After walking out of the first transformers "live action" effort from Michael Bay I was a mix of emotions. 8 Parts hate and 2 parts entertained. The two parts were the giant robots and Megan Fox. This time around I decided to walk into the theater expecting to be even more underwhelmed. Which is probably why I had such an awesome time at the movies. Instead of being presented with a repeat of too many human characters dwarfing the character development of the transformers themselves, I was given a wild action picture with tons of robots with actual personality. Granted the humor in the film ranges from toilet to completely unnecessary (Devastator's having testacles or Sam's mother getting high on "brownies") and once again we have leaps in illogic that only Michael Bay's ineptitude can produce. (A no longer employed government agent of sector 7, somehow having the power to order a naval vessel to attack the decepticons). But where he fails in real "human" interaction, he more than compensates in the true heroes of this epic, "The Transformers." The interaction between the metallic aliens was fun to see. From the brilliantly raw action sequence wherein a certain Prime rips a decepticons face apart, to the hate/hate dynamic between Megatron and Starscream. Starscream, who's voice is finally given a schrillness missing in the first film. They have more personality, more screen time, and a smidgen more depth. All that and Megan Fox running around seemingly in an eternal thin gloss of sweat ensures a great time at the theater.
All in all, I recommend this film wholeheartedly. The running time is 2 hours and 30 minutes, but it's hard to notice with such a breakneck pace blazing before your eyes. The sound and visual effects are inkeeping with a huge summer blockbuster. By that I mean, "exceptional!" And yes, that includes "Linkin Park's" New divide tearing into the end credits. I can't wait to see it on the IMAX. "AUTOBOTS, ROLL OUT!"
-Ronin13
