Based on the Hasbro toy line that initially captivated kids back in the 1980s, director Michael Bay's 2007 big-screen adaptation TRANSFORMERS finds two warring factions of shape-shifting alien robots renewing their intergalactic conflict on Earth. While the Decepticons--followers of the malevolent Megatron (voiced by Hugo Weaving)--strive to take over the planet, the Autobots--led by the valiant Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen)--are intent on protecting humanity. The action kicks off when college student Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) makes the startling discovery that his prized new car is actually Autobot Bumblebee (voiced by Mark Ryan) in disguise! It soon becomes apparent that a War of the Worlds-style showdown is imminent, with planet Earth as the battleground. A shining example of the Hollywood summer blockbuster at its best, TRANSFORMERS combines stunning CGI effects and thrilling action sequences with drama, humour, and a touch of romance.
The epic battle for supremacy between the Autobots and the Decepticons rages on in the 2009 sequel TRANSFORMERS - REVENGE OF THE FALLEN, and as usual, it's the humans who are caught in the crossfire. The Decepticons continue to spearhead a destructive campaign against the earthlings and their Autobot protectors. But the main villain of the piece is The Fallen (voiced by Tony Todd), a centuries-old Giger-esque baddie who emerges from the scrap heap hungry for power. Having lain dormant for so long, his batteries are in serious need of recharging, and the only energy source in the galaxy powerful enough to restore him to his former titanic glory is the Earth's sun. The Fallen realises that draining the sun of its energy has the added benefit of wiping out the entire human race; something he has been plotting ever since his last attempt at harvesting the sun's energy was foiled. With its eye-popping visual effects and dramatic set pieces, this instalment manages to be an even bigger spectacle than the first, which is saying a lot for a film about giant robots that turn into cars.

Aug 2009

Transformers: The Earth is caught in the middle of an intergalactic war between two races of intelligent robots, the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons, both of which are able to change into a variety of objects, including cars, trucks, planes and other technological creations.

Their war, our world.

Transformers 2: Revenge Of The Fallen In the highly-anticipated “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) again joins with the Autobots against their sworn enemies, the Decepticons. Michael Bay directs from a screenplay by Ehren Kruger & Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman.

• REVENGE OF THE FALLEN does not take itself too seriously. There is a neat and jokey atmosphere that pervades throughout - Box Office
• Great special effects - Daily Telegraph
• Marked by swaggering confidence, wild excess and a string of bad-taste jokes... The Shanghai-set opening sequence is lunatic fun... there are more flawlessly rendered money shots in the last 40 minutes alone than in a dozen less ambitious blockbusters - Empire
• It's a kiddie dream come true to groove on the heavy-duty sci-fi transformations - Entertainment Weekly
• [A] non-stop whirl of flying, battling and crashing machinery... With Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox back as the leads and massive battles involving ships, planes, tanks, rockets and industrial level shape-changing machines - Hollywood Reporter
• It is unapologetic about delivering what it promises. Bigger battles. Massive explosions. Megan Fox looking hot - Premiere
• REVENGE OF THE FALLEN is the sort of film that might become standard if 13 year-old boys ruled the world... The transformations are even more impressive than those in the first film - The Times
• [REVENGE OF THE FALLEN] so frequently approaches the first pic's all-out awesomeness, and even occasionally surpasses it... Old folks may find the relentless sensory assault a little draining, but the bangs, 'bots and bombast ensure FALLEN has everything Transformers fans will want and expect - Total Film
• The ideal summer blockbuster with its simple good guys-vs.-bad guys plot, cheeky humor and flawless special effects - USA Today