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Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)
Where do I begin with this? I really wanted to enjoy it as much as I did the first, however, success is rarely repeated when dealing with sequels. Granted, Michael Bay is not known for making films rich in story, so in the end, you're really going to see huge robots battle each other throughout different continents.
Like I said above, I enjoyed the first film simply because there was more mystery to it. With this one, we already know where everyone's allegiance lies. We know that Megatron has been defeated and that Sector 7 has been disestablished. All mystery that made the first film interesting, for lack of a better word, is gone this time around.
So what is expanded on in Fallen? In a word, nothing. At least, that's what I took away from it. We learn a little more about the Autobots and Decepticons past, but it's clear what garnered more focus, and it clearly wasn't the story. Supposedly, a true fanboy was brought on to help write the sequel with Orci and Kurtzman. What does this mean for us? The Matrix of Leadership, and that's pretty much it. I will give the addition of Ehren Kruger to the writing team a little credit for correctly naming Devastator. However, the damage was done in the first film once they misnamed a couple of Transformers. One other thing I noticed was Michael Bay's recycling of actors. Case in point, Glenn Morshower portrays COL Sharp at the SOCCENT base when Blackout shows up and obliterates everything. So, he died. He's back in this one as General Morshower. While he goes by a different name, it's the same guy.
I had a lot of problems with this movie. My main problem was Bay's childish humor when it came to Skids and Mudflap and the "balls" on Devastator. I read an article earlier today that stated "The Twins" were created simply for the kids. I agree with that statement, partly. While they serve no purpose to the story they are, in a sense, kids. However, the comments made by them throughout make me find it hard to believe that they were created for the kids. They are, in essence, Jar Jar Binks X 2. Onto Devastator's "balls." Why oh why was this added in? I know that a wrecking ball is something you'd find on a crane, but still, was there really a need for it? I think not.
One could say that there's entirely too many robots in this, which is true. At one point I was trying to figure out who everyone was outside of the regulars. I guess when you've got an increase in budget, the sky's the limit. There were some interesting concepts, one particular being with Jetfire. I really like the way they introduced this character, I don't want to ruin it because it was one of the scenes I actually liked.
While the statement, "If you liked the first film, you'll like this one" doesn't really apply here, it comes close. It certainly doesn't improve on anything since the first film, with the exception of visuals. It's worth at least one view in the cinema, but I wouldn't go so far as to say it's worth multiple cinema viewings.
Transformers -
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen -
Where do I begin with this? I really wanted to enjoy it as much as I did the first, however, success is rarely repeated when dealing with sequels. Granted, Michael Bay is not known for making films rich in story, so in the end, you're really going to see huge robots battle each other throughout different continents.
Like I said above, I enjoyed the first film simply because there was more mystery to it. With this one, we already know where everyone's allegiance lies. We know that Megatron has been defeated and that Sector 7 has been disestablished. All mystery that made the first film interesting, for lack of a better word, is gone this time around.
So what is expanded on in Fallen? In a word, nothing. At least, that's what I took away from it. We learn a little more about the Autobots and Decepticons past, but it's clear what garnered more focus, and it clearly wasn't the story. Supposedly, a true fanboy was brought on to help write the sequel with Orci and Kurtzman. What does this mean for us? The Matrix of Leadership, and that's pretty much it. I will give the addition of Ehren Kruger to the writing team a little credit for correctly naming Devastator. However, the damage was done in the first film once they misnamed a couple of Transformers. One other thing I noticed was Michael Bay's recycling of actors. Case in point, Glenn Morshower portrays COL Sharp at the SOCCENT base when Blackout shows up and obliterates everything. So, he died. He's back in this one as General Morshower. While he goes by a different name, it's the same guy.
I had a lot of problems with this movie. My main problem was Bay's childish humor when it came to Skids and Mudflap and the "balls" on Devastator. I read an article earlier today that stated "The Twins" were created simply for the kids. I agree with that statement, partly. While they serve no purpose to the story they are, in a sense, kids. However, the comments made by them throughout make me find it hard to believe that they were created for the kids. They are, in essence, Jar Jar Binks X 2. Onto Devastator's "balls." Why oh why was this added in? I know that a wrecking ball is something you'd find on a crane, but still, was there really a need for it? I think not.
One could say that there's entirely too many robots in this, which is true. At one point I was trying to figure out who everyone was outside of the regulars. I guess when you've got an increase in budget, the sky's the limit. There were some interesting concepts, one particular being with Jetfire. I really like the way they introduced this character, I don't want to ruin it because it was one of the scenes I actually liked.
While the statement, "If you liked the first film, you'll like this one" doesn't really apply here, it comes close. It certainly doesn't improve on anything since the first film, with the exception of visuals. It's worth at least one view in the cinema, but I wouldn't go so far as to say it's worth multiple cinema viewings.
Transformers -
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen -