Iffy for 13+
Violent, crude, pointless sequel just isn't kids' stuff.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this sequel to 2007's Transformers is edgier and less kid-friendly than the first. Kids will want to see it because they're the ones who play with the toys the movie was inspired by, but it's packed with metal-on-metal mayhem and brutally violent action scenes that are too much for them. While most of the combatants are giant robots, the film's human characters are in constant peril, and the explosions never seem to stop. There are also eyebrow-raising amounts of sexualized and even racially insensitive material, as well as strong language (including one use of "f--k" and frequent uses of words like "bitch" and "p---y"). Plus, it's essentially a long commercial for both cars and toys.
- Families can talk about the movie's robot-on-robot violence. Are brutal dismemberments, stabbings, and shootings easier to take when they involve large metal robots instead of flesh-and-blood humans? Even when the robots talk, think, and "die" like people?
- Families can also talk about the consumerism side of things. What do kids make of the fact that this is a movie based on a line of toys? Is the movie's goal to sell more toys? If not, what is it?
- You can also bring up the movie's stereotyping -- including the robot "Twins," one of whom has a gold tooth and later explains that he can't decipher hieroglyphics because "We don't do much readin'." Are those kinds of caricatures funny or offensive? Why?
- And you can discuss whether the movie objectifies women. Why is more screen time devoted to the leading actresses' bodies than their characters? Why do male characters not get the same treatment?
The good stuff
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Messages: Any positive messages about friendship and fellowship are negated by the film's objectification of women and frequent use of phrases like "bitch" and "p---y" in a film ostensibly aimed at kids. There's also some racial and ethnic stereotyping; while a giant robot with a wacky "Scottish" accent seems harmless, two robots with protruding ears, grotesque features, and a propensity for thuggish rap slang like "pop a cap in his ass" and "get up in that ass" are less easy to write off as wacky fun.
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Role models: While Optimus Prime is a stalwart defender of the innocent, the other characters are so thinly crafted that it's virtually impossible to find anything to admire. Sam is loyal to his robot friends, but, again, the film is so suffused and soaked in bullets, bombs, and bombast that it's hard to hear the positivity over the explosions.
What to watch for
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Violence: Nonstop explosions, gunfire, bombardments, and barrages affecting human beings, as well as tons of combat to the death between robotic (but intelligent and self-aware) aliens. Bodies are hurled by explosions and battle, and there's some scary torture/medical imagery. Extensive robotic carnage and destruction, as well as pushing, shoving, and scuffling. There's a threat to the sun, which, if carried out, will wipe out all human life.
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Sex: Plenty of cleavage, shots of panty-clad bottoms, kissing. Dogs hump each other, and a robot proceeds to do the same to a woman's leg. A husband and wife engage in a little saucy talk and bottom-grabbing. Some suggestive talk about young men at a college party being "on the hunt."
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Language: Above-average level of strong language for a PG-13, including one use of "f--k," plus "s--t," "p---y," "piss," "damn," "balls," "ball sack," "punk ass," "crap," "oh my God," "bitch," and "ass."
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Consumerism: Considering that the movie is based on a toy line by Hasbro -- and co-produced by Hasbro -- you could argue that the entire thing is an exercise in product placement. Other brands shown on screen or mentioned include car makes, manufacturers, and models (including General Motors, Volvo, Camaro, etc.), Mountain Dew, Budweiser, State Farm, OnStar, CNN, and more.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: It's implied that characters drink liquor and beer in social settings. A parent also mistakenly eats some marijuana brownies and babbles incoherently, runs about, and tackles strangers.
Fan Reviews provided by
3
My evaluation. by Kyle_Adkins
Alright, this is going to be a little tricky to review without spoiling. So, Instead of a typical review I think I'm going to break this into a Pro/Con:
Pros:
*The Action scenes (When they happened) were pretty nice.
*They managed to keep the majority of the cast intact.
*It had a fair amount of back-story, which was refreshing.
Cons:
*Too little action. In fact, the majority of the movie was focused on people. They honestly should have renamed it "Humans".
*The movie was way too damn long. Some times I felt as if I were going to nod off.
*They used too much cussing for the movie. I've never seen Optimus Prime start dropping F-Bombs in the animated series, call a Decepticon a "Punk B*tch", or anything of the sort.
(Don't get me wrong, I'm not against cussing.. It's simply not Transformer's style..)
All in all, I'd say it was about a 5/10. Nothing amazing, Nothing too Terrible either. Catch the early shows, or rent it when it comes out to DvD.
5
Parents by baller07
You parents need to stop complaining... its a movie.. a great movie with awesome effects and imagination... ur kids are eventually gonna hear some things they did hear in the movie...
If you are not into robots then dont go........
If you dont want to worry bout ur kids.. then... DONT BRING THEM! its a movie rated PG-13 for a reason
13 year olds, mostly always here this stuff weather u like it or not.. dont bring ur 10 year old if its pg-13 for a reason! it does not need to be rated R... get over it and do what u should have done from the get-go.
....and yes if ur not a parent that complains about everything so little it is a MUST GO TO SEE!! movie it is grreaatt.
