Now on DVD : 'Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen' - bigger, louder... but, a better sequel ?

October 20, 9:45 PMBoston Movie ExaminerTim Estiloz

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           Optimus Prime ready for battle in "Tranformers: Revenge of the Fallen"

   "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" is director Michael Bay's latest exercise in sensory excess on the big screen... is now on DVD.

    And... let's be real here.   Bay loves to blow things up... and those who go to his films should never expect, nor probably desire anything remotely more than simply that.  

     Bay's films are thin to bare bones in terms of plotline... and more about loud special effects filled "razzle dazzle"... aimed at hyping the audiences' adrenaline level to orgasmic levels . 

     That in mind, to expect his latest film "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" to aspire to be anything loftier than being a simplistic cinematic orgy of mammoth explosions,  frenzied action sequences and eye-popping CGI effects laden battle sequences... is pure folly and wishful thinking.     Love it or hate it... this kind of film is Bay's stock and trade.

                Shia LeBoeuf and Megan Fox running for their lives in a scene.

    In this sequel to the first "Transformers" film... Shia LeBoeuf returns as Sam Witnicky, the semi-reluctant teen liason between Earth and the the "good" Transformers or Autobots... that saved the world in the previous film from the evil Decepticons. 

    At the outset of this latest installment, Sam is about to embark on a new carefree life at college... while also trying to maintain his relationship with Mikaela, again played with unabashed sensuality by Megan Fox.

    Meantime, the main robots from the first film have semi-secretly integrated themselves into protecting both Sam and the world.  The mammoth leader of the Autobots, Optimus Prime and the other surviving good robots now work with a covert special ops team designed to seek out any remaining Decepticon robots threatening the Earth.

     Also returning, is Sam's loyal protector the hybrid Autobot / hot yellow Camaro, Bumblebee who provides in this film many of the same fun moments of personality and humor that made him a standout in the first film.

                      "Bumblebee" - Shia LeBeouf's protector in the film franchis 

    However, just prior to Sam's departure for college... he discovers a forgotten sliver of the alien, energy laden Allspark cube which was coveted so aggressively by the Decepticons before. 

    Upon touching the sliver this time, Sam's brain suddenly is filled with alien information and visions of odd symbols that hold an unknown meaning for the befuddled teen.

     The sliver also activates a number of kitchen appliances in Sam's family home into frenzied mechanical mini-versions of the Decepticons... in a scene that seems lifted straight out of the 80's film, "Gremlins".

     One of these pesky robots manages to alert the other evil Decepticons of the sliver's existence... who ultimately revive the dormant evil Megatron, the villain from the last film. 

     What happens next is a complex and sometimes confusing plan by the Decepticons to revive, as Buffy the Vampire Slayer might call, the ultimate "Big Bad"... an ancient Decepticon who attempted to destroy the Earth eons ago... but was defeated by his fellow automated comrades who resisted killing the planet's human population.  This mechanical mad machine is the main leader of "The Fallen" referred to in the film's title.

    Now, the prize being sought... and long buried from ages past is another energy device called "The Matrix" capable of activating a mammoth device hidden in Egypt that the newly regrouped Decepticons want to utilize to destroy the Earth's sun and... as a result,  Earth itself.   

   "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" both benefits and suffers from bloat throughout.   The myriad twists and turns within the convoluted, yet intellectually simplistic plot can be a bit overwhelming over the film's 2 and 1/2 hour running time.    In this installment of the franchise, director Bay obviously believes everything should be bigger, longer, louder... and much, much more of all of everything in the mix.   Bay has seemingly tripled the number of Autobots and Decepticons in this film to such a degree... it's truly difficult to tell who's the good robot and who's the bad robot... especially in the film's climatic battle in the Egyptian desert.  

    However, there are some nice touches to this installment.   Many of the robots have some funny moments all their own.  Bay has given several of them unique personalities and voices that help to make them more than just souped up SUV's, aircraft and refrigerators that have a lethal side.   Most notably, a small robot Decepticon with a Jersey accent that's played more for comic relief who's captured and kept on a leash by the comely Megan Fox.   

    A moment late in the film where the robot physically acts on it's more than passing libidinous attraction to Fox...  is both hilarious and oddly disturbing.   However, Bay also indulges in some stereotypes meant for comic relief in other robots that border on offensive, most notably two "hip hop" robots that seem to be channeling former rapper "Flava Flav"...  complete with gold front tooth. 

     The CGI action sequences are superb in their scope and slam bang power solely designed to evoke the "WOW" response in audiences.   The CGI effects created by George Lucas' "Industrial Light and Magic" are fantastic, stunning... and also very loud.  

    Depending on your tolerance factor, the battle sequences will either be incredibly impressive... or, by film's end - mind numbing.   The film's spectacular battle climax in the Egyptian desert is a jaw-droppingly choreographed mix of incredible real-life military hardware and manpower,  dangerous pyrotechnics and awesome CGI special effects.

     However, the film's best special visual effect is Megan Fox.   Again, audiences... and even Fox the actress know her purpose in this film.   Her role calls for barely anything that can remotely be  called "acting".   Like the CGI effects, Fox's undeniable beauty is in this film as pure window dressing designed to dazzle.   Indeed, Fox is true to her last name in every close up of her that director Bay fills up the screen with.   She is there simply to look good for the film's young audience... and somehow, while running for her life, dodging rampaging robots and explosions all around, Fox manages to stay amazingly beautiful and unfazed... and her moist lip gloss perfectly in place.

     LeBeouf capably reprises his role as Sam in this installment.  He manages amid all the chaos and CGI carnage to have his several of his own moments of humor, youthful bewilderment at his circumstance and bravery.  It's a testament to LeBoeuf's acting skills, likability and charisma to not let his character get completely lost in this potpourri of cinematic excess.

     Michael Bay's films are what I like to call beautifully decorated "mind candy".   It's in a slick, appealing package... and when tasted, gives you a sugary rush that feels exciting and good at first.  However, also like candy... Bay's films are devoid of anything really good for you... like a real plot line.   It's just good for the momentary rock n' roll thrill of the spectacular special effects... and afterwards, leaves you feeling either pleasantly satisfied... or numbingly exhausted and regretful for the indulgence.

      "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" makes no pretense of wanting to be anything more than entertaining, albeit overdone and over the top "mind candy".... filled with CGI effects and a roller coaster like thrill.  If you can accept and, indeed, expect that going in... you'll have a fun time.  

     Otherwise, stay at home... and curl up with a good book.  

     For more info about TV entertainment reporter / film critic, Tim Estiloz visit : www.TimEstiloz.com and see his video interviews with many of Hollywood's top film and TV stars on his You Tube channel: FilmFanTV

  ... and video reviews at Boston Latino TV : http://bostonlatino.tv/