Just saw advance screening of Transformers. Quick thoughts within.
06-30-2007, 02:53 PM
#16
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Southern NJ
Posts: 1,093
I droped a line on the GM blog advising them the adds they are using tying in to the Transformers movie are all wrong. I see Cobalts, Lucernes, and GMC Envoys transforming....... uh, right.
GM PR has never been very intelligent. The opportunity here to tie the Camaro and Transformers into "GM brand" promotion is being left out in the cold in lieu of Lucernes and Envoys. Rather vomit inducing. I loved Transformers when I was a kid. I played with my (now collectible) Transformer toys all the time...... if one of them was a Buick LeSabre, I'd have laughed even as an 8 year old. And it would have probably been one of the first ones to fall out of my bedroom window on to the driveway or something.
Fbodfather, could you consult your PR dept. and tell them their commercials are really weak? It's obvious GM has the rights to promote the film in exchange for Sony pictures rights to use the Camaro concept in the film, and they aren't even using Corvettes or an STS-V in their adds.
Part of what made Transformers cool was that they were cool cars and trucks to begin with.
GM PR has never been very intelligent. The opportunity here to tie the Camaro and Transformers into "GM brand" promotion is being left out in the cold in lieu of Lucernes and Envoys. Rather vomit inducing. I loved Transformers when I was a kid. I played with my (now collectible) Transformer toys all the time...... if one of them was a Buick LeSabre, I'd have laughed even as an 8 year old. And it would have probably been one of the first ones to fall out of my bedroom window on to the driveway or something.
Fbodfather, could you consult your PR dept. and tell them their commercials are really weak? It's obvious GM has the rights to promote the film in exchange for Sony pictures rights to use the Camaro concept in the film, and they aren't even using Corvettes or an STS-V in their adds.
Part of what made Transformers cool was that they were cool cars and trucks to begin with.
Because the CTS-V and Corvette aren't big sellers.
I agree with another post, not all Transformers were 'cool cars and trucks'. What made Transformers 'cool' (we would have said 'neat' back then) was the fact that they were transforming cars and trucks (and guns, jets, space shuttles, tanks, cassette players, dinosaurs, insects...) regardless of model.
The GM commercials are great imo.
06-30-2007, 02:55 PM
#17
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Location: Southern NJ
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Hey now! You're ragging on my favorite Decepticon ever there!
Soundwave would have kicked Starscream's @$$ if he'd really wanted to. Though it would have been done in such a way as Starscream would have been down without Soundwave needing to lift a finger.
I always did like the scheming characters over the brash physical ones...
Soundwave would have kicked Starscream's @$$ if he'd really wanted to. Though it would have been done in such a way as Starscream would have been down without Soundwave needing to lift a finger.
I always did like the scheming characters over the brash physical ones...
06-30-2007, 04:22 PM
#18
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 36
I like GM's current ads.
They are trying to market their high volume vehicles.
Corvettes and CTS-Vs don't need much advertising.
The Camaro is getting all the attention it needs.
Cobalts and the Buicks need all the press they can get.
They are trying to market their high volume vehicles.
Corvettes and CTS-Vs don't need much advertising.
The Camaro is getting all the attention it needs.
Cobalts and the Buicks need all the press they can get.
07-01-2007, 12:01 AM
#19
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Chicago, IL
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Hey now! You're ragging on my favorite Decepticon ever there!
Soundwave would have kicked Starscream's @$$ if he'd really wanted to. Though it would have been done in such a way as Starscream would have been down without Soundwave needing to lift a finger.
I always did like the scheming characters over the brash physical ones...
Soundwave would have kicked Starscream's @$$ if he'd really wanted to. Though it would have been done in such a way as Starscream would have been down without Soundwave needing to lift a finger.
I always did like the scheming characters over the brash physical ones...
07-01-2007, 09:52 AM
#20
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Location: Woburn, MA
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07-01-2007, 10:06 AM
#21
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 515
"Breaker Snowman we are West bound and down!"
I am willing to bet if Chevy offers Yellow in 09 they will sell more Yellow Camaro's than they ever have in the past. I expect this movie will acieve Icon status and Chevy will be along for the ride.
