The infinite monkey theorem states that, given enough time, a monkey typing at random would, as part of its output, produce one of Shakespeare’s play. That could take thousands of years. Before producing a Hamlet or Othello, the monkey would surely knock out several Transformers films.
Transformers: Dark of the Moon is the third of Michael Bay’s alien robot films, following 2007s Transformers and 2009s Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The former was fun and aware of its 80s roots, willing to poke fun at itself as well as deliver in the action stakes. The latter remains not only one of the most blindly created sequels in history, but one of the worst films of the decade. Dark of the Moon is better than Revenge (most things are), but the compliments go little further.
Bay has attempted to inject the seemingly spontaneous humour that made the first film so engaging, but succeeds sparingly. John Malkovich brings a dash of enjoyment, showing up with a fake tan and white teeth. Frances McDormand and John Turturro fail to do the same (is Bay recruiting in the same place as the Coen’s?) Mostly, Dark of the Moon plods along with some horrendous dialogue and a criminally bad middle act. At 154 minutes it is way too long and if the slow motion was cut would probably make it in on the two-hour mark. The music used in the film is heavy handed and poorly chosen; yet a redeeming feature comes in the original score by Steve Jablonsky. The action scenes would be far less tolerable if it weren’t for the score, which often underlines the action with the right amount of gravitas. This is most evident in the films standout scene where three decepticons pursue some autobots along the highway. Unfortunately, Bay shows his hand as a director by choosing to end this affecting scene with a moment of badly timed and poorly delivered comedy.
Dark of the Moon is more proof that the Transformers franchise should have begun and ended in 2007.
No comments:
Post a Comment