Transformers 3: Dark Side of the Moon (No Spoilers)

Transformers 3: Dark Side of the Moon (No Spoilers)

            The third movie in the series is pretty much just eye candy. Before seeing this movie I already heard about the negative buzz and I really, really was hoping they were wrong. With that being said I had not read one review before watching it and can definitely say that this is the worst of the three. It seemed like they tried so hard to make this epic (2 and a half hours long) conclusion to the film trilogy but instead filled it with good looking people, a lot of computer effects and an uneventful storyline.

            The interstellar war between the Autobots and Decepticons shifts into overdrive following the discovery of Sentinel Prime (voice of Leonard Nimoy) in this sequel from director Michael Bay. Only a precious handful of officials in the government and military realize that the 1969 moon mission was the result of an event that threatened profound repercussions for the entire human race. When the Apollo 11 astronauts discover the wrecked remains of Sentinel Prime on the surface of our natural satellite, they bring him back to planet Earth. But Sentinel Prime wasn't the only alien object on the moon, and when a malevolent new enemy makes its presence known, only the Autobots can save humankind from certain destruction.

            I was very excited to see this movie, especially after how good the preview was but a lot of things at the end of the film didn’t click with my taste. The second movie in the series got a lot of flack but when I first saw it I actually really enjoyed it. Repeat viewings were a different story but overall I think Michael Bay does a good job mixing comedy into his action movies and I know that’s where a lot of critic’s complaints come from. They had so much going for this film too that really made this movie fun: the whole Apollo 11 tie-in, Sentinel Prime, and the highlight for me was definitely Shock-Wave one of the films villains. Now this brings me to the Megan Fox/ Rosie Huntington-Whiteley switcheroo: Fox’s presence is definitely missed while Whiteley does not come off as tough as Fox’s character was in the first two; which actually is needed in a film like this. As the film goes on, her absence becomes even more glaringly absent when the action comes in bundles and Whiteley comes off extremely out of her league. The destruction of Chicago wound up lasting almost an hour long bringing tons of special effects and little story build up. If they would have just concentrated on making the dramatic parts more heartfelt and less effects driven the ending may have come off better. But there was so much going on that it got confusing at times and less climactic. The highlight was the skyscraper-escape sequence that involved Shock-Wave! Now if you enjoyed the first two; you’ll go see this movie regardless what people say, but may I suggest that if you do: Go see it with a big crowd of people! It really makes the laughs more enjoyable than watching it in an empty auditorium. It may seem like I am really nitpicking this movie but I came in with high expectations after the first two installments; and i left very disappointed.

1.5 out of 4 stars.