We’re back! After a weekend with no TinterNet, PinBoard is back online! I’m not gonna bother retracting what we’ve missed, but will pop up a few important things that dropped over the past couple days. However, I thought I’d start with a lil’ exclusive.
This morning PinBoard was invited to check out the brand new “Transformers II: Revenge of the Fallen” movie. To say I was excited is a bit of an understatement. In fact, very few films will have me at a cinema before 12pm! But, excitement aside, it was down to business: was the sequel going to out do the first movie?
…I think it did.
The opening sequence was mind blowing. The CGI in this film is flawless, I can’t think of another movie that has achieved what this has in terms of special effects. The graphics were clean cut, realistic and above all, amazing to watch. From the very on set the action does not let up. It’s pretty much non-stop all the way through. And just like the first one, this too had my jaw wide open.
The story, while not the most riveting, does entertain. It must be said however, that in parts, it gets a bit ‘complicated’ and rather played out, but generally – it doesn’t bore. My expectations this time round were pretty high, but as always, I knew this was an action film with heavy focus on the ‘franchise’, rather than the story. Therfore, it was no surprise that “Revenge of the Fallen” had those ‘must-have’ cheesy moments, and just like any sequel, they are bigger and even more annoying second time round. Not content with lines like “you’re a soldier now” in the first, this flick moves into an all together next realm of cringe. The love fest between Sam Witwicky (Shia LeBouf) and Mikaela Banes (Megan Fox) is at times, boring and dated. But the great thing is, they’re both grossly upstaged by the Autobots and Decepticons.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb2fUOW1ne4&feature=fvw]
Which brings me nicely onto my next point: the Transformers. This movie has more of everything. More characters, more action scenes, more comedy, more explosions and most importantly more alien robots! The old crew is still very much the focus of the movie including the legendary Optimus Prime and the lovable Bumble Bee, as well as (a resurrected) Megatron and all them other baddies. But, this time round we have a whole host of new characters taking form as motorcycles, (bigger) trucks, various cars and animals – not to mention a few (really cool) surprises! Two of the most prominent new comers are Skid & Mudflap aka “The Twins” who were obviously incorporated to entertain and bring some humour to the screen. And yes, for the first 30 minutes they did, but after that they both got kinda…annoying! Not the greatest addition to the movies in my opinion, but fun nonetheless. Not to mention a huge increase in Decepticons – including the “fallen”.
The cast all put in a good effort, but as I mentioned before they were all undeniably upstaged by the animation and action. Shia LeBouf is in my opinion perfect for this role. The guy next door routine works with him and so, I think he does a pretty good job. Megan Fox is strictly eye candy. I don’t mean that in an insulting way, but her ‘role’ per-say isn’t very important and if being 100% truthful, isn’t needed at all. She doesn’t ‘do’ anything in this movie (unlike in the first where did did a lil’ ass). However, she is definitely, without any doubt, needed in the film (haha!). She’s a stunning girl, who really does (I hate to say it) light up the screen. I think I love her. The rest of the cast don’t really do much either really – they’re just there.
Michael Bay clearly understands blockbusters – he gets what is needed to tap into the imagination of people of all ages. Boys will love this, girls will love it and adults will love it too. If big-ass action films is what you’re after than “Transformers II: Revenge of the Fallen” will not disappoint. At times the movie was extremely cheesy (laughable in fact), but where it lacks in story-telling, it more than makes up in action, special effects and nostalgia. And while a little on the lengthy side (2½ hours), it rarely bores and greatly entertains.
I’ll be checking this out again at the IMAX for sure.
“Transformers II: Revenge of the Fallen” is out June 19th 2009.
Peace, Love & Transformers
Speeakz
P.s A ‘life sized’ Bumble Bee is currently sitting outside the Odeon Leicester Sq, hit the jump to check it out!
