Empire's Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen Movie Review

Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen
Bigger, badder, madder, faster, more intense!

Plot
Autobots and the US military have united to form NEST, an elite unit dedicated to wiping out Decepticons. But when they catch a rogue ‘bot in Shanghai, it warns that something very bad is heading for Earth: a diabolical entity known as ‘The Fallen’.

Review

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A notable moment occurs during the dementedly frenetic final act of Transformers 2. A robot-on-robot fracas is unfolding around Egypt’s Giza Necropolis, with Devastator, an especially massive mechanoid comprised of several construction vehicles, set on clawing its way to the peak of a pyramid. As it lumbers up the dusty colossus, a shot tilts up to its mid-section, revealing two wrecking balls dangling down. Yes, Michael Bay, the man who brought us cyber-micturition in this movie’s predecessor, has one-upped himself: Decepticon testicles.

If the thought of that gag makes you laugh, chances are you’ll have a ball with Revenge Of The Fallen. If not… well, Bay really doesn’t care. His first and only sequel since Bad Boys 2 is, like that film, marked by swaggering confidence, wild excess and a string of bad-taste jokes. Dogs hump each other, robots hump human legs and the camera spends so much time ogling Megan Fox’s torso you start to wonder if it’s being operated by a 13 year-old boy. There are now 42 robots, including one that looks like a jaguar, one that can turn into ball bearings to access high-security areas and one in the form of a Dyson vacuum cleaner.

It all looks good on paper, as does the added-value 150-minute run time. But it’s a case of same meal, bigger portion, with the flaws of the first not only present but accentuated. You’ll be even more hard pressed at the end of this one to remember which robot’s which — there are three or four new Gremlin-esque ones that chitter and skitter about like the first movie’s Frenzy — and few get more than a scene before Bay’s attention flits elsewhere. Even the Fallen, an Emperor figure to Megatron’s Darth Vader, who can hurl tanks around with the aid of his jagged staff, is only blandly nefarious.

The plot, meanwhile, is as baffling as before, not only bringing back the abstruse Allspark but throwing in a new MacGuffin called the ‘Matrix of Leadership’. It tries harder to be funny but is actually less so, despite Shia LaBeouf working some early new-kid-on-campus schtick, Rainn Wilson amusing in a single scene as a rock-star astronomy teacher, and John Turturro doing an entertaining reprise of MIB wannabe Simmons (“What you’re about to see is top secret: do not tell my mother”). This is a film that doesn’t know where to stop — even comic-relief characters get their own comic-relief characters, like the offensively irritating Twins, who bicker in hip-hop slang, or Wheels, a turncoat Decepticon who for some reason talks like a ‘30s screen gangster.

What saves it, just about, are the effects. At times the frame is so packed with whirring cogs and twirling cranks that you could replicate the effect by staring at the innards of a domestic appliance, but when these CG moto-men from another world duke it out, the images are often so screwy it’s impossible to do anything but sit and stare. The Shanghai-set opening sequence is lunatic fun, with Optimus Prime leaping onto the face of a colossal, rampaging unicycle and ordering it to, “Pull over”. And while Prime’s later forest face-off against a trio of Decepticons suffers by comparison to a recent film’s spar between a big ape and three dinosaurs, there are more flawlessly rendered money shots in the last 40 minutes alone than in a dozen less ambitious blockbusters.

It’s just a shame there aren’t more ideas behind the spectacle, since we’re not given much in the way of compelling reasons to root for one pixelly pugilist over another. Long before the final minute it’s become a numbing, wearying viewing experience. Next time could we have less balls and more brains?

Verdict

Reviewed by Nick de Semlyen

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Your Reviews

Average user rating for Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen

Beyond shit!
Been a huge Transformers fan since I was a about 4 years old and even thought the first movie was enjoyable despite it's problems ...but this was awful. There are so many reasons that I won't even list them. Not looking forward to the third at all now. ... More


Posted by SkullKassidy at 17:18, 23 January 2010 \| Report This Post



robots in disquise rock!
might i just say that this is the best film i have seen in along long time and not just for megan fox. transformers pretty much sums up what we need in a film action, sci-fi, comedy and giant robots. if you don't like this film then you don't have a sense of humour and if you sit on a computer picking out the flaws of a truly great movie then get a life. ... More


Posted by optimus43 at 21:52, 07 January 2010 \| Report This Post



No worse than the first one
Didn't think this was any worse than the first one. I didn't particularly like that one first time around but once I knew what to expect from it I found it was quite an enjoyable couple of hours. This was much of the same with fantastic special effects (I just watched G.I. Joe and that has woeful effects) but I still can't tell who's who (why are they all grey?), the twin bots were sooo annoying (and a little bit racist), and if they can disguise themselves as humans why are they all turning int... More


Posted by ohdaesu at 15:57, 22 December 2009 \| Report This Post



Well, I Liked It.
Again with the negative reviews! I loved Transformers, it took me a little while for me to really enjoy it but once I did I wanted a sequel that would rival it. Here with Revenge Of The Fallen, it's there but it does have a fair share of problems. Some of the jokes arren't that funny, the running time is a little overlong and the plot isn't genius. But it does have amazing special effects, awesome fights between the Autobots and Decptions. The cast return just without Jon Voight but they bring a... More


Posted by joanna likes films at 09:55, 06 December 2009 \| Report This Post



when John Tuturo is your saving grace, you have a problem
nothing against John Tuturo, he's a brilliant actor, but no film should have a supporting character as it's saving grace. While the first one was hilarious with un-forced jokes, filled with action that didn't burn your eyes and giving a story that wasn't so ridiculous and cheesy that it was unbelievable, the second pretty much failed in all these areas, and what was michael bay saying about having 'a bigger badder final showdown'? The only thing big and bad about that showdown were the massive b... More


Posted by maxthom at 16:03, 01 December 2009 \| Report This Post




whoa whoa guys, this film was an orgy of fire, destruction and Megan Fox, it was designed for every man on planet earth to enjoy and i did, i didnt go expecting a great plot, i went for the explosions and that is what this film did ... More


Posted by ivanahump at 10:53, 25 November 2009 \| Report This Post



how the shitey has fallen
this film offended my eyes ears and feelings.i fucking loathed this with a passion.exploiting megan fox deepthroat style! the viisual effects are a disgrace,impossible to make out 90% of the time.this film has no redeeming features whatsoever.my girlfriend loved it.....DAMN HER. ... More


Posted by Deckystrikesback at 16:04, 24 October 2009 \| Report This Post



Noise of the Fallen
Crash bang wallop, funny parents, Megan Fox is a ride. Crash bang wallop, annoying story, two dogs shagging (WTF) crash bang wallop, can barely tell one Tranny from the other...arse getting numb. Crash bang wallop, nowhere near as good as the first. ... More


Posted by sephiroth7 at 09:53, 23 October 2009 \| Report This Post



RE: Transformers 2
Can't wait for the DVD. ... More

Posted by Tech_Noir at 16:57, 11 October 2009 \| Report This Post



RE: Transformers 2
L: Tech_Noir L: lbiu I have just seen this again and now can officially confirm that this movie gets much worst on second viewing to go see it with a friend who was desperate to see it). ote] Why do people always say that? - be honest, you liked it and was desperate to see it again. ote] What can I say....Im a sucker for punishment ... More

Posted by lbiu at 16:55, 11 October 2009 \| Report This Post



What Happened?
sorry, i lost interest at the girl transformer what a pile of shite it's just one long ILM Wankfest ... More


Posted by fac51thehacienda at 11:36, 02 October 2009 \| Report This Post



NNNOOOO!!!!
This movie is like a metaphor for all thats wrong with hollywood today. Bloated, loud, overlong, unenjoyable garbage. Megan Fox looks hot as always. But Shia Lebuef is seriously startin to get on my nerves. Avoid and just cherish your memories of the first one...while praying they never get around to making the third... ... More


Posted by Johnny Dragon at 19:10, 26 September 2009 \| Report This Post



Does what it says on the tin!
this is dumb entertaining summer fun with big explosions, thoughtless action, robots bashing into each other and plot hoes galore. A perfect popcorn summer blockbuster with superb special effects and action sequences. It may be to long and the plot ridiculous but hey did you really go into a michael bay summer film about robots really expecting art? take it for what it is, go with it and you will enjoy its nonsense, humour and action. Perhpas next time though Megan Fox could be more than window ... More


