Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Movie Review
I'm not a huge Transformers fan, so let's get that out there right off the bat. I am a huge fan of science-fiction and action films though. Oh and I am a fan of Megan Fox (don't throw things at me, I think the dykes on bikes thing was taken out of context ;o).
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen story takes place after the first movie. Our dorky hero Sam Witwicky (Shia LeBeouf) is back and he's still with Mikaela Banes (Megan Fox), proving that miracles really can happen, even if it's just in the movies. The mighty Optimus Prime now works for NEST, the US government's secret organization that deals with the evil Decepticons as they stir up trouble all over the world. Director Michael Bay brings us a movie that is essentially CG mayhem that, whilst entertaining to the Transformers fan, may not be much of a ride for the non fan.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen runs for a stonking 2 and a half hours, so make sure you take in a big drink.
What's right with it?
Well apparently the CGI scenes were amazing. The guy next to me was in his mid to late thirties and was almost orgasmic each time a Transformer transformed or got into a metal punch up with an enemy. To me the CG was really well done, but at times there was so much going on it really made little difference.
It's a Michael Bay film, love him or loathe him it's all big bangs, explosions and of course lots of metal crunching transforming.
Shia LeBeouf stands out as the only person acting in the movie and he does a good job for the most part. Megan Fox is beautiful, but wooden and surprisingly we can't even blame her for that, as we're about to discuss.
What's wrong with it?
We'll start by saying there's too much exposition, which at times seems cringe worthy and unnecessary. This two and a half hour film could have been a 45 minute epic and still work.
Is this the 1950s? Yes I think it must be, because the Megan Fox role in this movie is completely laughable at best and no I'm not even referring to her acting. The character of Mikaela Banes is a joke, she's one of those women in old films that trips on twigs and cries as she stands useless. Sure she's a mechanic, but this is only possible because Bay uses the "porn mechanic" card. Our first shot of Fox in the film seems like it was made to titillate all the adolescent boys watching. I love women and Fox, but it did zip for me because it seemed almost exploitative in nature. That said Fox herself is often quoted as saying Transformers "is what it is", so on those grounds it's to be expected I suppose.
The other main female character in the film is Sam's mom and despite being the mother of the savior of mankind, she's the comedy card, a doting drip of a mother who bumbles about the place serving up a little comedy gold.
Australia's Isabel Lucas also makes an appearance – as Alice - and without giving anything away, one has to point to one of the greatest plot holes in movie history. If trucks failed to take over the world, why not use an army of Isabel Lucas.
Overall if you love Transformers I imagine you're going to enjoy Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. If on the other hand you're looking for an action flick with actual story and character depth, rent out Terminator 2.
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