Transformers 3 (2011)

Let me put things into context: Transformers 1 was awesome. Then there was Transformers 2, seemingly with the idea that “more is more”. Everything was bigger and better. As a result, it was not so good. Enjoyable? Yes. Memorable? Not at all.
Now we have Transformers 3, and as expected, Micheal Bay did just what we expected him to do: Take Transformers 2 and turn the dial up a notch.
So what does this give us?
Well, an alternate reality where the Space Race was in response to aliens landing on the moon, Chernobyl being caused by aliens, bigger robots, bigger explosions, the destruction of Chicago, another near-end of the world, and an even bigger bimbo than Megan Fox.
The story is what you’d expect from a Transformers movie. Once again, a very important detail is brought to light that could change the world forever. The villain gets even bigger and more powerful. All seems lost; everyone wants to abandon the fight, until Shia Lebeouf comes along and saves the day.
It’s all very impressive and entertaining, but in a way disappointing. I guess there is not much else to do with the Transformers franchise, apart from turning everything up a notch and create a sense of awe among the audience.
It’s okay in the early cinematic experience sort of way (where movies were seen as an entertainment like a day out at the fair), but even to an action-movie fan such as myself, it does get a bit tiring.
For one thing, Micheal Bay’s past as a Playboy movie director is clearly visible here when he films the new heroin. I can almost understand why Megan Fox left! After that, the product placement is getting a bit out of hand also. Yes, a Ferrari 458 robot is fun. Giving him an Italian accent and calling him Dino is a bit too much. The cameos are okay but a bit too obvious. Shia Lebeouf even manages to get more annoying! I thought it was not possible, but he has surpassed himself! And finally, a bit more reality would not hurt. (I had no idea Navy Seals could climb 40 flights of stairs in 10 seconds! Or say, a collapsing building manages to comically fall on another one and stay there…)
I truly believe that each new Transformers is more like a parody of the previous one.
On the positive side, it is visually impressive, and the attention to detail is stunning. I guess it is exactly like the first movies: A way to try and impress to cinema-goer, nothing else.
Watch it once for fun, but I cannot really see why someone would want to watch it twice, unless you went out for an urgent dinner half-way through (it is a very long movie)…

2.5/5

Loved: Stunning visuals, alternate reality story is interesting I guess?
Hated: Pretty much all the rest