'Transformers: Dark of the Moon'

Autobots, Decepticons and global domination, oh my!

Last night I saw an advance screening of director Michael Bay’s sci-fi film “Transformers: Dark of the Moon,” a sequel to “Transformers” and “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” at Muvico in West Palm Beach.

Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) again unites with the Autobots and the U.S. government to defend planet Earth.  Now, they’re in a race against the Decepticons to obtain vital technology located in a Cybertronian spacecraft hidden on the moon since it crashed there in the 1960s. And, it was that spacecraft’s crash, which prompted President John F. Kennedy to commission NASA’s moon landing in 1969.

The fact this film is said to be the final installment of the “Transformers,” combined with its big budget action and special effects extravaganza, will make it a summer blockbuster. I saw the film in 3D and IMAX, so my visual and audio senses got a work out, especially during the final, almost apocalyptic battle in Chicago. 

In my opinion, the stars of the film are not the humans, but the robots.  The drama between Optimus Prime, (voiced by Peter Cullen) and Sentinel Prime (voiced by Leonard Nimoy), is way more compelling than any of the human action going on.

The film tries to incorporate comedy, including a “Hangover-like” bathroom scene, and political jokes to go along with its initial D.C. setting.  And as a part of the drama element, you will witness the ho-hum love story of Sam and his new girlfriend, Carly (Rose Huntington Whiteley).  Also, shown is a kind-of-sort-of love triangle between Sam, Carly and her boss, Dylan (Patrick Dempsey).  When Dylan made his first appearance, I heard a woman in the theater exclaim, “It’s Dr. McDreamy!” referring to Dempsey’s popular role on “Grey’s Anatomy.” 

But, with that said, I don't think most will go see the film for a dynamic love story. Kids, as well as those who grew up watching the “Transformers” cartoon in the ‘80s, fans of the comic books or those who enjoyed the first two films, want to see the mutable robots in action. And it's lengthy action you'll get -- over two-and-a-half hours’ worth.

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