It will make owning a Camaro cool in the eyes of many and many of those who are just now deciding what is cool and not in the 14 and under age group. How many today at 35 years still remember their favorite transformer or Hot Wheel.
Why do you think Ford and Chevy both did a Tonka Concept truck a few years ago? They were planting seed for the future buyers they want to win. Marketing today is working on the youth as they want to be apealling to them now so they will buy later.
I think this movie tie in will do more good than Jimmy Netron will for Chryslers mini van. They should have stuck to Squidward!
Last edited by hyperv6; 07-01-2007 at 10:13 AM.
07-01-2007, 10:49 AM
#22
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Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Woburn, MA
Posts: 267
Don't tell the folks from Pontiac that on the Trans Am sales from 1977-1979 as they give full credit for the sales explosion to the Bandit. Now Bandit 2 still had a little effect. Then they were lucky anyone bought the 1983 due to Bandit 3
"Breaker Snowman we are West bound and down!"
I am willing to bet if Chevy offers Yellow in 09 they will sell more Yellow Camaro's than they ever have in the past. I expect this movie will acieve Icon status and Chevy will be along for the ride.
It will make owning a Camaro cool in the eyes of many and many of those who are just now deciding what is cool and not in the 14 and under age group. How many today at 35 years still remember their favorite transformer or Hot Wheel.
Why do you think Ford and Chevy both did a Tonka Concept truck a few years ago? They were planting seed for the future buyers they want to win. Marketing today is working on the youth as they want to be apealling to them now so they will buy later.
I think this movie tie in will do more good than Jimmy Netron will for Chryslers mini van. They should have stuck to Squidward!
"Breaker Snowman we are West bound and down!"
I am willing to bet if Chevy offers Yellow in 09 they will sell more Yellow Camaro's than they ever have in the past. I expect this movie will acieve Icon status and Chevy will be along for the ride.
It will make owning a Camaro cool in the eyes of many and many of those who are just now deciding what is cool and not in the 14 and under age group. How many today at 35 years still remember their favorite transformer or Hot Wheel.
Why do you think Ford and Chevy both did a Tonka Concept truck a few years ago? They were planting seed for the future buyers they want to win. Marketing today is working on the youth as they want to be apealling to them now so they will buy later.
I think this movie tie in will do more good than Jimmy Netron will for Chryslers mini van. They should have stuck to Squidward!
Last edited by BitchinCamaro; 07-01-2007 at 10:52 AM.
07-01-2007, 11:27 AM
#23
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: The Golden State
Posts: 13,711
I droped a line on the GM blog advising them the adds they are using tying in to the Transformers movie are all wrong. I see Cobalts, Lucernes, and GMC Envoys transforming....... uh, right.
GM PR has never been very intelligent. The opportunity here to tie the Camaro and Transformers into "GM brand" promotion is being left out in the cold in lieu of Lucernes and Envoys. Rather vomit inducing. I loved Transformers when I was a kid. I played with my (now collectible) Transformer toys all the time...... if one of them was a Buick LeSabre, I'd have laughed even as an 8 year old. And it would have probably been one of the first ones to fall out of my bedroom window on to the driveway or something.
Fbodfather, could you consult your PR dept. and tell them their commercials are really weak? It's obvious GM has the rights to promote the film in exchange for Sony pictures rights to use the Camaro concept in the film, and they aren't even using Corvettes or an STS-V in their adds.
Part of what made Transformers cool was that they were cool cars and trucks to begin with.
GM PR has never been very intelligent. The opportunity here to tie the Camaro and Transformers into "GM brand" promotion is being left out in the cold in lieu of Lucernes and Envoys. Rather vomit inducing. I loved Transformers when I was a kid. I played with my (now collectible) Transformer toys all the time...... if one of them was a Buick LeSabre, I'd have laughed even as an 8 year old. And it would have probably been one of the first ones to fall out of my bedroom window on to the driveway or something.
