Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Review

[Coach]

My personal review with Spoilers******


Ok so I just got back from it. I did enjoy most of the film. The special effects were a little over done this time around but it definitely kept the movie at a non stop pace.

That said in the area of plot the first 30-45 min were a mess. It seemed like they were cramming a bunch of stuff together and such at rapid pace. When you mix that with constant in-your-face special effects it can be confusing. The stuff with the other girl at college was completely useless other than showing that they could transform into humans (which was kinda of cool, but very terminator 3-esque). But I thought once everything started to come together with all the ancient stuff it flowed quite smoothly.

The acting was definitely better. I don't really uinderstand all the hate that Shia Laboeuf gets, the guy is funny and likeable and a very good actor. The stuff with his mental meltdown in the classroom was gold as was his and Fox's exchange in the library. On the the note of Fox, other than her first shot of sitting on the motorcycle in the most bonerific pose possible, she was definitely more than eye candy this time around. She was miles ahead of were she was in the first Transformers as far as the acting is concerned. The two sets of Twin Autobots didnt really seem to serve a purpose other than an attempt at evening the odds with the Decepticons as far as numbers go.

The one scene that had me rolling my eyes a bit was the part after Sam's "death" when he had his vision. But the corniness of that was quickly forgotton because of the emense ass-kicking that Optimus Prime laid out soon after.

Of course if your looking for a sensitive character piece with oscar winning performances you would have to be pretty thick to expect something like that from Transformers. Although as Michael Bay said himself, "it's pretty easy to go to the south of France and film a movie in a vineyard with 2 cast members. People dont understand the work that goes into something like Transformers." And it pays off as the special effects are again awe-inspiring.

All in all I enjoyed the film and would definitely recommend it if you are just looking to have some fun for a little while. If you go looking for great acting (althoguh the acting is not bad) and what not and come away dissapointed its your own fault.


3.5/5

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by Morozee

I watched it this afternoon and was disappointed. I really like the first one and was super pumped about Transformers 2... it just didn't deliver. There was no cheering in the theatre I was in when credits roled.

Who cheers for a movie in the theatre? I have never been to a movie where people cheer. That's just silly.

And put me down as a supporter of Shia LaBouef, I don't see the hate with him. I always liked him.

I hated the part with the mom though, ruined the beginning of the movie.

The twin autobots were funny I thought.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

You're making it sound like I don't know it's a stupid movie and a bad movie as a piece of art. I realize this. But that doesn't mean I can't enjoy it. It's fluff, it's stupid, it's every adjective that you can think of, but that didn't stop me from clapping at the end.(actually, I didn't clap, I've never got that, but I would if the makers were in the theatre).....I had fun last night.....we could go back and forth on this for hours with no resolution.....it's just the way I feel.

You could've just shortened this to "I'm very easily amused by special effects and loud noises."

I think other people hit the nail on the head earlier in this thread. With the kind of budget these movies have, there's no reason the plot can't be at least average to compliment the special effects. The Matrix had revolutionary special effects and also had a terrific storyline that pulled you into the movie.

Sorry but if I'm going to spend $12 on a movie, I'd like it to be worth the money. If your standards are just watching big explosions while Linkin Park plays obnoxiously in the background then more power to you. Some of us just have higher standards.

It's kind of like drinking cheap beer. If I want to just get drunk and not enjoy what I'm drinking, then cheap beer is awesome. Hell, there's even some cheap beer out there that exceeds my low expectations for it. That being said, it's not good beer and I wouldn't go to a cheap beer-drinker for good beer recommendations.

Mind you, at least with cheap beer the price matches the quality. Michael Bay gets to put out garbage and still costs the same as going to a good movie.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

Who cheers for a movie in the theatre? I have never been to a movie where people cheer. That's just silly.

Cheering in a movie theatre is about as lame as people holding up their phones at concerts.

[Coach]

^^^ Just because someone enjoys a movie like this doesnt mean theyre dumb or "easily amused". First of all making a movie like this is definitely not easy. I consider myself a movie goer, so i watch all kinds of movies. I just think you should be able to go see a movie for different reasons, not everything has to be a masterpiece. get off the high horse and just enjoy something without letting little details ruin your time, or dont see the movie. You shoul know what your getting before seeing a movie like this. Dont go see it and come back and bitch about it when you know full well what its going to be. Loud noises and special effects.

[burnin_vernon]

I just got back from it. I was bored to death and conked out a couple times. I'll put it on the heap of summer movies to be forgotten. I sensed I was in trouble when Bumblebee cried 15 minutes into it.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by MattyC

^^^ Just because someone enjoys a movie like this doesnt mean theyre dumb or "easily amused". First of all making a movie like this is definitely not easy. I consider myself a movie goer, so i watch all kinds of movies. I just think you should be able to go see a movie for different reasons, not everything has to be a masterpiece. get off the high horse and just enjoy something without letting little details ruin your time, or dont see the movie. You shoul know what your getting before seeing a movie like this. Dont go see it and come back and bitch about it when you know full well what its going to be. Loud noises and special effects.

