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'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' review roundup: So bad it's good?
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The third installment of Michael Bay's robot changeroo trilogy, "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" premieres first thing on Wednesday (June 29) at midnight. As several reviews point out, it's a movie for fans of "Transformers" movies -- which based on the two previous installments is a big honking audience, so expect massive box office returns. Shia LaBeouf is back to battle Decepticons, embed himself in a sea of CGI-rendered action and romance a hot chick. The hot chick in this case is Victoria's Secret model (and actress?) Rose Huntington-Whitely, not Megan Fox (though he apparently made the most of his time with Fox).
The action centers around friendly robots that were apparently first discovered on the moon in the 1960s and have now come to earth to tussle with the Decepticons over some kind of robot bridge equipment. Oh, and it's 3D, so the tussling will feel up close and personal.
Do you plan to rush out and see "Transformers" sometime over the long holiday weekend? Maybe this roundup of reviews will help you decide:
Roger Ebert wastes no time getting to his point:
"Michael Bay's 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' is a visually ugly film with an incoherent plot, wooden characters and inane dialog. It provided me with one of the more unpleasant experiences I've had at the movies."
The Village Voice's Dan Kois has a different reaction -- he thinks the over-the-top action and ridiculous plot points (the 1960s race to the moon was actually a secret mission sanctioned by President Kennedy to find Autobots) are classic Michael Bay.
"The prologue's moon-landing sequence (in glorious 3-D) is an exceptional reminder that for all Bay's blowhard douchebagginess, he's a masterful maker of images."
Movieline's Stephanie Zacherek concurs:
"Bay doesn't care about your soul, he just wants your money -- but he at least makes sure you go home feeling exhausted and spent rather than vaguely dissatisfied. It's a fair exchange."
Vanity Fair's Mike Ryan thought the movie totally stunk, but recommends it anyway because -- as far as we can tell -- it's too deliciously horrid to miss:
"['Transformers: Dark of the Moon'] relentlessly beats the viewer into submission over the course of two and a half hours. By the time it's finished, you'll be lost in numb happiness. It's the cinematic equivalent of a lobotomy."
The Washington Post's Jen Chaney, who notes that the movie took more than one liberty with its D.C.-set scenes, writes that the movie would have benefited from more Ken Jeong. She also coins a phrase for experiencing a 3D Shia LaBeouf leaping off the screen:
"I have now officially dubbed this cinematic effect "getting LaBeouffed."
So, are you ready to get LaBeouffed or will you stick with fireworks this weekend?
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Photo/Video credit: Paramount Pictures
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I think too many people trying to make this movie sound awful, and it may be, but it was never meant to win the hearts of the Academy. Gracious, it's based on freaking cartoon that I grew up with that was ridiculous in it's own right. But I loved it, and I'm going to enjoy this movie, as bad as it may be.
these movie has no race for the oscars and it's only aim for entertaiment and a huge blockbuster return fo finacial investment,these i like!
I dont go to see the transformers movies to see acting. I go to see things get blown to crap.
The comments prove one thing: We are getting dumber by the second. Michael Bay has proven to be the worst director, next to Zack Synder, yet people go see his films for no other reason than to see things get "blown up," like a stereotypical hick who is surprised that cars have radios.
There is nothing wrong with these tent-pole films, but you got to have something, some kind of soul...anything to justify the wasteful spending on a film -and film series - that would help a large country's economy.
But soullessness, and a hollow, empty brain pan - or what Bart Simpson would call craptacular - is what American's crave.
Morgan, I disagree. While I do admit to liking mindless action films, it's not the only thing this AMERICAN likes.
At the top of my list are movies like "City of God(it's not in English but hands down my favorite)", "Donnie Darko(great ending)", Good Will Hunting, The Big Lebowski, "28 Days Later(lots of visual undertones- Like the scene with horses running free in the midst of the world dying), "Juon," I COULD GO ON AND ON.
And you know what, I CAN EVEN READ BOOKS TOO!!!! I love Charles Dickens, very descriptive writer. Poe too. You see, as "MINDLESS AMERICAN," I am much smarter than the fact that I like a movie like Transformers.
It's people like you that want to throw judgement, ALL BECAUSE I LIKE A CHEESY MOVIE?!?!? Get an education in the real world instead of pigeon-holing an entire population based on their choices of movies, because we're much deeper than that.
Movie good: Crash, Bang, Crush, many Xpolsions.
Look people...real life kind of sucks right now, especially with the economy the way it is. People don't go to the movies to see real life. They go to have fun. Transformers is mindless fun. But it is FUN. So everyone saying its crap is probably right, but at least its fun crap.
I dont care what your opinions are. Just to let others know, Why wont you just enjoy a great movie and experience well develop CGI robots. Stop critizing the Bay and the writers. Dont spoil the moment for others who wants to have a good movie.
remember ROBOT COP, Terminator,Bateries are not included, Short Circuite, A.I., Bicentinial Man and Robot Jax.
I bet you can t compare it from Transformers.
Just watch the movie and have a Good time.
I took a 13 yr old to the movie. We both loved the previous T. movies. This one we were totally disappointed in. Plus we paid extra for 3-D. No reason to do that, save your $$.
The first half was major boring and we discovered we were both ready to walk out. Then the action picked up then up some more. Good stuff, then up some more until finally we just wanted it to slow down or stop. They over did it. Saw no reason for the girlfriend to be in the movie. Primarily all she did was get dragged from one scene to another or run through the set. Oh there she goes left. Oh there she goes right. Always managing to keep her heels on in the chaos and carnage. All around, a waste of time and money.