Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - 2 Stars

Overview:

This movie is done on a large scale, with big fights, big explosions, and of course, big robots. I was and am no Transformers buff (no pun intended), but I have to say that I enjoyed the first movie, and looked forward to the second. Everyone going to see this film knows that they are not there for high cinema or a existential awakening (despite the profundities spouted by Optimus Prime from time to time), and that is definitely not what either movie will give the viewer. But for a two hour break from reality, it might be worth it.

The Artist's Perspective:

First of all this movie was intended to be enjoyed in the theater. I doubt even my friend the Shogun could give this movie a decent screening in his wonderful, surround sound home theater. The battle scenes include multiple robots a battalion of ground troops, ships and more. The sound was...loud. Very loud. It complements the Autobots and Decepticons well, but lacks any degree of subtlety; it is just pounding, in your face, through nearly the whole movie. The camera techniques were surprisingly repetitive. Slow motion extensively overused and a 360 degree pan that at times is pure narcissism. My biggest complaint with the first film, and again with this one, is the incessantly tight camera angles on the Transformer's Kung Fu renders the battle faster than the eye can perceive and leaves you afloat in a sea of movement that will take your visual memory a bit long to process. Those times when the angle is pulled back and you get to see the fight choreography are most welcome.

Shia LaBeouf has few shining moments, and his character's apparent desire for normalcy falls flat to an extent. He just doesn't sell the reluctant hero that well. This is not to slight his acting potential, at least one of his on screen interactions with Ramon Rodriguez' character was convincing. Let's be honest, however, no one remembers any of Shia or Ramon's scenes. Megan Fox was certainly on display in this film. She projects her character's new-found adulthood pretty well and manages to say quite a bit throughout without opening her mouth. Overall a decent performance in a less than demanding role.

Voice acting for the Transformers is sub-par in most cases, though this is probably due to limitations in the script and not voice actors themselves. Peter Cullen's voice tone is certainly enough to pull off the Wang Feihong/Obi-Wan mash-up that allows Optimus Prime to wax philosophical as well as deal some robot pain, the likes of which even The Rock would be proud. The best thing about the Transformers is that they have such personality, and this comes through in this movie in a big way with some new additions on both sides of the war, though the two "black" transformers present a hilarious caricature some may find offensive in nature, if not in content.

The Worldview Perspective:

Besides a few references to fate and destiny this film doesn't attempt to delve too deep below the surface, a fact for which I'm sure we can all be grateful. Likely cultural impact is negligible, though both Transformers movies have one relevant cultural aspect worthy of consideration. Many complaints where heard when the first film hit theaters about the previews which showed before the feature presentation. I know for me sitting in a theater having treated my 8 and 13 year old second cousins out to a "boys night out", I was squirming just a bit as preview after preview for films rolled across the screen, nearly all of which were offensive and crude. It made me wonder why would a film about toys subject their young viewers to previews of films which they really have no business seeing at that age? Revenge of the Fallen both extends and answers that question. Now, there were no previews in the place where I saw Revenge, but the film itself contained elements that could be unsuitable for young viewers (see below). Taking a movie which will draw a crowd of all ages and may even make the programming for a family night out, and including in it these types of elements yields one of two explanations. The creation team for Transformers are either projecting or reflecting the view that kids at 8 are just as ready for all kinds of material as kids are at 17. If it is a projection, then it is a clear worldview that is imposed through this film on the audience. What I fear though, is that it may be a reflection...that kids at 8 are, through over-exposure, not likely to be effected by objectionable elements in this film. "Not likely to be effected? Isn't that a good thing?" You ask. No! Not in the slightest. Because if this film is indeed showing us a reflection of that to which the pre-teen and young teen has become accustomed, then the paradigm with which we judged age suitability will have to be rethought. Or else we will have to stick our cultural head in the sand and fight the losing battle of shielding our own kids from the world, understanding that they will incorrectly assume that those friends that they play with and go over to watch movies with are coming from the same perspective which they are. So, reflection or projection, I don't know. Either way its worth considering.

The Family Perspective:

This film is surprisingly crude for a movie which will undoubtedly pull a young crowd. Walking into a giant robot movie, I wasn't expecting the level of profanity and sex contained in this film. Potential viewers should be aware that the words b**** and a** are used repeatedly through this film, and sometimes in combination. I don't sit through a film with a swear-o-meter, but if you're interested in exact counts, I have to ask: why? Regardless, the language itself should exclude some of the much younger viewers. What will really make for an awkward drive home is the views of girls underwear highlighted by Michael Bay's voyeuristic choices in camera angle. It's not just Megan Fox's sexiness that is played up, there's also the Co-ed bent on getting frisky with Sam. Mom and Pop Witwicky's playful banter will be over the heads of some younger viewers, though Judy Witwicky's nievite leaves her stoned and wandering around Cornell telling every college girl of her son's sex life. Funny, to be sure, but not necessarily appropriate for all ears. Additional references to male genitalia and a leg humping Decepticon complete the picture. These are small distractions often yielding laughs in the film, but parents should be aware that this movie really is not appropriate for young viewers.

Conclusion:

This is a giant robot movie, so you get what you'd expect. Great special effects, lots of explosions, and robots doing karate will make this film big money; but lack of creativity combined with its crude humor renders Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen average at best.

2 Stars