I don't plan on going to see it because the first one was a piece of junk. I didn't say the guy was dumb. And being easily amused isn't a bad thing. Christ, I find people getting kicked in nuts amusing. I wouldn't pay $12 to see it, but it's still awesome.

Hell, if I could change two things about my self it would be to be more easily amused and a cheaper drunk.

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by MattyC

^^^ Just because someone enjoys a movie like this doesnt mean theyre dumb or "easily amused". First of all making a movie like this is definitely not easy. I consider myself a movie goer, so i watch all kinds of movies. I just think you should be able to go see a movie for different reasons, not everything has to be a masterpiece. get off the high horse and just enjoy something without letting little details ruin your time, or dont see the movie. You shoul know what your getting before seeing a movie like this. Dont go see it and come back and bitch about it when you know full well what its going to be. Loud noises and special effects.

Yeah, I don't get how people can say these movies aren't hard to make. I am sure it is easy to put giant robots in nearly the entire movie. The amount of detail on the robots, etc. and time put into the CGI process is astronomically long. Nearly every scene in the movie has some sort of CGI too it.

I am sure it takes just as much talent into making these CGI models as it does as to act your way to an oscar.

[Ethaniel]

What a great movie, Definitely was fun and action packed.
Terrific story and plot lines, I only spotted the two holes in the plot.
The Action sequences were done very nicely and the slow mo of Megan Fox can not be duplicated anywhere else.
They were much better as well in making sure you could identify all robots in pretty much all the fights in the movie.

[JD]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

G1 Galvatron: Conquered Cybertron at the start of season 4.
Beast Wars Megatron: Conquered Cybertron alone, with no help.
G1 Comic Galvatron: Conquered Earth, enslaved Rodimus' dead body.
Comic Quintessons: Destroyed Autobot City.
G1 Comic Shockwave: Beat Megatron to a pulp, took lead of the Decepticons, single handedly knocked every Autobot but Ratchet offline.
G1 Comic Starscream: Re: Underbase saga.
Jhiaxus and Liege Maximo: Decepticon Empire

Every other big baddie in the G1 Timeline accomplished something... except him.

As for fighting Unicron

"Aaaargh! I ACCEPT YOUR TERMS! I ACCEPT!"

Haha... don't conveniently leave out my favourite parts of that exchange...

UNICRON: I have summoned you here for a purpose.
MEGATRON: Nobody summons Megatron!
..........................
MEGATRON: And...
UNICRON And nothing. You belong to me now.]
MEGATRON: I belong to nobody.
UNICRON: Perhaps I misjudged you. Proceed
on your way to oblivion.

The Mist appears and starts to dissolve Megatron.

MEGATRON ( pleading) No, no. I accept your terms. I accept!

As for accomplishments:
G1 Megatron: killed Optimus Prime (that's a pretty good one)

Anyway, I'm not here to argue details with a self-proclaimed Transformers geek. I got pretty into it as a kid but my memories are a bit faded now.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

G1 Galvatron: Conquered Cybertron at the start of season 4.
Beast Wars Megatron: Conquered Cybertron alone, with no help.
G1 Comic Galvatron: Conquered Earth, enslaved Rodimus' dead body.
Comic Quintessons: Destroyed Autobot City.
G1 Comic Shockwave: Beat Megatron to a pulp, took lead of the Decepticons, single handedly knocked every Autobot but Ratchet offline.
G1 Comic Starscream: Re: Underbase saga.
Jhiaxus and Liege Maximo: Decepticon Empire

Every other big baddie in the G1 Timeline accomplished something... except him.

As for fighting Unicron

"Aaaargh! I ACCEPT YOUR TERMS! I ACCEPT!"

[geek]

Oh come on man,

Galvatron had only a pyrrhic victory in Rebirth as the Nebulon-bonded Autobots fought back and won in the same story. Unless you are talking about Transformers: Headmasters the Japanese series where Galvatron succeeded in destroying Cybertron altogether.

G1 Megatron absolutely conquered Cybertron between 1985 and 2005 and forced the Autobots out completely.

G1 Megatron killed Brawn, Prowl, and Ironhide, maybe Ratchet as well (unclear who shot him)...and likely many more Autobots in Autobot city (Wheeljack? Windcharger?)

G1 Comic Megatron captured the ark, disassembled all the autobots, hung them upside down in pieces on hooks and chains.

