Right, where's Megan Fox? Credit: Paramount Pictures

Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel
Director: Michael Bay
Screenwriters: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, Ehren Kruger
Rating: 12A

When Steven Spielberg predicted that the first film in the Transformers franchise was going to be the best, he was right. Michael Bay’s CGI machines still have the wow factor, but audiences will be left disappointed by the lack of storyline.

Revenge of the Fallen shows promise in the humorous opening scenes when Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) leaves for college, breaking the news to BumbleBee, his trusty car and Autobot that he is leaving behind. At the same time he reassures his mum he will be home every holiday as she cries into a pair of his old baby shoes. Keen to escape the world of robots, Sam is determined to throw himself into college life. That is before he learns the truth about Transformer origins and ancient symbols, which begin to overload his mind.

A close-up objectifying shot of Mikaela’s ass in tight denim hot pants signals Megan Fox’s return to the big screen, as did the jeers from male members of the audience, which re-emerged every time she did.

Meanwhile an elite army squad called NEST, made up of humans and Autobots (good machines) try to destroy the Decepticons, who want to free their leader, Megatron (voiced by Hugo Weaving), who is being kept prisoner at the bottom of the ocean. Their aim is to find the remaining pieces of the All Spark, which has the power to turn any appliance into a machine in a bid to wipe out humanity.

The film is explosive and visually spectacular in places, such as the fight scene between Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen) and three Decepticons in the forest. The machines’ transformation from cars to robots is smooth, sharp and aesthetically pleasing, due to Bay’s attention to detail. Unfortunately he lost his nerve in the cutting room. Running for an hour too long the film loses its way and the audience’s attention shortly after the three-on-one forest battle.

The latter part of Revenge is comprised of a fight scene in the Egyptian desert, which almost lasts as long as the war footage in Pearl Harbor. Camera and machines move so fast that you can’t tell your Autobots from your Decepticons, and the audience is left watching a blur of shiny metal move around a desert landscape. The only respite occurs when the camera cuts to and lingers on Fox’s famous assets.

Although Revenge is likely to rake in money from loyal fans, those who aren’t familiar with the franchise will be left feeling confused and slightly dazed by this excessively action-packed sequel.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is in cinemas now and is also showing in IMAX

By Sophie Donnelly