Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Review

[Jetsfan]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

Ebert is right, but of course, as a movie snob, I think he misses the point.

Sometimes things that are beautifully made, well-thought, and perfectly acted are simply not entertaining, at all.

Yes, there were ample flaws in this movie. Yet, there were ample flaws in Star Trek, he disliked that too (most critics ignored the gaping ST plot holes), but it also was well-received by moviegoers.

Are the Transformers movies going to stand toe-to-toe with the Godfather Saga, Gone with the Wind, Titanic, Schinder's List, etc. No. But I don't think it ever wanted to.

I think Transformers was designed to be an overwhelming feast of the senses, and there's definitely a huge market for that. I don't think the CGI action fests are going the way of the western by any means.

Exactly. I just saw the movie and loved it. To be honest, I thought "Dark Knight" was too long and boring.

Thank you Mr.Bay...Can't wait for Transformers III.

Is it wrong to think Arcee is hot!?!

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

The problem here is Transformers huge cult following. People that love Transformers go to see robots change shape and beat each other up. That's the only thing both of these movies have going for them, and that is all the mega transformer geeks need to go see this movie three or four times. So far, I think it is the nearly universal opinion of anyone who isn't a dedicated fan of Transformers that this is an awful movie.

Negative. The transformers fans you speak of are few and far between, most of the people in this fandom want the original cartoon or bust. A large majority of the fandom have hated the past two films. The ones that do like it also accept it's faults and do not claim it to be a cinematic classic. They consider it adequate and is on par with what is to be expected.

The people I've met who liked it the most would not be considered "Transfans"

Originally Posted by Jetsfan

Is it wrong to think Arcee is hot!?!

Robots do not have gender. You have the hots for something equivalent to a toaster.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

I'd say the plot has evolved immensely since the tv show from the 80's. Overally I really didnt think it was a bad movie. I didnt realize we were looking for hyper realism or super complex character development in 2 hours of robots fighting.

If it was 2 hours of robots fighting, it would have been much better.

Instead we have completely useless scenes with Sam's parents, not a single of which advanced the plot. Not even their kidnapping:
Evil robot: "Unleash the trap."
<parents get puked out of a transformer>
Sam: "Mom, dad, run this way!"
<parents are safe>

WTF?

The idiotic scenes with the "girl" trying to seduce Sam at university added nothing, and like above, the conflict it set up between Sam and his girlfriend evaporated instantly.

Sam's roommate added nothing.

The twin autobots with the racist overtones added nothing. Oh, except that they accidentally beat the battest bot on the planet. Oops.

The government guy who opens the movie threatening to toss the autobots off the planet. Ok, great, we're going to set up a human vs. autobot conflict. Oops! we just shot the suit out of a plane. Guess we just killed that plot device in its infancy.

Basically, the movie repeated itself over and over:
25 minutes of sophomoric attempts at comedy, 5 minutes of bot fighting, repeat four times, roll credits.

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

If it was 2 hours of robots fighting, it would have been much better.

Instead we have completely useless scenes with Sam's parents, not a single of which advanced the plot. Not even their kidnapping:
Evil robot: "Unleash the trap."
<parents get puked out of a transformer>
Sam: "Mom, dad, run this way!"
<parents are safe>

WTF?

The idiotic scenes with the "girl" trying to seduce Sam at university added nothing, and like above, the conflict it set up between Sam and his girlfriend evaporated instantly.

Sam's roommate added nothing.

The twin autobots with the racist overtones added nothing. Oh, except that they accidentally beat the battest bot on the planet. Oops.

The government guy who opens the movie threatening to toss the autobots off the planet. Ok, great, we're going to set up a human vs. autobot conflict. Oops! we just shot the suit out of a plane. Guess we just killed that plot device in its infancy.

Basically, the movie repeated itself over and over:
25 minutes of sophomoric attempts at comedy, 5 minutes of bot fighting, repeat four times, roll credits.

I guess my mind just filters out the garbage, I was more concerned that Unicron didnt make the movie.. But thanks for ruining the movie for me

[Mr.Coffee]

Had the misfortune of being dragged to this debacle of monumental proportions again. Wanted to give it another chance to see if I missed anything, and my bros were going so I tagged along. Wow. What. A. Trainwreck.

How close are the Giza pyramids and Jordan? According to this movie, just around the block! The racist robots and the fact that they "dont read much".. yikes. What about the beginning with the tribe people hunting a tiger in Egypt, where they, oh right, don't live. Are you from New York? Come on right in! hahaha holy smokes, I gaurantee in my travels that doesn't seem to be the common attitude. Ummm we need this big wall to get smacked so we need the racist robots to start fighting for no reason. Sam, why don't you say you love me?? x4 at least. Sam cheats but this is barely touched on, Starscream trying to take over Decepticons barely touched on, sector 7 underwear joke rehashed from movie 1... humping dogs, humping robot, testicle joke by sector 7 guy.

My lord, it's like they tried to make this is bad as they could. As to Blaster, why not just make a 30 second clip of OP smacking stuff with trees and call it a day, why bother with the absolutely murderous other 2 hours and 29 mins? They could have goneso many right directions with this, but instead, treated this like it was a grade 3 art project.

If anyone can explain why the tardybots are always late to the battle to support Optimus prime, please fill me in..

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

How close are the Giza pyramids and Jordan? According to this movie, just around the block!

No, the Matrix was just around the block. The editting was a bit shoddy when it came to time lapses, but they were there.

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

The racist robots and the fact that they "dont read much".. yikes. What about the beginning with the tribe people hunting a tiger in Egypt, where they, oh right, don't live.

Was The Fallen in Egypt when he encounters them? I am pretty sure he'd moved away from the rest of his group, deeper into Africa.

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

Are you from New York? Come on right in! hahaha holy smokes, I gaurantee in my travels that doesn't seem to be the common attitude.

OH NOES! I NEVER EXPERIENCED IT SO IT CAN'T BE TRUE!

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

Ummm we need this big wall to get smacked so we need the racist robots to start fighting for no reason. Sam, why don't you say you love me?? x4 at least.

They'd been doing stuff like that the entire movie. It's not like it was a sudden change in character. And oh no! Ongoing thing in a relationship! That there never happens in real life, no sir!

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

Sam cheats but this is barely touched on,

No, he had a Pretender force its self on him. He looked to be trying his hardest until it pinned him down.

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

Starscream trying to take over Decepticons barely touched on,

He got smacked around like a filthy whore when Megatron came back, and the other Decepticons are obviously loyal to the big dog. Good time to make a pitch for power!

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

sector 7 underwear joke rehashed from movie 1... humping dogs, humping robot, testicle joke by sector 7 guy.

Underwear: Not funny.
Humping dogs: Sort of funny.
Wheelie: Damned funny.
Devastator's balls: Not funny.

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

My lord, it's like they tried to make this is bad as they could. As to Blaster, why not just make a 30 second clip of OP smacking stuff with trees and call it a day, why bother with the absolutely murderous other 2 hours and 29 mins? They could have goneso many right directions with this, but instead, treated this like it was a grade 3 art project.

Because that clip would not have context of a movie. Because it has the context is what makes it awesome. Not saying they shouldn't do that though.

Where did they go wrong? People wanted more robots, they got more robots. People wanted more loyal to the source material, they got more loyal. They wanted more high powered action sequences, they got more of that.

There were some stupid jokes and a less than realistic plot (which shocks some of you people?). I was happy with it and a majority of people that have seen it have enjoyed it.

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

If anyone can explain why the tardybots are always late to the battle to support Optimus prime, please fill me in..

Prime was late the first time. This time THEY WENT AN ENTIRE DIFFERENT DIRECTION! It's called splitting up, covering all areas. Prime and Bumblebee go one way, Ironhide, Ratchet and Jolt go another.


It pleases me you're in the minority.

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment...,6806652.story

[Coach]

Man....I have to applaud Blasters knowledge of the subject along with the total own he just laid down.

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

No, the Matrix was just around the block. The editting was a bit shoddy when it came to time lapses, but they were there.

The Matrix was in Petra, which is in Jordan, which is another country. But thanks for reminding me, why did the Matrix dissolve to sand and then form again? What was the purpose there? Honestly I am wondering, I don't get that.

