jottin' down initial ROTF impressions
Went into this with no foreknowledge beyond the movie's title and a trailer viewing. It was...well, what it was.
I want to save the IMAX trip for my second viewing; this first time around was to digest the movie's overall plot and basic characterisation and, of course, drool at eye candy (again with the military hardware...would've gone weak at the knees if I weren't sitting down...). Then I can pick out details later, and what better way than via IMAX?
Some parts were an improvement over the first movie: story pacing, humour (oh, Mr. and Mrs. Witwicky XD ), acting (Shia LeBeouf especially, though all the actors in recurring roles seemed stronger), TF characterisations when we got them. OP's presence was weightier -- his death muted the film and practically silenced the whole audience -- and more kickass. Bumblebee was adorable and I wanted to stand up and cheer when he flipped down his mask and knocked out whatisface (Rampage?). Hugo Weaving was a worthy Megatron; Starscream reminded me of Alec Willows/Tarantulas, which worked really well for him; and...Soundwave. SOUNDWAVE. Oh, to hear that voice and see Ravage in his hip-missile-totin' glory again!
But...eh. It felt less Transformers-y after OP died, with a slew of new Decepticons who could well have been generic foot soldiers, and the Autobots barely there, and the human dilemma taking center stage. My friend called it another Bay movie that happened to have Transformers in it. I should be grateful we got what Autobot presence we did, but why not more Ratchet and Ironhide and Arcee? Why won't Bumblebee talk? (Right, he chose not to, I just hoped he would by the end because I liked his voice from the first movie.) Why are the Tow Mater twins (Mudflap and Skids, are they?) stealing so much limelight?
Maybe they'll correct these for the next sequel, since it looks like there's an opening for one. At this time, though, I can say I've watched it and am willing to give it the ol' IMAX try, for the visuals if nothing else.
While I still believe Bay seems to be finding his niche with TFs, my hope is he'll learn to get more comfortable with the TFs themselves and exclude them a little less. But otherwise I guess this flick was okay. *shrug*
I want to save the IMAX trip for my second viewing; this first time around was to digest the movie's overall plot and basic characterisation and, of course, drool at eye candy (again with the military hardware...would've gone weak at the knees if I weren't sitting down...). Then I can pick out details later, and what better way than via IMAX?
Some parts were an improvement over the first movie: story pacing, humour (oh, Mr. and Mrs. Witwicky XD ), acting (Shia LeBeouf especially, though all the actors in recurring roles seemed stronger), TF characterisations when we got them. OP's presence was weightier -- his death muted the film and practically silenced the whole audience -- and more kickass. Bumblebee was adorable and I wanted to stand up and cheer when he flipped down his mask and knocked out whatisface (Rampage?). Hugo Weaving was a worthy Megatron; Starscream reminded me of Alec Willows/Tarantulas, which worked really well for him; and...Soundwave. SOUNDWAVE. Oh, to hear that voice and see Ravage in his hip-missile-totin' glory again!
But...eh. It felt less Transformers-y after OP died, with a slew of new Decepticons who could well have been generic foot soldiers, and the Autobots barely there, and the human dilemma taking center stage. My friend called it another Bay movie that happened to have Transformers in it. I should be grateful we got what Autobot presence we did, but why not more Ratchet and Ironhide and Arcee? Why won't Bumblebee talk? (Right, he chose not to, I just hoped he would by the end because I liked his voice from the first movie.) Why are the Tow Mater twins (Mudflap and Skids, are they?) stealing so much limelight?
Maybe they'll correct these for the next sequel, since it looks like there's an opening for one. At this time, though, I can say I've watched it and am willing to give it the ol' IMAX try, for the visuals if nothing else.
While I still believe Bay seems to be finding his niche with TFs, my hope is he'll learn to get more comfortable with the TFs themselves and exclude them a little less. But otherwise I guess this flick was okay. *shrug*