Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) Movie Review #2

It’s been two years since the robots that were more than meets the eye made their live action debut. Despite the 720 day lapse, there’s no creaking in the joints of the Autobots or Decepticons; rust is amazingly absent from both the Transformers and the film series. What we’re given is a nifty, fantastically loud and thrilling popcorn film—one that would make Optimus Prime himself beam with Allspark pride.

Time has come for Sam to depart for college, and while he tries to reconcile his long distance relationship, an unwelcome development occurs when a shard from the Cybertron cube. It fuses Sam with the clues to a secret source of Energon, as well as a deceased group of Primes, whom Optimus is an ancestor. Of course, this peaks the Decepticon’s interest, and Megatron is resurrected and rises from the depths to destroy a nuclear sub. But we learn he’s only mere apprentice to one known as The Fallen. A Prime who went rogue, he covets the Energon source; he cares little that possessing it would vanquish the sun and kill everything on Earth.

Making matters worse, things have never been worse for the Autobots. Optimus Prime has fallen valiantly in combat. The United States government wants them all off the planet. Decepticons are arriving en masse, with The Fallen taking charge of the Earth. But all is not lost, as Sam and the US military rally with the Autobots in a massive battle royale at an Egyptian pyramid housing the Energon source.

Longterm Transformer fans will appreciate homages to the old series, especially the inclusion of the Leadership Matrix, the Constructicons, and Starscreams’ willingness to abandon his wounded leader. The inclusion of Soundwave is also welcome for longtime fans, although he appears in an alternate form. A major problem is the Autobot twins Mudflap and Skids. Both voiced by Tom Kenny, the voice behind Spongebob Squarepants, they’re both useless as fighters and annoying. God could only guess their purpose in this movie, they’re about as dangerous as a neutered poodle. The other problem is Sam’s inability to say “I Love You” to Megan Fox. Shia, they’re are enough guys who’ll tell Megan Fox “I Love You” to fill the Grand Canyon. What the hell is your problem?

Thank God director Michael Bay knows how to make up for a film’s weaknesses. The finale is a massive battle between the Decepticons and the Autobots/US Military. More ammunition is spent than was used in the first 2 World Wars, and you barely get a chance to take a breath in the blistering firefights. Major props are due to scripters Ehren Kruger, Robert Orci and Alex Kurtzman for creating not only a horrific villian in The Fallen, but crafting a wild roller coaster ride. Industrial Light & Magic and Digital Domain outdo themselves in creating realistic special effects work, while the inclusion of Linkin Park, Green Day and others lend a hip angle to the soundtrack.

In short, ignore the rancor you might read on the Internet. “Transformers” is a massive thrill ride, one that will leave you with a huge smile on your face. While you’re grinning away, just remember–they’ve greenlighted “Transformers 3″ for 2011.

Michael Bay (director) / Ehren Kruger, Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman (screenplay)
CAST: Megan Fox … Mikaela Banes
Shia LaBeouf … Sam Witwicky
Isabel Lucas … Alice
Hugo Weaving … Megatron (voice)
Josh Duhamel … Captain Lennox
John Turturro … Agent Simmons / Jetfire
Rainn Wilson … Professor Colan
Tyrese Gibson … USAF Tech Sergeant Epps
Ramon Rodriguez … Leo