Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: Movie Review

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen will not leave action movie fans wanting. The film's stellar special effects engages moviegoers from the get-go. However, this new film from producer Steven Spielberg does have a few flaws. The storyline is a bit rusty and the offensive language and innuendos make it unsuitable for children and even teens.

The Movie in 30 Seconds

Two years after defeating the evil Decepticons, Optimus Prime and the heroic Autobots reunite with Sam Witwicky to stop a resurrected evil bent on seeking revenge. A shard from the splintered cube Allspark signals ancient markings to Sam that map the way to a secret location where the Decepticons can fulfill their mission on Earth. With the world against them, the Autobots and a few allies must succeed or all will be destroyed.

The Good and the Bad

Oftentimes, in the hopes of making a profit riding on the back of a blockbuster hit, movie studios produce sequels that lack a decent storyline. While the plot for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is fairly solid, its weak points drag the movie down a bit. The fact that Sam’s parents end up in the middle of the desert during the battle between the Autobots and Decepticons seems a little hokey. The impromptu, "touching" moment between father and son is a little out of place as Transformers are fighting to the death around them. The most regrettable scenes happens at the end of the movie when Sam ends up in Transformer Heaven. Say what?

One notable line from the script is delivered by Tyrese Gibson’s character. It’s worth mentioning because it establishes a pro-God ideology in the movie. He says, “You’re gotta wonder, If God made us in His image, who made him?” This unexpected dialogue was great to hear in a modern-day action film.

Audiences will have to sit in theaters for two and a half hours to watch this film. Its length would not have been a problem, if a few of the scenes had not been overdone. Within the first few minutes of the Shanghai action scene, fans are reminded of the immensely talented special effects team behind this franchise. However, the director should have left a little bit more film on the cutting room floor. Trimming down the long forest battle scene between Megatron and Optimus Prime and the extremely long desert battle scene would have kept the movie on the fast track, instead of giving moviegoers a valid reason to complain about the length of the flick.

This sequel brings back a great cast, including break-out stars Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox. LaBeouf reprises his role as self-conscious teenager Sam Witwicky. This young actor's timing is perfect, whether the moment calls for some comedic relief or serious emotion. The chemistry between LaBeouf and co-star Megan Fox, who plays Sam’s girlfriend Mikaela, also seems to have improved since the first film. Actor John Turturro who plays Agent Simmons, an alien historian if you will, from the last movie is great. One new character worth noting is Sam’s college roommate Leo (Ramon Rodriguez), who through a series of extraordinary events accompanies Mikaela and Sam throughout the movie.

Rated PG-13, Transformers 2 is loaded with action violence and crude innuendos that will make parents hang their heads in shame as they ask themselves, “Why did they have to include that?" Quite a bit of skin is shown in a few of the college scenes, including one where a girl’s short dress rises up to reveal a close-up of her underwear. A similar shot is used when Turturro’s character strips off his pants baring his tight undergarments. The sexual innuendos, comedic use of drug-laced brownies, and profanity make this a must-not-see for kids and teens.