About.com Rating


MPAA Rating: PG-13, for intense sequences of sci-fi action violence, brief sexual humor, and language
Age Range: Ages 14 and up
Genre: Sci-fi/Action/Adventure
Runtime: Approx. 144 minutes
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Jon Voight, John Turturro, Peter Cullen, Mark Ryan
Studio: DreamWorks/Paramount Pictures
Release date: July 3, 2007

Transformers - Plot Summary

Sam Whittaky (Shia LeBeouf) is an average teenage boy, who is interested in what most other teenage boys are interested in - cars and girls.

When Sam's dad takes him to get his first car, he is disappointed at first by the selection in his price range. But then, as the salesman had promised, his car found him.

With his new wheels, Sam finds greater confidence and satisfying freedom. He even works up the courage to ask his crush, Mikaela (Megan Fox), if she needs a ride home. Before long, though, the car is giving Sam and Mikaela more of a ride than they bargained for. Sam discovers that his car is actually a large and powerful alien robot in disguise - one of the Autobots, who are thankfully trying to save the earth from their evil robot counterparts, the Decepticons.

In a surprising twist to the story, Sam realizes that he actually holds the key to stopping the Decepticons and saving the earth. Sam and Mikaela become central players in a battle of enormous proportions.

Transformers - Guide Review for Parents

While Transformers was probably a movie intended for adults who have fond memories of playing with the toys as children, a new line of toys and high profile marketing will likely attract kids of much younger ages.

While the movie definitely contains a fair share of violence, some parents may be concerned by the sexual innuendo and bad language as well.

Violence in the movie is probably at a level that most viewers will expect. Massive battles between monstrous alien robots cause considerable damage to people, buildings, and anything else around. Loud, thunderous booms shake the theater as the story plays out, and some people as well as robots are killed.

With the story centering around a teenage boy, Sam, the movie gets all the mileage it can from his crush on Mikaela and the fact that she is "hot." Several comments filled with innuendo come when she is trying to fix his car, and their comments about the engine can have more than one meaning. Also, in one scene Sam's mother asks him if he has been masturbating. To his embarrassment, the entire conversation about the subject is heard by Mikaela. In another scene, Sam and Mikaela make out on top of his beloved car.

Several instances of foul language also occur. Several usages of words considered major swear words occur, as well as lots of minor swear words and a number of variations on the phrase "Oh my God."

Transformers - Content Overview

The following contains two or three of the most prominent examples of possibly scary or offensive content in each category:

Violence(Extreme)
- Soldiers at an army base battle with a large robot which destroys the buildings and everything around. All kinds of guns and explosive devices are used, and it appears as though all the soldiers die in the battle. In a later battle, more soldiers are killed and missiles and air strikes are also used to stop an animal-like robot.
- In a battle that takes place in a city, robots cause huge amounts of damage while people run screaming and trying to get away.
- In the movie, several people are killed or wounded, but the actual blood and gore is minimal.

Sex/Nudity(Heavy)
- Sam's mother asks him if he has been masturbating and calls it "Sam's happy time."
- A young girl in a skimpy outfit makes comments about a car engine (the comments hint at a double meaning unintended by her) as she bends over the car and the camera focuses on her body. A boy makes similar innuendos, such as saying that he "only lets females work on his engine," as he responds to her comments. The boy obviously has a crush on her.
- A boy and girl make out on the hood of a car.

Profanity(Heavy)
- The "f" word is used a couple of times in the movie, but not very audibly.
- The "sh" word is used several times, as are the "a" word, "damn," "hell," and numerous variations on the phrase "Oh my God."
- Some slang phrases are used, including a line where a guy tells his friend, "Bros before hos."

Alcohol/Drugs(None)
- Some references or jokes about beer, alcohol and drugs are made.
- Sam's mother is shown drinking and later appears buzzed.

Bad/Disrespectful Behavior(Heavy)
- A girl's boyfriend calls her "bunny" and tells her to hop in the back of his car.
- The Decepticons see humans as sub-intelligent and don't care if they die.
- Numerous colorful phrases are used and characters insult each other and engage in some name calling.

Scary Scenes (Heavy)
-Scenes listed under "Violence" may be scary for kids.
- In several scenes, characters are in grave peril with the Decepticons trying to kill them.

Sad/Distressing Scenes (High)
- A soldier talks to his wife and sees his baby on the computer screen. He is sad that he cannot be there to hold the baby. Later, his wife is worried when she hears of the attack on her husband's unit.