Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

 

• Released Internationally on 19/06/09
• Released in Malta by KRS on 24/06/09

 

In a nutshell

Two summers ago a much-loved cartoon series made the jump to the big screen, managing to meet most fan expectations as well as introduce the franchise to a whole new audience. It helped that the film also made truck-loads of money. With an open-ended conclusion to the film, and numerous popular characters still waiting in the wings to make their live-action debut, a sequel was announced only two months after release.

By way of introduction

After a very brief prologue which offers a chilling glimpse of how the Transformers have been around for far longer than we imagine, the film quickly shifts into top gear for a never-ending action sequence in the Far East. Over the next half-hour or so we are introduced to a host of new characters in rapid succession, as the increasingly convoluted plot starts to unfold.

Bits and pieces

My major gripe with the initial film was the design of the Transformers themselves, possibly stemming from my infatuation with the cartoons as a child. The chunky, solid forms of the cartoon characters have been replaced with piecemeal metallic structures with way too much clutter. The look and design were obviously kept for this second film. Whilst working wonders in the style and streamlining departments, this look often makes it harder to distinguish between characters, and makes the action sequences incredibly difficult to follow.  As we see Autobots (the goodies) take on Decepticons (the baddies) in tussles and high-speed chases, the result is often a mass of metal without much definition. I sometimes felt relieved when they changed back to their other form (truck, car, whatever), because they took on a solid form again and were clearly identifiable.

Revenge of the Fallen

The subtitle can be interpreted in two ways, but I won't go into details so as not to spoil the plot. Suffice to say that Megatron (Decepticon-in-chief), left for dead at the bottom of the ocean last time around, is back and in a foul mood. The Autobots have also fallen out of favour with the US president (shown to be Obama in a brief news clip - his first film appearance?), and their assistance is no longer needed. The tables turn when the Decepticons enlist the help of the Constructicons - a group of construction vehicles (with full extras) which I remember vividly from the cartoon series, and which are a welcome addition. They also have a neat party trick which adds greatly to the film's climactic action sequence. Less welcome are the intensely annoying Autobot 'Twins' who plague a number of scenes with their witty banter, and ultimately add little to the plot. After visiting Shanghai and Paris, most of the second half takes place in Egypt and Jordan, offering lots of spectacular scenes of huge robots mingling with the pyramids.

Who's in it?

Director Michael Bay, the man who has become synonymous with large-scale summer blockbusters (Armageddon, The Rock, Bad Boys, Pearl Harbour), returns to direct the sequel in his usual over-the-top style. Despite regularly drawing fire from critics for choosing style over substance, his focus on scale was very suitable for the first film. Sitting somewhere in the shadows with a cheque-book and a few choice tips is Steven Spielberg, who is credited as executive producer for both films. His recent pet actor Shia LaBeouf (Eagle Eye, Indiana Jones) returns as Sam Witwicky, the energetic young only son who first makes contact with the Autobots and continues to serve as the link between them and humans. His heroics in the first film landed him the love of the smouldering Michaela Banes, played by up-and-coming Megan Fox (How To Lose Friends & Alienate People), who stands around looking ridiculously hot but not doing much else. John Turturro (Miller's Crossing, Barton Fink, The Big Lebowski) returns as the eccentric but helpful Transformers expert, and Rainn Wilson (The Office's Dwight) has a brief but amusing cameo as Sam's lecturer. Numerous voice actors return to voice the metallic heroes and villains, most notably Hugo Weaving (The Matrix, The Lord of the Rings) as Megatron, and Peter Cullen (who voiced the character in the cartoon series) as Optimus Prime. Steve Jablonsky's simplistic score adds some gravitas to the more sombre moments, and adds noise to the action sequences, but is ultimately forgettable.

More than meets the eye?

Not really, no. The action sequences are often messy, and we're introduced to so many new characters that it's hard to get involved or interested. The plot seems built around a few spectacular locations, and is mostly fluff. Many scenes are still a sight to behold, so if all you're after this summer is loud noise and lots of glitz, this might be just your cup of tea. If, however, you like your summer blockbusters to be based on good filmmaking and a great story, look elsewhere.

