Crashing into skyscrapers and being bundled away in high speed chases are just some of the attractions of Transformers the Ride at Universal Studios in Singapore, writes Faridul Anwar Farinordin
Michael Bay with a replica of EVAC - Pictures by Halimaton Saadiah Sulaiman
Allspark shard at Universal Studios Singapore
THE tagline Ride the Movies is defined in every sense of the phrase with Transformers the Ride, which opened at Universal Studios Singapore last month.
Sending you into a celluloid world where two warring alien robot races fight for their survival, it is an experience like no other. You are hurled into the alien-ruled night sky and crash into skyscrapers, only to fall hundreds of metres down and be driven away at high speeds through elaborate high octane chase scenes.
Hot on your heels are the Decepticons and their leader Megatron, who plan to steal the robots’ power source, Allspark, which is kept aboard the Autobot EVAC, a stealth transport bot exclusively created for this ride.
How’s that for a start?
First, meet EVAC — Autobot’s new recruit stationed on Earth and who has never been in combat before. That is, until the ride opens.
EVAC’s specialty is transporting high-level personnel and classified materials at hyper speeds. Standing at 4.57 metres tall and armed with twin ion pulse rapid-fire blasters, he can stand his ground should any Decepticon try to intercept his precious cargo.
“EVAC is actually part of the Transformers universe. For the purpose of this trip, we had to revisit that world and give it an update,” said Transformers producer/director Michael Bay at the launch.
Bay, who is also the attraction’s creative consultant, says his favourite part of the ride is the 20-storey fall from the building. “There’s so much to take that I have to go at it multiple times to really enjoy everything!”
Reported to be the most technologically advanced ride of its kind with state-of-the-art animations in 12 mind-blowing scenes, the ride allows visitors to experience heat, wind and water with hyper-real 3D visual projections.
With regards to rumours of his return to the director’s chair for the fourth instalment in the blockbuster film franchise, Bay says: “It would be ideal to do Transformers 4 with the latest in 3D technology which is progressing every year.”
Licensed from Hasbro Inc and in association with Dreamworks SKG, the attraction’s visual effects and 3D images are by the award-winning Industrial Light & Magic, a division of Lucasfilm Ltd, which is also responsible for the films.
At the entrance to the ride, visitors automatically become recruits at NEST (Nonbiological Extraterrestrial Species Treaty) — a military and control bunker created by humans and Autobots to protect Earth from the Decepticons.
Strapped securely inside EVAC, visitors experience the most elaborate roaming flight simulator systems ever integrated into a ride-car vehicle, zipping through subway tunnels, down city streets and across rooftops.
Transformers the Ride premiered at Universal Studios Singapore, ahead of its debut at Universal Studios Hollywood in spring this year.
It is located within the sci-fi city, one of the seven zones at the park which also houses a retail store and a food and beverage outlet. A replica of EVAC greets visitors on the ride’s compound and the Autobot Bumblebee welcomes you at the ride’s entrance.
Genting Group and Resorts World Sentosa chairman Tan Sri Lim Kok Tay says: “This marks another milestone for the franchise and highlights our unwavering commitment in delivering world-class attractions for the whole family.”
For the ride updates, sneak peeks and a behind-the-scenes look, check out http://tftheride.rwsentosablog.com.
Fun facts
- The ride took nearly four years to design, engineer and produce.
- The experience lasts approximately four minutes but the intensity and the second-by-second action makes it seem much longer.
- The ride tells an original story that is independent of the storylines from the movies (Transformers, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and Transformers: Dark of the Moon).
- Each EVAC ride vehicle can seat 12 people
- EVAC can transform into three modes: Street vehicle, hybrid battle vehicle and robot. Guests will ride EVAC in both of his vehicle modes.
Join NST's Facebook Community!
