I think these films are pretty polarizing, but Michael Bay is one of my favorite auteurs. I think his sensibilities for content are childish - but he can make a camera do anything. He’s like Jimi Hendrix with a camera. His shots and movements are really impressive. Like how TF did he get that. The Rock and Pain and Gain are just really great examples.

I think even his work as producer on the Texas Chainsaw Massacre show his eye for good cinematography.

His visual storytelling is really efficient. Go watch his “Aaron Burr” Got Milk commercial. It’s a masterclass in how to use B-roll to set and stage a scene.

I think what sucks about his movies is his inability to go into the more mature elements, like the UK comic has, but the franchise is rarely that.

Honestly, I think they’re underrated. I think they even have more character and distinguish themselves more than many MCU films. Just wonderful brainworms of shots. I say this being a hater of every single character, but like most Bay stuff I’ve rewatched these way more than I thought I would.