Transformers: Age of Extinction
Director: Michael Bay
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Nicola Peltz, Jack Reynor, Stanley Tucci,
and Kelsey Grammer
It’s clear that there are plenty of different explosions
Michael Bay can generate in 165 minutes. The fourth incarnation, which forgoes
the cast from the past three films, introduces a world where the Transformers
are hunted as fugitives and are forced into hiding. Bay, synonymous with the
summer blockbuster, throws more narrative into the drawn-out continuing story
of the battling robots yet “Age of Extinction” feels the most void of substance
in the franchise lineup.
Earth has been saved from destruction but at the cost of a
devastated Chicago. In the wake of the battle a black ops government group is
reshaping the world with intentions of never needing the Transformers again.
Betrayed by the humans they came to protect, Optimus Prime and the Autobots are
in hiding. Cade Yeager (Mark Wahlberg) is an inventor living in Texas who finds
Optimus’ damaged semi-truck alteration in a rundown theater. The black ops
group, organized by a C.I.A. higher-up (Kelsey Grammer) and supported by a tech
mogul (Stanley Tucci), is looking for Optimus who is brought back to function
by Cade. Optimus and the remaining Autobots must fight for humanity again
against an ancient foe and a newly developed weapon.
Bay continues the onslaught of special effects however
things seem to be more comprehensive effects wise than the transforming chaos
of the past films. Still, the monotony settles in rather quickly as the battle
scenes become indistinguishable from each other. Transformers fight, someone
retreats, they fight again, repeat. Ehren Kruger, the writer of all but one of
the films, adds more narrative developments and side plots than necessary.
Characters are introduced quickly, some lost in the mix or simply discarded
along the way, though there are noteworthy ones mostly because of the
performances from the actors. Stanley Tucci is excellent as an outlandish
inventor, supplying the film with humor along with a morality note. Kelsey Grammer demonstrates his intimidation
and Titus Welliver barks head shaking tough guy sentiments as the leader of the
black ops squad. Wahlberg does his best with the character, yet some of the glaring development mistakes are hard to overlook like how an inventor becomes such
a capable combatant in a matter of days.
The Transformers are given numerous foes yet none feel
particularly threatening. It’s an issue that flaws many summer popcorn films.
Danger is merely a notion without any consequences. There is nothing wrong with
simple, easily viewed entertainment. Still, it’s difficult to identify what
audience this film is for? It’s too long to hold the attention of young viewers
and fans of the franchise won’t find anything different to separate this
experience from the past films. If a routine, special effects laden film is
what you are looking for and you have the time already set aside,
“Transformers: Age of Extinction” might be for you.
Monte’s Rating
2.00 out of 5.00
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