Revenge of the Fallen: Worst-reviewed $400 million hit ever

I went to this movie expecting giant robots fighting each other. I got it. I'm happy.

I was thinking the same thing.

This. All of this

I saw it twice just like I did the first one so I could be sure of my opinion.

This film made the first one irrelevant. Action great, everything else sucked.

most normal people i've talked to about the normal people i talked to said it was retarded... so my hope is that people will remember the experience and not bother for the third movie. that would be so awesome that they make a crap load of money this time and then for the third one there is a huge drop off in interest.

Suck my popsicle, critics.

agreed. Here's one thing that bothered me in an interview with either bay or the writters or both. they said they listened to the fans and went more into the mythology of transformers. I'm sorry but what mythology were they looking at because these two movie don't tell the mythology. IMo it's reinventing a new mythology. I know people are gonna say wee you don't want it the same as the original, and no you don't but if you look at movies like spider-man and iron-man who did not reinvent the wheel. all they day was modernize it and what great movies they turned out to be.

The forest scene did kick ass didnt....
based on all the criticism....n reviews....its sounds like G1 all over again .......

Talked to an independent filme director about the movie last night. And surprisingly enough we discussed the story. He was surprised at how linear, and confusing it was at the same time. He said it felt like real war time, where you know there is a set goal (In this movie's case stopping the Fallen) but there is still a fog of other things, stories, and people happening along the way. Hell there are even major casualties. I agreed with him on just about every point.

Also I keep hearing people talk and post about how many plotholes were in the film, but have yet to see anyone post an actual list or focus on them directly. The movie seemed pretty except for a few random entrances and exits by bots, but again this mimcks the fog of war in that, while fighting you're not gonna be paying great attention to who's coming and going, it's just confusion.

That's. The. Freaking. Point.

Movie is a new series, not a G1 done over, but Transformers from scratch, just Like Animated and the rest.

This just proves that critics are nothing more than hired trolls. Haters paid to spew their angry, thoughtless tripe across all movies.

I, in the other hand, used to think critics were full of shit.

I eventually came to realize that they are, in fact, quite often right.

This movie has actually become contraversial simply because it's almost solid proof that critics don't really matter when it comes to a movies revenue. Heck, maybe their upset that the studio knew they would hate it and didn't try to buy them off! (oh I know THAT doesn't happen, no no no)

But honestly, I am really curious if this contraversy will cause the film to actually make MORE money, or actually stop the train in its tracks.

Whatever the case, I agree that the action was the best part and some other things were bad- FORTUNATELY the action takes up about 95% of the film and totally appeases the action movie loving side of me.

I for one don't want it reinvented. I want it retold and modernized to where it makes sense. I feel like the animated show had a way better story and the movie did. I mean atleast make the characters like similar to what we know and love. only one that comes close is Optimus Prime, which rocked and kicked @$$ in this movie

bay is third unit at best. this is product made by the guys who presented scorsese his oscar. they are having fun and they do not care about critics.

I'm a die-hard transformers fan, but i'm also an honest movie critic. Revenge of the Fallen sucked real real hard, still I went to see it three times because it's my only option for watching a live-action transformers movie. Just because a lot of people went to see it doesn't mean that a lot more people liked it than are credited, but that that many more people were unimpressed and were there to give it a bad review. For Pete's sake, the third movie needs a new team of writers.

The only thing that matters to each individual is wether they like it... that being said, OUCH!

Or more time to flesh a story out. I blame more-so the writers than Bay on this part. I think 1 year more would have helped this thing out. Loved the flick, but the script is what killed it for me, not the direction

I love that the film is doing so well at the box office....All these elitist snob movie expert D-Bags obviously have no idea what the main stream wants...In times like these where you're worried about if you have a job or can feed your children / pay your bills it is nice to be able to see a film and not get to heavily emotionally / mentally involved...I work hard everyday analyzing so called professionals fuck ups...when I come home I like to turn off the brain and turn on my mind...Transformers may not be the brainiest film...but it jogs the imagination and from what I have seen so far on here....most don't want to have to use their imagination...they want the story told to them...That says to me....I can't think for myself I need someone to do it for me....I need every second of these fictional characters lives explained in great detail...because there is no way I will do the math for myself....Get over yourselves....apparently most movie goers have.......!!!

Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn.

MTL

Can't compare SF to TF, huh? Both had HORRID storylines written by "fans" of the source material. Both lacked character development. Both took a great villain character and watered said villain to nothing. Both were summarily panned by intelligent critics and fans of the franchise.

Tis funny, I used to review movies for the local highschool newsletter. Nothing big, but just a fun column every month. I used to read other critics to get an idea on what reviewers look for, how they think, and adapt that to fit myself. I was surprised at how individual the critics are. Many find faults with the same movie, but come to see the faults in different ways. It's not just "I found this movie sucked, so there, end of story". Most of the good critics (those that DON'T write blogs) actually explain their thoughts with detail, making it far harder to just call them "Haters". If I am on the fence about seeing a movie, I read 4 or 6 reviews, 1/2 positive, 1/2 negative, and base my choice on viewing based on the reviews. If a movie is overwhelming negative, I'll usually skip it, unless I know I want to see a crappy movie.

Um... Blame has to be put on Bay and the 3rd writer brought in, since the same writers wrote the fantastic Star Trek movie as well as some fairly good episodes of the classic Sam Raimi mythology tv shows.

Bay brought in his adolescent ejaculations as well as the 3rd writer who is well known in the writer's world as a hack who gets brought in to ruin screenplays.

Hey as long as the movie is pulling in the green, I guess what the critics have to say doesn't matter.

I knew going in that this wouldn't be a film that the critics were going to go ga-ga over. Its a popcorn film. They gave bad reviews to Die Hard way back in the day too.

Now I'm not saying TF:ROTF is as good as Die Hard (few films are IMO) but I don't think anybody expected the critics to love it. Its just a fun movie where stuff goes boom. Its a fun ride.

Just my two cents- (didn't take time to read the article- kinda like skids and mudflap that way)-

By any reasonable measure both movies (especially the new) one are terrible. Imagine the movies for a moment if all the transformers were taken out and replaced with army soldiers, or some special elite unit of what ever soldiers- would you like the movie half as much?

The reason we all like these movies, and the reason I'll probably see the new one again, and probably buy the dvd is simply because we love watching our childhood heros pound the crap out of each other, and all the more because this is a movie that literally COULDN'T be made this way until maybe 5 years ago.

We love them (and everybody else) because we want to see transformers. If you look at them on any other level it's not good.

The critics job is to tell us if it's good or not. They're doing their jobs.

I was dissapointed with this movie, I agree with most of the critics, the emovie made no sense at all. Probably becuase they were writing the movie as it was being made, which it basicly the first step to movie suicide...fail...

Welp, I just saw it this weekend, and I gotta agree with the critics. I went in with low expectations and fond memories of the first one, and I left with a bad taste in my mouth.

How were there Constructicons in the big battle with the soldiers when Devastator was busy elsewhere climbing up the pyramid?

Why are transformers now filled with green goop?

Was Demolisher not part of Devastator after all?

Really? Ebonics? Really?

Didn't Blackout die in the first movie?

Wait, they can bring both Megatron and Prime back to life, but they STILL can't fix Bumblebee's voice?

So, 5 Decepticons go to the bottom of the ocean, they kill one to use the parts to rebuild Megatron, but the sub detects SIX coming up? Wouldn't it still be, you know, five?

Wait, they're called the RC Twins, but there's three of them?

Where did Blackout go after dropping the car in the warehouse, wherein Megatron and Starscream fight Prime and Bumblebee? Did he just leave?

Speaking of which, where's Barricade? Didn't he also survive the first movie?

And where was Wheelie during the whole big climactic fight scene?

No seriously; Ebonics? AND a gold tooth? Really?

Oy, how I could go on. Which makes this whole controversy all the more surprising. Or maybe not. I mean, it's the summer, people are looking to go to the movies one way or the other, and there's not much else playing that feels like a big summer event movie.

