Sexy Megan Fox returns in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Jun 25 2009

Transformers: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN (15) Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Kevin Dunn, Tyrese Gibson, Julie White, Ramon Rodriguez

DIRECTOR Michael Bay returns to the helm for Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen to destroy large swathes of planet Earth in a miasma of pyrotechnics and computer-generated imagery, courtesy of the wizards at Industrial Light & Magic and Digital Domain. The second film pushes the visual effects envelope with more outrageous slam-bang thrills, apocalyptic set-pieces and skirmishes between the noble Autobots and their sworn enemies, the Decepticons.

At times, the screen becomes a blur of entangled, shiny automaton limbs and it's difficult to work out who has the upper hand until the dust settles or, as in the film's most heart-tugging moment, one of the metal monsters powers down for good.

Steve Jablonsky's booming orchestral score begins at an ominous growl for a throwaway prologue in 17,000 BC and steadily increases in volume to match the on-screen crash.

Two years have passed since high school student Sam Witwicky (LaBeouf ) and his Autobot friends defeated power-hungry Megatron.

In the intervening period, humankind has forged an alliance with Autobot leader Opti-mus Prime to create a topsecret military division known as NEST, which hunts down the last remaining Decepticons.

Field commanders Major Lennox (Duhamel) and USAF Master Sergeant Epps (Gibson) lead these covert missions, flanked by Ironhide, Jazz, Ratchet and some new additions to the Autobot fold.

Meanwhile, Sam prepares for his first year at college by bidding farewell to his parents (Dunn, White), beautiful girlfriend Mikaela (Fox) and robot protector Bumblebee.

In the middle of class, Sam experiences visions of hieroglyphs, and as they become more intense the young man senses that Autobot leader Optimus Prime has been keeping secrets from him.

Sure enough, the Decepticons are preparing to return to Earth in even greater numbers to fulfil an ancient prophecy. Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen overstays its welcome by at least 30 minutes with a middle section that sags badly, as Sam and co join forces with college room-mate Leo and former agent Simmons to unravel the mystery of the symbols.

The introduction of a Decepticon called The Fallen echoes Star Wars, while chaotic scenes of appliances in the Witwicky home coming to life are an obvious nod and a wink to Gremlins.

Bay orchestrates action sequences with customary aplomb and lack of subtlety, employing slow motion ad nauseum as American pluck once again rescues humanity from annihilation.

LaBeouf uses impressive comic timing to highlight Sam's vulnerability as his hero is thrust into the middle of a titanic battle beyond his control.

Fox reapplies her lip-gloss unseen during each bravura stunt sequence. While entire cities fall, her pout remains lustrous.

If Major Lennox would only melt Megatron and his minions using sunlight reflected off those lips, the Decepticons would be banished far sooner.