Goosebumps and explosions

So, we are in the middle of 2009 - well, actually more than that, but I had planned to write this post earlier - and most audiences have had the chance to watch some of the most anticipated blockbusters on the big screen. Many of them have been... disappointing... but some of them have been surprisingly good too.

Now, as odd as it might sound, being a film lover, there is a particular sensation that a particularly good movie - or scene - might give me, and that pretty much tells me whether the film was any good for me or not. It's goosebumps. You know, regular goosebumps. If a scene literally gives me goosebumps, if it chills me, if it gives me that very particular sensation, then I know this is a movie that I will want to see many more times either in theatres or on DVD. This has happened to me with countless films - most of them special, some of them containing only special moments - and 2009 has not been an exception. So, in a manner of stating which movies have been "awesome" for me this year, I'm writing a list of all the "goosebump" moments I've had this year so far. Let's see. (Spoilers ahead.)

Goosebumps Moments 2009 (Midyear list)

Watchmen - The "origins of Dr. Manhattan" scene.
Simply put, Watchmen is a gorgeous motion picture in more than one sense. It's effectively acted - yes, even Malin Akerman wasn't that bad -, visually amazing and intellectually satisfying. There's practically no scene I didn't like, but the definite standout is the scene on Mars in which Dr. Manhattan tells the audience how he came to be. It's not only fantastically edited and rendered, it's also got somewhat of an emotional punch, and yes, it gave me goosebumps.

Star Trek - The prologue
I never was much of a Star Trek fan - as most of you might already know, I was always more of a Star Wars guy - but still I wanted to give the new movie a chance because the previous looked great. And boy, was I not disappointed. The film is both smart and thrilling; excellently acted and visually stimulating. But the prologue was definitely one of the scenes that worked better for me, not only because it works fantastically as an individual scene, but because it manages to introduce the world of Star Trek to newcomers in a very tense, exciting and emotional way.

Terminator Salvation - Helicopter crash
The film was good - not great - but if there was a scene that definitely made my arm hairs stand, it was the helicopter crash sequence. It was a very visceral kind of sequence, and it thrilled me not only because it was masterfully executed, but also because, having known the character of John Connor for four movies now, it wasn't hard to root for him, even if Christian Bale's performance wasn't very similar to the ones in the previous installments. Plus I've got a thing for long-take scenes. (Remember Children of Men?)

Up - the prologue
I just can't imagine any other movie accomplishing what Pixar's latest masterpiece did. This qualifies as a "goosebump scene" to me - even though it didn't literally gave me goosebumps - because it was so emotional, and because it had me on the verge of crying. As far as backstories go, this is as complex, realistic and touching as they come.

Knowing - airplane crash scene
Yes, another crash scene. Director Alex Proyas had proven before with films like Dark City, The Crow and the underrated I, Robot that he's a master of atmosphere, suspense and special effects, but with this particular scene in this particularly underrated movie, he also shows he definitely knows how to surprise his audience. Simply put, this sequence came out of nowhere; it was unexpected, and it left me - as well as the rest of the audience in the theatre - shaking and tense. The way he transmitted the horror of the situation and the way Nic Cage's character felt was incredible.

So that's that. These are my "goosebump scenes" of 2009 movies so far, and I'm pretty sure there are going to be a few more during the next couple of months. As you have noticed, I haven't included Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, which should say a lot about the movie, considering it's got tons of explosions, action sequences and scenes which should have generated suspense.

And that brings me to another thing: the movie itself. I know I have already reviewed the film, but I did so a mere hour - or so - after I had seen it, and I had terribly mixed feelings about it. Now, though, I think I have a clearer head, and therefore can say something: yes, the movie definitely entertained me, but it's awful. It isn't boring, and the special effects - as well as some performances - are good, but as a motion picture, it's horrible. You can't see anything during the action sequences, there are like 500 transformers - the majority of them looking almost the same - and most of the humour, while funny in a juvenile kind of way, is stupid and in some cases out-of-place. (Robot humping? Giant, metallic testicles? Come on, Michael Bay!)

But anyway, I guess I can't say anything different to what everybody has been saying. The thing that has surprised me, though, is the fact that the film has grossed $201 million in five days, a box office record second only to The Dark Knight's gross from last year. I mean, I can understand The Dark Knight's success - it was a fantastic movie - but why in the hell did Transformers earn so much cash? Being a mindless, plotless and loud mess of a film, I really can't see why it would deserve it. I have seen it once, I was diverted by it once, but I definitely don't plan to watch it again in theatres.

My only theory? I guess people really like the combination of over-the-top explosions, robots mindlessly beating the crap out of each other, and Megan Fox running in slow-motion. Unfortunately, that's not the kind of thing that gives me goosebumps, especially when it's all shot so incomprehensibly.