Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action violence, language,
some crude and sexual material, and brief drug material.
Running Time: 2 hours 27 minutes
The battle for Earth has ended, but the battle for the universe has just begun! After returning to Cybertron, Starscream assumes command of the Decepticons, and he’s decided to return to Earth with force.
Meanwhile, the Autobots, believing peace was possible, find out that Megatron’s dead body has been stolen from the U.S. Military by Skorpinox who revives him using his own spark. Now Megatron is back looking for revenge. With Starscream and more Decepticon reinforcements on the way, the Autobots, with reinforcements of their own, may have more to deal with than meets the eye.
Special Effects Alone Do Not A Movie Make
In the midst of all the special effects of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, is a very veiled storyline of the Decepticon forces trying to take Sam Witwicky, played once again by Shia LaBeouf, prisoner. Why are they after him this time? Because the young hero has discovered the truth about the ancient origins of the Transformers. Of course Witwicky has no idea what it all means. But, all is not lost! Joining the mission to protect humankind, and the college bound Witwicky, is Optimus Prime, who forms an alliance with international armies, for a second epic battle of Machine vs. Machine.
I can’t imagine watching this movie on IMAX. I walked out of a regular theater screening with a huge headache. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is nothing more than an over-blown special effects extravaganza. Director Michael Bay seems more concerned with computer generated special effects than he does story line.
This is a movie that simply does not know what it wants to be.
Is it a war movie? Is it a love story? Is it a college story? Is it a comedy? Is it soft-porn trying to tart-up and sex-up Megan Fox? Is this an animated/live action cartoon? Or is it simply Bay trying to win some special effects hardware come next years award show circuit?
Whatever the case may be, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen…
Is a 2 and half hour assault on your sight and sound senses.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen simply has too much going on to make it a movie worthy of note for story and theme. At one point I felt like I was sitting in a Tim Burton movie without Johnny Depp. Then at another time, when the storyline becomes very confusing with too many characters to keep track of, it was like a rerun of the confusing and cartoonish Batman & Robin. In that flick Arnold Schwarzenegger played Mr. Freeze and a cast of other favorites played too many villains. The 1997 Batman movie was the nail in the coffin for the cartooned Batman. The Batman franchise disappeared from the movie landscape until it was recently resurrected and re-tooled out of cartoon-land.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen = Cartoon-land
Glimmers of Hope
Yes, even though it’s over-done and over-blown, I do applaud Shia LaBeouf. Apparently he learned some good lessons from his time spent with Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones.
The career of the young LaBeouf has been interesting to track. We’ve actually watched him grow up before our very eyes. In the past every part he did seemed the same. He was a hyper-active young kid who could run, scream, look nervous, and never calm down. But, this started to change in his role with Harrison Ford and the latest Indiana Jones flick. It’s there we started see him calm down some. While there’s a lot of action in the Indiana Jones movie, LaBeouf didn’t seem as hyper-active.
Such is the case with the latest Transformers flick too. As already pointed out, the movie is nothing more than one endless stream of special effects. But, in the midst of the explosions and fighting robots, LaBeouf plays a more subdued and in control Sam Witwicky.
Not Your Saturday Morning Transformers
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is far from family-friendly. People, this is not your Saturday morning Transformers here. This movie carries a PG-13 rating, which means it is not for young kids. Leave your young kids at home. It’s PG-13 for a reason.
Not only is this an over-blown movie in the area of special effects, it’s far too violent for young kids. Even with a PG-13 rating, I say it’s not family-friendly. Then, when you add in the needless sex suggestions and inappropriate actions of both dogs and robots, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, is best viewed for the 16 and up. If your 13 to 15 year old really want to see this movie, go with them so you know what they’re being exposed to.
Last, but certainly not least, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, is simply too long. Clocking in at 2 and a half hours, this is nothing more than an assault on your senses. After 2 and half hours you leave the theater feeling like your eyes and ears have been involved in a boxing match. Constantly pounded from every side.
Now, after saying all of the above, I am giving Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen 3 Lloyds. While there’s too many special effects, and little to no storyline, it is a somewhat entertaining movie. If you’re looking for a movie in which you can turn your mind off and simply watch things blow up, this is a movie for you. While the special effects are overblown, they are impressive at times. Then, toss in a few humorous scenes from time to time, and at least this latest installment in the Transformers franchise, isn’t a total loss.
In other words, it really depends on what you’re looking for in a movie experience. If you want all the boom on a big screen, then you will enjoy Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen on the big screen. If you’re simply interested in turning your mind off for the sake of boom and special effects, it’s probably best to wait for this one to come out on DVD.
Cautiously enjoy the show!
Dr. Rus
Dr. Rus has 30+ years experience in the field of communication. He takes this experience, and his passion to encourage others to positively effect their environment, when providing insight and movie reviews. 
Reading this review I agree that this is far from a family friendly film!
However this is where I have a lot more of an issue!
Forget Michael Bay – but what about Steve Speilberg as Executive Producer and Hasbro???
For a kids movie are all of sexual references really necessary and appropriate?
Lets review some of the scenes:
1. First Shot of Morgan Fox – camera angle low pointed toward her rear end with loose crotch shorts so that you could see right up them and look at her panties at the crotch angle.
2. Dogs humping each other in almost every scene
3. Captured Small robot gets loose and then dry humps Morgan Foxes boot
4. Large Transformer toward end of movie – with two testicles where the camera zooms in on them?
For a producer known for ET and then a Toy company – you guys should be ashamed of yourselves for this garbage! OK the first one or two times the dog humping was funny, but not the 5th. Then lets talk about the Robot Testicles – “OK maybe I can accept that as a way of saying this is a weak spot to attack the transformer?” – Did the movie do that? – Hell no! – Lets just show robot balls for the hell of it!
I am sincerely disappointed in Speilberg over this and would not recommend anyone buy Transformer Dolls. Just in case they find that the toys they buy at Target for their kids “Transform” to robots with male and female genitalia!
I agree with Skeeter. Talent and resources do not make a producer respectable or credible. I experienced Transformers 2 as a slap in the face. There is no excuse for Spielberg or Hasbro when they take a market created for children, like the Transformers, and sprinkle it with crusty old dude mentality…actually I was embarrassed for the producers and everyone involved. And don’t the actors/actresses have the right under contract and character to refuse to participate in scenes that demean their personal character and sense of self-worth? Sorry Steven and Hasbro, you are both Has-beens in my estimation.
Thanks for your comment about the latest Transformers movie. Both you and Skeeter are right on the mark with your comments. Skeeter actually screened the movie with me and we talked about those parts as we left the theater. I simply ran out of space in the review. I’m glad you commented as you did.
Thanks again!
Dr. Rus
Yay, this one is my favorite!!! I love it!