Originally Posted by Blaster86

Was The Fallen in Egypt when he encounters them? I am pretty sure he'd moved away from the rest of his group, deeper into Africa.

The villagers climbed a hill. Must have been the same continental divide hill that splits up Jordan/Egypt! This obviously isn't a big deal, i"m just saying a) I knew tigers weren't in Africa in grade 1 and 2) maybe make it a bit more obvious they aren't in Africa anymore if that's the case because it looks pretty amateur. You don't see films shooting penguins in Las Vegas for a reason.

Originally Posted by Blaster86

OH NOES! I NEVER EXPERIENCED IT SO IT CAN'T BE TRUE!

AMERICA!!! F YEAH!!!!!

Originally Posted by Blaster86

They'd been doing stuff like that the entire movie. It's not like it was a sudden change in character. And oh no! Ongoing thing in a relationship! That there never happens in real life, no sir!

Doing stuff like that the entire movie without actually addressing the problem is my issue. If you're going to bring it up 56 times at least have meaningful dialogue. He eventually says it at the end, which is nice, but you didn't need the 400 discussions inbetween. Anyways this point is pretty small for me because I appreciate the Megan Fox scenes.

Originally Posted by Blaster86

No, he had a Pretender force its self on him. He looked to be trying his hardest until it pinned him down.

I don't know much about transformers, obviously, but why is she human? I thought they had to be bad ass robots? Why bother with the scene of him driving her home...? Ohhh yeah and that reminds me of another time lapse screw up. It's night when he drives her home, then he appears in a graveyard in daylight? Must be farther to get to the cemetary than Jordan to get to from the Giza pyramids.

Originally Posted by Blaster86

He got smacked around like a filthy whore when Megatron came back, and the other Decepticons are obviously loyal to the big dog. Good time to make a pitch for power!

I agree, because it would be this interesting thing called a storyline.

Originally Posted by Blaster86

Underwear: Not funny.
Humping dogs: Sort of funny.
Wheelie: Damned funny.
Devastator's balls: Not funny..

Wheelie, not funny at all man. Humping dogs, mildly amusing at first but time #2 was super lame. Actually that entire unnecessary fight scene at the house in the beginning was lame, why did it happen? No purpose.

Originally Posted by Blaster86

Because that clip would not have context of a movie. Because it has the context is what makes it awesome. Not saying they shouldn't do that though.

Where did they go wrong? People wanted more robots, they got more robots. People wanted more loyal to the source material, they got more loyal. They wanted more high powered action sequences, they got more of that.

There were some stupid jokes and a less than realistic plot (which shocks some of you people?). I was happy with it and a majority of people that have seen it have enjoyed it.

Look, I was quite happy with the first one, which this one decided to take a larry on and drive off a cliff for the franchise. I'm not looking for a realistic plot, read carefully here, I'm looking for a plot that makes sense, and when there are 500 plot holes its tough to take this movie for what it was trying to be, good. I haven't talked to one person who liked it other than reading people who are okay with bad movies in this forum because they have fire in them.

Originally Posted by Blaster86

Prime was late the first time. This time THEY WENT AN ENTIRE DIFFERENT DIRECTION! It's called splitting up, covering all areas. Prime and Bumblebee go one way, Ironhide, Ratchet and Jolt go another.


It pleases me you're in the minority.

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment...,6806652.story

You mean the time he showed up and destroyed half of Shanghai in secrecy?

I'm not in the minority, I too paid money to go watch this lazy piece of work. Let's poll the audience, I don't care if it earned money that never really signals whether it was good or not to me. A movie's good based on, in my opinion, word of mouth which this one is getting pummeled with. Wait til Mikey Bay makes Transformers 3, we'll se what kind of numbers that puppy rolls in.

More of what worked would have suited me well. Transformers 2's box office numbers are a result of Transformers 1's successes, because trust me- I'm not the only one saying this stuff.

[awildermode]

Blaster is Michael Bay

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Man....I have to applaud Blasters knowledge of the subject along with the total own he just laid down.

