While revitliasied with a complete new cast, Michael Bay offers much of the same old material…
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| Paramount Pictures |
Why does this feel like a repackaged version of the last film Transformers: Dark of The Moon with a brand new cast and setting. It doesn’t help that the epic battles also felt like they were straight out ripped out of it too, with the usual city explosions and constant robot battles.
Here, the best elements is the focus on the story of human technology thinking it can rule the world and the eradication of trust between Autobots and humans. Plus, there’s some fun philosophical elements on species from different planets thinking they own the universe (a line straight from the latest baddie). But of couse, Optimus Prime (Peter Cullen) continues to be a caring soul and protect us… If only humans were as loyal Optius, if only.
Along with at least some meaning in the film, we also get a shiny look at new transmorfian (yes, this is a word used in the film) species created by humans, along with the inclusion of Dinotbots which are fun addition and the usual lovely cinematography Bay manages to produce. But sometimes Bay, it is just simply too much of a good thing, which in turn makes it into a bad thing.
While I was oblivious to the stereotypes of last films (being younger comes with its perks) Transformers: Age of Extinction features it’s fair share of racial and sexist stereotypes. The leading lady Nicola Peltz (who plays daughter Tessa) again discourages girls further by being the typical Victoria’s Secret Models (which is also conveniently product placed in the movie itself). Peltz’s character is also of course the one to look after the home by cooking, cleaning and looking after her dad… Umm, what age is this Michael Bay?!? But, I’ll give him credit of the badass ninja lady’s inclusion Su Yueming (Bingbing Li) who also so happens to be Asian.
Casting wise, The Hunger Games Stanley Tucci proves a worthy addition as lab making transformers company KSI’s leader. Mark Wahlberg is also not too shabby himself as leading man Cade, bringing his humour and action hero skills to the table while the others are just your typical Hollywood blockbuster cast fare.
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| New leads Michael Wahlberg, Nicola Peltz and Jack Reynor can’t save this rehash of a sequel. |
The worst part of it all though, has to be its whopping near 3 hour run-time (what happened to it being the shortest Michael Bay?) in which the 3D literally kills your eyes. The 3D is great, but it’s just too long for a film that doesn’t even need to be. If some of the battles were cut down, the film could have worked much better as it would have bypassed falling into already dreaded waters.
VERDICT: An over-long sequel, that may have worked better with cutbacks and less rehash of its predecessors.
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