G1 Comic Megatron killed G1 Comic Optimus Prime without lifting a finger by getting Prime to play a videogame! Of course, Megatron h4x0rd but Prime was so stupid Megatron tricked him into allowing his self-destruct button to be pushed for losing the game.

You're also forgettnig G1 Megatron also killed Prime by his own hands...and survived much longer than Prime did, could probably have lived with a few repairs whereas stupid Prime just turned grey and died on the table right after the fight.

If there is a more ineffectual and stupid leader, it's Optimus Prime lol. He keeps getting tricked by Megatron into fighting all these cybertronian code of honor fights that Megatron rigs but Prime is so stupid he keeps getting himself killed or almost all the Autobots sent to melt in the sun because he is honorbound.

[/geek]

[kevman]

Originally Posted by MattyC

The one scene that had me rolling my eyes a bit was the part after Sam's "death" when he had his vision. But the corniness of that was quickly forgotton because of the emense ass-kicking that Optimus Prime laid out soon after.

Haha so true, wasn't a fan of that part but the Optimus ass kicking was pure gold!

*spoiler*
I don't understand what people don't get about the plot? Fallen wants to destroy earth, brings back his good buddy Megatron to help, needs the last Prime gone before he comes back, Optimus dies, Fallen comes to earth, Fox runs around looking sexy, Whitwicky brings Optimus back to life, Optimus dominates, everybuddies happy and I leave the theatre smiling just like the first! Too add to that there are a bunch of kick ass robots that I could probably spend two hours simply watching them transform.

Solid entertainment!

[kevman]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

Yeah, I don't get how people can say these movies aren't hard to make. I am sure it is easy to put giant robots in nearly the entire movie. The amount of detail on the robots, etc. and time put into the CGI process is astronomically long. Nearly every scene in the movie has some sort of CGI too it.

I am sure it takes just as much talent into making these CGI models as it does as to act your way to an oscar.

Not to mention how difficult it must be for the actors to interact with something that isn't actually there!

[VANFLAMESFAN]

I said it earlier in the thread, but watch the Special features of the DVD of Transformers and watch the making of the movie and all the work that goes into everything, all the detail.....it's amazing, you will respect Michael Bay a lot more after watching that.

[llama64]

All I've heard about this movie is that it's being considered to be in the running for worst movie ever made (right up there with Battlefield Earth and Plan 9 From Outer Space).

It also features two jive talking robots speaking offensive ebonics one of which is voiced by SPONGE BOB. On top of this, it features the least charismatic actor in Hollywood. He's worse then Scarlett Johansen.

But on the plus side, there are (from what I hear) a bunch of slow motion shots of Megan Fox which theoretically makes up for the rest of the awfulness.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by MattyC

^^^ Just because someone enjoys a movie like this doesnt mean theyre dumb or "easily amused". First of all making a movie like this is definitely not easy. I consider myself a movie goer, so i watch all kinds of movies. I just think you should be able to go see a movie for different reasons, not everything has to be a masterpiece. get off the high horse and just enjoy something without letting little details ruin your time, or dont see the movie. You shoul know what your getting before seeing a movie like this. Dont go see it and come back and bitch about it when you know full well what its going to be. Loud noises and special effects.

Just out of curiosity..what was the last blockbuster type movie with "loud noises and special effects" that you saw but didn't like?

[CMPunk]

Originally Posted by Igottago

Just out of curiosity..what was the last blockbuster type movie with "loud noises and special effects" that you saw but didn't like?

Max Payne

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by llama64

All I've heard about this movie is that it's being considered to be in the running for worst movie ever made (right up there with Battlefield Earth and Plan 9 From Outer Space).

It's not even in the same league as Battlefield Earth, like not even close. Read the reviews from the people here. I would say it's been about 65-70 percent of people who really liked it. With BE, it would have been the other way around at the very best. Battlefield Earth did squat at the box office, Trans2 has probably already surpassed it in two days.

It's a love or hate thing with this kind of flick. I really don't believe there is any middle ground. It was a cool movie, end of story. Go see it before you rush into judgements.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by CMPunk

Max Payne

Why? Noises not loud enough and explosions not spectacular enough?

I'm just trying to figure out what the benchmark of enjoyability becomes if characters and plot can be disregarded from the beginning.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by Igottago

Why? Noises not loud enough and explosions not spectacular enough?

I'm just trying to figure out what the benchmark of enjoyability becomes if characters and plot can be disregarded from the beginning.

You make it sound like there is literally no plot or characters AT ALL. Like the opening credits roll and it's just a fireworks show.

The plot was very thin, I'll give you that, but had you seen the movie before you started ripping it apart, you would realize there's more to the characters than the basic "We're from Cybertron and we came to earth to battle the bad guys".....