Suicide Squad

Release Date:Aug 05, 2016
Runtime:2 hr. 3 min.
Director:David Ayer
Cast:Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jared Leto, Joel Kinnaman, Jai Courtney, Cara Delevingne, Viola Davis, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Jay Hernandez, Ike Barinholtz.

It's been an uphill battle for DC Comics, coming off of a lackluster "Batman v Superman" amidst a barrage of hype. And it's been no easy task of fending off Marvel, which has outdone itself in both Netflix and film. Yet "Suicide Squad" imbued a small inkling of hope, touting a power-stacked cast and a reputable director. Its marketing alone was effective to say the least, teasing and coaxing the inner fanboy. But optimism aside, it still wasn't enough to keep "Squad" from falling short of wayward expectations. To start with the positives, it's entertaining for the most part – envisioning characters, old and new, in a psychedelic universe. Embellished in graphics and maniacal in nature, the film veers in its own unique direction. Continuing from where "BvS" left off, a new task force is assembled, employing some of the world's most dangerous criminals. Led by intelligence operative Amanda Waller (Davis) and Colonel Rick Flag (Kinnaman), the team is assigned to battle powers unknown. Will Smith as 'Deadshot' is easily the most recognizable, using his Hollywood stature to domineer the film. As a result, he acquires the most character development, in comparison to others who fall wayside with limited exposure. Cara Delevingne, in particular, is the weak link of the group, as beauty undermines acting suitable for the role. On the flip-side, Jared Leto takes on the titular Joker, having undergone another ultra-dramatic transformation. Over-the-top and excessively unhinged, he's a polarizing rendition that we have seen thus far. Standing alongside the likes of Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger, Leto is distinctive, if not unforgettable. Is he the best? Certainly not. But there's a humane side to him that feels new to the role. Margot Robbie, on the other hand, is rather underwhelming, as her wide-eyed lunacy comes off ditzy and superficial. The complexity of Harley Quinn is what makes her appealing and this, unfortunately, is not thoroughly conveyed. So much of the film seems like a missed opportunity and it's a shame, really, to knock it for its delivery. This could be attributed to the editing of the film, with rumors of Ayer being overlooked for a trailer production company. With so much time and effort being spent on visual integrity, the execution suffers greatly, whether ill-advised or intentionally. But if anything else, at least the soundtrack is enjoyable, and there's always those fun, abbreviated trailers. While DC still has a lot of catching up to do, the chance at success may lie near in the future. Next up to the plate: "Wonder Woman."

Rating: 2½ stars

Save
SaveSaveSave
SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave
Save
SaveSaveSaveSaveSave

Neighbors

Release Date: May 09, 2014 
Runtime: 1 hr. 37 min. 
Director: Nicholas Stoller
Cast: Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, Rose Byrne, Dave Franco, Ike Barinholtz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse.

A married couple learns parenthood isn't what it's cracked out to be when a fraternity moves next door in peaceful suburbia. Starring Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne,  and a douchey Zac Efron, it's survival of the young, high and relentless. Coming from Stoller and Rogen, the humor is as expected – unrestricted and immature for laugh out loud moments. But in between takes are lulls of indifference, not enough character development to justify a side. It eventually becomes a repetitious game of juvenility, not very creative or extreme as could be. However, Efron, for his part, is notably entertaining, having long shed his "High School Musical" days. His frat boy persona seems perfectly fitting when up against a 'grown up' Seth Rogen who feels like the exact opposite. Given a premise of such myriad potential, the film is less than fulfilling compared to Stoller's previous work. But consistent or not, "Neighbors" does manage to have some hilarious forays, one particularly dealing with 'junk' and plaster. If we learn anything from this suburban scuffle, it's love thy neighbor but watch your back.

Rating: 2½ stars

Elysium

Release Date: Aug 09, 2013
Runtime: 1 hr. 49 min. 
Director: Neill Blomkamp 
Cast: Matt Damon, Alice Braga, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley, William Fichtner, Diego Luna.

