Does Michael Bay's Portrayal of Women Bug You?

June 25, 2009

It's no secret that Michael Bay loves to put extremely sexy women in his movies. When it comes to the Transformers movies, though, the gratuitous way he shoots Megan Fox seems a bit over-the-top, even for him.

Bay recently told reporters that it's "for the young boys" and Fox says says the treatment of women as sexual objects in film is part of what must be done "if you want to make movies that people want to see."

So does Bay's portrayal of women ever bother you? Or is it just good sexy fun?

Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures

29 Comments

2 years 51 weeks

I think its better to watch porn than watch a Michael Bay's movie. The reason its simple, for me its better to make love than make war, and all Michael Bay movies are about is how awesome the US military is and how cool is to explode whatever you have right in front of you.

3 years 36 weeks

There is nothing about Michael Bay's movies that don't bug me. The only significant thing about them is that they revealed just how much spending power the 9-15 boy really has. And what pisses me off most of all is the defense people have for his movies, "You have to turn your brain off to enjoy his movies." I have a better idea. Why not take a nap? Or get a knife from the kitchen and stab yourself. Either way, you're saving 10 dollars and "turning off your brain".

3 years 44 weeks

Michael Bay is just so Gay. I mean, all of his work is about explosions and useless things.....

redchick152 3 years 47 weeks

eh...he does what all other filmmakers do.LOL @ whoever said MF looks like a burnt out ex porn star!

redchick152 3 years 47 weeks

eh...he does what all other filmmakers do. LOL @ whoever said MF looks like a burnt out ex porn star!

angelinemarie 3 years 47 weeks

it was a little offensive and unrealistic.

mommie 3 years 47 weeks

So, Michael Bay thinks its OK to treat women as objects because the movie targets young boys!!!!!OMG Bay is a jerk and I would never go see his movies. Where does he think young boys get some of their ideas about women. WHERE ARE THE ROLE MODELS????

a million suns 3 years 47 weeks

I totally agree with Phil!

a million suns 3 years 47 weeks

I totally agree with Phil!

3 years 47 weeks

I can't stand the way his movies mostly tend to portray women as sex objects or damsels---I was just noticing it the other day when Megan said in an interview basically all she does in this film is run around in short shorts, and cry a lot. Shia's character and the army dudes all get to have a contribution to the action and be heroic and clever, but the girls are just there to look pretty? Lame! It's not like the movie isn't bloody long enough to put a decent female character in.

3 years 47 weeks

the best thing michael bay has ever done is the amex commercial making fun of himself

joanne_lummy 3 years 47 weeks

i think if you go to see a Michael Bay film you know three things for certain its full of large explosions, great CGI and sexy girls. If you dont like it dont see it surely??

Francoisehardly 3 years 47 weeks

I don't care about seeing his movies in general. And I've already questioned Megan Fox's appeal. Her stupid comments just make me question it even more. The one that bugged me the most is implying that a female actress would only be using "big" words only to prove she isn't stupid. Women can be articulate, Megan. They're not trying to prove they aren't dumb.

Briandiesel 3 years 47 weeks

Let's put an unattractive girl in the lead role and see what happens...It's ridiculous I think to believe that he tells these girls to act super sexy, especially when that girl is Megan Fox. She probably wanted to do the whole movie in a towel. It's possible!

Briandiesel 3 years 47 weeks

Let's put an unattractive girl in the lead role and see what happens... It's ridiculous I think to believe that he tells these girls to act super sexy, especially when that girl is Megan Fox. She probably wanted to do the whole movie in a towel. It's possible!

Nitachequita 3 years 47 weeks

Well, considering he objectifies guys as well (countless shirtless and tight jeans scenes), it's equally gratuitous. While I'm not a Bay fan, I have to agree with Smacks83 and giving him props for making Megan gain weight.

Retro23 3 years 47 weeks

I don't mind. I was glad to hear that he insisted she gain a bit of weight for the sequel though, that impressed me.

littlebmac 3 years 47 weeks

I thought that Fox's poses were a little unnatural and forced for the film, to make her look sexy. She looks good most of the time, even though her lips are crazy from the plastic surgery.

Edie J Blige 3 years 47 weeks

Megan Fox should not be saying women have to be portrayed in such a manner to get people to see movies in one breath and then complain in the next that she's worried about being labeled a sexpot like Scarlet Johanssen.

genesisrocks 3 years 47 weeks

I think boys would go just to see things get blown up in this case

eveday 3 years 47 weeks

I had never watched a Michael Bay's movie before Transformers (the first one). And I swear I'd rather have my fingers hammered than watching another one again.

Deidre 3 years 47 weeks

I don't think you can be upset with Michael Bay's portrayal of women without dragging a whole slew of other filmmakers, musicians, tv producers, etc. into the mix. A lot of artists protray women as sexual objects. It's up to the viewer if they choose to see it as art, entertainment, or offensive. That aside, I just stay away from Bay's movies because I don't find them entertaining. Nothing to do with the women as sex objects thing.

Deidre 3 years 47 weeks

I don't think you can be upset with Michael Bay's portrayal of women without dragging a whole slew of other filmmakers, musicians, tv producers, etc. into the mix. A lot of artists protray women as sexual objects. It's up to the viewer if they choose to see it as art, entertainment, or offensive.That aside, I just stay away from Bay's movies because I don't find them entertaining. Nothing to do with the women as sex objects thing.

Phil 3 years 47 weeks

BTW, Roger Ebert's review of Transformers 2--effing hilarious! I love when he gets snarky on bad movies.

Phil 3 years 47 weeks

Michael Bay's portrayal of anything bugs me. It's amazing to me that people continue to consume his films. I suppose sometimes you just want to zone out to something loud, bright and flashy, but why not just get a strobe light, put on some industrial music, pour some gasoline on a toy car, turn up the stereo and set it on fire? If you film it, it'll probably be on par with what Michael Bay does.

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