Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen

Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen


Michael Bay finally outdoes himself with his latest big budget sci-fi action spectacle.


In 2007, the dreams of many fanboys came true with the franchise starter “Transformers”. Not only was it a break through at the Box Office, but it was a thrilling start to the Transformers series. Two years later, perhaps Hollywood’s most notorious filmmaker Michael Bay is back. But this time he brought along a bigger budget, better effects, and a hell of a lot more Transformers.

After defending mankind against the Decepticons - Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Ironhide, and other Autobots have made Earth their new home. They search the continents for any remaining Decepticons. The quest for the thought-to-be gone “All Spark” is still on, but an even bigger puzzle is to be solved later on in the story due to the involvement of another alien object – “The Matrix”. The Transformers’ origins’ surface is touched, but as expected we never get into much detail. The plot is straightforward, the action loud and obnoxious, and the characters are nothing but pawns in Michael Bay’s special effects chess match.







Revenge Of The Fallen is an energetic sequel that’s basically a rehash of it’s predecessor. In Transformers, the story [and ending] was laid out for the audience in a dumbed-down narrative form; “Revenge” is no exception. Transformers spent a nominal amount of time introducing us to its characters and their simplified motives, leading to a constant action rampage. However Revenge Of The Fallen replaces the introduction to its bland characters with an excessive amount of giant robots fighting, explosions, giant robots fighting, female eye candy, and even more giant robots fighting. Simply said, it’s Transformers on steroids.

If you’re looking for a summer blockbuster to eat popcorn at and see with your friends that contains one dimensional [at best] characters, cheesy dialogue, unnecessary humor, and immensely advanced special effects, then this is the most obvious of choices in cinemas currently. But if you’re looking for high art with complex characters, elaborate plotlines, a clever script and emotionality, then take a trip down to the arthouse because this isn’t something you’d be proud of spending 10 bucks on. However in Michael Bay’s defense, and this is the only reason why the film works at all, is that it doesn’t strive for quality. The entire film’s sole purpose in being is to entertain, to be epic in scope, and to make tons of money. By those standards the film passes on all accounts. There are two kinds of popcorn movies, those who take themselves seriously, and those that don’t. Revenge Of The Fallen didn’t take itself seriously, while other films like Terminator Salvation failed because it took itself incredibly seriously, meanwhile forgetting to be not only a quality film but even an entertaining one. Grab a bucket of popcorn, sit in front of an IMAX screen, and you’re basically guaranteed a good time.






Perhaps what America needs is a good time at the theater. “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” shouldn’t have been appealing to anyone over the age of 10, but it became a massive hit. Audiences are looking for a film to escape to, one that’s funny, filled with action – A mindless action movie for a mindless good time. Michael Bay delivers just that. Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen is the cheesiest film, the most action packed film, and the most entertaining film all rolled up into one. It’s quite obvious that the film isn’t the best movie of the year, but without question it’s THE event film of the year. Previous years’ event films include The Dark Knight [2008], Spider-Man 3 and Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World’s End [2007], Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest [2006], and Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge Of The Sith [2005]. While Revenge Of The Fallen isn’t nearly as good as any of those movies, it’s still 2009’s event film, and is something every person who frequents the cinema needs to at least check out. You may not laugh at the humor, you may roll your eyes at the attempts, you might even check your IQ after the show to see if it has changed. In all honesty the film really is that stupid. But above all you’re guaranteed a fun time. The film is a blast [literally and figuratively] all the way through.


GRADE: C

Top 10 Of 2009

At the end of every month I will re-post my Top 10 of the year to note any changes, if any at all. So far this is my Top 10 for the first 5 months of the year:


1. Up - A
2. Watchmen - A
3. Observe And Report - A-
4. Knowing - A-
5. Star Trek - A-
6. Sunshine Cleaning - B+
7. Angels & Demons - B+
8. My Bloody Valentine 3D - B+
9. Crank: High Voltage - B+
10. Night At The Museum: Battle Of The Smithsonian - B+

Runner-Up: Fanboys - B+

Movies Seen: 46

Angels & Demons

Angels & Demons

Angels & Demons is devishly entertaining

Ron Howard returns to the thriller genre once again after his critically acclaimed, Best Picture nominated film “Frost/Nixon” last year. Howard also directed the controversial “The Da Vinci Code”, which debuted in 2006 to much criticism. It wasn’t as bad as the critics say, but definitely had pacing problems among other minor things. Ron Howard along with Tom Hanks returned to make The Da Vinci Code’s prequel, “Angels & Demons”. The majority of faults in The Da Vinci Code were fixed-The characters weren’t as stiff, the film flowed through perfectly, lacking a single dull moment. Not to mention the plot isn’t just good, it’s actually very important.