 

 

Trailer:

http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/transformersrevengeofthefallen/ (High-res QuickTime)

 

How To Lose Friends & Alienate People

• Released Internationally on 03/10/08
• Released in Malta by KRS on 08/10/08

 

In a nutshell

Based on the true-life account of a British journalist trying to make it in New York when he’s offered a job by a high-profile celebrity magazine, this film follows him as he strives to stick to his journalist ethics without ticking off all the stars and colleagues he meets.

Simon Pegg

The name might not ring any bells, but this guy has ‘rising star’ written all over him. He burst into public consciousness back in 2004 when he co-wrote and starred in the truly brilliant ‘Shaun of the Dead’ comedy, which he recently followed up successfully with ‘Hot Fuzz’ (also great) and ‘Run, Fat boy, Run’. This is probably his highest-profile assignment to date, and his face will soon be plastered everywhere when he plays Scotty in the upcoming Star Trek revamp. He benefits from average-Joe looks, which allow him to take on roles which the audience can easily relate to, and he does physical and verbal comedy wonderfully – all traits that are put to very good use here. When we first meet him, his character Sidney Young is running a tiny and frustrating magazine back in the UK, but he soon gets noticed and is flown out to New York to work for the very sort of corporation he used to ridicule. Needless to say, he takes some time to fit in.

Megan Fox

Another new name. Another rapidly rising star. This stunning young actress gave the Transformers a run for their money in terms of eye-candy, and here she slips very easily into the role of a fictional starlet who’s just hit the big-time and is suddenly grabbing all the limelight with a big movie role and some crafty paparazzi stunts. She proves to be the one thing that can tear Sidney down from his ethical high-horse, and get him to accept that he needs to rub a few celebrity backs if his career is going to head anywhere. Throughout the film, he slowly but surely gets drawn into the celebrity game, but as he gains favour with the A-list crowd, he loses favour with those closest to him, and with us in the cinema seats.

Kirsten Dunst

Providing most of the emotional backbone to the story, the reliable and likeable Kirsten Dunst plays Alison Olsen, who is one of the first people Sidney clashes with on arriving in New York, but who eventually shows that deep down she resents the celebrity culture and is made of stronger stuff. She plays second fiddle to Megan Fox in the glamour and glitz departments, but Sidney eventually realises the importance of friendship over fluff.

Jeff Bridges

The Dude himself, the versatile and criminally underrated Jeff Bridges, recovers from his clash with Iron Man earlier this year to play Clayton Harding, the powerful and influential editor of the fictional ‘Sharps’ magazine (the memoir had Sidney working for Vanity Fair, but all names have been fictionalised here). Despite having risen to the top thanks to a symbiotic relationship with the stars, Harding still harbours a bit of nostalgia for the times when he used to tear the celebrities down, which is why he hired Sidney, and why on occasion he gives him free rein to try new ideas for the magazine. This provides most of the food for thought this film serves up – in this age of celebrity blogs and endless paparazzi stories, and where stardom can be obtained thanks to a few well-planned stunts, without any particular need for talent, we’re given some insight into the power of the media, and how they often decide the fates of those they cover. Amongst the many comedy gems throughout the film, we get a couple of references to Bridges’ cult role in The Big Lebowski, with Sidney mistaking the name of his landlady, and one of Harding’s executives having White Russians as his drink of choice.

In the end

Much like The Devil Wears Prada, this film offers us humble mortals an amusing glimpse into the offices of high-flying magazine headquarters, and manages to make us doubt what we read off the news rack. And much like Tropic Thunder, it manages to remove some of the shine that the media has encased Hollywood celebrities with over the years. A good mix of British humour and Hollywood glamour, with Simon Pegg delivering another good performance as he saves us from the inflated egos of stardom.

 

 

Trailer: