Just like its robot stars, Transformers: Dark of the Moon is first one thing, and then turns into another. If you’re a fan of the series, the second half of this latest sequel will thrill you with what could be the best action sequences so far. But you might never get to that point, because the first half may drive you from the theatre.
In a neat prologue, we learn that the entire reason for the Apollo moon landings of the 1960s was to investigate an alien spaceship that scientists observed crashing there. The ship, lost during the ancient war between the good Autobots and evil Decepticons on their home world of Cybertron, contains machinery that could tip the balance of the continuing war. Fast forward to today, where the Autobots learn of the ship’s survival, travel to the moon and recover not only the technology, but also its inventor, a former Autobot leader named Sentinel Prime (voiced by Leonard Nimoy, giving the movie an excuse to trot out every Star Trek reference it can think of).
The plot is pretty good, setting up a reversal that eventually puts the Autobots and their allies in a desperate position. But while we wait for the Decepticons to spring their trap, the movie shifts to the human characters, which very nearly destroys the whole picture.
Shia LaBeouf returns as heroic Sam Witwicky, the kid no one ever takes seriously until it’s too late. LaBeouf is pretty much the same here as in the previous films – possibly a little angrier, but that might just be frustration with the terrible script he’s working with. Director Michael Bay has pitched almost every character so ridiculously over the top that all his attempts at humour fall flat. Returning characters like Agent Simmons (John Turturro) and Sam’s parents (Julie White, Kevin Dunn) are crazier than ever, and not in a good way. Others, like Sam’s new boss, played by John Malkovich, are pointless to the story and needlessly quirky. By the time Ken Jeong finishes chewing up the screen, you’ll be cheering his character’s assassination. And all Rosie Huntington-Whitely is required to do as Sam’s new girlfriend Carly is look beautiful and scream on cue.
But then the story shifts to Chicago, the robots return to the forefront, and the movie transforms from eye-clawing torture to action goodness. The extraneous characters disappear, and the rest settle into a calm, confident, “let’s do this” mode that almost redeems the earlier mess.
It’s not a perfect transformation. Some battle sequences drag on too long, and the robot violence (which now includes copious amounts of spurting red lubricant) may be too intense for kids. But this is really a war movie, and on that score it mostly succeeds.
It’s too bad that the first hour makes you question whether to stick around to see it.
Tags: movie review
About the author: David Raitt
David Raitt is a writer and lover of pop culture. He lives in Oakville. He has also worked as an actor for The Second City, and has written, produced and performed his own sketch comedy, including the Canadian Comedy Award-nominated ALL THE RAGE. Semi-retired from performing, he still teaches improv and communications skills to students and corporate groups through his association with The Second City. Check out Dave's website at http://davidraitt.com
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