The subject line of this review, is basically the plot of Transformers: Dark of the Moon. In fact, that could surmise the plot for the last three Transformers movies, all of which have been directed by Michael Bay. But hey, that is the main issue with any Transformers movie, it will always end will the Autobots and the Decepticons battling each other.

I saw this film last Wednesday in 3D at the IMAX in London (always a good experience) and have been meaning to write a review. Let me start by acknowledging the good points:

·         It’s better than Revenge of the Fallen (though not as good the first one)

·         Best live action 3D since Avatar. It’s really well done.

·         Very impressive integration of CGI in to the film. It really is seamless and would expect this to win some kind of technical award at next year’s Oscars.

·         Serviceable plot. Well, it gets you from A to B but see my point above for the intrinsic issue with the film series.

Before I get on to the bad, let me say this is not a terrible film. It is pretty enjoyable, in the way that mindless summer blockbusters often are. I would probably give this 2.5*, which is average.

Now for my issues:

Michael Bay – he seems to make by the numbers. Numerous shots set at dusk. Check. Reverence of military personnel and hardware. Check. Frenetic editing of action scenes. Check.

Now, I have enjoyed many of his films in the past. In fact, I wish he would just go on to something new and leave this franchise behind. I mean, what did he really think he could bring to the series after the last two?

The length – At 2.5 hours, it was just way too long. The final battle in Chicago must have been nearly an hour long! They could have trimmed this down to 1.45h and the film would have been all the better for it.

Shia Le Bouef’s character – I think we’re supposed to empathise and root for the whiny loser. But is really hard to. Somehow, he always seems to end up with a ridiculously attractive girlfriend despite his circumstances. It’s never really explained how, or why. His character was quite funny in the first film but that shtick just seems tired now and his character is pretty much superfluous to events in this film.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley – Megan Fox was dumped for this third film and replaced by RHW, a Victoria’s Secrets model and first time actress. And you can really tell. She is unbelievably bad in this film. She has basically turned up and read her lines. Megan Fox, whilst no Oscar winner in the making, was relatively decent in the role. Basically the only way I would have believed RHW in this film was if she was playing a Victoria’s Secret model. What I don’t get, is that they probably could have chosen from a hundred very attractive actresses for this role. Why would they get someone with zero experience?

Anyway despite my objections, I am sure they will make more films in the series as it is a cash cow for Paramount. I just wish they had some of the heart from the original animated TV series.

- Baydr