“Transformers Revenge of the Fallen” is an explosive sci-fi blockbuster with non-stop action… and is visually stunning.

There is a lot to like about the sequel to the 2007 hit… and I can see what some people wouldn’t like about it… but those people probably don’t like this kind of movie to begin with.   As I’ve said before, considering what this movie is, reviewing it for what it is: a sci-fi action adventure, its great… sure its not the best movie ever, or even an Oscar contender for best picture…. but it is a great summer blockbuster.

(spoiler free)

“Transformers Revenge of the Fallen” may not be better overall than its predecessor, but it does very well to keep up with tons of action, lots of transforming, stuff blowing up, high tech gadgets, lots of comic relief, and a battle of good versus evil that stretches across the globe.

The transformers themselves look really good, this isn’t the early CGI that looks a little fake, these CGI characters are believable and not overdone… and its nice to have Peter Cullen back as the voice of Optimus Prime, the same guy who voiced the leader of the autobots in the original cartoon series in the 1980’s and in 2007’s “Transformers”… he is Optimus.  The other voice work for the other characters is mostly very good, like Hugo Weaving as bad guy Megatron… but some of the transformer characters are a little over-the-top.

While the transformers look good and their “acting” is really good… the acting of the humans, other than Shia LaBeouf and John Turturro is just average and nothing special.  LaBeouf works well within the story and really develops and advances his character.  Turturro’s return is fun and neurotic and he pulls it off with his dead pan and goofiness as usual.  The rest of the on screen cast do okay, but are nothing special.

The soundtrack rocks this movie and fits perfectly into the picture… unlike other movies that try to get modern music into their movie and its awkward or jarring.

I also liked the homage to LaBeouf starring in the Indiana Jones movies when he, like Indy, fills up an item with a handful of “dirt”… the scene is a nice tip of the cap to the fact that LaBeouf may keep that series moving forward.

A few things I didn’t like include flashbacks to previous transformer battles that looked like a rip-off of “Lord of the Rings”, some of the transformer characters were over-the-top with too much goofiness that erodes their “coolness” factor, and the movies’ clear decision to make a spectacle of Megan Fox instead of making her character a co-star and strong female lead… which she shows some signs of being able to pull off.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

(more…)

Attention: “Transformers” fans: the new movie is now set to open 2 days earlier

Annouced yesterday: “Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen” is opening Wednesday June 24th, it was previously set to open Friday, June 26th.

Posted April 19, 2009:

UPDATE: 2 more minutes of “Transfomers 2″ preview… if you want to spoil it for yourself:

http://www.trailerspy.com/trailer/3559/Transformers-2-Revenge-of-the-Fallen-ShoWest-Footage-HD

(more…)

“Eagle Eye” has the Action, Thrills, Big Brother Paranoia, good acting from a talented cast and non-stop storyline that make this a really good movie that could possibly be considered a cranked up sequel to ”Enemy of the State” (1998)….

“Eagle Eye”

(2008) (rated: PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence, and for language) (1 hr, 58 min)

Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Billy Bob Thorton, Rosario Dawson, Michael Chiklis, Anthony Mackie, Ethan Embry

Genre: Action/Mystery/Thriller

The Plot: Jerry and Rachel are two strangers thrown together by a mysterious phone call from a woman they have never met. Threatening their lives and family, she pushes Jerry and Rachel into a series of increasingly dangerous situations, using the technology of everyday life to track and control their every move.

MY TAKE (spoiler free):

Like most good action/thrillers this movie doesn’t take long to get going or to jump into the main storyline… the story and plot twists are solid, the acting is good – with no roles or actors wasted, the high-tech parts of the movie aren’t difficult to understand, the effects and stunts help the story and don’t distract from it…  BUT BE READY TO BE AN ACTIVE VIEWER - (more…)

(RE-POSTING FROM 5/23/08)

Indiana Jones 4: a shocking disappointment
 

Yes, I hate to say it, but “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” was a sucker punch to the stomach of *this* eager fan of the franchise.     I am a huge fan of “Indiana Jones”… its 2nd only to “Star Wars” as a favorite franchise… these are the movies that got me excited about going to the theater when I was a kid… but this leaves a sour taste in my movie-going stomach.

Don’t get me wrong… all the elements were there: the typical edge of your seat action, good versus evil, gags, fighting, heroes in peril, one liners, a little romance… it was a fun adventure… the whole franchise is…

((… and I was disappointed by the way they explain what the crystal skull was.. and they way they explained it… why? why? why? did they have to do it that way? it unravels all the little flaws I had accepted earlier in the movie… at one point in the end sequence I wasn’t sure if I was watching Indiana Jones or “A.I.” ))