There is a certain popularity in bashing Bay that has taken hold over the years for whatever reasons I noticed. I typically like his movies (e.g. The Rock, The Hitcher, The Island, Pearl Harbor, Armageddon ), but yeah, each to his own at the end of the day.
He's popular to bash because he sucks. His movies are trash, and if you like them, you like trash, end of story. (Hey, I like some trash, too, but I'll admit it when it's trash at least!) He had four decent movies (Bad Boys, The Rock, Armageddon, and Pearl Harbor) and one "mediocre at best" movie (Bad Boys II), but mainly, he's derivative. In fact, I'd argue that each one of those movies would be much better without Michael Bay. He's has no taste, lacks subtle, and is clueless about the totality of the film, focusing too much on the boom and not enough on the design.
Yeah, this kind of troll post is pretty close to what I was referring to when it comes to him and what I've seen around here and there, etc. Except, there's more of a personalized hatred, or say some kind of grudge usually associated with it. But yeah, you're pretty close to it. Thing is, I've been curious about it, wondered if there wasn't something ideological behind it and what not, but I haven't looked at it enough to decide conclusively for sure. Just sort of a suspicion.
Anyway, the only movie of his that I've seen where I might've felt it was a bit trash was that new one, Pain & Gain. It was interesting to a degree, and given that it was a true story, but I didn't like it that much. Aside from that, I would say Bad Boys is mediocre too (forgot about those), but pretty much most of the rest of his work (and as a Producer) I've really enjoyed, was blown away from the first Transformers and The Rock (still one of my top action movies).
Not trolling, and no grudge. I just hate bad movies. You might like movies with all fluff, that's your thing, but that doesn't make it great cinema.
Armageddon, I only saw in theatres, never again after that. It was OK for a popcorn movie in 1998. Steve Buscemi, Peter Stormare, Bruce Willis.
The Rock, also, OK time. Saw it once, never felt the need to see again, though.
The Island, I felt no need to see after the trailer in 2005. I saw lots of orange and blue coloring, and I like the original (Clonus). As soona s I saw the trailer I thought, "Clonus is remade"?
The Hitcher, the original, I don't care for as much as Clonus, I felt it was OK, no need for me to see a remake which I may feel is less than, "OK".
My feeling is, some of Micahel Bay complaint is similar to what I read of Uwe Boll. If people like a certain guy's films, go for it, it's usually not my thing, though.
Uwe Boll did get Dave Foley to do full frontal in Postal, though. I wasn't expecting that, good show Dave (and Uwe)! Michael Bay never surprised me like that!!!
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