Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

For two years, the U.S. and Autobots have had a classified alliance codenamed Nest. Together, the Nest team goes around the world hunting down the remaining Decepticons. After the security site for the last known piece of the All Spark is located, it is stolen and used to resurrect Megatron. Finally, wanting a normal life, Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) is going away to college, leaving behind his parents and his girlfriend Mikaela (Megan Fox). After packing his souvenir jacket from the last alien invasion, a small piece of the Allstar falls out and integrates encrypted coordinates into Sam’s mind. This makes him an immediate target for Megatron who wants to locate the hidden device that is powerful enough to destroy the sun.

While the action sequences are less choppy than the first film, they are louder, longer, and way more frequent. The majority of the film is a battlefield with the actors yelling at one another as they run through explosions in slow motion. The plot is somewhat more complicated and hard to follow, at times, since differently accented Bots take turns with the narrations. Several of the Decepticons also look too similar and were essentially hard to differentiate at times.

In this sequel, the Autobots and Decepticons are more centrally focused upon. While the latter are portrayed accurately as evil bots, the Autobots are way less relatable to their creative origin—and great liberty was used in humanizing them. While Optimus Prime remains true, his part is considerably less this time around. Replacing him in the forefront are two squabbling twin Autobots who are racially stereotypical and profane.

Offensive Content

In their liberations, the writers made the Autobots more immoral than in the first film. While there are only 11 profanities, they are heavily emphasized and are mainly used by the Autobots. In addition, one calls a human a “p__y,” has “suck my popsicle” painted on its car, and one is even shown to have testicles. Finally, one miniature Decepticon humps Mikaela’s leg as a form of affection.

If one found the sexual content offensive in the first film, it would be better to skip this sequel, as they have increased quite dramatically. Aside from Mikaela’s skimpy clothing, women are further objectified, especially in Sam’s college. From wall posters to the women merely walking by, most were under-dressed. During his first day at college, Sam is heavily pursued by a very sexually aggressive girl. She straddles his lap, lays on top of him and whispers suggestive seductions. While her sexual advances are directly related to the plot, they are what they are. In addition, Sam’s astronomy professor is a pervert undercover, throwing sexual hints to the female students who react with suggestive smiles. Without warning, John Turturro is shown wearing a thong. Sam’s dog has a new companion with whom it is shown twice having sex.

Although the violence is heavily styled and exaggerated, two robots are vividly stabbed. Some kind of slimy robotic device is inserted through Sam’s nose and mouth. While dropping Sam off at college, his mom inadvertently buys marijuana and is shown high in a lengthy scene. While on her buzz trip, she makes sexually inappropriate comments.

Some kind of farce heaven with angelic robots is shown in a near-death scene. God is hinted at one time during the film. At one time, Sergeant Epps says that if God made man in his image, then who made the Autobots. In Scripture, God only created man in His image, not everything. However, absolutely everything, including the universe and the unknown beyond is made by the Lord. In Nehemiah 9:6, it reads:

“You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the Earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything…”

The word “alone” should be taken special note of, especially in a society where everyone is encouraged to find his own path to happiness and spirituality. There is a huge difference between truth and opinion. In John 14:6, Jesus famously said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Christ is not a mere bandwagon, a hype, or one of many paths. He is the only path to true salvation. If He were not, then our faith would be worthless and for naught. In Corinthians 15:17, Paul wrote, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.”

I personally do not recommend this film. While I do love action movies, this one was too much chaos, mostly pausing to insert inappropriate jokes or puns. If you’re looking for a heavily-filled action movie with cleaner substance, I recommend seeing “Terminator: Salvation” instead of this offensive movie.

Violence: Heavy / Profanity: Moderate / Sex/Nudity: Heavy

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