Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen

My husband was a fan of Transformers long before the first movie ever came out. I barely knew they existed growing up, let alone a fan. But since seeing the first movie my husband's excitement for it has grown on me. So, of course we had to watch Return of the Fallen.

In terms of giving you an entertaining movie to watch, the movie definitely delivered. There was action, humor, awesome transforming by those stars of the movie, and of course a new Decepticon hell bent on revenge, in the title character "The Fallen." However, there were a few things I would have done differently, were I the director. They weren't movie killers for me, just annoyances.

The first was in the realm of acting, particularly on the part of Megan Fox. We got used to the tough girl persona during the first movie, something I have heard many guys were glad to see. I do not know who's decision this was, Megan's or Michael Bay, but that tough girl edge she had is mostly gone in Fallen. She was a typical teenage girl simpering for her boyfriend. Maybe you guys out there liked it fine, but for me it was annoying! Where's the gumption that got her to drive an injured BumbleBee in to help save the military unit? Ok, I'll leave this right here before that's all I'll talk about.

The rest of the acting was right in line with the cast of the first Transformers, with Ramon Rodriguez as Leo an amusing but rather superficial addition. I found the military unit a great watch with their determination and humor as they try to hold on while waiting for Shia and the Transformers to save the day. Like the real military, they are the best unsung heroes, in my opinion. I have to admit that John Turturro as Simmons has grown on me. He seems to have lost his stick and really endeavors to do his part in saving the day. There definitely would have been a lost element if he had been left out of the cast.

The main criticism I have for the movie itself is in the story line. There was some unecessary crude humor in a couple places that could have been done without, and I was wishing for a little bit more involved in the plot. It ended up pretty straight forward almost to the point of being predictable.

The best part of the movie, though, really is watching those huge Autobots and Decepticons battle it out. Without giving too much away, I was growing sad when one of the main Autobot characters died, and was glad there was some happy resolution in the end. Bumblebee was a bit underutilized in the movie, I think, particularly as he tends to be a fan favorite. His personality is well developed for not having much of an actual voice to use! Megatron and the rest of the Decepticons were appropriately menacing. Also brought in the movie was an original series Decepticon called Devastator. The director and crew did well in coordinating the actors so that the special effects fit right in.

With the Decepticons, they introduced a new model that seems to be able to imitate a human's looks. Scary! And the result of this particular Decepticon when discovered tended to be rather freaky, in the shuddering category. Perhaps we will see more of these Decepticons in the next movie they so obviously have set up with this movie's ending.

All in all, would I watch it again? Definitely!! As I said, it definitely delivered on the entertainment. It is going to be an addition to our library as soon as it comes out. My husband wouldn't have it any other way! ;) Hopefully, though, if they do make another Transformer movie they focus just as much on the plot as they do on the action. We need some substance with all that pizzazz, Mr. Bay!

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen- ***1/2