After being prompted by fellow movie buff Clare to go watch it, (quote: “You MUST go see it!”) and getting news from many fellow critics that they absolutely hated it (quote: “DON’T go see it!”), I knew that I HAD to see “Transformers 2” this weekend and see for myself.
“Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” follows 2007’s “Transformers”. And so the story now goes that Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) is entering college and promises girlfriend Mikeala Barnes (Megan Fox) that he’ll be in constant communication with her via webcam (Yeah right - since when did a long distance relationship ever really work? But then again “it’s a mooveee”, so okay.)
As for the Autobots, they have now teamed up with a secret organization called NEST – and together hunts down Decepticons hiding across the globe. That being said, there’s a question mark here: It gives us the impression that the general public are STILL unaware of the existence of the robots after 2 long years despite that major battle which took place in a city. Now, either the government could be labeled “geniuses” for doing an excellent job covering this up, or the public are too downright ignorant to even notice.
It’s almost impossible not to have expectations go much higher; after all, this IS a sequel. The creative team followed the formula and added more robots to the mix; including a new bad guy called “The Fallen”, along with Decepticon fan favorite Soundwave (his animation version is cooler though), Ravage, Jetfire and the goliath monster Devastator.
There were more robots alright, but some of them were practically useless in the film, and obviously meant to appeal to the kiddie audience, what with their behavior resembling that of Jar Jar Binks from Episode I of Star Wars, only this time we’ve got MORE THAN ONE “Jar Jar Binks”. Now try to stomach that.
Writers Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Ehren Kruger tried to add more funny scenes to the film, but it did more harm than good. The over-reaction of Sam’s mom while in school? The pet dogs humping? Robot Wheelie humping Megan’s leg? Haha.
As for the acting, only one actor is worth mentioning here: John Turturro. (Bless him. Forget the rest.) Starring as former Sector 7 agent Seymour Simmons, Turturro’s a natural in eliciting laughter from the audience. From the moment we first get to see him onscreen, he simply aced his role as official comic relief. (am also reminded of Megan Fox’s first onscreen appearance here, whose pose almost made me feel as though I was watching an FHM photo shoot. Tsk tsk – no wonder the PG-13 film rating. But wait a sec – do I see a couple of seven-year old kids running around the theater? Haha.)
Any fan of the Transformers will enjoy the special effects and the fight scenes here between the Autobots, the meddling humans and the Decepticons. (Assuming of course you’ve got a box of Bonamine with you that can come in handy)
There are actually 3 major combat sequences which still reminds us why we wanted to fall in line and watch in the first place, despite the risk of having to be seated nearby a loudmouth and feeling gwapo boyfriend narrate and explain to his equally ‘bobo’ girlfriend on each single scene of the film as it progresses from start to finish.
Have to point out though, that these 3 thrilling action scenes come in too far from each other. A lot of scenes should have been removed so as to make the flick more cohesive, thus no letdown in the adrenalin department.
In summary, there are some good points found here: Devastator (though in the movie he looked more like scrambled pasta molded into a lumbering gorilla), a good enough back story, Optimus Prime, some of the new Autobots, John Turturro and unless you find her hot, Megan Fox.
If this was still Part One, it’ll be rated OK overall, with the belief that part two should be better. Unfortunately, this is ALREADY part two; the SEQUEL.
Expectations for sequels tend to go up higher. In the final analysis, overall this sequel slipped.
Oh well, there’s always Transformers 3 to look forward to.
And yeah – include the Dinobots please!
* FILM RATING: 2 1/2 stars (out of 5)
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