Uhh.. yeah.. I guess so. Kind of like this own that got laid down on transformers 2, secret of the ooze.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/tran...of_the_fallen/

[Resolute 14]

As much as I agree with you about the steamy pile this movie is, I see your critics reviews and raise you the box office take:

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/...nsformers2.htm

[Jason14h]

But how much would the movie make it word of mouth wasn't sooooo terrible? I know at least half a dozen people who were going to go and now aren't.

Sure it's going to make a ton of money, but 10,15,20% less then it could have?

[peter12]

Honestly, after seeing The Rock, I vowed to judge the intelligence of anyone who likes a Michael Bay movie.

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

As much as I agree with you about the steamy pile this movie is, I see your critics reviews and raise you the box office take:

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/...nsformers2.htm

haha thank you. At least somebody can watch a movie and realise that a title just isn't good enough.

Meanwhile, my argument is that the box office take, while impressive, is a result from excitement built off movie 1, not necessarily how good this one is. Let's see how week 2, 3 and 4 do. I bet this gets ugly.

edit: and I wanted to add... Blaster.. who the hell are Ratchet and Jolt? Were they introduced? Was one of them the silver car that randomly appeared?

Serious question.

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

The Matrix was in Petra, which is in Jordan, which is another country. But thanks for reminding me, why did the Matrix dissolve to sand and then form again? What was the purpose there? Honestly I am wondering, I don't get that.

AS with the original fandom, the Matrix was only useable by one that is chosen. Because the original Primes needed to see if Sam was worthy, it disintegrated so he couldn't use it.

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

The villagers climbed a hill. Must have been the same continental divide hill that splits up Jordan/Egypt! This obviously isn't a big deal, i"m just saying a) I knew tigers weren't in Africa in grade 1 and 2) maybe make it a bit more obvious they aren't in Africa anymore if that's the case because it looks pretty amateur. You don't see films shooting penguins in Las Vegas for a reason.

Well, nevermind the fact that it is alien technology and they could likely have moved it with ease, you have seen the movie twice so I'll bow to you here. For some reason I thought he moved to them, not the other way around.

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

Doing stuff like that the entire movie without actually addressing the problem is my issue. If you're going to bring it up 56 times at least have meaningful dialogue. He eventually says it at the end, which is nice, but you didn't need the 400 discussions inbetween. Anyways this point is pretty small for me because I appreciate the Megan Fox scenes.

Wait... so doing it without addressing it is bad, but you admit they addressed it?

Build up matters.

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

I don't know much about transformers, obviously, but why is she human? I thought they had to be bad ass robots? Why bother with the scene of him driving her home...? Ohhh yeah and that reminds me of another time lapse screw up. It's night when he drives her home, then he appears in a graveyard in daylight? Must be farther to get to the cemetary than Jordan to get to from the Giza pyramids.

Time lapse, like I said they editted those poorly.

http://transformers.wikia.com/wiki/Pretender

Robots that hide as humans, essentially.

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

I agree, because it would be this interesting thing called a storyline.

And it would be boring, and stupid, and done a thousand times before. He's still trecherous, he's just not as over as other Starscreams.

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

Actually that entire unnecessary fight scene at the house in the beginning was lame, why did it happen? No purpose.

Information dump. Show that the All Spark fragment still has power.

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

Look, I was quite happy with the first one, which this one decided to take a larry on and drive off a cliff for the franchise. I'm not looking for a realistic plot, read carefully here, I'm looking for a plot that makes sense, and when there are 500 plot holes its tough to take this movie for what it was trying to be, good. I haven't talked to one person who liked it other than reading people who are okay with bad movies in this forum because they have fire in them.

What plot holes? There was bad editting, and some minor stuff missed, but nothing major AFAIK.

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

edit: and I wanted to add... Blaster.. who the hell are Ratchet and Jolt? Were they introduced? Was one of them the silver car that randomly appeared?

Serious question.

Ratchet is the medic, introd in the first film. Jolt was the bot that revived Prime and merged him with Jetfire.

Jolt was a serious late addition. GM essentially forced their hand.

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

You mean the time he showed up and destroyed half of Shanghai in secrecy?

