Last night David and I went out to see Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen after all these months of anticipation. I remember when the first scenes of the film were shot in Bethlehem, PA back in May of last year … and now the movie is finally released in theaters. As a big fan of the first movie, I was really hoping that the sequel would be just as good. Unfortch, it is not:
Firstly, I have to say that the special effects are really spectacular. The strongest part of the film is the seamless way that the CGI characters are integrated into the film … I really could see no errors in the effects. Other than that, tho, I was far from impressed. There was zero attempt to tell a story … the writing is just horrible. I know many people think that big budget action films don’t need a story to be good but I would argue otherwise. I mean … the writing was really just bad. At almost every plot development I kept thinking how stupid the movie plotline really is … and it just keep getting worse thruout the film. I wasn’t expecting Shakespeare but I was expecting not to feel like an abject idiot. It really felt like the story was the least important thing in the production of this film. The focus is really on the CGI, the loudness and the huge explosions. On that account, the movie succeeds. On all others, IMHO, it fails. It really occurred to me that this film was Michael Bay‘s latest attempt to say to the world, I HAVE A BIG PENIS! I SWEAR!! I will say that barring the insipidness of the tale, I did enjoy seeing new Transformers on the big screen so I didn’t totally hate the film but, believe me, it’s not that good. Compared to the first film, this one is junk. Even still … I think fans of Transformers should see the film, if for the nostalgic purposes only. But my honest advice is to wait to rent the DVD or see it on cable for free.
Not sure what the plan is for tonight but I have a couple ideas in mind. It’s a beautiful day here in SoCal today … I wanna be outside :)
It was far from as good as the first. But it did seem to have a bit more of a comedic twist and Megan Fox looked hotter.
I saw it last night and honestly, i really liked it.
The first one, of course, was great, but i thought #2 was good.
It was funnier, more action, more robots, more everything.
Shia was great..
NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! RATS!
I totally agree. Not only was the plot completely horrendous but the new characters skids & mudflap was like listening to fingernails running down the chalkboard. I get they’re trying to be children friendly but going the jar jar binks route was just wrong.
I thought they needed to chuck the actors for this flick and just make it an entire movie with big loud shiny fight scenes.
this is a writers strike movie and IT SHOWS.
@leatitia — “this is a writers strike movie and IT SHOWS.” You are so right.
I think I’m seeing this movie tonight. Trent, how did Megan Fox do? I read her article that said she actually “tried” in this one.
I saw it last night. Of course it wasn’t as good as the first one, the first one was awesome and I watched it like 10 times already. But I did like this one. A lot more fights (where u could actually distinguished what the robots were doing while on the first one my impression was it was just pieces of metal rolling together and I couldn’t see much), a lot more humor, characters and action. I guess u could say that the plot is shit, but you also have to bear in mind that u r going to see an action flick and that’s it.
I don’t agree with you that u can wait to see it on dvd or cable, u would be missing a lot (image wise) these type of movies are better in theaters.
My 6 year old loved it (except the part when u know what happens to Optimus… he went “We should’ve gone to see Night at the Museum 2″ and he had this really sad look on his face hahaha). I enjoyed it and enjoyed that this one features a lot more Josh! You failed to mention that hahaha. Yum!!
Anyway, I still can’t get over how good Terminator was, so I’m quite satisfied with the action I got lately hahaha.
With way too much money/time spent on special effects and zero time invested on a reasonable story, Michael Bay’s reputation remains the same. I would think he’d at least try to show he can make a movie with a decent storyline along with the action, but sadly, he’s still just an explosion guy.
I agree with alex. I just saw it earlier today, and it wasn’t too bad; I wanted to see a funny action flick and got it. Shia and Megan were decent…I mean, running and yelling, how hard is that? LOL! I loved the mom & dad!! I actually teared up a little bit, too.
I totally agree Trent. It was cool in the beginning b/c I live in Bethlehem, PA and got to see the helicopters filming at the steel plant (this becomes “Shanghai” in the first 15 mins. or so). But really, my husband and I both said that Megan Fox’s role was silly- purely for eye candy (not necessarily a bad thing) but I could see her being type casted if she’s not careful. The whole story was confusing to me- just silly and all over the place. I still love Shia though! Too cute! It was a bummer that they had to work that hand injury into the story- just seemed out of place. Very cool special effects! Did you think the two “gangsta” bots were a bit much?? The gold teeth, some raunchy jokes- not so kid friendly and there were many small children in our theatre (sorry, I’m a teacher!!).
Totally agree with you. It’s okay but it’s also not okay at the same time. The Twins are utterly annoying and useless. A lot of characters were underutilized, for example, the new autobots (the motorbikes) as well as Ironhide. Devastator was, well…just too bloody huge and utilize for wrong reason. nuff said.
same here. i didn’t HATE it to the point of vomitting, but I did feel a tad sleepy midway once I got used to the loud banging of metal on metal. and then after about 8 hourse of that, in the middle of all the explosions I realized that the movie has come to an end. I actually turned to my hubby and asked, “Is the bad robot dead? what just happened? why are they on a boat all happy? So the bad guy IS dead!”
I enjoyed it overall, but not as much as the first. I really like the Autobots and the effects are absolutely amazing. I was just sitting there completely amazed during some of the fight scenes that they can even do that so seamlessly. If you like the first movie, I think you should see the second one in theaters since that action scenes are sooo much better on the big screen!
Im completely conflicted since I promised the boyfriend we’d go. I was somewhat fond of the first one b/c of Shia doing such a cute job and thought that the second one would be fun to see. I keep hearing bad reviews from people that usually have the same movie taste as me so now Im dreading tonight. I dont mind big action scenes but at least do right by the audience and have a decent plot structure. Ugh. At least there will be popcorn and a cute guy next to me.
The film was both sexist and racist. Ugh, I hated it.
this from someone that’s entertained from the hills. blah! “men lie, women lie, numbers don’t” – jay-z. this movie is entertaining and it’ll make a shit load of money – that’s all that matters.
They could have left the girl out of the entire movie for what little she contributed to it.
IMHO trent;;
you obvi didn’t see this movie the way it was meant & made to be viewed.
aka NOT SOBER.
enough said.
I saw the midnight premiere and thought it was awesome! You don’t really need a heavy plot when a building/person/car is being blown up every second of the movie. I would recommend seeing it in the theatre because it is easier to take it all in! LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!
This movie did exactly what it was suppose to do. It was loud had great CGI awesome fight scenes. Couple really good laughs. Anyone going to this movie expecting The Color Purple is an idiot. As for recommending to wait for this movie to come out on video or free on cable is terrible advice. This is the exact kind of movie you should see on the big screen with surround sound and some buttery popcorn and soda. Can’t believe everyone hating on this movie. Get out of here!