Transformers 3 : Dark of the Moon

Review by Sean Lynch

When a movie franchise such as Transformers makes $1.9 Billion dollars worldwide, when it comes to critical analysis, there is very little that can be said to sway your opinion of it.

You are either going to love loud noises, robots in disguise and over-the-top visuals... or you won't. It's as simple as that.

For mine, the real problem with Transformers isn't so much that it's not perfect - but the fact that it knows it could be perfect. Michael Bay's first Transformers film was as close to popcorn-epic perfection as we've ever seen.

It's up there with some of Spielberg's best efforts. It perfectly mixed comedy, heart, action and nostalgia into one tight  two hour package.

The subsequent sequels, including Transformers : Dark Of The Moon show merely glimpses of that original perfection.

Transformers : Dark of the Moon once again features Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) taking his first tenuous steps into adulthood while remaining a reluctant human ally of Optimus Prime.

The film centres around the space race between the U.S.S.R. and the USA, in which The Autobots learn of a Cybertronian spacecraft hidden on the Moon, and race against the Decepticons to reach it and learn its secrets, which could turn the tide in the Transformers' final battle.

We all know Michael Bay has a tendency for "More is More", to be honest - it's often his best quality, but when it starts getting in the way of the film itself you've got problems.

While the story works far better this time around (although, steals heavily from Doctor Who : The End Of Time), as does most of the action (it still suffers from Transformers 2's A.D.D endlessness), the biggest problem here is the inclusion of Victoria Secret model Rosie Huntington-Whitele.

Sure, there is a level of disbelief audience members are required have during a movie about giant alien robots. There was a level of disbelief when Megan Fox decided to shack up with LaBeouf's Witwicky... but they'd been through a lot. We, as an audience, could - just - justify it.

Just like in Speed.

But that goes out the window with the pout heavy Huntington-Whitele. A simple case of "Love at first sight"? Hmmm. Maybe not. But who can really argue with short skirts?

There is also the case of Bay's extravagance destroying jokes. We find Witwicky struggling with the fact he has "Saved the world twice - but no one knowing it" and having to find work as a "lowly mailboy".

This is a wonderful bit of writing, which would be intensified if Witwicky had to give up the colourful life of Autobots for a cubicle in a grey office. Yet - this simple joke is lost thanks to Bay's use of office sets which looks like an modern art gallery.

It's really quite an insignificant gripe... but geez that gives me the shits. Yeah, you heard me... the shits.

Who am I kidding, these flicks are still fun to watch. If only an hour was shaved off the running time, we might have left the cinema wanting more instead of leaving glad the ordeal is finally over.

3 out of 5

Transformers 3 : Dark of the Moon
Australian release: 29th June, 2011
Official Site: Transformers 3 : Dark of the Moon
Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Tyrese Gibson
Director: Michael Bay