Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen 4K Ultra HD Review

THE MOVIE — 1.5/5

Note: This portion was copied over from my original theatrical review and pretty much matches my thoughts seeing this now a second time…

I’m not going to open with some obscure quote from some obscure cinematic expert 60 years ago. I’m also not going to have some witty quip about how much this Transformers sequel stunk…

I know mindless entertainment, it’s not a new concept and it will only become more popular as it’s an easier task that can bring in the broadest audience and thus make the most amount of money at the box office. Obviously there are exceptions to the rule (The Dark Knight, Iron Man) but it happens.

In regards to Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen I went in knowing there wouldn’t be much of a plot, some poor acting from talented actors, terribly written dialogue and nonsensical direction by a man I actually have no problem with (I liked Armageddon and The Island for crying out loud). So what’s left other than entertainment value? Well, Revenge of the Fallen was actually, coming from a critic of the original, pretty good. Unfortunately the movie was also a good 40 minutes too long with an astounding 145-minute running time (minus credits). I didn’t hate the ending. I wasn’t even annoyed by it. I was tired by that point. When you have so many robots vs. robots combat scenes getting like 30 in the final act was too much and it didn’t help matters that I couldn’t tell the Autobots from the Decepticons.

A quick rundown of the “plot”: Think the first Transformers add 30-minutes and a new mega villain that will wet the panties of the fanboys out there. OK, basically what happens is Sam Witwicky (SHIA LABEOUF) is once again thrown into the middle of a war between the Autobots and Decepticons as they continue to duke it out with one trying to protect Earth while the other wants to destroy it and gain more invincible power, of cour

While packing to go to college, Sam discovers a piece of the AllSpark that falls out of a sweater he wore during the previous events. Upon touching it, this thing uploads a secret map to the location of a big spikey thingamabob which will end all human life if the Decepticons get to it first… which means Sam is a wanted man by the villains to get what’s inside his brain! Not only does he has to deal with the Decepticons but also must handle a long distance relationship with his hot girlfriend Mikaela (MEGAN FOX) who wants to take it to the next level, i.e. the “L” word.

Meanwhile, the Autobots are working in conjunction with a United States led force to combat the remaining Decepticons who are hiding everywhere around the world. The movie begins with a mission to stop a few in Shanghai, needless to a lot of insurance claims — car and building will be made. After the Shanghai incident, the government is none too pleased with the chaos and destruction assigning a pencil-neck to be a representative for the U.S. government (hmm, I wonder if this will come into play later on).

So it’s a mad race to both get Sam and find this alien weapon that will wipe out the human race (I wasn’t exactly clear on how it worked…). You have the Autobots and the U.S. forces helping Sam while the Decepticons and their fearless master leader, The Fallen dude (robot) that is a bigger baddie than Megatron and the only thing that can defeat him is a Prime Autobot, namely Optimus Prime.

Director Michael Bay has divided many movie fans. Some love his work ethic and no-nonsense flair while others despise anything he touches. Personally, I don’t have a problem with the man and have in fact enjoyed a few of his movies like Bad Boys and Armageddon (not to mention his producing participation in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake). But with these Transformers movies, he can’t just let the robot fights be cool on their own and instead bangs you over the head until you’re begging him to stop. And this goes into the length of the film. Why isn’t he content with telling a non-story with bad dialogue in under two hours? Surely this was not so complex of a plot that it needed so much time to unfold (or did we need to see two dogs humping each other?).

Revenge of the Fallen has a couple things going for it:

1. Steve Jablonsky’s score, while themes were recycled from the previous incarnation, actually wasn’t too bad. Was it over-the-top? Of course, but since the rest of the film was the same way, it all fit.
2. Megan Fox is hot. Now, I’m all for gratuitous stripping scenes (not what you think, sorry), serves nothing but tantalize and look good in the trailers.
3. Shia LaBeouf, when given some good material, is shaping up to actually be a decent actor and if he can balance the mindless entertainment and films with substance, he could avoid becoming another Nicolas Cage (although Cage’s dramatic turn in Leaving Las Vegas didn’t help him avoid more than a few clunkers over the years).
4. The visual effects are amazing. Yes, we as a movie-going society I think have become spoiled with just how awesome effects have become that only a 100% CGI human will impress us, but for a bunch of walking and talking robots, not too shabby.

But even with the “good” things Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen has going for it, I would not, even if you paid me, sit through yet another two and a half hours. Sure, it’s not a big stinker of a film, but when you compare one rotting fish with another, what’s the difference?

And a quick question to those who boast that this is not a movie to see for a plot: For one thing, I agree that it doesn’t need a plot to be entertained, but answer me this, why did it need to be so damn long since it is a simple plot (and more of a rehash of the original anyway)?

SPECIAL FEATURES – 5.0/5

This three-disc release comes with a glossy title-embossed slip cover. Inside is a redemption code for the Digital HD copy.

Disc 1 (4K) & Disc 2 (BD):
Audio Commentary – Director Michael Bay & Writers Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman sit down for a casual but informative track discussing, as one would assume, some of the story aspects as well as some anecdotal stories from the set.

Disc 3:
The Human Factor: Exacting Revenge of the Fallen (2:14:31; HD)

• Seeds of Vengeance – Development and Design
• Domestic Destruction – Production: United States
• Joint Operations – Production: Military
• Wonders of the World – Production: Middle East
• Start Making Sense – Editing
• Under the Gun – Visual Effects
• Running the Gauntlet – Post-Production and Release

This 8-part, comprehensive making-of documentary examining everything from the origins of this sequel to casting to visual effects and features interviews with members of the cast and crew including Michael Bay, Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel and many more.

A Day with Bay: Tokyo (13:23; HD) takes viewers along for the ride with the director as he finished up working on the film while in Japan just before the premiere. As someone who is fascinated with Tokyo, I thought this was fun to watch.

25 Years of Transformers (10:44; HD) looks at the history of the toy line and animated shows and how it has remained relevant over the years.

NEST: Transformers Data-Hub is an interactive feature where you can gain background info on the various Transformers like Optimus Prime, Megatron, et al.

The AllSpark Experiment is a game of sorts where you place the AllSpark on a vehicle and transform it.

Deconstructing Visual Bayhem (22:46; HD) looks at the pre-vis on the major action set-pieces and has commentary with Pre-Vis Supervisor Steve Yamamoto. You can watch it either with Pre-Vis only or Pre-Vis/Final Shot combo.

Deleted/Alternate Scenes (6:01; HD) – Here we get three scenes that were trimmed or didn’t make the cut.

Giant Effing Movie (24:03; HD) is basically a fly-on-the-wall behind-the-scenes featurette showcasing just how big of a production this was.

Music Video (4:40; HD) – “New Divide” by Linkin Park

The Matrix of Marketing

• 2 Theatrical Trailers (4:50; HD)
• 6 TV Spots (2:12; HD)
• Galleries: Theatrical Posters, Promo/Marketing

4K VIDEO – 4.75/5

AUDIO – 5.0/5

OVERALL – 2.5/5

Overall, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen takes the action up a notch as sequels do but, somehow, dumbs down the story and makes me not care on bit about any of these characters, mechanical or human. At least the 4K presentation kicked ass with incredible video and audio transfers and an excellent selection of bonus features.