Believe it or not, love it or hate it, but Michael Bay's live-action Transformers franchise is one of the most successful movie series of all time, sitting at #8 on the highest-grossing franchises of all time, having posted a mind-blowing $3.76 billion in box office receipts with just four movies. Despite critical opinion that has been mixed to say the least, the films have consistently gone over well with audiences, largely due to the light-hearted tone and array of explosions delivered in that typically bombastic, over-the-top Michael Bay style. As a discerning viewer, you'll need to suspend a lot of disbelief and hang up a lot of your prejudices to enjoy any of the Transformers movies: they frequently fly in the face of logic, boast offensive humour, are far too long and riddled with countless stylistic and narrative problems that hold them back from true greatness. That said, as brainless exercises in exuberant style, there is a certain dumb appeal to the movies (especially if watched under the influence of alcohol, no doubt), and after four movies, viewers surely know what to expect: either accept Bay's flawed production or just don't watch his films. They're loud, dumb, childish, crass, often cynical and rarely a fair representation of the cartoon series most kids grew up with, and so, here are 20 things you just need to accept in order to enjoy the Transformers franchise...
Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes).
General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.
