Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -1

Main Actors: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Isabel Lucas, Josh Duhamel, John Turturro, Rainn Wilson, Ramon Rodriguez, Julie White, Kevin Dunn.

FILM SYNOPSIS: Autobot Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen) and the military, headed by Major Lennox (Josh Duhamel) have been successfully working side by side to defend Earth from enemy attacks from the Decepticons for years. But there are once again sinister stirrings from Decepticon forces, headed by The Fallen, who aren’t about to give up their infiltration and destruction of Earth. And now one government official is trying to rid the planet of Autobot defenses just at the time when those Autobot forces will be needed most.

Now the Decepticons are after college-bound Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf), who happens to possess the remaining sliver of the cube, the ultimate object of robotic power force.

Sam and his team of buddies, including college roommate Leo (Ramon Rodriguez, who we recently saw play Delgado in The Taking of Pelham 123, beautiful girlfriend, Mikaela (Megan Fox), Agent Simmons (John Turturro, who recently played hostage negotiator Camonetti in The Taking of Pelham 123), and Autobots Optimus Prime and Bumblebee (voiced by Mark Ryan) are in for the ride of their lives as they team up to save Earth and themselves from Decepticon annihilation.

In the middle of one fight, Optimus Prime is killed. Now Sam and his friends must travel to the desert sands of Egypt to decipher ancient mystical symbols and reclaim the energy source to save Optimus Prime before the Decepticons use the same prized key to build their enemy forces and destroy Earth.

PREVIEW REVIEW: Filmmaker Michael Bay is known for his expertise in action/adventure sequences that call for awesome CGI effects. He is not known for his talent at clarifying plot or character development. Such is the case in Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen. It definitely fulfills the expectations of the target audience, teen and adult men. And if all you are looking to see are cool visual effects, beautiful women, and crude humor, you certainly don’t have to go far with this one.

If you aren’t as familiar with the Transformer lore, you are probably going to get confused. In the midst of myriad battle scenes, it is hard to remember all those Autobot and Decepticon names. Believe me, it isn’t like watching Star Trek. You will need to know some history to enjoy this one.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Laura Bagby has a Master's in Communication and a Master's in Journalism. She contributes to Preview On Line as both a reviewer and a journalist. For more on her background, go to http://celluloidcritic.com.

Preview Reviewer: Laura J. Bagby
Distributor: DreamWorks SKG