Transformers: The Ride 3D
Universal Studios Hollywood
Ride previewed: April 28, 2012
Ride opens to public on May 25, 2012

Hasbro‘s Transformers films have excited the public for years now with fulfilled promises of high-speed action, fiery pyrotechnics, and intense Autobot vs. Decepticon battles on land and in the city skies above; everything you’ve come to expect from a Michael Bay production. The question is, could Michael Bay effectively translate that experience to a theme park ride? Recently I went on that ride, and I can honestly say, “Mission Accomplished.”

Michael Bay collaborated with the ride builders at Universal Creative to bring the experience from his films to life. I rode Transformers: The Ride 3D during what Universal Studios Hollywood called their Technical Preview (which just means that some aspects of the ride may not have been fully functional, but to be honest, everything seemed to work fine to me).

I’ve included an unabashedly enthusiastic post-ride video reaction and photos here below, along with a description of the ride and of the whole experience.

You begin the ride as a new recruit at N.E.S.T. (Networked Elements: Supporters and Transformers), the joint Autobot/Human defense force against the Decepticons. Within moments of your arrival you receive a message from General Morshower (played by Glenn Morshower — interesting trivia note: Michael Bay was so pleased with Morshower’s performance as General Sharp in the first Transformers film, that after his character died, Bay brought the actor back into the series playing basically the same character, but this time christened with the actor’s real name) warning you that the Decepticons have invaded the base intent on stealing the AllSpark.

From there, you’re ushered by N.E.S.T. personnel into a new Autobot, Evac, whose job it is to transport you and the AllSpark to safety at the Los Angeles N.E.S.T. base. As you’re chased up into the city streets by the Decepticons, Autobots Bumblebee, Optimus Prime, and Sideswipe run defense.

The battle moves across multiple environments including the sewers, tossed in the air above the city, on skyscrapers under construction, and into the gaping vortex grinding mouth of Devastator himself, at the same time dodging flying girders, shooting steam, and flame blasts.

Through a combination of jarring motion ride mechanics, interactive environments and enormous high-definition 3D projection, Transformers: The Ride realistically immerses you smack dab into the middle of a Michael Bay blockbuster, with all the requisite explosions and special effects.

Universal Studios Hollywood’s Transformers: The Ride 3D opens to the public on May 25th, and it’s a required destination for any Transformers fan.

Video Reaction

Photo Gallery

Photos & Video by Andrew Sorcini for Geeks Of Doom.