The Movie Diary: Video killed the radio star
Toolbox
By DOM CIOFFI - Published: July 2, 2009
MTV officially launched on Aug. 1, 1981, at 12:01 a.m. with the airing of a single video: The Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star."
That moment initiated a paradigm shift in communications history that forever changed the way we would listen to and appreciate music.
While the song celebrates the golden days of radio by describing a 1950s singer whose career is cut short by the advent of television, it ultimately proved prophetic for an entirely different generation.
The rules changed once MTV settled into the public's consciousness; the music video quickly became the driving factor in a song's popularity, profoundly effecting record sales and longevity. No longer could a pristine voice or catchy song translate into success. Artists needed to connect to potential fans through strong visual appeal.
As the evolution of the music video progressed, greater attention was focused on content. Concert footage would not suffice; metaphor-laden storylines with cascading imagery would begin to dominate. Videos evolved into tiny motion pictures, emotionally and sexually charged in a way that people had never experienced.
Almost in unison, parents around the world began complaining about the machine gun imagery being thrust at their children. However, their cries were largely ignored as movies, television shows and commercials all adapted the fast-paced, quasi-subliminal approach.
As time passed, more and more talented young directors got involved in the creation process, many seeing it as a means to break into the movie business. One of those early innovators was a young man named Michael Bay. After a decade of work with several of the music industry's most powerful artists, Bay jumped into the motion picture arena, bringing his unique visual approach to storytelling with him.
Bay created an immediate stir with box office hits like "Bad Boys," "Armageddon" and "Pearl Harbor." But it was Bay's 2007 blockbuster, "Transformers," that really positioned him as one of Hollywood's most bankable directors. While few of Bay's projects have garnered critical acclaim, they have succeeded in filling theater seats.
Since the success of the first "Transformer" film went planetwide, it's not surprising Bay has returned with a follow-up: "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen."
"Revenge of the Fallen" includes the same cast of characters, both human and machine. This time, however, a host of new Decepticons (the bad guys) has arrived, intent on unearthing a long-buried machine that will suck the energy out of our sun and ultimately kill off the human race. Not a bad idea, actually. Too bad no one bothered to write a script to carry it.
One of the most impressive aspects of the "Transformer" movies is the stunning special effects. Having a Chevy Camaro turn into a walking robot in a matter of seconds in a realistic fashion is quite a visual undertaking. Bay's visual effects team pulled off this feat with a level of realism that has never been seen. Unfortunately, even this effect got old after watching it for two-and-a-half hours.
"Revenge of the Fallen" is nothing more than a hyper-extended music video, encompassing an endless charge of robot fights and fiery explosions. (Parents take note: The violence, overall fear factor and sexual overtones make this an inappropriate choice for younger viewers.)
Ultimately, action fans will derive the most pleasure out of this film, but even they will have a hard time sitting through the extended running time. This movie could have easily been a half hour shorter without any noticeable effect.
If you saw the first film, you've already seen the second. There's nothing new and certainly no story to remember. An overblown "C" for "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen."
Got a question or comment for Dom? E-mail him at movie diary@comcast.net.
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