Fbodfather, could you consult your PR dept. and tell them their commercials are really weak? It's obvious GM has the rights to promote the film in exchange for Sony pictures rights to use the Camaro concept in the film, and they aren't even using Corvettes or an STS-V in their adds.
Part of what made Transformers cool was that they were cool cars and trucks to begin with.
Coolest commercial I've seen in awhile.
There's no point whatsoever in including the well known and low production Corvette instead of higher profit and higher volume vehicles like Cobalt, Lucerne, and Envoys.
GM's PR is doing a great job.
Last edited by guionM; 07-01-2007 at 11:31 AM.
07-01-2007, 10:41 PM
#24
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 515
My point wasn't against all movie tie ins. I think it will be great for the Camaro, Cobalt, and Equinox, etc. (and the TA in its day) I just don't think it works as well for high end cars like Cadillac and Vette, in reference to fastball's post. It may help, but buyers spending $50k+ on a car need a little more than a movie and a $1000 cash back sale. (That said, yes, there are people who have the money to buy cars because it looked cool in a movie, ie. all the Eleanor clones after Gone in 60 Seconds)
07-01-2007, 11:45 PM
#25
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 143
Already saw the movie and the camaro was great!! I never liked bumblebee before but now that he's a camaro, he's cool in my book. Oh yeah, the movie was great too. I just dont get why the boy in the movie is named Sam Wickwicky(?) instead of Spike, which was the original boy in the cartoon.
07-02-2007, 01:44 AM
#26
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 4
TRANSFORMED
By John Grafman
All I can say is thank God for ILM, Digital Domain, and computer-generated imaging. A few years ago, this movie would be inconceivable. Well, perhaps not inconceivable, let’s just say far less effective at recreating the director's vision. In this film, it takes a whole lot of vision. Just how one takes a small toy and creates a cinematic epic between good and evil does require more than a little imagination. Yes, this needs a creative mind, oh, and about $150 million.
One question: Does the audience see that hundred and 50 mil up on there on the big screen? Perhaps a prelude to that question is “who is in the audience?” Depending on who watches this movie, it makes all the difference. Those who grew up with Transformers from 1984 onward can't help but be mesmerized. Anyone else (if there is anyone else) needs to roll with the punches.
Either way, there's enough in automotive adventure to keep everyone entertained. General Motors couldn't have conceived of a better commercial, no matter how hard they tried. When the star of the movie happens to be a Camaro, let alone the all-new yet-to-be-released Camaro, how can you do any better than that? But that's not all - no, no, no. GM cars and trucks, including the Pontiac Solstice, the Hummer H3, a GMC Topkick 6500 pick-up truck, and even a less-than-shiny 70s Camaro dominate this movie. However, there always has to be an anomaly. In this action packed adventure they left the bad guy to be played by a Saleen S281 Mustang. A Chevy and a Ford showdown, what can be better than that?
For those who aren’t familiar with this fantasy, the basic gist of this movie revolves around two factions of aliens known as Transformers, namely the Autobots and the Decepticons. The Decepticons are looking at the destruction of the earth (as we know it), unless the Autobots have something to say about it.
The struggle between good and evil is no better dramatized than the conflicting characters of Optimus Prime and Megatron. These two mega machines tower at 40 feet dwarfing everything in their path. Highly detailed with some 10,108 moving parts in just Optimus alone, these come across as far more than just a little complex compared to the cars and trucks they morph in-and-out of.
As much as the crew might have loved playing with Transformers as kids, even they realized a movie with nothing but two, three and four-story tall robots’ battling it out just isn’t going to fly. So, intertwined among all of the action is a teen-age love story. Shia LaBeouf as Sam Witwicky, and his love interest Mikaela Banes played by the enticing Megan Fox plays the lead. Both of the relatively young actors hold their own in this sci-fi tale and add a human touch to the storyline.
Added support in this movie are Josh Duhamel playing Captain Lennox, Tyrese Gibson as Technical Sergeant Epps, John Turturro as Agent Simmons, and Jon Voight in the role of Secretary of Defense John Keller. Turturro comes across as being as animated as the robots, but he’s known for his over-the-top antics…and it works.