5
MORE ACTION, MORE ROBOTS, AND MORE LAUGHS! by moviesnbumblebee
Bottom Line: I saw this movie yesterday with my friends and as a huge fan of transformers and Megan Fox, I was so excited to see it. Transformers started out very fast with too many funny moments:) If you loved the first one, you'll love this one to. And if you've never even heard of transformers, you won't get to confused on the storyline. This movie has robot fights, comedy, Megan Fox, Shia Lebouf, and many more people from the original cast. It DEFINITLEY kept me entertained and laguhing.
The Good: Very non predictable, the mom in the movie is HILARIOUS!!!! And the robot action is pretty awesome too.
The Bad: A long movie but was worth watching it. Oh and when Sam had his "dream" in Egypt, that was confusing.
Should I see it?
Yes if you love comedy and action you will go Crazy for it!
Leave little kids for some inapropiate comedy scenes.
5
Don't Listen To The Bad Reviews by Richuh
It was a great movie, saw it with some friends. Now all these people reviewing the movie saying it was bad are all probably adults with kids, and hey I totally understand why you would be mad, but do you understand that this was a PG13 movie and that you should have done some research before taking your children. Parents should've been more responsible and not have posted the reviews such as " I'm disappointed with the sexual innuendos and swearing." It was a PG13 movie alright it was funny, thats the point. In the mist of an epic battle, comic relief helps. It appeals to a younger mature age group. So its alright for parents to disapprove of the movie, it's because this movie wasn't meant to appeal to you. It appeals to a more mature audience. So no big deal parents with kids disapprove of it, everyone else on earth loves it.
5
I just saw the biggest and bestest giant toy deathmatch EVER!!!!!!! by StellarJMI
OK, so Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen...where do I begin? Let's begin with; Wow!! That film literally rocked my face right off!!! Raise your hand if you want to see more robots kicking ***! - Well you got it! Raise your hand if you want more action! - More action? No problem let's increase the action from Transformers by 100x!!! Raise your hand if you want unbelievably beautiful women, who will make you jealous of Shia Labeouf! - ABSOLUTELY!! Raise your hand if you want to laugh your *** off! - You will piss yourself! OK, OK, so I am over-exaggerating a little bit, but there are some pretty damn funny parts! Are you getting tired of keeping your hands up? Remember that Michael Bay Verizion FIOS AWESOME commercial?? Yeah, well Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen has awesome written all over it!! So let's review:
More GIANT robots blowing S*** up!? - Check
Action? - Check
Sexy Ladies? - Check
Humor? - Check
Worth the price of admission? - Check
5
This is a must go! by movies_are_awesome_2009
The whole movie was action packed! And even funnier than the first!
I couldnt leave my seat it was so great! There wasnt a dull five minutes!
There is a little cussing but its rated PG13 maybe you guys should look at the rating before taking your kids to this one! Its a movie for all ages my mom, my boyfriend and i went to see this movie at the midnight showing and people in the audience were laughing, crying, and clapping to the movie! I never saw that happen before! The crowd loved it! People were commenting on how great the movie was after! So dont let a little bit of people on the reviews judge your opinion GO SEE IT YOURSELF and then judge.
5
Fantastic Movie by Draque07
I read many of the reviews posted before seeing Transformer 2 today, and I am shocked at some of the reviews. There are numerous complaints of sexuality, language, and racism; I honestly don't see any merit to said complaints.
As far as sexuality goes, I have seen more skin showing from teenage girls in public than there was in this movie.
Language issues? The humor is somewhat sophomoric at points, true, but no more so than in most of today's movies. Some of the language is coarse for younger children, but is it overdone and completely obscene? No.
Racism in this movie... The twins that speak in urban street slang are by no means racist, they are more Punch and Judy than they are robot Wayans Brothers. They provide comic relief not slur any race or culture.
Overall, the plot, effects, and acting are well done. Anyone who watched the cartoon in the 80's (like me) knows the general direction of the movie, but people who are newer will still find enjoyment. Deserving movie.
5
Awesome Movie - but not for kids! by RedMomma0624
I took my 8 yr old to see this. Great movie, with lots of action - HOWEVER IT IS DEFINATELY NOT APPROPRIATE FOR KIDS UNDER 13!!!! Lots of sexual innuendos (girl straddled on top of boy, girl bent over motorcycle seductively in shorts, short enough to see her crotch, and lots of slow motion shots of breasts swinging and bouncing during chase scenes). There is frequent cursing and a scene where the mother gets buzzed on dope. I'm not dissing the movie. I just think that parents should be warned not to take their younger children to see it. The movie is fantastic and well worth the price of admission..
2
Sorry I took my son by gfrfan
The good. The special effects as in the first were amazing. Michael Bay knows how to put on a movie with great effects that look and feel real. The story line was interesting and I won't spoil it by saying to much here but there were parts of the movie that were inconsequential to the overall story. The bad: I am sorry I took my son for 2 reasons: 1. He is only 7 and this movie was NOT made with children in mind. This was strictly an adult version of the Transformer empire. The Autobots cussed and used profanity in this movie which they did not do in the original (at least I don't remember it if they did). It was so bad that my son asked me why the Transformers were cussing. They didn't cuss in the first movie daddy....2. It was dripping with sexual content not necessary at all. 2 scenes of a chiuahua in heat with a bull dog (stupid addition to the movie) and a miniature autobot getting friendly with Miss Fox's leg. Other scenes in the movie were just as inappropriate.
5
ANOTHER ACTION MOVIE............... by REWOKEN
That the critics didn't like, myself and three others ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. This is what action movies are all about!!!!