Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen

Say what you may about him, but Michael Bay is definitely King of the Blockbuster. Whether he received that title based on a popularity vote is your take. In any case, he's back in true form with (arguably)  this year's most anticipated flick, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. It is loud, obnoxious, over the top in every way ... and awesome because of those traits. Push all logic and common sense out with this one - just prep yourself for some serious escapist material.

An update from where we left off in the first film. The Autobots have combined forces with the military to form the super duper secret organization called NEST, working alongside returning characters Major Lennox (Josh Duhamel) and Sergeant Epps (Tyrese Gibson). Their mission is to wipe out all existing Decepticons hiding on Earth and they do so by almost obliterating Shanghai to shreds in the first few minutes, basically setting the tone and pace of what's to come.

Meanwhile Sam (Shia LaBeouf) and Mikaela (Megan Fox *cue comments on her hotness*) are trying to get their lives back to normal. Sam is about to head off to college .... but not before finding a shard of the Allspark in his jacket which, upon touch, imprints a stream of ancient Cybertronian symbols in his mind. Though he is unaware of what the visions mean, the Decepticons clue in that Sam holds the map to a powerful energy source that would wipe out all of Earth's civilization. But why would robots bother with us puny humans? It's because the big daddy of Decepticons called The Fallen (he was once an Autobot) hates Earth with a passion due to a backfired plan against the Dynasty of Primes (the first few Transformers) aeons ago. 

And in between this whole plot nonsense is the real meat of the movie: giant robots fighting (it is rude to refer to Fox's assets similarly, okay?). If you thought the fight scenes were cool the last time around, you'll be awestruck by their utter badass-ery now. Both Autobots and Decepticons are hardcore in this sequel with robots being torn into half, with some having their spine ripped from their metallic bodies. The effects and CGI are still incredible to look at especially when placed within common locales like a green field or a city skyscraper. You could almost believe that we live in a world where epic battles like these happen frequently.

But it does suffer from several issues. The characters are extremely formulaic: the reluctant hero, the comic sidekick, the ex-agent who redeems himself, the bumbling parents, etc. No one in this film is particularly original or fresh, adhering comfortably to stereotypes - even twin Autobots Skids and Mudflap fall victim to ethnic profiling! Then there's Mikaela who looks in constant need of a wet wipe (we know she works in a garage but can the girl be any greasier? Fine, fine she's hot as hell so all is forgiven) and the fact that Michael Bay gave Devastator balls (as in genitalia). But no one will even register all these WTFs in the midst of the sonic and visual assault that is Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen. Definitely a film to catch on the big screens. Just grab the popcorn and fall into an entertained stupor.