Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen(My Review)

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Written by Avirup

Tuesday, 07 July 2009 15:47

Imagine getting high on steroids as death metal pulsates into the ears from a supersonic amplifier and the entire world shifts into a hallucinatory and hypnotic dream. It's addictive ,loud, and mesmerises you out of the control of your senses till the time the affect wears off. Now imagine, if the same steroid was pushed in at a continuous stretch of two and half hours, with the dosage pumped ten times more than normal. Perhaps then, one could begin to assume the maddeningly addictive experience, that is Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen.

The original transformers, which released in 2007 was criticised for choosing style over substance and form over story. Loyalists of the animation series complained how it ruined the finer aesthetics by focussing on striking action sequences instead of character details. Critics panned the film because it was larger than anything they had ever seen, or were willing to see in terms of sheer action and visual spectacle. But the fans thought otherwise, as the movie broke box office records world wide turning into one of the highest grossing films in movie history. It changed the way special effects were created, it set a new benchmark for unparalleled action sequences. It was also the movie which won me over, making me a hardcore fan of the franchise.

Two years down the line, Michael Bay is back with his team of autobots and decepticons to speak of a new story that would shatter the world. Sam(Shia Labeouf) is now all ready for college, his relationship with Mikella(Megan Fox) having reached a new phase. Optimus Prime and his team of autobots are now in co-ordination with the government to stop decepticon attacks. However, a prophetic warning from a dying decepticon claiming "The Fallen Shall Rise Again" sets a chain of unparalleled events into motion as the entire human race comes under extinction. A dark secret, from the depths of Cyberton ends up connecting the past of the Primes and the human race towards a common future, as Megatron is revived with the darkest decepticon ever conceived-The Fallen to take control over the earth. The secret source of all battles lies within a historically hidden key called the Matrix Of Leadership as Sam, plagued by strange symobls in his mind, is called upon to save the future for all Mankind, in a apocalyptic battle that would change all their lives forever.

Bay makes his cinema on steroids and testosterone, pumping adrenaline rush into each and every scene. From a spectacular opening sequence to the rise of the Fallen, he conjures visual magic in each frame as CGI effects turn over a new chapter, crushing bulidings, ships , planes, libraries, military bases as the transformers engage in battle. The transformations are notched up several levels higher on a visual plane including molecular transformation and multibot transformation. Several new robots are added to the combo. Apart from the usual gang of Optimus Prime, Bumble Bee, Iron Hide, Megatron and Starscream, a brigade of shining new transformers come on in both sides with a special mention to Devastator-the seven vehicle transformed decepticon who steals the screen each moment he is there, making the audience forget even about taking a breath. CGI and special effects were never even close before this film, and it would take quite a few years to even match the visual carnage the film delivers.

Fans of the series are in for an experience of a lifetime as the battle takes on a global stage, including a detailed fight sequnce taking place in the Egyptian desert that lasts close to about 50 MINUTES!! Yes, Bay actually pulls off what has to be the longest fight scene in the history of movies with a panache and flamboyance unimagined before it unfolds. Not even for a single moment does the sequence seem boring, but as time progresses and Bay pulls the triggers to notch up action levels, the audience is captivated as the universal spectacle unfolding before them, at break neck speed creating an atmosphere that needs to be felt to realise the true passion this movie can create in lovers of the genre.

The biggest positive part of the movie is that it never takes itself too seriously, knowing its limitations and working upon that. There are a bunch of hilarious sequences involving tiny kitchenbots, a decepticon spy and two fighting twin autobots. This movie also probes into the depths of Sam's journey, as he is also transformed from a normal boy with normal problems, to the chosen one with a fated destiny.

Shia Labeouf is brilliant as Sam Witwicky, bringing both shades of humour and seriousness into his character. His natural spontaneity makes the character come alive as he delivers a flawless performance. Megan Fox serves as the eye candy, but she has tough shades to her character, never letting it get the better of her captivating, innocent charm. But at its heart, Transformers is all about the robots, who work magic on the screen, in giant droid death matches , ripping each other apart with the crushing sound of bullets and steel that put the audience into the heart of the action. In the end, when the final credits rolled, the audience is already a witness to a roller coaster hallucinatory addiction, and one wishes one could just turn forward the clock as the final saga of the Transformers Trilogy hits the screens two years later.

Movies are said to be an extension of life. Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen ensures that life seems like just an extension of an apocalyptic carnage featuring giant robots, and jaw dropping visual imagery that hypnotises the audience to forget the world all around them.

If you want to "live" a movie, or be a part of the steroid induced spectacle for this Nirvana generation, Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen is a must watch. I hope the addiction never wears off even after the movie ends, as in the words of Optimus Prime himself-" It is in memories, that we live on."

Thank you Mr. Bay, for making us all a part of cinema what it should be forever!

My Rating: 4.5/5 (Outstanding!!)

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