Transformers Revenge of the Fallen – Early Reviews from the UK

While ‘Transformers Revenge of the Fallen’ won’t be in theaters until Wednesday, June 24th in the US, over in the U.K. critics have already gotten a look. The reviews seem favorable but most think the film runs a bit too long. Here are some excerpts:

• “It’s such a fine line between stupid and clever… It’s bigger. Badder. Boobier. And many other words beginning with B, including boneheadedly brilliant… And that, readers, is Michael Bay’s latest film in a nutshell. Stupid and proud.” [News of the World]
• “In terms of explosions, firepower and sheer shrill, all-action, popcorn entertainment it is hard to see how this big’n'bold sequel can be topped this year. Star Trek might have had more spaceships and aliens and Terminator: Salvation more grim-faced robots, but this Michael Bay summer blockbuster is pure mindless adventure mayhem that sticks firm and hard to its winning formula. In truth, it is a film for teen boys — and a bloomin’ long one at that — but is also a guaranteed multiplex crowd pleaser.” [Mirror.co.uk TV]
• “For all its faults, Fallen is genuinely more enjoyable than the summer’s other giant-robot picture Terminator Salvation. In contrast to McG’s portentous, po-faced tone, Bay works in a likeable strain of knowing humour that makes the two hour-plus running time fly by.” [Total Film]
• “Similarly, Revenge Of The Fallen shares its predecessor’s tin ear for the spoken word. Dialogue, as if it even matters, is delivered at breakneck speed and is barely audible amongst the cacophony of metal on metal. What can be heard isn’t much worth listening to — it doesn’t feel much like a script, rather a transcription of Action Man’s greatest pull-string catchphrases. In Michael Bay’s universe, soldiers really do say “Bring the rain!” and villains really do snarl “This isn’t over!” But come on. Like you even care”. [The Shiznit]
• “Unlike the summer’s other big robot movie, Revenge Of The Fallen does have a personality, but it’s a frightfully detestable one. It celebrates all the wrong things with ferocious gusto, marking a new type of low for blockbusters.” [SciFiNow]
• With machines that are impressively more lifelike, and characters that are more and more like machines, “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” takes the franchise to a vastly superior level of artificial intelligence. As for human intelligence, it’s primarily at the service of an enhanced arsenal of special effects, which helmer Michael Bay deploys like a general launching his very own shock-and-awe campaign on the senses. Otherwise, little seems new compared to the first installment, except that this version is longer, louder, and perhaps “more than your eye can meet” in one sitting. It will reap similar B.O. rewards worldwide. [Variety]
• “Don’t get us wrong, we love Michael Bay and the particular grab-bag of delights only he can bring to blockbuster movies; huge explosions; quick, intense dialogue; lingering , pornographic shots of both girls’ asses and military hardware. 90 minutes of Bay-ness makes for a thrilling flick, but if the clock starts ticking past the two hour mark and beyond, it all becomes just too much; your mind and senses need a rest.” [IGN.com]
• With its intelligence at the level of the simple-minded, however, the film is not likely to attract moviegoers who seek something more than a screen filled with kaleidoscopes of colored metal. Fan boys will no doubt love it, but for the uninitiated it’s loud, tedious and, at 147 minutes, way too long. [HollywoodReport.com]