TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION – The Review

Review by Dana Jung

Well, Michael Bay has done it again. The master of “Bayhem” has pulled out all the stops in the latest of the TRANSFORMERS series, with several gigantic setpieces, at least 5 villains, Hong Kong action, car chases, new robots, new sports cars, and an all new cast.   From 2007 to 2011, we got a new TRANSFORMERS installment every other year, all of which followed the story of the Witwicky character portrayed by Shia LaBeouf. These films are famous for their incredible robot battle scenes, big explosions, and for introducing the world to Megan Fox. Borrowing many storylines directly from the cartoon series, the trilogy was a hugely successful franchise due mostly to the vision of Bay and his talent for making visual chaos fun and entertaining. The first TRANSFORMERS film in particular was a crowd-pleasing mixture of realistic depictions of infantry warfare, a nice sense of humor, and fanboy fantasy.

For the new film, Bay and the writers have again taken story elements from the cartoon series and movies involving new breeds and models of robots. The plight of Optimus Prime and the remaining autobots to save themselves and humanity is the core story; however, this time the plot layers on large doses of governmental politics, raging capitalism, and unrestricted science into a nearly-three-hour (yes, you read that right) running time. Plot-heavy as it is, the movie divides itself fairly neatly into three acts. Taking place several years after the events in the third TRANSFORMERS film, the story begins with the introduction of the main characters, featuring Mark Wahlberg playing the everyman as devoted father and backyard inventor. He has a pouty daughter (Nicola Peltz, giving Bay yet another attractive pair of legs to shoot through), a devoted sidekick (the hilarious T.J. Miller), and a stack of unpaid bills. When he accidentally discovers a Transformer, all their lives change forever.

Stanley Tucci and Kelsey Grammer lend gravitas to the roles of heavies they play during the second act. Grammer in particular is really in serious villain mode (to be fair, the script gives him less to play with), while Tucci has much more fun, especially later in the film, when he provides some needed humour (which had inexplicably disappeared toward the beginning of the film). The story here takes some darkly complex turns as it follows at least three distinct plotlines.

Finally, things come together—literally and figuratively—in the third act, which delivers on all the promise of ultimate “Bayhem.” Let it be said that TRANSFORMERS: AOE has nothing over MAN OF STEEL in the wanton mass destruction department. Skyscrapers are demolished, hundreds of motor vehicles are destroyed, and who knows how many human casualties are the fallout of these battles.

There is very little real human emotion or interaction to slow down these sequences; but Bay has added several other action scenes which are just as memorable as all the CGI Transformer battles. A chase scene down the side of a high rise apartment building recalls many Asian action films. Sequences onboard an alien ship are as claustrophobically suspenseful as anything in the ALIEN series. And a brutal fight scene between (human) hero and villain is surprisingly violent and realistic, comparing favorably with something out of a James Bond flick.

The other parts of the film are a mixed bag. The script veers wildly between near self-parody and dead serious family drama. The film is best when it shows a lighter touch, as when Wahlberg acknowledges the product placement in the movie by opening a beer, taking a swig, and then discarding the bottle—all without interrupting the tone of a scene. But we also get some of the corniest action film dialogue since the Stallone days of the 1980s: when asked for a search warrant, one villain provides a steely glare and replies, “My face is my search warrant.”

Wahlberg ekes out a good performance with what he is given, but really has to work for it. Part action man, part over-protective father, part voice of reason, Wahlberg exudes the natural screen presence necessary to make even the more outrageous parts of the film more believable. The trio of women in the film don’t fare quite as well. Nicola Peltz’s character more often than not is just used for comic relief. It’s to her credit that she registers a few genuine moments in what could have easily become an annoying and clichéd teen role. Bingbing Li (RESIDENT EVIL, FORBIDDEN KINGDOM) is perfectly cast as a fussy corporate officer who is not afraid of mixing it up in a little martial arts action. And while it’s nice to see the talented Sophia Myles onscreen again, she is given little to do to further the story and virtually disappears from the film. Mention should also be made of the excellent voice talents of Peter Cullen, Frank Welker, Ken Watanabe, Robert Foxworth, Mark Ryan and particularly John Goodman, who really make the various Transformers come to life.

Kids will love the cool stuff, critics will loathe the excess, but for a summer action film that has all the ups and downs of a Michael Bay creation, you’ll certainly get your money’s worth from TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION.

3 out of 5 stars