Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)/Movie Review

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)

Genres:Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi    Runtime: USA: 157 min

Release Date: 29 June 2011 (India)

Tagline: The battles are over. The war begins.

Director:  Michael Bay

Writer: Ehren Kruger

Executive producers  : Mark Vahradian, Steven Spielberg, Brian Goldner, Michael Bay

Original Music by Steve Jablonsky

Cinematography by Amir M. Mokri

Storyline

Autobots Bummblebee, Rachet, Ironhide and Sideswipe led by Optimus Prime, are back in action taking on the evil Decepticons, who are eager to avenge their recent defeat. The Autobots and Decepticons become involved in a perilous space race between the U.S. and Russia, to reach a hidden Cybertronian spacecraft on the moon and learn its secrets, and once again Sam Witwicky has to come to the aid of his robot friends. New villain, Shockwave, who rules Cybertron, is on the scene while the Autobots and Decepticons continue to battle it out on Earth.

Main Casts

Shia LaBeouf, Josh Duhamel, John Turturro, Tyrese Gibson, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Patrick Dempsey, Rich Hutchman, Frances McDormand, Kevin Dunn, John Malkovich, Julie White, Alan Tudyk, Ken Jeong, Glenn Morshower, Lester Speight, Buzz Aldrin, Bill O'Reilly, Ravil Isyanov

Budget:  $195,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:  $97,400,000 (USA) (3 July 2011) (4013 Screens)

Gross:  $348,540,006 (USA) (21 August 2011)

Production Co:  Paramount Pictures, Hasbro, Di Bonaventura Pictures

Filming Locations: Cambodia

Review

I liked the first Transformers, and while it did have its problems the second was better than I expected. I came into the cinema not expecting much, but I left feeling very underwhelmed. Other than the amazing effects, authentic sound, quite excellent action and above average cinematography and editing, this Transformers entry was a waste of time in my opinion.

In my opinion Transformers:Dark of the Moon is the dullest and worst of the three. The first half is poorly paced and dull to the point of boredom, and while the second half fares much better due to the action it came too late and wasn't enough to stop the film from becoming a messy bore overall. The dialogue is stupid and formulaic, the film is much too long and the story is choppy and confused complete with a messy ending.

Michael Bay's direction is another low point, it is murky and unfocused throughout, while the characters are either underused(the robots) or annoying(John Tuturro's character). The acting is not great at all, the voice work is decent, however John Malkovich is wasted, Shia LaBoeuf's easy going charm doesn't disguise the fact his performance is uncharismatic and dull, Patrick Dempsey(performance and character) is useless, John Tuturro tries hard but ends up over-compensating and the less said about the lovely but bland replacement for Megan Fox Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, the better.