If you listen to our podcast, which I assume you do if you are reading this, you already know that I do not think highly of Michael Bay’s films (“See Us @ IndyPopCon…We’ve Got Swagger”). Thus you would think I would not be that excited for another Transformers film; well you would be wrong! Most people give these films, and Bay, a hard time, but I am quick to point out the 1st film is a lot of fun. I still watch it from time-to-time and I thoroughly enjoy it. That being said, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is one of the worst films I have ever seen, but the 3rd in the franchise, Dark of the Moon, does rebound quite well. These films showcase what Bay does best; blow shit up. It also certainly does not hurt that one of my favorite comedians, T.J. Miller, is in the newest installment.

Transformers: Age of Extinction takes place five years after the latest film and Transformers, Autobots and Decepticons alike, are hunted by the CIA with the help of Transformer bounty hunter Lockdown. Cade Yeager (Mark Walberg), probably the coolest movie name ever, is a struggling inventor who purchases a broken down cab-over to strip for parts. Yeager quickly realizes this “truck” is actually a Transformer which is critically injured. While attempting to repair the machine Cage discovers the Transformer is actually the leader of the Autobots Optimus Prime. Once it is discovered that Prime is at Yeager’s home, Cage and Prime, along with Yeager’s daughter (Nicola Peltz) and her boyfriend (Jack Reynor), are hunted by the CIA and Lockdown.

When I was seventeen my parents bought me my first car; a 1998 Pontiac Grand Am. It was the sports edition with tinted windows, sunroof, etc. It was a beautiful car to look at. I got compliments on a daily basis about how sleek looking my vehicle was. The only problem was I never knew if it was going to start when I needed it to. I owned that car for roughly four years and I do not remember a time where there was not something wrong with it. My Grand Am was beautiful to look at, but a mess on the inside. That is exactly how I feel about Transformers: Age of Extinction. The action scenes are, as with many of Bay’s films, breathtakingly beautiful, but when you need substance like great dialogue or character development this films falls flat. It is an incredible mess on an epic scale. The attempts at any type of plot are deplorable. Each scene that does not involve machines battling other machines seems like a place holder for the next action sequence. The fact that the runtime of this film is 165 minutes (that isn’t a typo) should be filed under “cruel and unusual punishment.” This movie could have easily been 90-110 minutes. For the sake of objectivity I do have to tip my cap to Stanley Tucci for elevating this so-called script and making, his scenes at least, somewhat enjoyable. He stole the show every time he was on screen. Those scenes, apart from the small role Miller’s character plays, were the only non-action sequences that worked in this film. In conclusion I will give you the same advice I chose to ignore, DON’T SEE THIS MOVIE!

In spite of strong, underutilized performances from Tucci and Miller and breathtaking action sequences, Transformers: Age of Extinction is a failure on any measure of filmmaking.

(1.5 / 5)