The biggest support to the military theme actually isn’t coming from the actors, but from the US Department of Defense, providing its own toys in the form of CV-22s, F-117s, C-130 cargo planes, and the C-17 outfitted as the spooky gun ship. The involvement of the military is instrumental to this picture having some sort of realism keeping this grounded as Transformers wreck havoc everywhere.
The credibility provided by the cast, and the incredible locations and effects doled out by the talented crew have the producers and director to thank. Michael Bay’s (the Director) ability to foresee what this move is, and the support provided by Executive Producers Steven Spielberg, Brian Goldner, and Mark Vahradian made Michael’s dream come true.
This Paramount release really has all the bases covered: Cars, giant robots, a couple of the hottest, newest names in Hollywood alongside some tried and true talent, epic battle scenes, and romance.
Is it all there? Yes it is, if you don’t blink. Not a single person going to this movie won't be blown away with all the action and visual details provided by this. But at the same time, everything whizzes by at the speed of sound. But perhaps that's the effect the director wanted. After all, anyone wanting to catch every last ounce of action and nuance of the transformers is more than encouraged to see the movie again and again. And while this might be a summer blockbuster, just wait until the DVD goes on sale. Those numbers will undoubtedly be out of this world.
As for myself, I might pass on buying the re-release of Transformer action figures from Hasbro, but on the other hand, the new Camaro will look mighty nice in my driveway!
Article with pics: Transformed (LA Car)
For more information go to transformersmovie.com
Meet the new Camaro in person at Rev It Up
By John Grafman
All I can say is thank God for ILM, Digital Domain, and computer-generated imaging. A few years ago, this movie would be inconceivable. Well, perhaps not inconceivable, let’s just say far less effective at recreating the director's vision. In this film, it takes a whole lot of vision. Just how one takes a small toy and creates a cinematic epic between good and evil does require more than a little imagination. Yes, this needs a creative mind, oh, and about $150 million.
One question: Does the audience see that hundred and 50 mil up on there on the big screen? Perhaps a prelude to that question is “who is in the audience?” Depending on who watches this movie, it makes all the difference. Those who grew up with Transformers from 1984 onward can't help but be mesmerized. Anyone else (if there is anyone else) needs to roll with the punches.
Either way, there's enough in automotive adventure to keep everyone entertained. General Motors couldn't have conceived of a better commercial, no matter how hard they tried. When the star of the movie happens to be a Camaro, let alone the all-new yet-to-be-released Camaro, how can you do any better than that? But that's not all - no, no, no. GM cars and trucks, including the Pontiac Solstice, the Hummer H3, a GMC Topkick 6500 pick-up truck, and even a less-than-shiny 70s Camaro dominate this movie. However, there always has to be an anomaly. In this action packed adventure they left the bad guy to be played by a Saleen S281 Mustang. A Chevy and a Ford showdown, what can be better than that?
For those who aren’t familiar with this fantasy, the basic gist of this movie revolves around two factions of aliens known as Transformers, namely the Autobots and the Decepticons. The Decepticons are looking at the destruction of the earth (as we know it), unless the Autobots have something to say about it.
The struggle between good and evil is no better dramatized than the conflicting characters of Optimus Prime and Megatron. These two mega machines tower at 40 feet dwarfing everything in their path. Highly detailed with some 10,108 moving parts in just Optimus alone, these come across as far more than just a little complex compared to the cars and trucks they morph in-and-out of.
As much as the crew might have loved playing with Transformers as kids, even they realized a movie with nothing but two, three and four-story tall robots’ battling it out just isn’t going to fly. So, intertwined among all of the action is a teen-age love story. Shia LaBeouf as Sam Witwicky, and his love interest Mikaela Banes played by the enticing Megan Fox plays the lead. Both of the relatively young actors hold their own in this sci-fi tale and add a human touch to the storyline.
Added support in this movie are Josh Duhamel playing Captain Lennox, Tyrese Gibson as Technical Sergeant Epps, John Turturro as Agent Simmons, and Jon Voight in the role of Secretary of Defense John Keller. Turturro comes across as being as animated as the robots, but he’s known for his over-the-top antics…and it works.
