disneyland's Space Mountain.

If it's anything remotely like the Spiderman attraction at IOA, then I'm super stoked.

The movie was a big pile of awful covered in fail sauce but the fit for this kind of ride seems perfect. Lots of big robots crushing stuff and explosions, plz.

Considering the movie was something I had been waiting for since I was 10, that's 25 long years, I had the highest of expectations, and it delivered in almost every way. The first time I heard Optimus Prime speak, I shed a tear. No joke.

Of course, my wish is that they'd do it in Florida too.

What's with the ragging on the movie? I thought it was done well. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Jeff said:
The first time I heard Optimus Prime speak, I shed a tear. No joke.

You're not the only one.

The only disappointment I had was in having Hugo Weaving as the voice of Megatron. I'm not sure why they decided Frank Welker didn't fit.

matt. said:
The movie was a big pile of awful covered in fail sauce but the fit for this kind of ride seems perfect. Lots of big robots crushing stuff and explosions, plz.

I agree, like it's a decent movie, it just seems like they tried to put the Transformers into an awkward teen comedy... I mean seriously masterbation jokes?

It was purdy and nice, but I hardly think it was great and not worth them getting everyone involved in a 3rd one. I blame, like always, Michael Bay... my opinions of which can be summed up here...

http://my.spill.com/profiles/blog/show?id=947994%3ABlogPost%3A355506

ANYWAY back to the ride, I wonder if this will be a clone of Spiderman minus the spiderman specific things (aka, same layout and things, you fly into the air just like in superman, etc), or if it'll be a new track layout, concepts, ideas, and stuff.

Wait, are you suggesting a movie based around a line of toys doesn't take itself seriously enough?

Jeff said:
Wait, are you suggesting a movie based around a line of toys doesn't take itself seriously enough?

LOL. You have a point there, I just assumed that it would seem more consistant and solid and in line of recent childhood to somewhat adult movie kind of transitions. I think Iron Man is a good example of a transition that Transformers should have been more like. It's not that I hate Transformers, just I wish it got more of the respect it deserved.

I loved hearing Optimus Prime speak too... especially the narriation at the begining.. Peter Cullen has signed on for the 2nd movie as well, I wish he did the voice for Ironhide as well as he did in the series, but thats just wishful thinking.

Oh, Im sure the movie got a good amount of respect, It had just gotten into the second run theatres around October (the same month of the DVD release) so it had the staying power.

As a CURRENT Transformer collector, those things flew off the shelves at Christmas where it was really hard to find some of them, and the amount of kids around the 6-13 year old mark ate it all up... and still are with the new animated series on Cartoon Network.

I was talking to a Target employee who worked in toys, and he was telling me how TF's had been flying out the door, but all the Spiderman and Star Wars sales were modest.

As we all know, a movie's success doesn't always rely on ticket sales, now it's the DVD sales (which is why Family Guy is back) and the toy sales as well as other merchandise.

john peck said:

Oh, Im sure the movie got a good amount of respect, It had just gotten into the second run theatres around October (the same month of the DVD release) so it had the staying power.

I should have defined this more, I mean respect from Bay and the writers more than just from the general public. I think there are good moments in the movie, acting, action, and special FX wise, but I just am not all over it due to the badly written teen comedy moments of the movie which drags it down. Look at Jaws, his family and home life are built into the story to highlight the conflicts and problems of a man in midlife crisis and supporting his family. In Transformers it was just backstory where they tried to cram in as much jokes as they can.

ANYWAY, lets get it back to the ride, eh? :-P

The Mole said:
I should have defined this more, I mean respect from Bay and the writers more than just from the general public.

I think that was obvious when they settled on Devastator as the name for the tank because it sounded better. How do you any research into Transformers and not realize that Devastator is A-one of the most well loved Decepticons; B- is made by assembling the Constructicons?

Other than that though, they did a good job of introducing everyone. It'll be interesting to see how things work in the next one since they won't have to spend the first hour doing the intro stuff.

But here's the thing, a property like Iron Man, or really any of the Marvel properties, has a fairly well-defined universe and therefore very different expectations. You can do a fair bit of reinvention, as they are now with Batman (well, that's DC, but you know what I mean), but only if you're willing to forget the Adam West series.

Transformers had several starts, an animated movie, an afternoon cartoon that admittedly was not very good, and variations in characters and stories across different global markets. Oh, and there was a comic book, which was far and away better than anything else. But you also had the dating issues, as these things were originally based on decades-old vehicles. And don't even get my started on the Megatron and Soundwave scaling issues.

So given all that, when you strip it down to its essence, Transformers are toys that a great many people have fond memories of, with a vague story about robots in disguise and a planet called Cybertron. To bring its appeal beyond 30-something men, throw in Bernie Mac as a used-car salesman (may he rest in peace), a hot chick or two (can someone direct me to the Australian super hottie computer geniuses please?), some goofy secret agents and Angelina's daddy as the secretary of defense, and you've got a great summer action movie that doesn't take itself as seriously as most science fiction.

Granted, there are some vauge themes of sexism, environmentalism and foreign relations, but none are strong enough to be preachy.

Oh, and there are explosions. Lots of explosions. It's the Michael Bay way.

I just had one of those crazy thoughts, and I'm going WAYYYY out on a limb here: Could Disney's Cars have been inspired in SOME part by Transformers?

Soo, back on topic: Aren't these 4D things starting to get overdone a bit? Yeah, Spiderman at IoA was cool, but when will these same engineers starting putting more effort in to other types of rides?

Such as?

Oh, how about an update to the classic log flume, faster bumper cars, water slides with loops, or a coaster that could break the sound barrier. :)

Lusse autskooters are pretty fast. Waterslides with loops are totally impractical, as we have discussed before... and a coaster that breaks the sound barrier? You are kidding, right? But a log flume update, that sounds doable.