ARTICLES
Film Review: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Posted by: – Jun 24, 2009
There is good news if you were a fan of the first Transformers film two years ago: There is no reason for you to dislike this movie. Nearly all of the characters, human and robot, return to continue and expand the action. The story and characters remain woefully undeveloped, but that isn’t what you’re waiting to see with this movie. If you want more non-stop action with giant robots, look no further.
The film picks our heroes back up two years after the events of the first movie. The Autobots are working with the United States military to eradicate any Decepticon incursions on Earth. They travel the globe and work with local governments to keep everything under wraps while the robots have massive battles amongst themselves. The human soldiers don’t seem to provide much support in these fights, but I suppose you can’t put a price on moral support.
Meanwhile, Sam has moved on from the events of the first film. He is preparing to go to college, and he barely ever spends time with Bumblebee who lives in his garage. Despite his wishes, Sam becomes embroiled in the Autobot’s war once again when he discovers a piece of the Allspark, the powerful cube from the first film, in his clothing. The sliver of the Allspark beams all of its power into Sam’s brain on contact, leaving Sam with the key to a Decepticon victory in their plot to destroy the world.
That is the set up. From there, Michael Bay barely lets up on the action for a second. The Autobots battle the Decepticons in a factory, in the woods, and even eventually in the deserts of Egypt. If the first film made you wonder why everyone considered Optimus Prime to be the toughest of all the Autobots, prepare to be convinced. In what is likely the most memorable scene in the film, Optimus single-handedly takes on a group of four or five Decepticons. It’s difficult to doubt his superiority after a scene like that. What would the Autobots ever do without him?
Of course, there must be scenes to advance to story between the massive battles. The filmmakers clearly view such scenes as an unwanted necessity. Rather than thoughtfully expand on the plot, the interim scenes are filled to the brim with comic one-liners. Many of them are very funny, so it is difficult to complain. The only problem is that once it really is necessary to explain what is going on (Why have we traveled to Egypt?), illumination occurs quickly and without much detail. At one point, when a new character begins to ramble and actually provide our heroes with background information, Agent Simmons actually cuts him off by shouting, “Beginning, middle, end. Just tell us the plot!” It may be the most self-aware exposition scene I’ve ever witnessed.
Let’s face facts, though. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is the biggest blockbuster this Summer. It was certainly the most crowded midnight opening that I’ve attended. Most everyone will see this movie. As long as you can remember to base your expectations solely on the first film, you will enjoy it.
As a final note, I do wish to discuss the visual effects in the film. There was clearly a lot of rushed work done in order to complete the film for this Summer. In many of the more complex action scenes, the Transformers movements become a bit choppy. It is as if the frame rate were slowing, but only for the robots. Everyone else moves normally around them. When remembering how fluid and impressive the animation of the Autobots and Decepticons was in the first film, it is disappointing that the filmmakers were unable to at least match that quality, if not improve upon it.
by Gareth Mussen
- 1
0 Comment(s)
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Post new comment