Transformers 2 [12A]

Andrea, don't speak to soon: I'm a boy and I thought it was one of the worst films I've ever seen. The first time I actually felt like I had been ripped off in the cinema, too. I didn't have high expectations; but where Transformers 1 was quite well paced, with a bit of chemistry between the lead actors and even some comedy from the parents, all those good elements were missing here. It is FAR too long, and the fact that it was written by three different people is so evident from the ridiculousness of the plot (ROBOT GHOSTS!!), and its general flabbiness. It's as if they had a meeting about their ideas, and then thought "Screw it, we'll just do all of them. Some of them twice."

The editing is atrocious, too. It feels like they just got a chimp to sellotape every single piece of film they had together. There are countless repetitive redundant shots of military hardware flying, rolling, shooting, etc, simply to emphasise that there's lots of big machines knocking about. Which you can see from the background of ordinary shots. But obviously we need it rammed down our throats with some robot transforming, then tanks firing, then a robot walking, then THE SAME tanks firing, then a man running, then THE SAME TANKS firing. Without moving.

I never thought I'd see the day, but it appears that the writers actually used Alien vs Predator as a template for their storyline. That's like stealing from Primark when the assistant at Armani next door is asleep and the till's open.

Not only did I leave not caring about the film, it took me a good few days to once more care about myself or the human race in general. Take your wife if she cheats on you.

15/07/09

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If you’re looking for a true modern summer blockbuster there is nothing better than this!

Revenge has a basic but driving plot, Sam finds a shard of the All Spark (the Macguffin from the first film) and absorbs information that may lead to the whereabouts of the Matrix, a piece of ancient Transformers technology that could lead to the destruction of Earth. So far so standard.

There are a few things that set Transformers apart from most summer action fodder, it has a great leading man in Shia LaBeouf and the script keeps things witty and avoids taking itself too seriously while keeping itself the right side of plot. It also has some of the most amazing visuals we have ever seen. The robots are huge, but they look so real it is crazy, and while LaBeouf and Fox et all are all good actors doing a fine job there is no doubt that Prime, Megatron, Bumblebee and co are the stars.

While Revenge of the Fallen has the aspects of the first movie we enjoyed - Robot banter, lots of fast car chases, rough and tumble exploits - it also has some new gems. The Fallen, voiced by Tony Todd with great effect, is a nice new bad guy, maybe a little underused but great non the less and the Megatron – Starscream relationship gets more screen time. There is also a great addition in JetFire (a fantastic turn by British actor Mark Ryan) an aged transformer who proves vital to the plot and the action. His introduction saves the middle section from being too saggy.

Once in Egypt the pace and the explosions pick up and from there to a typical Bay orange soaked sunset it doesn’t really let up.

This is Popcorn cinema at its best, and what is great is that this is exactly what it wants and is supposed to be! Fantastic stuff.

Ed Blagrove (DI Reviewer), 22/06/09

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Tolerably good FX and fight scenes, nonsensical plot, minimal acting. Nowhere near as good as Transformers 1. Pretty much as expected. Boys of all ages (and genders) will probably enjoy it but grown-ups should save their brain cells for something more interesting.

Andrea Hopkins (DI Reviewer), 22/06/09

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