Transformers: Age of Extinction

Director: Michael Bay
Written by: Ehren Kruger
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Nicola Peltz, Jack Reynor
Genre: Science Fiction Action
Stars ****

The Transformers: Age of Extinction is based on the Transformers franchise, this being the fourth installment of the movie series. This movie is about a single father and struggling inventor who stumbles upon an old truck and later discovers that it is an injured Optimus Prime. The story continues as they are now targeted by a bounty hunter from another world, who is determined to destroy all autobots forever.
This movie is awesome. I enjoyed every moment of it. I have always been a fan of the Transformers growing up, when it was in cartoon form. When it was announced that Hollywood would make movies of it, I was skeptical and had a feeling that they might just ruin it completely. But after watching all four installments of the series, I honestly can’t wait for another.
Undoubtedly, one would not expect anything less when the genius of Steven Spielberg is involved in the making, as executive producer. Micheal Bay also showed his consistence as director of all four movies, continuing to deliver one rivetting installment after another.
The storyline lacked some oomph, it could have been worked on some more, but that did not stop me from enjoying the movie. The picture quality was superb, even the stunts blew me away. I can’t wait for the chance to watch this in 3D and feel the effects. The special effects are exceptional in my opinion. I absolutely enjoy the slow-moving action scenes, where every one is running for their lives from some impending doom.

Mark Wahlberg is an amazing actor. After Pain and Gain I honestly did not think he could pull off a role in Transformers, mainly because I had very high expectations for the movie, before watching it. But he proved me wrong. I was however not entirely impressed with his supporting cast, especially his daughter, Tessa (Nicola Peltz) and her boyfriend, Shane (Jack Reynor).
However I may have been too carefree in my critique of the movie, as I noticed that other critics observed a few more flaws than I did.
Kristy Puchko, movie reviewer from cinemablend.com, wrote, “With so many characters, Bay struggles to create heroes we care about. Okay, Wahlberg’s inventor character is instantly likeable – in part because of the star’s innate affability and in part because he is set up as a kind-hearted underdog who strives to help others even when he’s desperately broke himself. But unfortunately, Cade’s plotline is bogged down by his grating daughter and her snooty boyfriend, who are so useless and uninteresting that they easily could have been combined into one character or cut out completely. Daughter Tessa is lovely to look at – and Bay’s leering camera often reminds you of this fact – but she does little more than lecture her father and scream for help. While I’m all for the occasional mindless action movie, Transformers: Age of Extinction wasn’t fun for me. In the end, it just felt long, in no small part because Bay repeats himself in form and function over and over again.”