Standard-Examiner ... News & Opinion Tuesday, July 3, 2007 7A Rabid loyalists will love movie ‘Transformers’

Thriller might not change nonfans’ opinions too much

BY STEVE SALLES Now, for the Standard-Examiner movie critic rest of us … Sam (Shia ealizing I’ve had limited LaBeouf) is the to no “Transformers” typical high R experience over the school teen years — being the father on the verge of two girlie-girls — I can’t of dating and DreamWorks LLC/Paramount share the excitement that’s driving. His Bonecrusher (center) and Optimus Prime (right) do battle in “Transformers.” been heaped upon this film by father has devoted fans. agreed to buy INSIDE: GM uses get to know the including a big hoo-rah for GM Back in January, a young him a car as movie to market its Camaro-bot called cars — but the film’s biggest friend asked if he could go long as he keeps Review vehicles/5A Bumblebee, but hurdle is its length, at two to the premiere in JUNE! his grades up. will eventually hours-plus. I felt like taking THE FILM: ‘Transformers’ Another has given me weekly Dad cruelly • meet the other ’bot a nap a couple of times. You OUR RATING: 1/2 updates on the film’s progress drives through • ++ boys — including know an action movie has lost • STARRING: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, for the past two years a Porsche Tyrese Gibson and the voices of Peter Cullen, Hugo Weav- Bonecrusher, its luster when not even the (probably because his real dealership ing, Jimmie Wood and Bryan Cox VIDEO: See the movie Ratchett, Ironhide sight of giant robots destroying family is tired of hearing about just to tease • BEHIND THE SCENES: Directed by Michael Bay (‘The trailer and the leader, massive landmarks can’t keep it). Yet another fan decided to (hilarious), Rock,’ ‘Pearl Harbor’). Filmed in New Mexico and Southern Optimus Prime you from yawning. invest in some tribute body but ends up at California. difference (voiced by Peter Cullen). So, expect glowing reports art proclaiming his love for all Bobby Bolivia’s • PLAYING: Newgate Tinseltown, North Pointe, The is that they Let the tumbling of from fans and a “That was things “autobotic.” (Bernie Mac) Pointe, Motor-Vu Drive-In (with ‘1408’), Layton Hills 9, Mega- look at metal begin, as a series of kinda cool” from the rest, plus They were all foaming used-car lot, plex 13, Walker 8, Capitol. Runs 144 minutes. humans as battles between good and be aware of some awkwardly at the mouth at a recent where an • MPAA RATING: PG-13 cockroaches, evil commences. You’ll see placed sexual humor. advanced screening, and anxious rusty whereas the some cool, seamless CGI With all the hype, I was I admire their zeal and yellow Camaro Autobots work, mixed with a bunch of hoping for more of what I got commitment. is doing its best impersonation gutsy Sam. So the stage is set see nobility and promise in our annoyingly busy Michael Bay in the first hour and less of the The problem is, they don’t of Herbie the Love Bug. (To for the introduction of the race. action shots that’ll have you never-ending second hour. represent the majority of further the joke, Bernie tries vehicle/robot creatures, the First hour — pretty good. crawling on the floor looking Still, “Transformers” does moviegoers, who only care if to sell the kid a VW Bug.) Autobots, who have to come to A big “War of the Worlds”- for an aspirin. entertain — with the finesse of the movie is any good. So now that Sam has the Earth to retrieve a home-world type attack on a U.S. base Product placement abounds, a shiny beer can. For rabid loyalists, there is car, he needs the girl, and he’s cube with enormous powers in the Middle East gets the no star rating high enough to set his sights high with a little that was discovered years attention of Defense Secretary GIT YER TICKETS FOR+ express their trembling joy, musical encouragement from earlier under the Arctic ice by Keller (Jon Voight) and a * * and I’m sure at the sight of this his new car’s stereo. Sam’s explorer grandfather. small contingent of surviving . * * * * 1 * ** mere 2 ⁄2-star review they will Mikaela (Megan Fox) is Also lurking about with soldiers, including Josh * * * likely impale themselves on bored with her jock boyfriend sinister intentions are the Duhamel and Tyrese Gibson. * * * * ii their now-dusty light sabers. and accepts a ride from the nasty Decepticons. The big Sam and Mikaela not only * INATED * OM RODEO N + rd * ON SALE JUNE 23 +BEST RODEOCA IN AMERI GENERAL ADMISSION TICKET PRICES: JULY 19 - Standard-Examiner Family Night School vouchers — the origin of an idea Adult $600 - Youth $300* JULY 20 - Military & Government Appreciation Night n mid-June, Weber State would not be a sufficient be limited to assuring that Adult $1000 or $600 with Military or Gov. ID University had the honor Top of Utah Voices number of students to schools met certain minimum $ 00 $ 00* Iof hosting the annual support a private school. standards.” Youth 5 or 3 with Military or Gov. ID Boys’ State Conference. Near Whether one is a Friedman’s call for the $ 00 $ 00* the end of the conference, supporter or opponent government regulation of JULY 21 & 23 - Adult 10 - Youth 5 Gov. Jon Huntsman spoke to Michael of school vouchers educational standards may the Boys’ State participants. Vaughan largely depends upon seem to conflict with his belief JULY 24 - Miss Rodeo Utah Coronation The focus of his remarks was one’s perception of that government shouldn’t