TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN

TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN (DreamWorks)
Directed by Michael Bay

Believe it or not, it’s been nearly two years since we last saw TRANSFORMERS moving across the big screen in classic fashion. Knowing there would be more to come, I doubt anyone was shocked by all the ‘hoopla’ surrounding this film, especially with Michael Bay back behind the camera. But, hey, that’s what summer blockbusters are all about, right; overblown hype and chatter leading up to what will no doubt be a huge first weekend at the box office? It’s almost too easy to predict, and yet people still have a hard time accepting these films for what they are. And I guess I can break it down like this; it’s a film based on or around a very popular toy and/or action figure that Hasbro created and made millions on, long before any talk of it actually becoming a major motion picture one day. And that’s even after the mildly successful stint as a cartoon on TV, that some still relish to this day. So, please, let’s not place this series in some category of quality it doesn’t belong in, or throw around some notion that it should actually make sense. Of course it’s farfetched, but that’s why TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN is so much fun to watch and endure, especially when a director like Michael Bay is behind it. Love him or hate him, he loves to put anything and everything into his films, no matter how ridiculous it might be at times. And you know what, that’s fine by me because at the end of day, he will make sure you are entertained, which for this type of film makes perfect sense.

The last time we saw Optimus Prime and the Autobots, they were defending their territory and alliance with the humans from the dreaded Decepticons. After essentially retrieving the famed cube of power, a.k.a. AllSpark, and then subsequently destroying it, using Megatron’s own body, things seemed to be calming down for Sam (Shia Labeouf) and Mikaela (Megan Fox). But, when a loose piece of the AllSpark falls out of one of Sam’s new college textbooks, he knew something was up. Shortly thereafter, he started seeing Cybertronian symbols everywhere, forcing Mikaela to eventually come to his aid. But, before she arrives, he is met by Optimus Prime, who basically tells him his work is not over. Turns out the hidden leader of the Decepticons, The Fallen, has devised a plan to invade Earth in hopes of locating the ‘sun harvestor,’ said to be powerful enough to end all life on Earth, given its heritage and special activation using a Matrix key, believed to be hidden in the tomb of primes. Unhappy and frankly unwilling to accept this new fate, Sam shrugs off Optimus, only to later find his old friend in a mitts of a crucial battle with the Decepticons, including a resurrected Megatron, brought back to life by a another shard piece of the AllSpark, stolen by Ravage. And here Sam thought all this would go away when he went to college. Little did he know this was just the beginning to all the twists and turns he would go through on his adventure, resulting in one non-stop, action-laced ride into a conclusion that will have you on the edge of your seat until the credits start rolling.

Given all the amazing computer-generated (CGI) Transformers on the big screen, it’s hard to notice any cast, which here still includes Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox, among others. Fact is, their roles are dwarfed by all the amazing visuals and action around them, despite how great Megan Fox looked throughout the entire film. Yeah, I said it, and why not, given how much she has blown up since the first installment of this film. Few knew who she was before TRANSFORMERS, but everyone knows who she is now, thanks to great media coverage and a director that leaves it all on the table. And although its still too early to tell of how good of an actress she may or may not be, who cares, as this isn’t the film to breakdown acting performances.

That being said, her counterpart, Shia LaBeouf was once again that constant energy that never cooled off, mostly because he didn’t have to. With everything going on in this film with the Transformers, he had free reign to do whatever he wanted, which I think works for him, given his typical body language and dialect. The guy never changes, no matter the role or story, and it’s taken me several films to accept this. Good thing is, it doesn’t affect your overall enjoyment of watching him on the big screen. And maybe that’s what we take away from his performance here, as this again is not the type of film to base any hard critique for acting; because at the end of the day, we still care more about Optimus Prime and Co., than any human operating around them.

Leaving all reality at the door is essential before sitting down to watch a film like TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN, because otherwise, you’re just wasting your time. I mean, seriously, why even approach this film if you don’t intend to have an open mind about it? Reality is, if you keep your mind open, you should enjoy this film for everything it’s meant to do. If that means some over-the-top action sequence or retarded plotline, great, but either way Michael Bay will make sure you are having a good time watching his film. That’s a fact and given his resume, it’s hard to argue, especially when you start throwing in past projects like BAD BOYS or THE ROCK, which ironically were blended into the background quite well in one specific scene here. And, no matter the film, you better believe Bay will test his limits; but with this series, he has carefully made sure everything fits into the right spot within the story, ensuring he is not ruining its decorated history. Sure, there were a few moments where I wanted to pull my hair out, watching a couple of, what I would dub “side-kick” characters chew up screen time, but that’s Bay and without them I would have thought something was wrong. Fact is, they are never on the screen that long and just as quick as you begin to grow tired of their gimmick, the story switches. And truly, with all the amazing special effects and very detailed action sequences’, I could care less about a couple characters driving around making jokes. I still found myself in awe watching these vehicles transform and to the naked eye, it sure seems the CGI has gotten a little tighter and cleaner. That’s a credit to everyone involved on not settling for the same old routine, clearly wanting to go bigger and better, which if anything describes exactly what Michael Bay is as a director.

Some might dismiss TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN because it looks and feels just like another summer blockbuster out to make a lot of money; one where the action never stops and the special effects get more intense the longer you watch. Well, so what, is that a crime? I expect and look forward to the summer for movies just like this, so I commend Michael Bay for throwing it all out on the table again, for this movie was just about as fun as it gets when it’s all said and done.

B+