REEL CRITIC:Action movie satisfies the kids

Looking to transform your hot summer with a seriously cool action movie?

If so, round up the kids, start the minivan and leave your brain at home because “Transformers” is the ultimate popcorn flick. It’s greasy, tasty and not very filling, but that’s the point.

“Transformers” is based on the 1980s cartoon of the same name, and the plot centers around a battle between the Autobots (good robots) and the Decepticons (bad robots).

The Autobots want to protect Earth, and the Decepticons want to take over the planet. Who will win, and what is going to happen to us lowly humans? The story is complicated but easy to follow, and you’ll have a lengthy 144 minutes to digest everything and then some.

Most of my geeky friends have been waiting to see this film for years, but my only motivation for attending was to write a review and escape the heat. I was a “GI Joe” fan growing up and never watched “Transformers.” I’m sure some purists will balk at the new film, but I feel that director Michael Bay created a serviceable movie that is great for kids.

The stars of the film, Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox, were able to keep me involved in the juvenile plot.

I have not seen an unknown actress command the screen like she does since Jennifer Connelly in “Career Opportunities” in 1991. Fox is going to be a huge star if she can stay out of trouble.

Since I grew up in a military family, I was very impressed with the acting of the soldiers and government workers. The cast nailed their parts. I was especially moved by the talented actor Scott Peat, who played the Watch Commander who gives the go-ahead to attack the Decepticons.

The absolute highlight of the movie, however, is the audio effects. I have never heard better sound in a theater, and the voice of the lead Autobot, Optimus Prime, is a joy to the ears. I could listen to Prime read the phone book and be entertained.

“Transformers” has a very odd feel to it, and it’s almost as if half of the actors got the “funny” script and the other half got the “serious” script. Wait until you see the scenes with John Turturro and Jon Voight. It feels like these veteran performers are in different movies. My friend Alex and I enjoyed their scenes together for all of the wrong reasons, but we didn’t care because we had a big laugh at their expense.

“Transformers” won’t win any Academy Awards, but it should win the box office championship for the summer, and that alone will transform many careers.