The biggest support to the military theme actually isn’t coming from the actors, but from the US Department of Defense, providing its own toys in the form of CV-22s, F-117s, C-130 cargo planes, and the C-17 outfitted as the spooky gun ship. The involvement of the military is instrumental to this picture having some sort of realism keeping this grounded as Transformers wreck havoc everywhere.
The credibility provided by the cast, and the incredible locations and effects doled out by the talented crew have the producers and director to thank. Michael Bay’s (the Director) ability to foresee what this move is, and the support provided by Executive Producers Steven Spielberg, Brian Goldner, and Mark Vahradian made Michael’s dream come true.
This Paramount release really has all the bases covered: Cars, giant robots, a couple of the hottest, newest names in Hollywood alongside some tried and true talent, epic battle scenes, and romance.
Is it all there? Yes it is, if you don’t blink. Not a single person going to this movie won't be blown away with all the action and visual details provided by this. But at the same time, everything whizzes by at the speed of sound. But perhaps that's the effect the director wanted. After all, anyone wanting to catch every last ounce of action and nuance of the transformers is more than encouraged to see the movie again and again. And while this might be a summer blockbuster, just wait until the DVD goes on sale. Those numbers will undoubtedly be out of this world.
As for myself, I might pass on buying the re-release of Transformer action figures from Hasbro, but on the other hand, the new Camaro will look mighty nice in my driveway!
Article with pics: Transformed (LA Car)
For more information go to transformersmovie.com
Meet the new Camaro in person at Rev It Up
07-02-2007, 08:08 AM
#27
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Southern NJ
Posts: 1,093
Already saw the movie and the camaro was great!! I never liked bumblebee before but now that he's a camaro, he's cool in my book. Oh yeah, the movie was great too. I just dont get why the boy in the movie is named Sam Wickwicky(?) instead of Spike, which was the original boy in the cartoon.
I think it may be that 'Spike' sounds a) too 1980's and b) brings up visions of a bleach blonde vampire from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel.
Of the three, Spike, Sam and Buster, I'd say Sam was the best choice. IMO
EllwynX <---Total Transformers Geek (Not to mention Buffy as well.)
07-02-2007, 11:47 AM
#28
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: St. Peters, MO
Posts: 395
I droped a line on the GM blog advising them the adds they are using tying in to the Transformers movie are all wrong. I see Cobalts, Lucernes, and GMC Envoys transforming....... uh, right.
GM PR has never been very intelligent. The opportunity here to tie the Camaro and Transformers into "GM brand" promotion is being left out in the cold in lieu of Lucernes and Envoys. Rather vomit inducing. I loved Transformers when I was a kid. I played with my (now collectible) Transformer toys all the time...... if one of them was a Buick LeSabre, I'd have laughed even as an 8 year old. And it would have probably been one of the first ones to fall out of my bedroom window on to the driveway or something.
Fbodfather, could you consult your PR dept. and tell them their commercials are really weak? It's obvious GM has the rights to promote the film in exchange for Sony pictures rights to use the Camaro concept in the film, and they aren't even using Corvettes or an STS-V in their adds.
Part of what made Transformers cool was that they were cool cars and trucks to begin with.
GM PR has never been very intelligent. The opportunity here to tie the Camaro and Transformers into "GM brand" promotion is being left out in the cold in lieu of Lucernes and Envoys. Rather vomit inducing. I loved Transformers when I was a kid. I played with my (now collectible) Transformer toys all the time...... if one of them was a Buick LeSabre, I'd have laughed even as an 8 year old. And it would have probably been one of the first ones to fall out of my bedroom window on to the driveway or something.
Fbodfather, could you consult your PR dept. and tell them their commercials are really weak? It's obvious GM has the rights to promote the film in exchange for Sony pictures rights to use the Camaro concept in the film, and they aren't even using Corvettes or an STS-V in their adds.
Part of what made Transformers cool was that they were cool cars and trucks to begin with.
07-02-2007, 12:22 PM
#30
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 1,028
i'm betting that Transformers 2 will come out just at the right time to promote the newly for sale 5th gen camaro