Through The Rear Window: Movie Review ... Transformers: Age Of Extinction

Monday, June 30, 2014

Movie Review ... Transformers: Age Of Extinction

Proof you can’t keep a good mechanoid down is seen in ‘Transformers: Age of Extinction’. The fourth in the mega-successful movie franchise, the series making a fortune for its producers. Given it advertises a toy-line while telling its’ highly stylised comic-strip tale, it’s doubly rewarding for all involved. Never pretending to be high art, it’s a nonsensical parlour ride for those firmly leaving their brains at the door.

Cade (Mark Wahlberg) is a mechanic eking out a living. Raising his teenage daughter Tessa (Nicola Peltz), he is intrigued when he discovers an abandoned truck. Little does he know it contains Optimus Prime – leader of the heroic Autobots. When powerful politicians led by Harold Attinger (Kelsey Grammer) attempt to unlock their secrets, all hell breaks loose. With earth once again under threat of a robotic apocalypse, it’s up to Optimus and his new human friends to save the day before times runs out.

It would be easy dismissing the latest Transformers as bubble-gum rubbish. Way too long, riddled with plot holes and risible performances, similar films would be quickly sent to the scrap-heap. It is trashy but you don’t see these films for an engaging story. What this entry has is an abundance of dazzling action and an effort in creating something new. Series’ Director Michael Bay knows the score by now as he handles the explosive spectacle with ease. Managing to find the right mix of humour and tension, he ensures ‘Transformers: Age of Extinction’ remains entertaining.

Not much can be said about the acting although Wahlberg equips himself well. His virtuous hero versus Grammer’s oily villain provides some relief against the CGI excess surrounding them. Thankfully the special effects don’t descend into a mess enabling the viewer to see the creativity in the action sequences. Negating these gains is a near three hour run-time making viewing an endurance test. Less is usually far more although Bay deserves credit for his uncompromising way in conjuring high-octane hokum.

‘Transformers: Age of Extinction’ is generally entertaining silliness for mass consumption. A form of cinematic fast-food delivering the expected product with gusto and should please those who like marvelling at robotic fisticuffs.