Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Two-Disc Special Edition) [Blu-ray]

Probably the most popular, thrill-packed, franchises of all time is back with even MORE ACTION and MORE Autobots and Decepticons! In the highly anticipated Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Decepticon forces return to Earth on a mission to take Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) prisoner, after the young hero learns the truth about the ancient origins of the Transformers. Joining the mission to product humankind is Optimus Prime, who forms an alliance with international armies for a second epic battle.
Pure. Popcorn. Entertainment. That’s an exact classification of director Michael Bay’s Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Think of Transformers 1 on crack. In other words, this sequel took all the extreme elements that made fans love the first movie and increased them exponentially. The action is nonstop, with battles and explosions from start to finish. The camera (without any subtlety) exploits Megan Fox’s hotness to the max. As if she weren’t enough, a new sex kitten (Isabel Lucas) is thrown into the equation. Shia LaBeouf is as charismatic as ever, and fills the starring role with ease. And then there’s the humor. Sam’s parents (Kevin Dunn and Julie White)provided some semi-raunchy laugh-out-loud moments in the first movie, but now they take it to the next level. Once in a while it kind of feels like they are trying a little too hard, but it is still hilarious.

As far as the “plot” goes, the writers didn’t waste much time–it’s truly just a context for the giant-robot death matches and dramatic slow-mo sequences. The movie kicks off two years later where the Autobots have formed an alliance with the U.S. government, creating an elite team led by Major Lennox (Josh Duhamel), so that you could snuff out any remaining Decepticons that show up. The bad guys keep coming, and it turns out that a much more menacing force than Megatron is out there–and it is searching for something on Earth that is tied to the very origin of the Transformers race. Fans of the franchise will be delighted by the addition of many new robot characters (there are well over 40 in the sequel, versus only 13 in the first). The second Transformers has shaped up to be one of the crucial worst reviewed and most successful movies of all time. This ordinary pairing is truly just an indication that this movie has one purpose: to entertain. The creators didn’t need to waste time bogging down the action and drama with substance–which was arguably a good decision. –Jordan Thompson

Stills from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Click for larger image)