Transformers 2, Revenge Of The Fallen

And to top it off, I went out of the cinema feeling unsatisfied, empty.

2 years later, Michael Bay, the director for the 2 movies is back with a vengeance, with a bigger budget and all for Transformers 2: Revenge of The Fallen (TF2). I have to commend Bay, for (at least appearing to) listen to some of the fans. The battles are bigger, with more Transformers slugging each other, Optimus shows better leadership skill than the harakiri-prone one in the first movie, and we get to see Starscream in his essence even more.

But still I went out of the cinema feeling unsatisfied, empty.

TF2 starts 2 years after the battle in LA, where Megatron was put to rest in the deepest man-known abyss with constant monitoring and guard, and what’s left of the Allspark was kept in a secret, secure location.

The Autobots, on the other hand have been teaming up with US military to find and eradicate all Decepticon prescence in the whole world. But it seems that the Decepticons, led by Starscream, have not been resting on their laurels. They are looking for something ancient, far ancient than the civil war between the 2 major clans, or maybe, the cause of it.

However, battling 5 storey high robots is hard to be covered, and the US government, under Obama (yes, while the first was under Bush, given by the southern accent, but in this one, Obama‘s name was mentioned) is not impressed, especially when the Chinese government is not pleased at the recent operations in Shanghai.

And so, the Autobots are now a mistake away from being asked to leave Earth alone. But little the humans know, that Earth have a history that links the 2 races together, whether they like it or not.

Okay, this is what I’ve read in other review, that it is too long and draggy, even being just less than 10 minutes longer than the first one, and that ist’s similar to a sized up McDonalds Value Meal: it doesnt’ make it any better, just more of the same stuff.

To those reviews, I share your feeling. There are parts that I thought the movie was too long, especially when slow-motions are used. And there are parts where I wonder, what the story is again?

But, it’s not to say TF2 is a bad movie. far from it. This time Optimus really showed his acting, and fighting skill, that he is a warrior indeed. not even when cornered by Megatron, Starscream and Blackout, did he show that he’s easy target. For that, I love. Heck, even Bumblebee showed some muscle, and even tears.

The autobots s now shows more of their character. But in this movie, character development is limited to the Decepticons, whereby some autobots did not even get a proper line, namely Arcee and Sideswipe. Not even Ratchet. Ironhide, however, got to be the first to transfrom very early in the movie.

On the decepticons side, we get to see more of the infamous Starsream treacherous attitude, and a plethora of other decepticons who now got control of the dead Cybertron.

The humans still focus on Lennox (Josh Duhamel), Sam (Shia LeBeouf) and Mikaela (my future exgirlfriend Megan Fox). Comic reliefs are aplenty, and at times feels over the top, like those provided by Sam’s roomate Leo (Ramon Rodriuez) and ex-Sector 7 agent Simmons (John Torturro). Oh, not to forget the minicons (I presume) and the Twins.

And oh, seeing Sam lost his stuttering cool and reduced to a screaming girl, was kind of funny.

Speaking of the twins, there’s abundance of hotties in here, especially in the co-ed hostel Sam’s getting, Alice (Isabel Lucas), and Mikaela. Ooh…Mikaela even got her ‘transformation scene’ early in the movie…Definitely not to miss.

Fight scenes, where robots clashes each other, were nothing short of impressive. I liked all, except for the long distance shooting scenes. all hand to hand combat are beautifully crafted, and since Bay decided to pull back the shots, it gives us more room to see what’s happening and who’s doing what. Notable battle, is in the woods, and the end where Optimus goes on a rampage while being righteous. Now that’s Transformers.

Actually, I don’t really say that this is a bad movie, judging from the new fans it’s getting and how loud Bay and Spielberg is laughing when dancing to the bank, and the fact that that to a certain extend, the movies are beyond cool. But seriously, if the movie didn’t feel too rushed, and the fights not prolonged too much, maybe it could be better.

At least we’re given the hopes of seeing Soundwave and the Destructicons and their combined mode Devastator a more menacing role in the 3rd installment.

I’ll give it 3.5 out of 5 (could been a 4, if not for all the jokes and the thin storyline)