Eh. I just wish I'd spent my $8.50 on a Scout Class guy instead.

-LB

And they do their jobs right, because they're adults, mature, professional and not dumb people like some kids typing on certain forums.

I've never cared for what critics have to say about a film, regardless of who they are or their various pedigrees. There's only a few people whose opinions I care to hear. Even still, the only opinion regarding a movie that truly matters to me is my own.

I liked ROTF and had a great time. It doesn't really matter if anyone agrees or disagrees with me.

I find it quite ironic that that is practically what some people were saying about ROTF before it came out.

Backs up what I've been saying for years

"The Film Critic is a dead profession from yesteryear killed by the internet granting everyday citizens the opportunity to profess their own opinion."

Your opinion is no more valid than mine, and mine no more than yours, so why do we pay these people to tell us what is and is not good, especially when their jaded from hours upon hours on a weekly basis of hollywood drivel.

TF2 wasn't a masterpiece, and it definetly isn't the best film of the year (Far inferior to Star Trek) but while I refuse to let my mind process the thought "Was it good?" I am assured by the fact it was a billion trillion gazillion better than the first one!

Its funny how sometimes the worst reviewed movies are generally some of the best.

My answers are in bold.....

Screw the critics. It's a safe bet that if I like a movie most critics don't. I stopped listening to them a long time ago. I liked TF2, enough to see a midnight show and go back at 7 the next evening to see it again. I didn't mind the toilet humor (although I could see how some might), and I suprisingly liked the twins when I expected not to. My only disappointment was Devastator. He was awesome but I hoped for more from him. Not enough to kill the movie for me. I'll probably go see it again as I await the Blu-ray release.

I've heard that ROTF is up for a Razzie for being a failure i think....(how muchhas it made so far again?!?!)

Even if it's the worst-reviewed movie ever, just as long as it makes a lot of money during its theatrical run, that's good enough for me.

1. Multiple Constructicons, not all of them form Devastator.
2. Could just be those characters. I don't recall any TF that also appeared in the first film to have it.
3. Apparently not that Demolishor. Maybe another, like Sam Demolishor. Rick Demolishor was killed in Shanghai.
4. They weren't speaking Ebonics because I could actually understand them.
5. Yes, Blackout is dead. The TF you saw was Grindor.
6. Bumblebee was faking.
7. You got me there.
8. Maybe only 2 are called Arcee. We already know the blue one is Chromia.
9. It wasn't Blackout, it was Grindor. And he fought against Optimus in the forest until Optimus ripped his face apart with 2 Energon hooks. Sort of like a robotic version of Hellraiser.
10. Only in the prequel novel. Besides, not every character that appears in the novels need to appear in the movies.
11. Probably hiding. He is a coward, after all.
12. See #4. As far as the gold tooth, it's a fashion statement. Who are you to say only certain people can have one?

So far, I've only come across one legitimate (IMO) goof in your whole list. That's pretty good odds, if you ask me.

Now there are a few that I noticed. One, the Laurentian Abyss is still not the deepest part of the ocean - that honor goes to the Marianas Trench. This is a carry-over from TF1, so it's now part of this universe's continuity. Two, if they're that deep in the ocean (98K fanthoms), octopuses (octopi?) cannot survive. There'd be calamari soup everywhere. Three, where the hell was the Fallen during TF1?

Well, shoot.

As much as I love people and especially a Transformers Movie giving the finger to the critics. I must say I am inclined to agree with most of the critics arguments against the movie.

I loved the first one but found the second one to be a very big disappointment popcorn movies should be fun and quick and although the first half of the movie was generally ok the second half was boring, messy and because of that made the movie seem overlong.

If the audience polls had been held after every screening everywhere, maybe I'd give in to the whole "obviously critics don't know what masses like" argument, but as is, neh. People went in droves, sure, but it doesn't mean they all actually LIKED it, and there's no way that you'd end up with some figure like 91 percent approval across the board had there been some universal polling.

look, movie companies aren't out to make 'good' movies, they're out ot make 'profitable' ones. if the people that went to see this are the ones complaining, i've only got one thing to say to you...