Gone are the days of a utopian future, where teleportation and hovercrafts are a commonplace luxury. Welcome instead to widespread poverty, where only wealth buys you refuge and a ticket to salvation. From the director of "District 9" comes a grim look at society, and the division that befalls the citizens who inhabit it. Matt Damon stars as ex-con/industrial worker Max Da Costa, living amongst the poor left on decrepit Earth. When an accident leaves him debilitated and at death's door, his only hope lies in Elysium, a haven a world apart. Following the success of his first feature film, Blomkamp attempts to repeat it again, in this smart sci-fi thriller that's emboldened with symbolism. Examining the caste system between the rich and the poor, it's another example of his proficiency in cultural relevance. But while the idea is sound and duly enlightened, the execution is less so in eliciting excitement. Moving languidly with buildup and interspersed with violence, the film feels devoid of tension or compassion found in "District 9." The characters, for one, are mostly disposable, neither giving nor deserving of any real-life empathy. Jodie Foster, in particular, is a questionable enigma, with an accent that's suggestive of an identity disorder. And though Damon is admissible as the anti-hero, it's Sharlto Copley that revels in spotlight glory. Going from meek to sinister at the flip of a switch, it's interesting to see what he'll do next in Spike Lee's "Old Boy." With a handful of sci-fi and dystopia behind us, it's hard to imagine what our true future will hold. For now, here's to wishful thinking.

Rating: 2½ stars

The Hangover Part III

Release Date: May 23, 2013 
Runtime: 1 hr. 40 min. 
Director: Todd Phillips 
Cast: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha, Ken Jeong, John Goodman, Heather Graham,  Mike Epps, Melissa McCarthy.

They've gotten inebriated in Vegas and lost in Bangkok. Shot at, drugged up, and married to a stripper. And through it all the Wolfpack has maintained (at least) half of their sanity, only to return to the beginning...and inevitable scene of the crime. In the third entry of Phillips' gratuitous trilogy, the trio is back, uniting for their last great adventure in a string of misdeeds. When Alan comes in need of an emergency intervention, it's up to the guys to escort him on a deceivingly simple road trip. But things like these are never that easy; and once again it's utter chaos and bad news for Stu. While "Part II" was disappointing and lacking any originality, "Part III" takes an unexpected detour with a darker plot line. Not so much a 'hangover' but a rescue mission, the film is relatively detached from its preinstalled formula. As consequence, the context does feel new and favorably less repetitive, but at the same time offbeat in relation to the series. Ken Jeong's Leslie Chow is front and center as the film's antagonist, who's always stirring trouble for the hapless group. In minor doses he's vexing but a comic relief, unpredictable in nature of when he'll show up. But as the central figure, he detracts from the predisposed story line, reducing the Wolfpack down to just a couple of foragers. Though there are moments where there are glimpses of past hilarity, it comes too infrequently to really leave an impression. While "Part III" brings closure to the Vegas escapades, it's not necessarily a warranted one that anyone's ever asked for. But if there's anything to look forward to, it's the side-splitting end credits. Ed Helms will never look the same.

Rating: 2½ stars

Iron Man 3

Release Date: May 03, 2013  
Runtime: 2 hr. 20 min. 
Director: Shane Black 
Cast: Robert Downey, Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Ben Kingsley, Jon Favreau, Rebecca Hall.

As franchises generally go, everything is in excess when it comes to raising the ante. Meaning, more action, more characters, more tech-savvy effects. And that's all in good fun when there's little else to be had – no qualms or expectations to undermine the enjoyment. But when it comes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we've grown accustomed to a certain degree of ingenuity that derives from back-to-back successions, the last of which was "The Avengers" that achieved the highly implausible feat. With such indulgent presumptions, it was only a matter of time before reality set in, and with it, the unfamiliar ache of actually being letdown. For its inaugural kickoff, "Iron Man 3" is, by all definitions, a summer blockbuster, marking the return of Tony Stark who's as beloved as the star who portrays him. Armed with his wits and silver tongue, Robert Downey Jr. is undeniably the best thing about the series, never knowing what he'll do or think of next. But what makes a great hero is the adversary who challenges him, and unfortunately for Iron Man, the Mandarin just isn't one of them. While seemingly represented as a terrorist in the trailer, the film's interpretation is far from conjectured. What could have been the ultimate villain is facetiously altered, resulting in a punch line that feels ill-conceived and decidedly cheesy. The same goes for the bulk of the movie which plays more like a comedy, even during the trying times when Stark grapples with mental anxiety – the result from New York. What little reference to "The Avengers" seems forced at best, the film being more interested in the man inside the suit than the actual superhero. Resultantly, Iron Man himself is frequently MIA, save for the barrage of soldiers that cap off the epic battle scene. Given that this is Shane Black's only second feature, it might have helped if he had followed the template of Jon Favreau's more closely, rather than wander off the beaten path in hopes of transformation. Instead, "Iron Man 3," personally, feels to be the weakest of the bunch, overblown and comical to the point of being flippant. But with all said and done, this is only the beginning of 'Phase 2.' If Iron Man can't do it, maybe Thor will.

