FILM: TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON – IRISH CORRESPONDENT
Review By Dermot Keogh
Director: Michael Bay
Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Josh Duhamel, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, John Malkovich, Patrick Dempsey, Ken Jeong, John Turturro, Frances McDormand, Peter Cullen, Tyrese Gibson
Synopsis: Shia LaBeouf returns as Sam Witwicky in Transformers: Dark of the Moon. When a mysterious event from Earth’s past erupts into the present day it threatens to bring a war to Earth so big that the Transformers alone will not be able to save us.
Rating: * * * * 1/2
We’re going to kill them all – Optimus Prime (Peter Cullen)
When the Transformers franchise was started in 2007 fans got more or less what they wanted. The movie was a great foundation to build on. The film was a huge hit which guaranteed a sequel so everyone was happy. In 2009 Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen hit our screens. It was phenomenally successful. Paramount was rolling in it and Michael Bay was smiling more than usual. Problem was though that for all intense purposes it was garbage. A convoluted plot and confusing effects sequences rubbed fans up the wrong way. It made so much money that this third one was inevitable. Now the million dollar question is ‘has Michael Bay redeemed himself ?’
The answer to that is a resounding YES. Bay has crafted the best looking ‘Genuine’ 3D movie since AVATAR that contains the most visually spectacular actions sequences that you’ll see this year. The sheer scope and beauty of the FX on display here is nothing short of astounding. Gone are the blurry CGI shots from REVENGE OF THE FALLEN where it was virtually impossible to tell who was who. These are now replaced with drool enticing 3D sequences that have clarity and a power that will leave even the biggest Bay hater feeling impressed. It is clear from its 155 mins running time that no expense was spared and that ILM really put their heart and soul into it.
Shia LaBeouf has some fun moments and is his usual bumbling self here. His new eye candy girlfriend (who also happens to be JASON STATHAM’s new squeeze) Rosie Huntington-Whiteley gives a whole new meaning to the words POOP and WOODEN. I hate to say it but Megan Fox was far superior. If only she’d kept her mouth shut she’d still be here. Patrick Dempsey has come a long way since his days in LOVERBOY, CAN’T BUY ME LOVE and OUTBREAK. His career resurgence thanks to GREY’S ANATOMY is deserved. For the first time we get to see the flip side of his carefully achieved image and it is a welcome addition to the main attraction which is the Transformers themselves. HANGOVER scene stealer Ken Jeong adds another zany cameo to his repertoire and will get a few laughs for what he does here. Francis McDormand and John Malkovich are nice additions but have little to do. John Turturro reprises his Simmons role from the previous movies but is this time aided by his multitasking butler/assistant Dutch who is played by the always watchable Alan Tudyk. The rest of the cast whether new or old do what is required to keep things moving along. The voice work is great and really benefitted from the addition of Leonard Nimoy as Sentinel Prime. Leonard is no stranger to Transformers voice work and is as menacing here as he was in The Transformers: The Movie in 1986. On a side note a very clever STAR TREK reference is nicely placed for fans. Its inclusion was most unexpected and worthwhile.
BAY has not redesigned the SCI-FI wheel here but has amped it up 100%. He may have issues working with living actors but he really does know how to put on a show. He has created what is without a doubt the best in the franchise here. Some of the action sequences are total adrenaline rushes with the Chicago sequence coming off like something from a TERMINATOR flick. You will talk about this movie in a good way unlike the last. For that alone kudos must be given. He has re-invigorated the franchise and brought it to a resounding end all in one movie. If it is rebooted again they have their work cut out to follow this. As far as the summer season goes this will easily de-throne FAST FIVE and will battle it out with HARRY POTTER for the biggest box office hit of 2011. Until Mr Potter arrives this is as good as it gets this summer. Bay really has transformed this franchise around. The 3D really makes this one come to life. It adds a dimension of realism not apparant in the others. Guess it’s just up to the fans to forgive him for the last one.
re: “When the Transformers franchise was started in 2007 fans got more or less what they wanted.”
WHAT? You obviously don’t know many Transformers fans. All but the smallest minority wanted Bay lynched after the first film, that bore no resemblance whatsoever (other than a few character names and Optimus’ face) to the orginal. One described is as akin to Batman being put in a pink tutu. The fact that the film was pretty bad didn’t help, and it’s only gone downhill since, courtesy of an immature idiot who thinks that some flashy CGI, wavy cameras, unfunny juvenile jokes and explosions are all it takes to make a good film. Appaling.
Reviewer, I suggest you go and ask some TF fans at any of the numerous online message baords before you start putting words in our mouths. Thank you.
It’s just my opinion. Just as what you said is your opinion. I must have missed the headline that stated that you spoke for the entire worldwide Transformers fan base. I grew up with the Transformers from their initial launch to where we are today. How else did you think it was possible to make a Transformers movie without using as you say flashy CGI and explosions ? The film was never going to suit everyone, no film does. If they all wanted Bay lynched after the first one then why did so many of them go in bigger numbers to the second one and probably bigger numbers again this time ? What you said doesn’t really make any sense. Did you actually go see this film?
Wow Mick. I guess when God was passing out ass you thought he said class and stepped in line twice. lol ((-;
@ James lol
I have to agree. This movie rawked!! The cast was great. Shia is the man and I must say though…Rosie stood her ground…and she acted better than Megan (and I’m a fan of Megan) Bay has redeemed himself in my book and I’ll watching this again when I get back home! Oh, what the hell is a “poop” and “wooden”? LOL
@Mike Poop is shit and wooden just a term for no movement or interaction like a piece of wood. Thanks for the comment
@mikethemovieguy – Hey buddy yeah I loved it too. Did you see my review? (link at bottom of page) I am not even a terribly big fan of this genre and I thought it really rocked out!
-Duncan
Personally I liked the review Derm. Out of respect I’ll see this before it leaves the theater! ((-;