Transformers 4 - why I wouldn't like it, and why I would
Ashish Jha
1 min read
Mar 15, 2014, 12:23 AM
At NDTV here, we've got a fabulous 'Movies' team. Shockingly, Gitanjali, its editorial head, agreed when I said I'd like to do a piece about an example from a space she knows more about than me. Vastly more. To put that in perspective - imagine if she were to walk up to me and declare that she'd like to do a story on turbochargers. I'd be consuming aspirins.
But, you see, the movie that I'm talking about isn't about dramatic brilliance or emotional overdose. It's not even a musical - which is quite easy to write rubbish about. This one has cars in it. And trucks. And some other unreasonably cool machines. It's the fourth film in the Transformers series - Transformers: Age of Extinction.
I'll be honest - I've not quite liked any of the editions. I did like the cars and all the CG bits, but the plot itself has always been wretched. Feels like Michael Bay suddenly decided to indulge in his childhood desires and, preposterously, made it into a motion picture effort. Sadly, all of mankind was made to suffer the torture of his aimless reveries. That also brings out another crucial thought - what kind of a kid had he been to dream up of such violence, which was also greatly enthralling...
My dislike for the Transformers series reached its apex with the third part - Dark Side of the Moon. It was such a rubbish movie that I actually melted inside and felt regretful for the words I'd used to describe - what now felt as innocent inanities in comparison - the first two parts of the Series.
Anyway, the cars have always been the talking-point, so let's do some talking. When the first Transformers motion picture came out in 2007, Optimus Prime was basically a Peterbilt 379 that had been on steroids for a while. The Optimus Prime from the cartoon world was a humble, flat-nosed Kenworth K100. But as the captain of the Primes grows in age, it is getting increasingly interested in physical enrichments. This is even beyond surgical enhancement! It's Western Star that's done the Optimus Prime this time around. It does look quite impressive.
The entire list of cars is fantastic, and one to lust for. Sam Witwicky's life-saving 'Bumblebee' has gone all retro and the Camaro looks stunning in its 1967 (heavily modified) form. The latest Corvette Stingray will bring in the drool quotient. But my personal favourites would be the Pagani Huayra and the Oshkosh Defense Medium Tactical Vehicle.
But that's not really the end of it. There are a few more mega names like the Bugatti Veyron, McLaren MP4-12C, Lamborghini Aventador and the 2014 Chevrolet Camaro. What exactly is that stupid Chevy Ultimate Sonic RS doing in this group though? It's neither ultimate, nor sonic in any way. What is truly ultimate though, is the Freightliner Argosy - finally a cab-over design which Optimus Prime should've been in the first place!
I'm looking forward to the latest Transformers movie with the most eagerness I've shown to the series. It's got more than one reasons to be better - better cars, better trucks, finally a cab-over transformer, many other machines, Dino-bots and, thankfully, a better lead 'actor' - Mark Whalberg. Sorry, Shea; truth is always harsh.
Transformers 4 releases in June 2014, but you can watch the trailer of Transformers: Age of Extinction here. Tell us what you think of it.
Latest News
car&bike Team | Jun 18, 2026Kia Cars To Get Costlier From July 1: Prices Up By Up To 2%Come July 1, 2026, all Kia cars sold in India will become dearer by up to 2 per cent.1 min read
car&bike Team | Jun 18, 2026Bajaj Pulsar 220F Updated With LED Headlight: Now Priced At Rs 1.36 LakhThe update is accompanied by a price increase of around Rs 8,000, taking the ex-showroom price to Rs 1.36 lakh.2 mins read
car&bike Team | Jun 18, 2026India-UK FTA To Come Into Effect On July 15; Auto Import Duties To Fall To 10% Under Quota SystemDuties on some internal-combustion passenger vehicles will gradually fall to 10 per cent over five years. Jaguar Land Rover and McLaren have already given us an indication of price revisions.1 min read
Bilal Firfiray | Jun 17, 2026Porsche 911 GT3 Launched In India At Rs 3.32 CroreConfigurator for the new-gen GT3 has gone live for a base price of Rs 3,32,60,000 without any optional extra.1 min read
car&bike Team | Jun 17, 2026New-Gen Bajaj Pulsar Spotted Testing; N125 Or Pulsar 125?Two heavily camouflaged Bajaj Pulsar test mules have been spotted testing, revealing what seems to be a substantially reworked motorcycle.2 mins read
Jaiveer Mehra | Jun 17, 2026JLR Eyes US-Specific Defender Models In Partnership With StellantisThe carmaker also said it will reveal new details on the upcoming Electrified Modular Architecture-underpinned Range Rover SUV (sub Range Rover Sport) later in the year.3 mins read
Preetam Bora | Jun 15, 20262026 Yezdi Scrambler Review: The Update That Changes EverythingThe Yezdi Scrambler gets a comprehensive update with an updated engine, revised chassis, reduced weight and proper features list. Does it deliver? Here’s our take.10 mins read
Preetam Bora | Jun 10, 20262026 BMW F 450 GS Review: A True GS - But Should You Buy It?The GS badge on a BMW means something and always has. Can the new made-in-India BMW F 450 GS truly live up to that legacy? We spent a few days getting familiar with the F 450 GS to see if it’s worth a buy.12 mins read
Jaiveer Mehra | Jun 10, 20262026 Tata Altroz Long-Term Review: Initial Impressions After 45 DaysTata’s premium hatchback brings a lot to the table, but some rough edges are still apparent.4 mins read
Seshan Vijayraghvan | Jun 9, 2026Renault Duster 1.0-Litre Turbo Review: Small Engine, More Than Enough PerformanceThe Renault Duster's TCe100 engine is the 1.0-litre turbo petrol that makes 99 bhp and 166 Nm of peak torque. And it only comes with a 6-speed manual.6 mins read
Seshan Vijayraghvan | Jun 8, 20262026 Tata Tiago EV Review: Small EV Gets Big ImprovementsThe 2026 Tata Tiago EV promises a sharper design, segment-first features at sub-Rs. 10 lakh price point, and better real-world range. But does it deliver?1 min read