In the 1500’s during the scientific revolution, the church condemned scientists’ for their ideas about Earth’s true origin, how the world we live in works, science, logic, and common sense. This isn’t fiction, it’s true. The fiction from the film is the substance known as “anti-matter”. In the film anti-matter is created by scientists and is believed to be the same material responsible for Earth’s existence. The Illuminati, a group of rebellious scientists from centuries ago appears again, seeking revenge against the Catholic church for their blind ignorance hundreds of years ago. They steal the anti-matter and abduct 4 catholic priests. Symbologist Robert Langdon [ Hanks ] is asked to help find the priests before they are killed and find the Illuminati before they use the anti-matter to destroy Rome. It’s extremely informational, entertaining, and full of suspense. Ron Howard brings the incredible plot adapted from Dan Brown’s novel to life.






It’s an alternative choice for moviegoers who aren’t looking for special-effects filled action films, animated movies, comedies, or horror flicks. It’s a suspense thriller that contains enough thrills to last for twice its 138 minute duration, but at the same time it gives a very important history lesson. Possibly Ron Howard’s best since “A Beautiful Mind” in 2001. Hans Zimmer, possibly the greatest composer of all-time delivers again with a chilling and menacing score. The cinematography is also terrific, and is near perfection. What I liked most is the film’s stance on science trumping religion. If you feel the film will offend you, you have nothing to worry about. As far as religion and God are concerned, Angels & Demons takes a passive route and doesn’t [directly] say that God does not exist. Skipping this movie because of moral values serves no purpose, as it shouldn’t offend anyone. However there are some gruesome images and killings, such as a man being burned alive. So if you have a weak stomach you may want to wait for the DVD.







Angels & Demons is unique and original. Simply a one of a kind film. It’s about as entertaining as Star Trek, if not even more. Easily better than The Da Vinci Code and most other thrillers in recent years.


GRADE: B+

Star Trek

Star Trek

Star Trek boldly goes where it has never gone before.

In 1966, a one of a kind TV program launched. Titled Star Trek, it followed the adventures of James T. Kirk and his crew, adding in many new characters and storylines along the way. The TV series was adapted into a film finally in 1979 with “Star Trek: The Motion Picture”. For that film, and its following predecessors, the quality and entertainment weren’t exactly up to par and the effects were lackluster. In 2007, Director – Producer JJ Abrams decided he was going to make a re-boot of Star Trek, creating a new franchise with his own personal style. With its release in 2009, he was more than just successful. The re-boot isn’t just a huge box office success, it’s a milestone achievement in sci-fi film making.

A highly advanced futuristic Romulan war ship attacks the enterprise. After becoming captain of the ship, George Kirk is dead just 12 minutes later after saving the lives of 800 people. Over two decades later, his son James Tiberius Kirk is wasting away his talent doing basically nothing with his life. After being convinced to enlist in Star Fleet, Kirk does so and just 3 years later is on the enterprise. The adventure kicks off from there as half Vulcan – half Human “Spock” complicates things as a feud emerges between him and Kirk. The adventure continues and later the purpose of the Romulans is learned.







Staying true to the old roots of Star Trek, Abrams adds his own touch which blends together perfectly and the result is a dazzling epic. Abrams explains some things in the film that the television series and old films never did. He also gives Kirk a more detailed origin. With an average budget for the genre of 150 million, the effects are far beyond those that I have ever seen, just making the film even more epic in scope. The cinematography captures the action perfectly, with straight forward shots when needed and hectic camera movements when the action is underway. William Shatner, the original James T. Kirk from the older Star Trek films, received an excessive amount of underserved praise. His character was cold, campy, uninteresting, and flat out boring. Chris Pine revives the role with an often funny, upbeat, likeable character whose charisma is simply extraordinary. The entire cast is filled with a mixture of characters that you can’t help but just love. TV star Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban [ “The Bourne Supremacy”, “Pathfinder”, “DOOM”, “The Two Towers”, “Return Of The King” ], Simon Pegg [ “Shaun Of The Dead”, “Hot Fuzz”, “Run, Fat Boy, Run” ] and Anton Yelchin, the formerly unknown Russian who starred in one of last year’s best pictures that went virtually unnoticed, “Charlie Bartlett”. Michael Giacchino’s score matches that of Jerry Goldsmith’s score for the original Star Trek. It’s not as iconic or memorable, but is equally well done.







All in all in this groundbreaking, immensely entertaining film; a new franchise is born, new stars are recognized, and the bar is set at new heights for special effects. Star Trek is the start of a new series that will definitely live long and prosper. Star Trek is easily one of the year’s best.

GRADE: A-

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

X-Men Origins: Wolverine


“Wolverine” is high on entertainment, low on quality.

The 4th and easily most inferior entry in the X-Men series, takes place before any of the 3 filmed before it. The movie focuses on the most famous of X-Men, Wolverine. It chronicles 164 years, from the early days of his life leading to his beginning as a super-hero. After teaming up with other mutants and highly skilled humans, Wolverine vanishes into Canada because morally he doesn’t agree with the agenda planned for himself and the other mutants. But, when his brother Victor Creed [ Liev Schreiber ] goes rogue, Wolverine has no choice but to once again get involved in the action. As an origin story, it works at explaining some of the things it should have. As a blockbuster it succeeds at being entertaining. But ultimately as a film, it fails.







