Movie Review: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

By Justin Velasquez
June 26, 2009

It's time for the viewing public to get in line for the latest installment of the popular '80s animated program.  Hack master Michael Bay returns with (now) A-list actor Shia LaBeouf and everyone's favorite bad girl, Megan Fox, to continue their support in helping the Autobots save the world from their evil counterparts, the Decepticons.  With an approved budget of over $200 million and a director with a penchant for style over substance it's guaranteed that this installment will have more explosions, more special effects & more exotic locales - simply put, it will have more of everything.  The most important question, though, is with all of this money will this be a good movie?

The answer is yes - and no.  For the casual filmgoer who looks for a lot of bang for his buck, this is the film to watch.  Fallen is incredible visually - there honestly isn't a film out right now that has more action, is louder, and garners more special effects than this film.  This is an indoor roller coaster ride that will have people gasping for more of it while wide-eyed with tongues out. 

With the bigger budget there are more Transformers this time around, and without the restraint of establishing a backstory, the film can go right into it.  The big problem is that similar to many other big budget actioners preceding it, Fallen lacks a story - at least a coherent one.

Picking up about two years after Sam Witwicky (LaBeouf) and Mikaela (Fox) helped the Autobots defeat the Decepticons, life has become a bit more normal.  Sam is gearing up to leave for college, a sign of his imminent adulthood and another step towards leading a normal life.  He has to deal with separating from his loving parents, keeping his relationship with Mikaela strong, and helping his robot guardian, Bumblebee, cope with his current life choice.  During his first few days of college he also has to cope with his new roommate, Leo (Ramon Rodriguez), and these "visions" that he's been having.  The visions that Sam cannot make sense of are symbols that play an important role in the Decepticons' quest to rise again. 

Meanwhile, Optimus Prime and the rest of the Autobots have learned to cohabitate with humans since the destruction of the Allspark left their home planet of Cybertron unlivable.  Autobots have allied themselves with the U.S. military to seek out and eliminate Decepticons hiding on Earth - a top-secret collaboration known as NEST. Unfortunately, one mission spirals into an international incident and the government begins to sing a different tune.  Led by NSA advisor Theodore Galloway, the government deems Autobots' mere presence poses too big a threat to the planet and demand the alien robots leave altogether.  Without struggle, Optimus agrees, but questions what could happen without their protection and help (sounds like something out of The Godfather). 

At this point the Decepticons realize the valuable information Sam holds inside his head and soon the fate of the world rests squarely upon his shoulders.  Sam is forced to leave his much-sought-after normal life behind so that he and the rest of the world may have one. With the help of some familiar faces, including Major Lennox (Josh Duhamel), Master Sergeant Epps (Tyrese Gibson) and even former adversary Agent Simmons (John Turturro), Sam and Mikaela travel across the globe to stop a resurrected Megatron and other Decepticons from discovering a powerful hidden past that can destroy the world and beyond.

With such a grand film it's only natural to compare it to its 2007 predecessor.  With almost everything invested in this one, Fallen is only slightly better than the first - and that's a major disappointment.  Never should the quality of the acting should be considered in a film like this, but it goes without saying that it's definitely not a selling point.  At 150 minutes, it's fairly long and it's one where you will notice it.  With more Transformers it means there are more personalities onscreen.  Of course, Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and Megatron are welcome returnees, whereas new Transformers, specifically the twins Mudflap and Skids, are annoying and borderline offensive. Bay likes to inject some humor in his films but it's unfortunate he believes humor lies within racial stereotypes and poor use of the English language. 

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is such a huge undertaking that it's only made to be seen on the big screen.  The problem is that it's not a film that I would say is good enough to garner repeat viewings.  It's a fun and simple film and there isn't too much to be upset about if all you're looking for is big explosions, slow-motion camera work and little acting talent.  But for those who seek a bit more substance when they view a film then certainly avoid this trite and unimaginative sequel.

2.5 Stars out of Four