Transformers: Dark of the Moon Directed by: Michael Bay Starring: Shia Labeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Josh Duhamel, John Malkovich Rating: TBD Release Date: July 1, 2011
TRAILER SCORE: 10/10
MY THOUGHTS: Hell ya! I'm officially stoked. Like 10/10 stoked!
I should probably be more subdued about such celebratory outbursts -- based on how unbearable Tranformers: Revenge of the Fallen was, especially the 2nd half of the film -- but I can't help it.
This review does come amidst heavy bias syrup, as I was an extra in Transformers: Dark of the Moon, and the first two shots in this Super Bowl Spot were from scenes that I was present for the filming of. Matter of fact, if I slow down the 2nd shot, about three seconds in, I'm about 90% sure I can see myself just to the left of Labeouf's ear. Yes, I realize that's an entirely ridiculous speculation -- a blurry version of me appeared in a commercial aired during the Super Bowl? "Yeah, right!" Surreal and hilarious and perhaps unbelievable -- it very well might not be me, but then again, I really think it is. Let's just call it official. Or we can just wait until Transformers: Dark of the Moon is released on blu-ray.
Tranformers: Revenge of the Fallen was such an overlong mess of a film, to the point where my sister thought this Summer's forthcoming installment was the 4th in the series. That said, this Super Bowl spot was so sweetly effects-laden, beautifully sound designed, and gorgeously shot -- all in all it was nothing short of stunning -- and even if I hadn't been a (very small) part of the film, I'd be very excited about its release, based on this trailer alone. I found this particular piece of marketing to be entirely without flaw.
Speaking of flaws however, some of the girls I was watching the Super Bowl with were lamenting Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's ultra pouty lips -- super sexy, in my opinion, and I'm pretty sure it's my opinion that matters -- I believe their lamentations can be chalked up to simple jealousy. She looks to be a vast improvement over Megan Fox, but again, that's just my opinion. And I don't think it's an issue, that whole thing about Huntington-Whiteley not being able to speak english. This is not a franchise known for its brilliant script-work. This is a franchise known for its hyped up over-the-top action sequences, its brilliant sound design and its consistently beautiful score, by one of my favorites working in Hollywood today, Steve Jablonsky.
For more on this Summer's surefire blockbuster, please check out my Transformers: Dark of the Moon teaser trailer review here.