The fate of humanity is at stake when two races of robots, the good Autobots, and the villainous Decepticons, bring their war to Earth. The robots have the ability to change into different mechanical objects as they seek the key to ultimate power. Only a human youth, Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) can save the world from total destruction. (1)
Review
Hello, Movie Buffs!
For the most part, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is a decent science fiction/drama film with scenes to astound and thrill audiences. The film does not over-explain ideas or add in concepts as impossible plot center points and the humor is done rather well. In addition, since the plot is not overly serious, it opens the door to giving the robots personalities. The robots (both the Autobots and the Decepticons) are not discovering who they are but rather they are a DNA-based biological technology, so like humans, their personalities are varied. This is a fact and concept that has been used since the first film; some audience agrees it’s for the best and others do not.
Although the film is funny and has some good action, unfortunately, there are some flaws. While the humor is good, it does go a bit too far as well as ranks below par a little too often. The Autobot twins – Mudflap (Reno Wilson, Crank) and Acree (Grey DeLisle, Bolt) – were annoying as they tended to lean more towards offensive cultural stereotypes a little too heavily. Sometimes it's okay playing a character like that but at the same time, you have to play it just right so that it come across as humor for both the natives and non-natives. Some of their lines could have possibly been funnier if they were coming from a more rigid Autobot, perhaps even one that took everything literal. This is just one example of a flaw that is in the film, all other flaws were relatively minor. Though the film lacked suspense until the last quarter-hour when the human characters were able to add some emotional weight to the final battle.
Overall, Revenge of the Fallen is an entertaining film, though doesn't hold much depth and the surprises are few between. The humans take a backseat and while it is largely a robot movie, there still needs to be a human element that only the human characters can add. Agent Simmons (John Turturro - Quiz Show) adds some strict humor, the twin Autobots are a bit obnoxious, while the mischief and pranks displace the drama. The language can be rude and a bit improper but I guess that is the essential theme of this film. Here audiences are encouraged to believe that essential characters can die for good and everybody already knows that good pretty much always wins. Unless it’s Star Wars, in which case they may win at the end but usually through sheer luck and will. Although it would have been an interesting twist on Bay’s part to end the film similarly to Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980). In the end, too much comic relief undermines the dramatic impact of Michael Bay's visually impressive sequel Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. In addition, if you did not see the first installment, Transformers (2007), then you may not understand what’s going on in this film and ultimately what happens in Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011).
“You are the person I care about most in my life, and if there is anything you need I won't be far away."
- Bumblebee (to Sam)
Final Vote
Worth Seeing: 4 of 5 star
Worth Buying: 4 of 5 stars
I hope you liked this post, subscribe to my blog via email HERE, send in your comments, and watch Transformer: Revenge of the Fallen (2009).
Movies Similar
Battleship (2012)
Battle: Los Angeles (2011)
Chappie (2015)
G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra (2009)
G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013)
Pacific Rim (2013)
Reel Steel (2011)
RoboCop (2014)
Tron Legacy (2010)
Transformers (2007)
Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)
Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)
Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)
Cast & Crew
Directed by: Michael Bay
Writing Credits: Ehren Kruger, Roberto Orci, and Alex Kurtzman
Produced by
Kenny Bates --- co-producer (as Ken Bates)
Michael Bay --- executive producer
Ian Bryce --- producer
Allegra Clegg --- co-producer
Matthew Cohan --- associate producer
Tom DeSanto --- producer
Lorenzo di Bonaventura --- producer
Brian Goldner --- executive producer
K.C. Hodenfield --- associate producer
Michelle McGonagle --- associate producer
Don Murphy --- producer
David Ready --- producer executive
Lorne Orleans --- IMAX version
Steven Spielberg --- executive producer
Mark Vahradian --- executive producer
Music by: Steve Jablonsky
Cinematography by: Ben Seresin
Film Editing by: Tom Muldoon, Paul Rubell, Joel Negron, and Roger Barton
Production Design by: Nigel Phelps
Cast:
Shia LaBeouf --- Sam Witwicky
Megan Fox --- Mikaela Banes
Josh Duhamel --- Captain Lennox
Tyrese Gibson --- USAF Tech Sergeant Epps
John Turturro --- Simmons
Ramon Rodriguez --- Leo Spitz
Kevin Dunn --- Ron Witwicky
Julie White --- Judy Witwicky
Isabel Lucas --- Alice
John Benjamin Hickey --- Galloway
Michael Papajohn --- Cal
Glenn Morshower --- General Morshower
John Eric Bentley --- Aide
Erin Naas --- Arcee Rider
Rainn Wilson --- Professor Colan
Peter Cullen --- Optimus Prime (voice)
Mark Ryan --- Jetfire (voice)
Reno Wilson --- Mudflap (voice)
Jess Harnell --- Ironhide (voice)
Robert Foxworth --- Ratchet (voice)
André Sogliuzzo --- Sideswipe (voice)
Grey DeLisle --- Arcee (voice)
Hugo Weaving --- Megatron (voice)
Tony Todd --- Fallen (voice)
Charlie Adler --- Starscream (voice)
Frank Welker -- Soundwave, Devastato, Reedman, Grindor (voice)
Tom Kenny --- Wheelie / Skids (voice)
Calvin Wimmer --- Wheelbot (voice)
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