Rating: 2½ stars

Oblivion

Release Date: Apr 19, 2013 
Runtime: 2 hr. 5 min.
Director: Joseph Kosinski 
Cast: Tom Cruise, Olga Kurylenko, Morgan Freeman, Andrea Riseborough, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Melissa Leo.

2013 is briskly shaping up to be the year of sci-fi, with a hefty slate of films geared up in imminent fashion. Thus it only seems fitting that the first to climb on deck is "Oblivion," Joseph Kosinski's homage of sorts to the inveterate genre. Taking place in the year 2077, we open on a desolate Earth, sixty years after an alien invasion nearly wipes out mankind. The remaining inhabitants, Tech #49 and communications officer Victoria, work as drone maintenance in pursuance of providing resources to continue civilization. It's here that the story breaks ground in establishing a breathtaking world, with impressive vistas and ravaged landmarks that are instantly recognizable. Kosinski's eye for aesthetics is obviously simple, through his sleek design and immaculate structures — much like his approach to "Tron: Legacy." So where the film falters is certainly not by its looks, as it's what's in the inside that calls for closer observation. "Oblivion" is seemingly enthralling at first, as the trailer leaves more to the imagination than the bare premise. But it takes time to really determine where it's heading, as the buildup is deliberately measured over the course of two hours. And while the story itself is an original by the director, one can't help but notice the similarities it shares with many sci-fi films before it, including, oddly enough, Pixar's "Wall-E." That said, the foreshadowed twist is disappointing in terms of creativity, as it's this overused escape route that depreciates the plot line. Still, there are some redeeming qualities that keep it afloat — the music, for one, playing a key role. As a way of emulating Daft Punk and their personal spin on "Tron: Legacy," Kosinski enlists the help of French group M83 to compose the tracks, making for a parallel but subdued tonality. Additionally, Tom Cruise slips comfortably back into his superstar persona, playing the vulnerable but persistent Jack Harper. Morgan Freeman, however, is mostly forgotten, as his screen time is equivalent to no more than a cameo. In any event, "Oblivion" is best enjoyed for its beauty and that alone because once "Star Trek Into Darkness" arrives, it will only be a distant memory.

Rating: 2½ stars

This Is 40

Release Date: Dec 21, 2012 
Runtime: 2 hr. 14 min. 
Director: Judd Apatow 
Cast: Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Megan Fox, Albert Brooks, Chris O'Dowd, Melissa McCarthy.

The saying 'misery loves company' may have been a euphemism for Judd Apatow's own mid-life descent into 40. Acting as the sort-of sequel to the hit "Knocked Up," his latest exposé shows us the many pitfalls with turning the milestone, and the strenuousness it takes to create another comic goldmine. Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann reunite as volatile couple, Pete and Debbie, who have all but given up on themselves. Raising unruly kids and fending off financial woes, the two are on the brink of implosion — or what some would simply call 'marriage.' Like any Apatow production, insights here aren't doled out gently, as unfiltered jokes and belligerence take on the meaning of comedy. And consequently, the film does have its moments when it's genuinely laugh-out-loud funny and not remotely contrived. But these moments are rare as they come as they're folded aimlessly into an uneven script that rises and falls like a studio-composed laugh track, set to being more of a drama than an actual comedy. Unlike "40-Year-Old" and "Knocked Up" before it, there seems to be no straight story format to follow, instead depicting a compilation of arguments and situations that belittle the characters. While Rudd and Mann both give credible performances, at the end of the day, it's their multitude of issues that effectively consume them, and make them all the less appealing. While "This Is 40" is a barely perceptible improvement over "Funny People," there could still be some hope for Apatow just yet. It may just be as producer rather than director.

Rating: 2½ stars

Cloud Atlas

Release Date: Oct 26, 2012 

Runtime: 2 hr. 52 min. 

Director: Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski, Tom Tykwer 

Cast: Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Doona Bae, Ben Whishaw, James D'Arcy, Zhou Xun, Keith David, David Gyasi, Susan Sarandon, Hugh Grant.

