Director Michael Bay loves big-budgets, special effects, and explosions—lots of them. Sometimes it works (Armageddon, Pearl Harbor, Transformers) and other times it does not (The Island, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen). And when Bay took on the responsibility of taking Transformers to the big screen, it made perfect sense. And after seeing the movie version, I was impressed.
However, then came the sequel that made a lot of noise but lowered the bar for the franchise. But at this moment in time, I should think Mr. Bay for making a third Transformers movie because it brings back what the original offered and what the second one was missing.
Transformers: Dark of the Moon is still loud and noisy, but there is one complete focus to the movie. It sticks to one straight path and never sidetracks. It is the definition of what a summer blockbuster should be. Shia LaBeouf returns as Sam Witwicky. Somehow, he has found a new girlfriend (Rosie Huntington-Whiteley) who is hotter than the last one. And while he is a hero for his past actions, he is unemployed and is feeling the pressure from his annoying parents to find a job. But that becomes the least of his problems once the war between Autobots and Decepticons makes its way to Earth and threatens its very existence.
The landing on the Moon is used as a cover-up to hide what was really discovered: A Cybertronian spacecraft. And when Optimus Prime and the rest of the Autobots find out about this, it is a race against time to not only get it but to do so before the Decepticons can get their machine hands on it. The importance of this spacecraft and it’s secrets threaten Sam and the entire human race, and the Autobots may not be able to come to the rescue this time around.
Now the premise may have its flaws and lack depth. But it certainly is an upgrade from Revenge of the Fallen. This time around, there seems to be a real purpose to what everyone is fighting for. It is more entertaining and mind-blowing for sure. LaBeouf has become an action hero and has gotten pretty good at it. Except for all the screaming he does in the movie. It becomes a little too much and kind of funny. Now the new “Bay Babe,” Whiteley, is used for eye-candy as usual, but she actually gets involved and just doesn’t run from one street corner to the other looking stupid and confused. She gets right in to the thick of things and that is very much appreciated.
As far as the special effects go, they are wild and crazy while being impressive and breath-taking. The action sequences are out-of-control and I mean that in a good way. There is no question about it, Bay knows how to create destruction and madness on-screen. It is one exhilarating experience. Transformers: Dark of the Moon is a spectacle and has to be seen on the big screen just so you can see the mayhem that covers it. Finally, Revenge of the Fallen can be forgotten and Dark of the Moon will help us move on.
“Nature Boy” Brandon Vick is the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and star of Brandon’s Box Office In Your Mouth. Follow him on Twitter@SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
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