Animestan

[ryu_shotokan_master]

Transformers... a word that has been imprinted in the back of my mind where my fond childhood memories dwell, ever since I woke up in that fateful Saturday morning at 6am and found my grandma's TV unguarded.

Ah what a glorious TV show it was - giant robots fighting giant robots and what's more, they freaking turn into cars, jets, tanks and what not. I mean there is nothing that could go wrong with this formula people- giant robots, explosions, cars and science fiction, everything a 5 year old would want. When the first live-action Transformers movie came out, I was skeptical of how it'd satisfy my inner five year old while not insulting my facade of a mature movie appreciator but my skepticism was crushed by Optimus Prime's giant metal foot. (That... and the addition of hottie Megan Fox that satisfied my eyeballs with the best sort of eye candy possible)

So now comes the topic of the sequel. It is Bigger, it is with better robots and has more gratuitous shots of Megan Fox... but is it better?

Maybe...

Before I go into any discussion, I must say I watched the movie with glee... and then I started realizing how many plot holes it has and by the end of the LONG running time, even the big bots and big explosions couldn't prevent me from dozing off...

The script is reminiscent of the cartoon itself, a big bad robot leader (in this case "the fallen") is out to destroy the sun and its up to the heroes to stop it. I'd delve into the specifics of the sub-plots but sadly they do not matter... not to say they aren't interesting or do not have potential but to be very frank, the plot is condensed and sometimes sacrificed to keep the movie at a breakneck pace. Unfortunately, it leaves a number of interesting opportunities to be missed. For example, Sam Witwiky's mind is supposed to house the Allsprak itself, or at least it seems so by the dialog between Megatron and his master, but it seems to have no eventual bearing on the plot except being a map to the 'matrix of leadership'. Optimus Prime's death and resurrection too, lacks the emotional appeal I thought it would have on me, which is sad considering my whimpers of sorrow during the Transformers Animated movie where they mercilessly slaughtered Optimus Prime.

The performances in the movie sadly are not memorable. Shia is good as Sam Witwicky but for some reason I could not relate with him. Megan Fox is definitely wasted on screen as she has no role to play but be the sexy female which is in sharp contrast with the first movie where she actually felt like a character. The Transformers themselves have slightly bigger parts in the movie but they too, despite their intimidating size, fail to make a dent. The newer Autobots, save for the immensely annoying 'Twins' are not given much dialog at all making them feel nothing more than product placement pieces for the Hasbro Toys to follow after the movie. There is definitely more innuendo this time around, with more than enough gratuitous shots, seductive female robots (that disguise themselves as seductive humans) and robot testicle jokes. Did I mind it? No. Did I think it was unnecessary? Most definitely. But all of this does not stack up to my biggest complain... The FALLEN, the movie's subtitle refers to (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen) is an actual character... I mean SERIOUSLY? REVENGE OF THE FALLEN... Darn... Why not just Revenge of the Decepticons? THE FALLEN - the biggest baddest decepticon of them all... I mean, seriously? Thank god they didn't take a leaf out of Andy Samberg's book and called him 'THE BOSS'... Think about it TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE BOSS.... seeessshhhh...

Despite my moans of pain regarding the script, the shallow characterization and 'THE FALLEN' tirade, I still was entertained. Why? Because it appeals to the five year old in me that wants Optimus Prime kicking Decepticons' metal butt. I know I'll see this movie again because I want to see the the big explosions and the robot fights. The movie was made with one thing in mind and that was to add another special effects laden installment to a extremely lucrative eye-candy franchise. However, a part of me stands disappointed as I was expecting a true epic. Something that would truly meld a strong plot with its landmark action and special effects. Terminator Salvation didn't do it. Wolverine flat out ignored its 'origins'. And taking a cue from other summer movies, Transformers II definitely went for the 'action over the story' route. Still in all its signature Michael Bay silliness, Transformers II achieved to recreate the Saturday morning cartoon experience. It is a good thing in some ways but the cinema halls demand for some depth, something that Star Wars magnificently pulled off. Well... I can always hope GI-JOE might pull it off... right? Right?
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I am a Dorky Ignorant Stupid Creepy Obstinate dancer...
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the chronicles of AS: http://animestan.7.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?t=1653

[Yummy Lingo]

i agree with all of it....


and they made starscream obese... did you mention that....

everything else covered *claps* , even the 'who are these. autobots? they keep talking about in the movie...' bit.

but i don't think one can hold the name bit against them NOW... i mean, they've been $#%#$$#ing doing it for years (ender's game? 'the fallen' is just as bad, but people like that sort of thing)
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