Some say our actions are what defines us. Every decision, every choice, casting a ripple in a sea with infinite repercussions. It's what characterizes and unifies us in human nature, and effectively draws the basis for this year's most profound vision in filmmaking. Daunting, prolific, and transcendent...these are but a few of the words that could aptly describe "Cloud Atlas." Directed by the Wachowski siblings in conjunction with Tom Tykwer, and based on the novel of the same name, the film is ambitiously divided into a study of six narratives. In one instance, it's a harrowing tale of neglected slavery, while in another, it's a retribution for hidden truth. Each individual story has a purpose or undertone, but it's how they connect that resonates with some viewers, or becomes too cumbersome for others. With no exact structure in storytelling, scenes jump sporadically in multiple sessions, while actors diversify in various roles. It gets to be a game of who's who in racial-bending transformations, but in the long run a feeble attempt at breaking any barriers. While a select few are successful in being relatively unrecognizable, the facial-alterations for 'Neo Seoul' are shockingly disconcerting, if not befuddling. Already having gained controversial allegations, it's questionable as to why additional casting wasn't made to avoid such eccentric modifications. Nonetheless, there are some positives to be enumerated, the score being one of them. Tykwer, along with his longtime collaborators Reinhold Heil and Johnny Klimek, have created a musical masterpiece that envelops the auditory senses. From a multi-piece orchestra to a simple stroke of the piano, the music reverberates a wide range of emotion — particularly the "Cloud Atlas Sextet" that is the magnus opus for one of the characters. Powerful and moving, the score is a likely contender for the upcoming award season, alongside the cinematography which is simply breathtaking. But as trying as it seems, the film is a toss-up when it comes to overall impression. Being grandiose and heavily layered, it bites off more than it can chew, not fully coming to fruition immediately after viewing. Though utterly unique, "Cloud Atlas" is open to discussion: you either like it or you don't. As for me, it falls somewhere in between.

Rating: 2½ stars

Taken 2

Release Date: Oct 05, 2012 
Runtime: 1 hr. 32 min. 
Director: Olivier Megaton 
Cast: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Rade Sherbedgia, Luke Grimes.

When in doubt, you stick to what you know, and for Olivier Megaton, it's taken quite literally. (no pun intended.) Acting as a followup to the 2008 breakout hit, "Taken 2" shows little to no indication of change. Liam Neeson returns as vigilante Bryan Mills, this time taking on the vengeful Albanians in Istanbul, Turkey. When he and his wife become the targets of abduction, it's up to his teenage daughter to step in and break them free. As plausibility was never a strong suit for the original, it continues to be the weak link here. Maggie Grace as victim-turned-survivor is somehow less convincing as a heroine than Neeson's ability to blindly memorize road maps. With all logic aside, the comicalness of such daring feats is irrepressible upon seeing a feeble girl who is suddenly a stuntman behind the wheel. Similarly, the rate of death or disturbances that go unnoticed in the city is highly debatable, though it's far less vehement than the first go around. While the action is comparatively sparse due to his brief captivity, Neeson upholds his end of the bargain when it comes to ass-kickage. Age knows no bounds with a man on a mission, and he's not one to go down without a fight. Disappointingly, the final showdown doesn't share the same sentiment, ending sooner than you can say "Taken 3." But another sequel there will be, as box office numbers don't lie. With nothing left to be taken, it's justly due for a new course.

Rating: 2½ stars

Lawless

Release Date: Aug 29, 2012 

Runtime: 1 hr. 55 min. 

Director: John Hillcoat 

Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, Jason Clarke, Guy Pearce, Jessica Chastain, Mia Wasikowska, Gary Oldman.

Blood runs thicker than water, and for the Bondurant boys, it's no messing matter. Set during the Prohibition era and based on true events, "Lawless" tells the tale of three bootlegging brothers who live a carefree life, while challenging the laws that were made to be broken. But when a ruthless agent comes knocking at their door, it takes more than just loyalty to win back their power. Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy and Jason Clarke play the law-breaking trio, different in every way other than their tutelage. In perhaps his most challenging role yet, LaBeouf leads an intimidating cast as the youngest brother, Jack. His fragility and eagerness to learn exude a disparity against his older siblings who are rugged and assertive, which results in a sometimes admirable, yet irritable performance. On the other hand, Hardy is a man of few words. His formidable grunts and blasé attitude are the source for much needed humor, and a reprieve from a rather dull storyline. This particularly applies to the front half, which treads at a snail's pace. No matter how sensational the acting, ie. Guy Pearce's frightening portrayal of Agent Rakes, it's not enough to invigorate a listless script that could have done more with its material. For one, the use of Gary Oldman is widely undervalued. Appearing in less takes than the barmaid and hired help, it's a head-scratcher as to why he was even casted in the first place. Nevertheless, "Lawless" has no qualms about it and keeps a level mindset. It may be no summer blockbuster but at least it breaks from the herd.