Adult $1200 - Youth $600* school vouchers. The governor the desirability of interfere with the rights stressed the importance of Commentary private education and of individuals to do as they RESERVED SEAT TICKET PRICES: informing Utahns about this the quality of public please. NORTH & SOUTH JULY 19-23 $1600 critical issue. The effort to education. Clearly, The resolution to this $ 00 inform Utahns on the issue of Michael Vaughan is Weber State University’s vouchers are intended apparent conflict lies in the JULY 24 25 school vouchers is necessary. provost. He accepts e-mail from readers at to direct students away fact that as the provider of $ 00 [email protected] WEST SIDE JULY 19-23 25 On Nov. 6, Utahns will be from public schools into vouchers the government (OVER CHUTES) $ 00 asked to vote on the issue. private schools. itself is the actual buyer of JULY 24 30 The outcome of the vote and advocates of Utah’s Friedman believed that the educational services. The Reserved Seat Tickets Available Only At: will influence the future of proposed voucher program number of students redirected government isn’t interfering 3LRQHHU'D\V2IÀFH:DVK%OYG2JGHQ education in Utah for many should find Friedman’s essay to private schools would be with the rights of buyers. The General Admission Tickets Available At: years. interesting reading. You can large and he government 6PLWK (GZDUGV5HDPV+LOO$)%7LFNHWV 7RXUV Perhaps the best way to find the essay on the Web site was convinced is the buyer, 3LRQHHU'D\V2IÀFH become better informed on the of the Friedman Foundation that the and as the No telephone or online orders accepted. j L issue of school vouchers is to (friedmanfoundation.org). migration buyer the Presented by: read what the originator of the As the architect of school of students government school voucher concept had to vouchers, Friedman carefully from public has every say about the issue. considered the implications education right to make CALL 621-1696f. The concept of school and details of his proposals. to private certain the OGDENPIONEERDAYS.COM *Youth ages 3-12 vouchers was originally Some of his thoughts on the schools was educational proposed by the Nobel-prize voucher issue have received desirable. services it is winning economist Milton little attention by either Indeed, purchasing Friedman. Coincidentally, the advocates or opponents of Friedman are a high- concept of school vouchers school vouchers in Utah. believed the quality American Indian isn’t Friedman’s only Perhaps the most important migration product. connection to Utah. Friedman conclusion is Friedman’s belief to private The YOUTH GATHERING spent 20 winter vacations at that school vouchers would schools would role of the Utah’s Alta ski resort with cause a large-scale migration improve the nation’s system of government in setting Everyone Young and Old is his good friend William F. of students from public education. education standards has not Buckley. education to private schools. While Friedman didn’t see received much attention WELCOME In 1955, Friedman wrote In general, he saw little government as an important during the current voucher an essay, “The Role of reason for the government to provider of educational debate. Come and Dance Government in Education,” be in the business of running services, he did believe that Voters considering Utah’s in which he proposed schools. The only exception government would need voucher proposal need to vouchers as a way to allow he mentions in his essay is to establish educational consider the state’s policies Pioneer Park Bowery children from low- and the need for the government standards for school vouchers for regulating educational (600 West Forest Street) moderate-income families to continue to operate a small to function effectively. standards. th to have access to private number of public schools in Friedman wrote, “The Given that vouchers Wednesday July 4 , 2007 schools. Both opponents small rural areas where there role of the government would would be used by students 2pm–5pm attending private schools, STATE OF THE UNION By Carl Moore the government would need (If interested in booth space please call the number below for details.) to establish strict standards for private schools including 10 PM proprietary and parochial schools. Utah will need to FIREWORKS PROVIDED BY have the will to enforce strict BRIGHAM CITY 33. 9 educational quality standards 90 or the voucher proposal will not have the intended result. or Friedman campaigned for school vouchers for much of KEEPING his life. It is somewhat ironic that TRADITIONAL TOBACCO Friedman died just weeks SACRE D before the Utah House passed the voucher bill. DOONESBURY By Garry Trudeau Patrick Byrne, the CEO of Utah-based Overstock.com The Native youth of the community is described the Utah voucher hosting a Gathering to share with the legislation by saying, “This is the biggest step that has community about the importance of Sacred been taken toward achieving Tobacco and what they have learned Milton Friedman’s dream of about the effect of Commercial Tobacco. liberating children so they can reach their full potential.” More information call 1-435-734-2286. When Utah voters go to the polls to decide the voucher Not responsible for thefts, loss of property, or injury. issue they can either thank Absolutely no alcohol or drugs allowed. This is a commercial tobacco-free event. or curse an economist named Milton Friedman......