Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Review

[Burninator]

Ironman is a good example of a summer popcorn flick. Characters have depth, there is character development, there is an interesting story that isn't crappy and poorly written, it's well acted and directed plus it's full of great action sequences and special effects. The first Transformers was missing all of that except the action. And in this day and age with all these fancy computers and what not, it's not that hard to make great action sequences and CGI. There is no reason not to expect more.

I didn't like the first transformer movie. It looks like I am going to get dragged to the second one by my girlfriend and I don't have high hopes for it.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

Of course films don't have to be exactly like The Dark Knight. I was just using that as a recent example of a summer action film that also had a solid story, great acting, and excellent directing and cinematography. And it made tons of money too, topping the commercial success of every other film ever made aside from "Titanic".

There's nothing wrong with having fun at the movies, but I don't have fun watching mindless explosion films that are poorly written, acted, and directed. Summer blockbusters don't have to be that way. Hollywood can do better -- and they have!

I take some issue with the bad directing thing. Michael Bay is good at what he does, blowing crap up. I can't think of another director that is better than him. Granted, he usually gets the huge budgets and has more free willl, but he still does an amazing job. When he tries to do something different, like the monstrosity of Pearl Harbor, then he fails. Having said that, the battle scenes in PH were fantastic.

I've watched how much work Bay puts into these movies and how in depth he gets into and he really doesn't get the credit he deserves. Watch the special features on the first Transformers DVD and you'll know what I mean. I have so much more respect for movie makers after watching that.

[CaptainCrunch]

You know, I've been thinking about this for a while.

One of the previous posters is right, why is there an expectation that a movie with tits, explosions and gadgets doesn't have to be smart, because it looks terrific. I'll admit, I wasn't overly negative about Terminator Salvation because I went in with low expectations.

I hated Star Trek XI because I went in with high expectations and the thing to me was pooo.

The Dark Knight was amazing because it combined all the elements strongly.

But the bottom line is that I hate directors like McG and Bay because they think that they're smarter then the average film goer who is reduced in their minds to being entertained not by a good story, not by a good plot or good acting but by loud sounds, CGI and explosions.

I will admit to all people here that I love all of the Star Wars movies, thats right, the pre and original movies. Because George Lucas has an incredible story vision, he has an inner mind where he see's his story. His problem is that his dialogue pulls you right out of that vision. We saw that it worked in Empire Strikes back when you combined his vision with great dialogue.

Bay and McGee have no vision where they can see a story, and they certainly can't connect it with fleshed out characters.

I hate JJ Abrams' as well, I hate him because instead of writing strong stories that you can get behind he has to go out of his way to do stupidly shocking things to get your attention instead of letting his movie work and character work and visual work hook you. You go knowing that there's going to be a twist or surprise.

Lost isn't a new story, its basically Gilligan's Island with monsters, but he hooks you because you can live with the bad dialogue and sometimes stupid characters to get to the end.

Cloverfield was a very average horror movie, but you kept expecting that hook or surprise near the end, and you never got it so you left feeling slightly nauseous and irritated.

Call me when a director can make you care enough about their movie so that 30 years later you still wonder who the hell "Rose Bud" is, or your so into characters that you cry when old yeller gets plugged, or you feel real fear for your character when Darth Vader starts blasting his buddies left right and center and he's next.

These big name directors have gotten lazy and you don't feel attached to movies anymore.

[MarchHare]

Call me when a director can make you care enough about their movie so that 30 years later you still wonder who the hell "Rose Bud" is, or your so into characters that you cry when old yeller gets plugged, or you feel real fear for your character when Darth Vader starts blasting his buddies left right and center and he's next.

Spielberg and Lucas are credited with inventing the concept of the "summer blockbuster" with Jaws and Star Wars, respectively. The difference between those movies and modern crap like Transformers and Terminator 4 is that those were genuinely good films that have withstood the test of time. Thirty years from now, nobody is going to care about Transformers 2, but Jaws and Star Wars are still cited as being among the greatest films ever made.

[@theCBE]

Just incase any lawyers wander into this thread...

http://www.courtoons.net/2009/06/03/optimus/

Back on topic. When I watch a Michael Bay movie I never really go in expecting tight dialogue, superb story telling and characters with depth. I expect hot chicks, crazy special effects and lots of things blowing up.

Everyone knows what his movies are like, yet everyone gets so annoyed when his latest summer blockbuster turns out to be lots of noise and special effects. What has he ever done to make you expect something more from his movies?

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by @theCBE

Back on topic. When I watch a Michael Bay movie I never really go in expecting tight dialogue, superb story telling and characters with depth. I expect hot chicks, crazy special effects and lots of things blowing up.

Everyone knows what his movies are like, yet everyone gets so annoyed when his latest summer blockbuster turns out to be lots of noise and special effects. What has he ever done to make you expect something more from his movies?

Nothing, which is why I haven't watched a Michael Bay film since Armageddon.

The point I (and others in this thread) are making is that there's a better way. You can make an awesome summer action movie with amazing special effects, tightly-choreographed fight sequences, and loud explosions without having to sacrifice quality dialogue, a compelling plot, and innovative storytelling. Some directors can do it right; Micheal Bay, Roland Emmerich, and McG cannot.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

never got it so you left feeling slightly nauseous and irritated.

Call me when a director can make you care enough about their movie so that 30 years later you still wonder who the hell "Rose Bud" is, or your so into characters that you cry when old yeller gets plugged, or you feel real fear for your character when Darth Vader starts blasting his buddies left right and center and he's next.

