The Transformers sequel is as loud, epic and shallow a piece of celluloid as you’re ever going to find. Learning some lessons from the first film’s shortcomings, this time the machines take centre stage in battle scenes that are full of spectacle, mostly thrilling and brilliantly staged. 

For all its popcorn value at 2 ½ hours the film does somewhat overwhelm the senses and the abhorrent human element and dialogue makes some sections of the film tough to get through. Throwing everything in his arsenal director Michael Bay has once again produced a brilliant example of Hollywood fluff that is entertaining but by no means memorable.

After defeating the Decepticons , the Autobots, led by Optimus Prime, are now working with the US government saving the world from evil robots through the top secret NEST program. Trouble seems to be stirring as the remaining Decepticons, led by a resuscitated Megatron, are after the shards of the cube from the first film to bring about the end of the world. Conveniently enough it is in the hands of Sam (Shia LaBeouf) who just wants to lead a normal university life with his impossibly hot girlfriend (Megan Fox). As usual the fate of the planet is now in the hands of these intergalactic machines.

The great:
This is a Michael Bay (Bad Boys, Armageddon) film and whether you like what he brings or not, he is definitely good at it. The action scenes are astounding and vastly superior to the nauseating quick cuts and confused camera angles of the original. The crunching metal fury that is unleashed every time the transformers are on screen is a wonder to behold. If it’s robots you want to see, it’s robots you will get.

The good:
Shia LaBeouf continues his journey as the world’s least likely action star and provides the film with the only solid human character. He has enough charisma and screen presence to hold his own when everything around him is blowing up. As expected Fox looks stunning on film but anything resembling human emotion seems to be a stretch. Also Home and Away’s Isabel Lucas does a decent job in a small and unexpected role.

The not-so-good:
The film is way too long and the unnecessary back story is ridiculous in its complexity given the tone of the film. The human characters are so appallingly written and developed that it becomes comical, even by Bay’s low standards. The performances seem to be intentionally sabotaged by the filmmakers as most of the time the actors have to shout their dialogue over the music soundtrack and gunfire. LaBeouf and Fox are still cinema’s least convincing couple with zero chemistry between the leads.

Transformers - Revenge of the Fallen is a twelve year old boy’s fantasy come true. If you are willing to channel that boy inside you, rest assured you’ll have the best time of your life. For everyone else the excessive running time will test the patience of many a viewer but when it’s all said and done it’s just good old mindless fun.

Transformers - Revenge of the Fallen opens in Australian cinemas on June 24.
You can view the Transformers - Revenge of the Fallen movie trailer here on TheVine.
You can also watch our video interview with Isabel Lucas.