Transformers: Dark of the Moon is directed by Michael Bay and stars Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Tyrese Gibson, Josh Duhamel, Alan Tudyk (from Firefly!) and Patrick Dempsey. While I didn't like a few things in the movie, overall it's not anywhere near as bad as some the reviews out there right now. Will it be the best of the three? No, but it's a good film.
Plot:
Sam Witwicky (LaBeouf) taking his first tenuous steps into adulthood while remaining a reluctant human ally of Optimus Prime. The film centers around the space race between the U.S.S.R. and the USA, suggesting there was a hidden Transformers role in it all that remains one of the planet's most dangerous secrets. The villain of the third film will be Shockwave.
A lot of disappointment was felt after Transformers 2, for me one of those disappointments was Arcee not having a bigger role as one of the only female bots finally coming to the screen. Aside from a plot that was severely lacking in Transformers 2 I was a little nervous to continue. But my love for the Autobots is too deep to deny: Optimus Prime, Iron Hide, Ratchet and Bumblebee are my boys! Needless to say I had to give them another shot. First the downsides, Shia was a bit annoying with his constant screaming and whiny behavior. At some point the boy needs to grow up and be a man, and I had hopes that with this time around (as an Ivy league grad and all) he would be a bit more adult like but unfortunately he was again let me down with his acting ability. With a run time of almost 2 and 1/2 hours the film felt way too long, quite a bit could have been shaved off to save the audience from all the excess that really held no bearing on the main plot. The script didn't flow easily and gave it a little disjointed feel but overall the action makes up for anything that might have been lacking.
Positive side. This film has some of the best robot fighting I have ever witnessed on the big screen, the highway scenes and hand to hand combat in the street of Chicago were pretty exciting. I did notice they took a little more time slowing down the action, where as before everything was blown through so quickly you couldn't tell who was fighting who. I really appreciated that. Sam's parents are hysterical side characters that really keep the comedy rolling whenever they appear on screen. I am NOT a fan Of Megan Fox so I had a much more enjoyable time with this movie. Was Rosie a good actress? ..not really no. But she did a so-so job with the part and was much more tolerable than Fox.
With a plethora of fighting (sometimes graphic in nature) and a PG-13 rating parents be warned that little ones may not need to see this film. It may not be blood but when heads of robots or humans are being ripped off it's still a bit disturbing. So use good judgment with the younger kids. Loved seeing Optimus and his Axe taking names and kicking Decepticon butt! With lines like "We will kill them all!" how could you not root for the giant heroes?! These guys hold my heart and for nothing else but their scenes alone this movie is well worth the money to see it. It's a summer popcorn flick and nothing more. :)
Getting 3 and 1/2 Allspark Sheep
KD
