Synopsis: In Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, the Decepticons return to Earth to seek revenge.
Release Date: June 24, 2009 MPAA Rating: PG-13
Genre(s): Action, Adventure
Film Review
Production
With a plot that tries very hard to be overly serious, and fails, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is simply a mash-up of transformer robots in multiple battles and humans running for their lives. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen does not have the excitement and the heart pumping thrill of the first installment in the franchise. It is so concerned with showcasing the CGI effects that it forgets the viewer would like more from a two hour plus film and most importantly a plot we can invest in fully. It does not help also that any big movie fan will see that much of the storyline, new robots, and various production design elements have been borrowed and subsequently altered for use in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Originality is one thing Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is sorely lacking.
Special Effects
There can be no doubt that the special effects inTransformers: Revenge of the Fallen are over the top and at times awe-inspiring. Aside from the transformers that have been brought back from the first film, there is a range of new ones to experience on screen that are both fun and scary but they do not come with the perfection seen in the original film. There are a variety of scenes where the use of a Green and/or Blue Screen is clearly evident as the blending between the CGI and background is done poorly. The transformers fail to appear real and instead take on a cartoonish nature. There are also a variety of instances in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen where the details of specific transformers is lost due to the rapid nature of the scene and not enough color and detail used with the effects to clearly define what character is on screen at the time; this is primarily found in the fight sequences between transformers. Even with the few flaws, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen remains an excellent achievement in special effects and it will at times make your jaw drop by what you are experiencing on screen.
Action Sequences
There is no shortage of action in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen but many of the scenes are very long and you lose your concentration. One can only watch two transformers battling it out for so long, using the same maneuvers, and transforming the same way over and over again. The action is ever present but, dare I say, there is such an abundance of it that it wears on you as a viewer. Good action is all about perfect timing, and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen has forgotten all about the timing.
Cast and Crew
- Director(s): Michael Bay
- Producer(s): Don Murphy, Ehren Kruger,
- Screenwriters: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman
- Cast: Shia LaBeouf (Sam Witwicky), Megan Fox (Mikaela Banes), Hugo Weaving (voice of Megatron), Rainn Wilson (College Professor), Josh Duhamel (Captain Lennox), John Turturro (Agent Simmons/voice of Jetfire), Tyrese Gibson (USAF Tech Sergeant Epps), Peter Cullen (voice of Optimus Prime)
- Additional Crew: Roger Barton, Ben Seresin, Nigel Phelps, Deborah L. Scott, Steve Jablonsky
- Country Of Origin: USA
