andersonh1 wrote:- I enjoyed the use of Transformers mythology to create the story, specifically the inclusion of the Fallen, the importance of Primes to Transformers, and an interesting use for the Matrix of Leadership.
This bothered me! Why is it the Matrix of Leadership? Its use here makes even less sense than in AHM. (At least AHM is just following precedent.)
- Optimus Prime was much more recognizable in this movie. We saw his more thoughtful side in the first movie, but I was annoyed that Megatron tossed him around like a ragdoll. This time, Optimus was the all around awesome fighter that he should be, particularly during the fight in the forest where he takes on three Decepticons, including Megatron and Starscream, and very nearly wins the fight. In fact, I'd have to say that whenever Optimus is onscreen, the movie's good. The character and performance by Cullen is the highlight of the movie. The fact that he's missing for so much of the middle of the movie is a detriment.
See, this is a problem I have. I love Cullen and I love his Prime Voice.
...But it's not working.
Fact is, Cullen's Old, and it shows--his Prime now is definitely a wise, old Autobot who would do better as an Obi-Wan Kenobi type than the movie's Luke Skywalker. The ruthless, nearly bloodthirsty Prime that's beating the hell out of Decepticons and saying lines like "I'll take you ALL on!" and "GIVE ME YOUR FACE!" clashes so much with Cullen's performance. Maybe twenty years ago, I could believe it--because Cullen's Prime was a lot younger then--but not now.
I am in no way saying this is Cullen's fault as an actor, and I'm glad he's 'there.' What I'm questioning is his writing in the movie itself. In the first movie, it worked out better--Prime kills Bonecrusher, sure, but really look at what he does--even in 'that' fight he pretty much gets his ass kicked until he hides behind a pillar and decapitates the hate machine. And then Megs basically winning the entire fight, and Prime expressing extreme self-doubt ("If I cannot defeat Megatron...") showed, to me, that Movie Prime is clearly an old man, and his badass action hero performance in ROTF conflicts with that.
I'm also in no way saying that I'm sad Prime has turned into a badass like this, either, I'm just saying I feel a major disconnect.
- Interesting to see Megatron as a second banana. That's a new idea.
And it sucks. Megatron's one of my favourite TF characters ever, period, and part of it's that he just 'does not' compromise. Even staring what is virtually Satan in the face in TFTM, Megatron bargained for a position, and even 'after' that, his influence and rebellion carried on through Galvatron. Megs here is just some dude working for the Big Bad, and it undermines him and makes him suck--much the same way that Cobra Commander instantly sucked the moment Golobulus showed up.
- I really enjoyed the camaradierie between the (embarassingly named) NEST soldiers and the Autobots. There's a scene where some dead soldiers are brought back to the airbase and everyone stands at attention. Contrast that with the return of Prime's dead body to the base where he's dumped on the runway. But it does go to show that both sides make sacrifices.
This whole thing bugged me. Sam dies and we get the whole slow-motion-barely-any-sound-muffled-explosions bit. Prime dies and they just hunk off his body like it's nothing. Bogus.
- Skids and Mudflap: two of the most foul-mouthed and annoying characters we've ever seen in Transformers. Hated both.
Well, that's 'cuz you a pussy.
And I have to say, I've been to a few fraternity parties and none of them were filled with strippers. Has Bay ever been to college?
Yes! College is nothing like this! And what God damn college doesn't allow freshmen to have cars? (Although, honestly, I'm starting to think it's a line Sam fed to 'Bee to get him off his back.)
What was the deal with that absolutely idiotic astronomy professor?
Apparently this is based on a film professor Bay once had, or something. He liked to sleep with female students.
