MOVIE MONDAYS //TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXCTINCTION
Wow... Just... wow. The day after I took part in The Colour Run (a post about this is in the works, don't you worry) my friends and I decided to go to the cinema to finish out what was a great weekend. Now, I quite liked Transformers and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The films captured my attention and made giggle, gasp and smile as I watched all the crappy and good times all the characters had. Granted Transformers: Dark of the Moon did not instill the same amount of buzz I felt when I watch the first two films of the series as the story seemed to lack a little something, I did still enjoy it. So, when I heard this franchise was pushing out yet another film and this time with a whole lot of new faces I figured it would be a fresh start and would at least measure up to Transformers 3. How hopeful I was...
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This new installment, sadly, will not be making its way onto my list of favourite films any time soon. I did not think it would take me this long to put my views on this film into words but I was trying to find the best way to say, 'I didn't like it', without tainting your own perception of the movie if you haven't seen it yet. However, I will try my best to remain objective as I tell you a little more about it.
Transformers: Age of Extinction is centred around the aftermath of the showdown between the Decepticons and the Autobots that took place in Transformers: Dark of the Moon, causing the CIA to have doubts about whether it is in humanity's best interest to remain allies with the Autobots. It is during this time that the love a talented inventor called Cade Yaeger has for fixing and creating things places him and those closest to him in quite the strenuous relationship with the Autobots and the government. Written by Ehren Kruger (The Ring; The Brothers Grimm; Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen), the action-packed script was turned into a 2hr 35mins film under the direction of Michael Bay (Bad Boys; The Island; Transformers). Though the story-line was okay and a natural progression from the previous films, the special effects element of the film seemed to noticeably overshadow everything else. I mean I know some of the characters are robots but I felt things were a bit too... flashy...and in your face *shrugs*.
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Even though I was a little sad that there would not be any "girly" shrieks or funny one-liners from Sam Witwicky in this film, I was intrigued to see what the new characters would bring to the table. The role of Cade Yaeger, the inventor with a penchant for robotics was played by Mark Wahlberg (The Italian Job; The Lovely Bones; Ted). Nicola Peltz (The Last Airbender; Bates Motel) starred as his rebellious yet caring daughter, Tessa. Stanley Tucci (Easy A; The Fifth Estate; The Hunger Games 1& 2) took on the role of the pioneering defence contractor, Joshua Joyce who has an interesting partnership with the CIA agent, Harold Attinger who was played by Kelsey Grammer (Fraiser; X-Men: The Last Stand; Boss). But I have to say, it was Li Bingbing's (Snow Flower and the Secret Fan; 1911; Resident Evil: Retribution) character, Su Yueming - the owner of a production facility who works for Joshua Joyce- that I liked the most because of how bad ass she is. I did find all of the characters mentioned quite interesting as they give the story surrounding the Transformers a different flavour which I was pleased with, but Sam Witwicky was still missed. However, hearing Peter Cullen (The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh; Transformers; My Friends Tigger & Pooh) play the all powerful Optimus Prime again and seeing good ol' Bumble Bee did provide some sort of comfort and a sense of continuity. There are other characters in this film that are worth mentioning but I'll let you get to know them when you watch the film...if you decide to.
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If you are in the mood for an action film that has quite a number of impressive looking robots that have a sense of humour and quite the dramatic flare, then this film might one for you to see.
Which is your favourite Transformers film and why?
Mo x