Posted by THE DALTONATOR at 11:26, 08 September 2009 \| Report This Post



Entertaining if not Intellectual
Before I begin, the Matrix of Leadership appears in the original animated movie so Transformers fans will be aware that this has merely been reused in this film, albeit in a slightly different form. I like this film for a number if reasons but there are lot of things that bugged me about it. The action scenes are just too fast. I'm not sure its possible for the human eye to tell exactly whats going! I think this is a general problem with action films these days (Quantum of Solace, Bourne tril... More


Posted by Mashley Etcalfe at 21:44, 27 August 2009 \| Report This Post



Entertaining if not Intellectual
Before I begin, the Matrix of Leadership appears in the original animated movie so Transformers fans will be aware that this has merely been reused in this film, albeit in a slightly different form. I like this film for a number if reasons but there are lot of things that bugged me about it. The action scenes are just too fast. I'm not sure its possible for the human eye to tell exactly whats going! I think this is a general problem with action films these days (Quantum of Solace, Bourne tril... More


Posted by Mashley Etcalfe at 21:40, 27 August 2009 \| Report This Post




UTTER DROSS ... More


Posted by omarx at 00:12, 18 August 2009 \| Report This Post



Competiting with Terminator Salvation?
What happened to Bay? I watched the first installment 2 times but this one was eating my mind on first view. How come Shia's mind is filled with symbol's when he touched it before in the first installment ? Everyone gets dead or alive! ... More


Posted by batbhai at 04:55, 13 August 2009 \| Report This Post



Not great / Just OK
Not a patch on the first one. Would agree with a lot of Nicks review and a lot of the other comments in the forum. There are lots of great visuals, but there is also some piss poor story telling so i hope they leave it alone after this one or get someone else in to direct it. A lot of potential gone to waste. ... More


Posted by livewire at 14:54, 11 August 2009 \| Report This Post



RE: Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen
Wow what can i say about this other than it blows. Makes the first one look like a subtle study into relationships! Mr Bay is evil simple as that. Stp making films and go away! ... More


Posted by Death_Row_Marv at 09:17, 11 August 2009 \| Report This Post



RE: Transformers 2
L: lbiu I have just seen this again and now can officially confirm that this movie gets much worst on second viewing to go see it with a friend who was desperate to see it). ote] Why do people always say that? - be honest, you liked it and was desperate to see it again. ... More

Posted by Tech_Noir at 08:59, 09 August 2009 \| Report This Post



RE: Transformers 2
L: Scott_ L: Tech_Noir I really think this is one of the best summer blockbusters ever. I agree! It's up there with Bad Boys II. py07.gif] I have just seen this again and now can officially confirm that this movie gets much worst on second viewing (I had to go see it with a friend who was desperate to see it). I was so bored throughout the whole film that I actually spent about 30 minutes looking at the auditorium ceiling and the beautiful architecture of the p... More

Posted by lbiu at 08:40, 09 August 2009 \| Report This Post



Good
In my view t was a good sequel. Great effects and the story keeps you entertained. However the story is still very weak. I mean the Matrix of leadership! Who created this shit. I have many queries like how could optimus be ressurected if first of all had a sword stuck throw him and then blown his spark away. Honestly. Also i wish the end fight was longer i felt that Bay wanted to end it at 2 hours or it's actual time. Plus the stand off between the Autobots and Decepticons was extremely weak ... More


Posted by TheoJ at 23:21, 28 July 2009 \| Report This Post




More of the same abysmal shite. Somebody please stop Michael Bay. Plus Spielberg has a lot to answer for, from the King of Moviemaking (and caring about it) to being a complete sell out. You'd think he had enough money. I s'pose the 3 year olds would have enjoyed it and will bug ma & pa for all the toys the christmas. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Make some decent films for gods sake. This year has been bloody awful. Thank god for Moon. ... More


Posted by blindlemonpie at 05:03, 27 July 2009 \| Report This Post



RE: Transformers 2
^ haha ... More

Posted by hatebox at 20:59, 26 July 2009 \| Report This Post



RE: Transformers 2
L: Tech_Noir I really think this is one of the best summer blockbusters ever. agree! It's up there with Bad Boys II. ... More

Posted by Scott_ at 19:10, 26 July 2009 \| Report This Post



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Transformers: Revenge Of The FallenBigger, badder, madder, faster, more intense!

Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen
Bigger, badder, madder, faster, more intense!