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
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