I'm not in the minority, I too paid money to go watch this lazy piece of work. Let's poll the audience, I don't care if it earned money that never really signals whether it was good or not to me. A movie's good based on, in my opinion, word of mouth which this one is getting pummeled with. Wait til Mikey Bay makes Transformers 3, we'll se what kind of numbers that puppy rolls in.

More of what worked would have suited me well. Transformers 2's box office numbers are a result of Transformers 1's successes, because trust me- I'm not the only one saying this stuff.

He destroyed it in secrecy? Cause... I'm pretty sure he didn't. I am pretty sure he got the Autobots kicked off of earth (before he saved it again) for that.

You're not the only one, but that link I showed from the LATimes shows you are in the minority.

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

AS with the original fandom, the Matrix was only useable by one that is chosen. Because the original Primes needed to see if Sam was worthy, it disintegrated so he couldn't use it.

Well, nevermind the fact that it is alien technology and they could likely have moved it with ease, you have seen the movie twice so I'll bow to you here. For some reason I thought he moved to them, not the other way around.

Wait... so doing it without addressing it is bad, but you admit they addressed it?

Build up matters.

Time lapse, like I said they editted those poorly.

http://transformers.wikia.com/wiki/Pretender

Robots that hide as humans, essentially.

And it would be boring, and stupid, and done a thousand times before. He's still trecherous, he's just not as over as other Starscreams.

Information dump. Show that the All Spark fragment still has power.

What plot holes? There was bad editting, and some minor stuff missed, but nothing major AFAIK.

Ratchet is the medic, introd in the first film. Jolt was the bot that revived Prime and merged him with Jetfire.

Jolt was a serious late addition. GM essentially forced their hand.

He destroyed it in secrecy? Cause... I'm pretty sure he didn't. I am pretty sure he got the Autobots kicked off of earth (before he saved it again) for that.

You're not the only one, but that link I showed from the LATimes shows you are in the minority.

See how you explained that thing about the matrix? The movie should have given that a shot.

Not really implied at all actually. Native people walking around, flash to tiger, flash to native people walking over hill flash to aliens cruising around big ass machine, flash to destruction.

Build up? Serious... your argument is 'story buildup' that they needed to discuss why they don't say the words "I love you" more?

Thanks, didn't know they could be human (not explained.. again). And not that it needed to either here, that's probably getting nitpicky on my part.

Would not have been boring, well, maybe if Bay did it. This is a storyline you could milk, big time.

All spark.. I guess so... I kind of just assumed it had power because I was watching a transformers movie and it scarred his mind when he looked at it and why did they all automatically become decepticons and why did they just start randomly attacking and.........

Time lapsing is a bit of a plot hole, is it not? Or does time not exist in this movie? Oops.. it doesn't, my bad. As for others... only a prime can kill the fallen... why? what? how about the whole unexplained matrix thing as described above. What happened to all the protection for Megatron, I only saw one sub when he surfaced.. honestly.. I could seriously go on and on and on with the plot hole thing.

Thanks for the Ratchet thing, forgot about that one. As for Jolt, was he introduced? I don't recall but maybe it was in passing just like Ironhide at the beginning. I'm pretty sure he wasn't, and if not, F-.

The autobots beat up the big one wheel thing and take half of Shanghai down in flames. Meanwhile later in the movie you've got internet geeks trying to find "hidden" footage of the disaster plus the scene with the parents talking about being sworn to secrecy. That's what I'm referring to, and that was completely stupid. Pretty sure giant robots wouldn't be a secret after transformers 1.

What? I'm not in the minority at all, as per my link plus the comments on this forum.

[spydermal]

Originally Posted by peter12

Honestly, after seeing The Rock, I vowed to judge the intelligence of anyone who likes a Michael Bay movie.

Bad Boys is awesome.

[awildermode]

this thread is better than the movie.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

One part that was bizarre was when the mother eats the weed brownie and starts acting drunk.

The mother character was overall just a little too much to take.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

See how you explained that thing about the matrix? The movie should have given that a shot.

They did explain it in Sam's dream/near death sequence. The thing I dont like about this is that people assume its a Michael Bay movie so there must be no story so they go and watch the movie and pay no attention to the story and thus later complain about the lack of story. If you had paid attention you might have caught that.