These big name directors have gotten lazy and you don't feel attached to movies anymore.

Transformers and a reference to Citizen Kane should never be in the same thread, let alone the same post.


You make it sound like the classics were the rule and not the exception. There used to be a fair share of crap released back then as well. Classics like the one you listed above come every once in 5000 movies.

In 30 years, we're going to be talking about Shawshank, probably the best example of a modern day classic that I can think of.

[Igottago]

I'm all for fun, mindless movies on occassion. But they still have to have some type of character, charisma, plot...something engaging. There are action/sci fi blockbusters that are done well, and there are some that are just crap, any way you cut it. It doesn't matter about expectations, some movies are simply just bad. Explosions and hot girls aren't enough to salvage them.

I hated the first Transformers movie and I have no desire to see this one. And I was a huge Transformers fan growing up.

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

modern crap like Transformers and

"By the holy light or Primus, the infidel devil Marchare has been surrounded. We shall burn him for his affronts to Primus."

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

Spielberg and Lucas are credited with inventing the concept of the "summer blockbuster" with Jaws and Star Wars, respectively. The difference between those movies and modern crap like Transformers and Terminator 4 is that those were genuinely good films that have withstood the test of time. Thirty years from now, nobody is going to care about Transformers 2, but Jaws and Star Wars are still cited as being among the greatest films ever made.

Weird, I don't recall anyone ever saying the Trans2 or T4 were better or were gonna be better or even compared those movies to Jaws and Star Wars.

[Ethaniel]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

Nothing, which is why I haven't watched a Michael Bay film since Armageddon.

The point I (and others in this thread) are making is that there's a better way. You can make an awesome summer action movie with amazing special effects, tightly-choreographed fight sequences, and loud explosions without having to sacrifice quality dialogue, a compelling plot, and innovative storytelling. Some directors can do it right; Micheal Bay, Roland Emmerich, and McG cannot.

Maybe you can do that and I am positive they can, but why do they have to?
If every movie that ever existed had good strong story and substance we would be bored out of our minds with substance and wish that someone would just make a fantastic fun movie. They are different styles and if you don't like the fun style then don't see it. I know when I am going to see Transformers I am going for a fun show where I get to see optimus prime kick someones ass and megan fox is tight clothing. If I wanted to see a movie with a story I would not see this one. It is what it is and every movie sells.

Not every movie has to have a perfect story line or great substance.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Weird, I don't recall anyone ever saying the Trans2 or T4 were better or were gonna be better or even compared those movies to Jaws and Star Wars.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by Burninator

It looks like I am going to get dragged to the second one by my girlfriend and I don't have high hopes for it.

I hate you. I couldnt drag my g/f to the first one.

[CaptainCrunch]

I don't mind bad movies, because for the most part I understand they're going to be terrible before I see them. Its a man's right to watch terrible crappy sci fi, get drunk and laugh your a$$ off.

Last night I watched "My Name is Bruce" which starred Bruce Campbell, and I laughed and enjoyed every part of it.

But I knew it was going to be bad.

I hate the fact that there's a lot of hyped junk out there where the actors know their sh%t, the director knows they're sh%t even before they set up the first camera, and they betray the art by doing it anyways.

There's an art to making a bad movie, but a bad movie isn't art.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

How did I miss the point where in your post you clearly said "the difference between Trans and T4 and......."......how is that not comparing??? that's exactly what you were doing, so no, I didn't miss the point and if I did it's because you didn't articulate properly.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by Ethaniel

Maybe you can do that and I am positive they can, but why do they have to?
If every movie that ever existed had good strong story and substance we would be bored out of our minds with substance and wish that someone would just make a fantastic fun movie. They are different styles and if you don't like the fun style then don't see it. I know when I am going to see Transformers I am going for a fun show where I get to see optimus prime kick someones ass and megan fox is tight clothing. If I wanted to see a movie with a story I would not see this one. It is what it is and every movie sells.

Not every movie has to have a perfect story line or great substance.

The problem is that when it comes to blockbusters hollywood is pushing out 25 movies at the Transformers 2 level of quality for every 1 that ends up being the Dark Knight level of quality. And people keep going, so they just make sequels that are even worse because they know they can make money. Transformers 2 is the Nickelback of movies.

[GirlySports]

I liked it cause it's an escape. I didn't want to see a deep thinking movie
I like watching things blow up!

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

How did I miss the point where in your post you clearly said "the difference between Trans and T4 and......."......how is that not comparing??? that's exactly what you were doing, so no, I didn't miss the point and if I did it's because you didn't articulate properly.

The point wasn't that Tranformers 2 or Terminator 4 should be as good as Jaws or Star Wars -- few films are. The point was that those earlier summer blockbuster special effects extravaganzas were actually made with care taken to characterization and story. They weren't just an excuse to show stuff blowing up real good for two hours.

[MarchHare]

Transformers 2 is the Nickelback of movies.

Perfectly stated.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

The point wasn't that Tranformers 2 or Terminator 4 should be as good as Jaws or Star Wars -- few films are. The point was that those earlier summer blockbuster special effects extravaganzas were actually made with care taken to characterization and story. They weren't just an excuse to show stuff blowing up real good for two hours.

Jaws was deep on story?? Jaws was huge back then because it was scary as hell and it was something that people hadn't seen before. It still holds up today because of its intensity and and great musical score that still makes going into the water terrifying for some people. Jaws was never big because of its great story.

Shark eats people, scares little town, crew of three go out to hunt and kill it. It was simple and it worked, but I don't know how much time and care was put into the story.