Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Jeri Jacquin, Movie Maven

Opening in theatres this Friday is the high anticipated summer explosion of metal with the release of director Michael Bay’s next installment of “The Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”.

This film brings us back to the Witwicky family and Sam (Shia LeBeouf) who is leaving for college, as his Dad (Kevin Dunn) and Mom (Julie White) are helping him pack. While talking on the phone with his girl Makela (Megan Fox) a small piece of the all-sparks falls from his pocket.

When Sam retrieves it, his brain it met with a zapping of the history of the Autobots and Decepticons and an attack of the mini-bots. Off to college Sam checks into his dorm and meets his roommate Leo (Ramon Rodriguez) who is into alien conspiracy as Sam tries to keep his identity low key.

In the meantime, the Autobots have formed with Captain Lennox (Josh Dummel), Sergeant Epps (Tyrese Gibson) and the government to form NEST to help combat against the invasion of the Decepticons whose main target has now because the capturing of Sam.

Leo leads Sam to some outside help as ex-Sector Seven Agent (John Tuturro) joins the fight. But Sam and his friends must find the matrix that can stop the resurgence of Megatron and The Fallen as they once more try to use a weapon of destruction on the human race.

It is the bonds of loyalty and friendship, and a simple believe that can save us all!

FINAL WORD: This film is explosive action from start to finish. It is metal on metal with every range of human emotion in between. Shia LeBeouf returns as Sam and the character made funny with his quick reactions, twitchy nerves and hilarity mixed in.

Joining in the comic relief of the film are Sam’s parents played by Dunn and White. They are hysterical to watch. Also returning from the original film is Dummel and Gibson  - who better to stand beside the Autobots, these guys are completely awesome. 

Where would this film be without the return John Tuturro as the slightly off centered ex-Agent Simmons. Fox is in the film for obvious curvaceous reasons. There isn’t much of a character here to play but she is the films eye candy factor and plays the devoted girlfriend.

Other cast members include Rainn Wilson as Professor Colan, Anthony Anderson returns but this time as an Autobot as the voice of Jolt, Matthew Marsden as Graham, Glenn Morshower as Gen. Morshower and Samantha Smith as Sarah Lennox.

Let us not forget the voices we have come to know as the Transformers with Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime, Mark Ryan as Bumblebee, Darius McCrary as Jazz, Robert Foxworth as Ratchet, Jess Harnell as Ironhide,  Hugo Weaving as Megatron and Tony Todd as The Fallen.

Director Michael Bay has done what is sometimes impossible or not even worth trying and that is bring a sequel to the screen with almost everything an audience could want. The CGI is fantastic and it truly is eye popping with more robot fight scenes.

Coming in at two and a half hours the viewer is on the edge of their seats laughing, cheering and even sometimes moved. Reuniting the original cast gave the film stability and believeabilty and THAT is a trick in itself.

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” four tubs of popcorn out of five. Yes, this is an action, action, action film! Some theatres will be showing this film in IMAX but even without it your not going to walk away disappointed!

The first “Transformers” was only a gateway into this films larger effects, bigger metal crunching and just pure outright entertainment! Don’t look for any more than that and you’ll have an awesome time.

Remember they are more than meets the eye and revenge is coming!