Transformers 2007

Well, it's been several months now since the release of the live action Transformers movie, and I will admit that I was as skeptical as anyone out there. I had been following the development of the movie basically since the day it was confirmed. With each piece of info I acquired, it seemed to simply be the next entry on "Why the movie won't be a transformers movie" list. The lack of Mass shifting, the changes to the classic vehicle modes, the lack of a transformers ship. Each thing seemed to just be reasons I wouldn't like it. But, I hadn't seen it yet, so I made no judgement.
So opening day came, and I went to see it. I'm still not sure what I was expecting to see, but what I did see I liked. Optimus Prime was no longer the iconic god-esque leader he was in the 80's cartoon, Megatron has shed his high pitched voice and the Decepticons are now the viscous conquerors they were intended to be.
But, with all the changes that had been made to accommodate reality and make the transformers seem more alien, there are many reminders of the classic transformers in the movie as well.
Just as he did atop Shirman dam, in the animated series, Megatron wields a flail weapon while Optimus makes uses of an Energon blade.
One of the big changes that I was most skeptical about, was the Character of Bumblebee. In the original series, Bumblebee was the small bot who provided comic relief while occasionally pulling off the daring rescue that no one else could due to size. In the movie he is a partial mute character, the result of injuries suffered in battle. He communicates through his XM radio and operates as an advanced scout for the Autobot forces. I found that I came to enjoy this rendition of the character a great deal. It is a far more adult concept for the character and helps to carry the fact that the Autobots and Decepticons have been at war for an extended period of time.
I suppose the largest single piece of fan service, was a single line spoken by Optimus prime: One shall stand, and one shall fall!