Rating: 2½ stars

Total Recall

Release Date: Aug 03, 2012 

Runtime: 1 hr. 49 min. 

Director: Len Wiseman 

Cast: Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel, Bryan Cranston, Bokeem Woodbine, Bill Nighy.

Tired of the same routine and looking for something more? Welcome to Rekall: where your wildest fantasies can become a reality. Based on the short story by Philip K. Dick comes the second adaptation set in the distant future. In 2084, the world is torn between the rich and the poor — The United Federation of Britain versus The Colony. Stuck in the everyday grind, factory worker, Douglas Quaid, seeks a source of escape, visiting Rekall for a memory implantation. But as circumstance would have it, he gets more than he bargained for, triggering his past recollection that was meant to be erased. Colin Farrell plays the mistaken Quaid, taking the place of Arnold Schwarzenegger who had starred back in his heyday. Having already had success in the last year with "Horrible Bosses" and "Fright Night," Farrell returns to the genre that jump-started his career. Yet, unlike Arnold who had a way of bolstering his presence in the film, Farrell seems to fade into the background, being heavily overpowered by his surroundings. This correlates with the assertion, 'style over substance,' which Director Len Wiseman is all too familiar with. In what could only be described as "Blade Runner" meets "The Fifth Element," Wiseman pulls out all the stops in offering up a dystopian world that's glossy and drab, all at the same time. Hovering crafts and planetary core traveling are just some of the brassy by-products of the special effects, while nifty camerawork livens up the action that comes at staccato clicks. It's what Wiseman knows best, and works well with, but it doesn't abate the fact that it's still a remake, turned reboot. Obvious resemblances aside, the suspense and ambiguity are what's adequately missing in a film that questions reality. Offbeat from the original which took place on Mars, the hidden objective behind this futuristic world has less urgency than before, thus less tendency for us to care. Also, whether it's the script or weak acting, there is recurrently awkward dialogue that feels misplaced. If there's a silver lining in redoing this classic, it's seeing Kate Beckinsale do some high-powered brawling. She's not just a pretty face to boost the ratings...though that probably wouldn't be such a bad idea considering how poorly the film debuted. Whilst "Total Recall" is a far inferior remake/reboot, it works as a standalone action flick with the minimalist of standards. Just enjoy the scenery because that's all you'll really remember.

Rating: 2½ stars

In Time

Release Date: Oct 28, 2011 

Runtime: 1 hr. 55 min. 

Director: Andrew Niccol 

Cast: Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, Cillian Murphy, Vincent Kartheiser, Olivia Wilde.

If you had a chance at immortality, would you steal it? That's the quandary posed in Andrew Niccol's dystopian thriller, where the rich can live forever and the poor die young. In a Marxist future, 'time' has become the standard currency, with life hanging in the balance a year after the age of 25. When factory worker, Will Salas, is wrongly accused of murder, it's up to him to clear his name and fight the system that controls existence, before his clock inevitably runs out. In his first action role, Justin Timberlake is mediocre at best, attempting to make the most out of a flawed character and script. While the concept is fascinating on an intuitive level, various plot holes make the world in which Niccol envisions to be haphazard, resulting in an half-baked idea that never really coalesces. How did some people gain all that time? And why does it transfer so easily? Additionally, the reality of having everyone age the same way causes the roles to become oddly skewed. For instance, Olivia Wilde as Timberlake's mother is much harder to believe than Kartheiser's portrayal as Seyfried's father. This leads to the interesting notion of how difficult it is to judge a person's age mainly by appearance alone. Though "In Time" seems underdeveloped for an impending future, the moral is clear from the get-go, and ever relevant to our ongoing situation. Greed remains the same, no matter the form.

Rating: 2½ stars

Paranormal Activity 3

Release Date: Oct 21, 2011 

Runtime: 1 hr. 24 min.

Director: Henry Joost, Ariel Schulman

Cast: Katie Featherston, Sprague Grayden.

