TRANSFORMER: AGE OF EXTINCTION, DIR MICHAEL BAY(2014)
Monster Building, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
Transformer is a well-known movie around the world, and it has a few episodes of the movie. The main idea of the movie is that there are two factions, the Autobots and the evil Decepticons. They come to earth from other planets and they want to get a cubic with ultimate power which is held by a teenager call Sam Witwicky. In the fourth movie of Transformer- Transformer: Age of Extinction, there are some fighting scenes in the movie which is setting in Hong Kong. Those scenes are taken in the courtyard of “the monster buildings” in King’s Road where near Quarry Bay. In Hong Kong, we all called the complex of Montane Mansion, Oceanic Mansion, Fok Cheong Building, Yick Cheong Building and Yick Fat Building- “the monster building”. Since it has a very crowed design, the courtyard is surrounded by the monster building, due to the symmetry and striking architecture of the buildings, you can only see a small part of the sky from the courtyard, even though Hong Kong is a well-known city with tall and crowded apartment buildings. But it still surprised us.
In the movie, two actors are jumping and fighting on the rooftop of the monster building. It shows the high density of living in Hong Kong and creates a nervous atmosphere for the audience. Because they may fall from the top of the building cause the place is too crowded and small and the movie shows that there are uncountable apartments consist of the same buildings, so it can show the high density of living in Hong Kong in the movie. In the reality, the “monster building” is a very popular spot to take photographs, many tourists and photographers will go to the “monster building” to take a photo. The “monster building” makes peoples feel oppression since the courtyard is surrounded by buildings. Hence, you can’t see anything other than buildings and the sky when you look up, it may make peoples feel oppression. Also, the buildings are very crowded in reality as shown in the movie. Undoubtedly, the “monster building” is the most crowded building I have ever seen in Hong Kong.
In my opinion, the director of the film wants to use “monster building” as a gimmick to enhance the reputation of the movie, because it is difficult to find a building like a “monster building” in a foreign country. Therefore, it can attract people’s attention by filming in “monster building”. Moreover, the presentation of the movie help peoples understands Hong Kong more, owing to Hong Kong is an international city, the quality of living should be good. However, the living environment of a majority of citizens in Hong Kong is poor, most of the families live in crowded apartments. Therefore, it can help foreigners understand Hong Kong more. Last but not least, film a fighting scene in the “monster building” makes peoples feel spectacular. because the buildings are beautiful and crowded, everything may happen in the next second when they are fighting on the rooftop and cooperate with the music effects, it makes people feel spectacular.
–MOK HIU CHUN ,3035812555
Teslaru, A., 2021. Monster Building, Hong Kong – inside the concrete jungle. [online] Daily Travel Pill. Available at: <https://dailytravelpill.com/montane-mansion-hong-kong-monster-building/> [Accessed 14 March 2021].
Rising High in the City – Quarry Bay “Monster Building” – [Canon Hongkong Company Limited]. 2021. Rising High in the City – Quarry Bay “Monster Building”. [online] Available at: <https://www.canon.com.hk/en/club/article/itemDetail.do?itemId=10442&page=1> [Accessed 14 March 2021].
The Monster Building might as well one of the representations of Hong Kong as a dense city. As you also mentioned, it depicts the crowdedness and how space is limited in Hong Kong. Would you think the building was chosen in regard to its “oppressive” quality, as you would put it in your reflection? Or could it be chosen to represent the fight between the giants (Autobots vs Decepticons)? I would suggest also use the photos/videos you took on-site and narrate your argument through it. For example, comparing the exterior part of the building as shown on the view from King’s Road to the one you shot from the inner court could help you better establish your argument on the representation of Hong Kong as an international city whose quality of life could still be improved. Relating your analysis to one of the key ideas we have discussed in the class will be helpful for you to read through the site and build your argument. Lastly, do not forget to put a proper reference to your writing. The citation must be incorporated in the essay, both for cited text and images which are not yours.