The first Friday of every May kicks off the “Summer Movie Season”. Wolverine had the honor of kicking off the summer movie season in 2009, and did its job being an entertaining popcorn flick. But that’s not enough to get the film by. Previous year’s summer movie season starters include Iron Man, Spider-Man 3, Mission: Impossible III, etc. All entertaining, but most importantly they all were great films. X-Men had so little right with it outside of the entertainment value and so many things wrong with it that it’s hard to count. For starters, Wolverine may be the main character, but the film also touches the surface on many, many other characters. The main problem being the film elaborated with absolutely none of them, all wasted opportunities. There was much hype before the film for “Gambit”. Unfortunately the character many call their favorite received less than 10 minutes of screen time. There was no character development, whatsoever. Not even for Wolverine. The story is a mess, the editing choppy, and the acting along with the script is on occasion, absolutely hideous. The film’s only saving grace is its ability to entertain.

Some films, particularly blockbusters, like to feature scenes at the end of the credits. Wolverine was no exception. In this film’s case, there were 2 scenes after the credits that were seen, but 3 scenes altogether. About half a minute into the credits there is a scene that everyone who saw the film got, at the complete end of the credits…the scenes differ. Some theaters received one ending, and other theaters received another. It’s even rumored that there is a third scene. So if you see Wolverine in theaters, make sure you stay till’ the end of the credits.







At the end of the movie you just have to take it for what it’s worth. I saw it with a friend and together we spent 30 dollars just for a matinee show with popcorn and pop, for a film that wasn’t even good. But it was worth it, because despite the film’s numerous flaws, it’s very fun, and missing the summer movie season kick off was not something I intended on doing. My grade may be extremely generous, but X-Men Origins: Wolverine has enough action in it to keep audiences entertained.

GRADE: C+

UP

UP

Up lifts Pixar to new heights


Pixar, the most prestigious films studio of all-time has done it again for the 10th time in a row. The studio is famous for making children’s films more than just children’s films. Each one of their works of art contains laughs, classic characters, top notch animation, good themes, and most of all a heart that other filmmakers can only dream about having in their films. They’ve given us Toy Story, Toy Story 2, A Bug’s Life, Monster’s Inc., Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Cars, Ratatouille, WALL•E, and now Up. Their 10th film but Pixar’s first attempt at 3D.







Carl Fredrickson is a 78 year-old man whose adventure in life has ended after the death of his wife, Ellie. But after an incident occurs and Carl is forced to leave his home, he sets off on the adventure of a lifetime, one that Ellie and himself had only dreamed about… While accidently taking along an 8 year old “wilderness explorer” Russell. Once they reach their destination of South America, the adventure really kicks off. New characters are met, such as a multi-colored bird, and a talking dog named Dug. The villain is introduced, and while seldom used, he’s effective. Most animated films settle for campy, overused dry humor that makes the kiddies laugh while the adults try to fall asleep, instantly regretting taking their kids. Up’s provides enough laughs for the kids while mixing in a perfect blend of humor that everyone can enjoy and laugh at. For other animated films, when a theme is present, and that isn’t always the case, it’ll be a simple message that is explained through dialogue. Up’s strongest suit is that virtually nothing is explained in dialogue, not even the plot. The audience is allowed to visually figure everything out for themselves, which makes the film all the more deep and powerful to watch. There’s a 7 or 8 minute montage in the beginning that quickly takes us on a journey through Carl and Ellie’s life. It’s some of the most poignant, beautifully shot film that I have ever seen. You’re immediately attached emotionally to the characters, right from the beginning. Pixar crafted their characters so carefully, and with so much depth. This allows for the themes of the film, while important by themselves, to have more of an impact. Up goes past your standard themes such as “Treat others the way you want to be treated”, or “Be accepting of everyone” etc. It covers a wide range of themes that even adults can benefit from. The adventure of life, friendship - which is portrayed in various ways such as Carl befriending someone 70 years younger than him, a giant bird, and a talking dog. For those themes and others in the film, they need to be experienced watching the movie to really ring through. The film packs an extremely subtle, yet very powerful punch. Although this is starting to become expected of Pixar.







Voicing Carl Fredrickson is Ed Asner. Asner is most famous for his role in the famous TV show “Mary Tyler Moore” from 1970 to 1977. Up is by far Ed Asner’s biggest project, and no doubt his best. Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai, and Bob Peterson also make up the fantastic cast. This isn’t director Pete Doctor’s first animated masterpiece, he also directed Monsters Inc. He’s also no stranger to making emotionally powerful films. Monster’s Inc. had one of the sweetest endings ever. With all this talent involved, coming from the greatest studio in Hollywood, Up had endless potential… And didn’t disappoint.







Up is easily the best film of the year, and will most likely remain in my top 5 once the year is over. Pixar’s 3rd best behind only Toy Story 2 and WALL•E. It’s a triumph in 3D animation, filmmaking and storytelling. Up is a movie for all ages, and is simply impossible not to love.


GRADE: A

About myself...

I am a 15 year-old Sophomore at Fraser High School. I've been writing film reviews for the past few years, and I am a huge fan of movies. I am contributing writer to my school newspaper "The Flash". I hope you enjoy my film reviews online and be sure to check out my reviews coming to "The Flash" in the fall.