If you've seen them once, you've seem them all, and the third installment of Orlin Peli's break-out hit, "Paranormal Activity," proves just that. Continuing on its course of reverse storytelling, the second prequel returns to its origins where the terror all began. By way of childhood videos, we learn the past of cursed sisters, Katie and Kristi, as they grow up living in fear. But whereas the previous two films instilled an unsettling impression, part three leaves little to the imagination, and suffers from the unavoidable case of déjà vu. Joost and Schulman stick close to the set formula, drawing out heavy silences followed by jumpy scenes and shadowy figures. And for the most part, it works, since children scare far easier than adults. However, the sense of surprise is no longer applicable when it's obvious as to what's going to occur next. As time goes on, the scares get more expected and conspicuous than before, making this outing a rather tiresome one. The ending twist, sequentially, feels out of place when coinciding with its prior narrative. While Peli may have inadvertently conjured up this found-footage franchise, one can hope that this 'activity' is now over.

Rating: 2½ stars

  

The Change-Up

Release Date: Aug 05, 2011 

Runtime: 1 hr. 52 min. 

Director: David Dobkin 

Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Jason Bateman, Leslie Mann, Olivia Wilde, Alan Arkin.

When “Freaky Friday” goes R-rated, there’s no limits as to what can be said or done. And “The Change-Up” attests to that, giving a crude spin on a fable that is a surefire way to get the laughs. Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman star as two friends who are complete opposites, but long for the other’s ‘stress-free’ life. Thanks to a magical fountain, their wish gets granted, and it’s safe to guess what happens next. With credentials backed by the director of “Wedding Crashers” and the writers of “The Hangover,” there’s no shortage of raunchiness or ballsy humor (literally) to spare. But even as the premise of body swapping is far from original, and noticeably passé, this isn’t the reason why it doesn’t work as well as it should. Like the characters switching lifestyles, the film undergoes dual personalities, and doesn’t stay fixedly to one genre alone. On the one hand, it’s a gross-out comedy. Having no restraint and habitually cringe inducing, it’s sporadically funny when the situation permits. Ergo, the jokes can seem forced and contrived at times, purely conjecturing on what the audience likes. On the other hand, it’s a sort-of drama. The characters face issues that make them question their lives, thus eventually leading to the conventional self-discovery and wish fulfillment. Reynolds and Bateman play their part—or rather counterpart—well, and it’s the role swap that makes it enjoyable for the most part. Bateman is able to leave behind his ‘nice-guy’ persona to mouth off expletives instead. But the profanity-blazon dialogue is more or less a means to get by, and doesn’t amend the unbalanced storyline that comes with it. While “The Change-Up” is not one of the better comedies of the summer, it may be inclined to subjectivity. I, for one, prefer Bateman’s similar take in “Horrible Bosses.”

Rating: 2½ stars

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Release Date: Jun 29, 2011

Runtime: 2 hr. 37 min. 

Director: Michael Bay 

Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Josh Duhamel, John Turturro, Tyrese Gibson, Patrick Dempsey, Frances McDormand. 

The battles may have been won, but the war has only just begun in “Dark of the Moon,” the latest installment in Michael Bay’s toy-bot franchise. Following the events of “Revenge of the Fallen,” we find the Autobots aiding as military allies in global conflicts, while the humans have reluctantly returned to their ordinary lives. But that soon changes when a top secret NASA mission resurfaces and exposes a threat that could mean the end for all of mankind. Michael Bay returns to what he knows best, offering up bigger explosions and battle sequences than ever before. And it’s obvious that he had 3-D in mind—whether it’s parachuting from building tops or smashing through rubble—as action fills the extremity of the frames at all angles. Unlike its lacking predecessor, “Dark of the Moon” attempts to tell a more cohesive story, bringing in historical anecdotes and footage regarding the ‘Space Race’ circa 1969. However, this is a summer blockbuster for a reason, and with it comes more of a visual appeal than anything else. This includes the acting, which regrettably has not improved much after the demise that was Megan Fox. In her place is newcomer Rosie Huntington-Whiteley who is nothing more than arm candy for leading man Shia LaBeouf, something of which even his mother (Julie White) takes notice and comments on. Adding to the mix are two eccentric characters played by Ken Jeong and John Malkovich, both who seem like a means of distraction rather than added value. Still, aside from casting mishaps, the second sequel feels like a small improvement—granted without the first hour or so—and that’s more than enough to roll in the big bucks. Don't expect Bay to stray too far from this franchise.

Rating: 2½ stars