If ever there was a movie tailor-made for the summer teen demographic, this is that movie’s sequel. Carnage, scantly clad 20 something girls, a robot that changes into a Camaro; Michael Bay’s Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen has it all. Unfortunately so did its predecessor.
After having taken down their biggest rival, Autobot leader Optimus Prime and his pals, have teamed with the humans of Earth to rid our planet of the remaining Decepticons. Since both alien parties are giant robots who have a penchant for disguising themselves as everyday cars, trucks, etc. finding the remaining foes isn’t easy. The brass in D.C. remain troubled as to why they are still here.
Meanwhile, Sam Witwicky (Shia LeBeouf) is enroute to college. That’s the typical Hollywood placement for someone his age. I believe his time would be better spent hosting a TV show with his stunning girlfriend Mikaela (Megan Fox) and transforming Chevy Camaro known as Bumblebee. While packing Sam discovers that a sliver of the sacred Allspark cube has been stuck in his old clothes. I’m almost sure this is impossible, but it’s enough to have Decepticons come out of the woodwork in pursuit of Sam.
Sure we later learn that there is more to the Decepticons’ plan, but it’s not enough to raise eyebrows over the contrivance. I place the blame on the shoulders of the writers, not of this movie, but of the 2007 original. It should have been a no-brainer to set it for franchise mode, but by killing off the chief baddy and destroying the Macguffin, there wasn’t anywhere for this one to go. So what happens, they just wipe the magic wand of plot convenience by stating that a piece of the powerful Allspark cube had broken off, and that Megatron can be brought back. What’s more, I distinctly recall a giant robot battle amid a city in the first film. According to exposition in this one, the government somehow managed to cover that up. Not only that but in the two years that have passed, governments the world over are continually covering up these battles. The men in black sure do get around.
What sells Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is the special effects. They are good. I can’t say they are better than the ‘07 film’s. Everything looks about the same, which isn’t a bad thing, but there wasn’t anyplace else to take it. They had realistic giant robots two years ago, and guess what, they still do today. I never approved of the busy designs of the creatures; they make it tough to establish what is happening on screen when you can’t tell a robot fist from a robot stomach.
Amazingly enough, the first film made stars of the two lead humans. I don’t know what relevance it is to have Megan Fox and Shia LeBeouf in your giant robot film, but I estimate that they received a pay raise in this installment; their screen time was upped this time around. Shia puts on a good performance, especially when he’s processed by overwhelming knowledge. Megan is along for the ride and likely makes some attribution toward ticket sales seeing as how she nears the top over ever “hot chick list”. The concept of making humans central to the story, with the Autobots and Decepticons increasingly removed, was not the best choice. With such a long runtime, it seemed that some battles wouldn’t end, while others were long in waiting. The downtime was filled with brain asphyxiating humor attempts and other “Bayisms”.
I realize that I gave the original the same score, even though I just toted it as superior. Maybe there is something unique about giant robot wars with humans dressing the perimeter. There still isn’t a movie playing that gives the same experience. On that strength of spectacle alone Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is worthy of the time of many moviegoers. I prefer my action flicks to have a coherent story and appropriate humor, but that’s just me. If you prefer the same you could still consider sitting through this just for the sake of the sensory experience. **½
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