SUCKERS!!!!


hook, line, and sinker. you all fell for it. love it or hate it there was one reason that you wanted to see the movie, for the transformers. i can't stand the critics that crap on this movie, but in the next 2 years they'll be giddy like teenage virgins waiting for what's goin to happen in part 3. critics = hypocrits.

Take a look at the user reviews on yahoo: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - User Reviews - Yahoo! Movies

Yes, the average grade right now is a B+, but if you look at what people are actually writing, not a whole lot is favorable.

HISTORICALLY : Critics and movie reviewers are 91% RETARDED and movie goers tend to be 99% REAL movie critics cause they pour the cash to watch it!!

NEITHER HAS EVER BEEN IN THE SAME BOAT

Can't film critics ever get that!! MUST WE, the movie goers, remind them how wrong they were with films such as: Godzilla (tristar '98), Gigi( J-lo & Ben), Happening, ect, ect, ect. Movies that you(movie critics) thought were great, while the REAL audience said otherwise; HELL NO !!

To all media outlets; Please fire these guys!!

the Real critics (movie goers) will never be in the same boat as the media movie critics: aka A-holes!!

I donno I actually agree with most reviews of the film. Just because a movie makes money and people go see it does not necessarily equal a great film.

THIS.

I read reviews all the time for Broadway shows, same with movies. If there's consistency in the reviews, that's a warning flag. These critics know what they're talking about, they got their degrees (License to bitch) in learning about all the movie doo-dads to review. I'd take the word of someone seriously if they spent 4 years or more learning how to point out flaws or appreciate the art in media.

This. I mean look at Superman Returns. That movie made good money even though it was pretty bad for a Superman film. The same could be said (from certain perspectives) about TF2. I personally lkoved the movie. The only issue I had was the last 30 minutes, which definitely could have been paced better to add some much needed speed to the film and not let it drag for what seemed like a 4th hour of the film.

Personally, the only reason why I enjoyed the movie was because of the Transformer fight scenes. I think Bay fixed alot of the mistakes he made from the first one in that department. So as far as action movies go, I was satisfied ( iCame buckets when Prime was killing every Decepticon in sight )

As for the story, I have mixed feelings. Some parts of the story where cool (like when they where dealing with the actual history and lore of the transformers) other parts wheren't...I'm not gonna list em' all today because it's a pretty big list Part of me really feels like blaming the writters, but they also wrote Star Trek...and that was an awesome movie IMO so I'm gonna do what everyone else does and blame it ALL on Bay!! j/k

I think Bay's main problem with the movie, (aside from the usless toilet humour they had at some parts or the never ending cuts from scene to scene) was the pacing of the film and too much of nothing. The first one had a simillar problem where it would show the viewers things that really wheren't nessessary or added to the plot/film as a whole. Some characters fall into that trap as well. Sam's roomate Leo wasn't needed, he was funny at first but I didn't get why he had to be there, except for him knowing where to find Simons...that's it.

I know the main argument ppl use to defend the movie is "It's Transformers, who cares about the plot as long as the bots kill eachother." Well let me ask you this? Why can't we as viewers have both? A awesome story, to complement the awesome action. I'm not even talking about Oscar worthy. Just something that wont make me Fast Forward to the action scenes when I buy the DVD, lol.

Anyways, sorry for the long post, I've been wanting to get that off my chest for a while.

This.

Very well-written and said.

Sorry, but all the education in the world won't dictate what someone is going to get entertained by. We all have our guilty pleasures and we like movies sometimes where we can't really explain why. I have seen so many bad comedies and low budget horror films that I just had a blast watching, and they certainly were terribly reviewed. Movies are made for lots of different reasons, but you know when there's a huge budget behind it like ROTF, that the company is making it to make MORE money. And by that, this is a masterpiece. However, there are a lot more people involved then just a faceless company, and a lot of movie goers were entertained thanks to their efforts. The kind of entertainment this provided me seemed exactly what I wanted. And, even though you or whoever may have disliked it, seeing it is the only real way to tell for sure. I am sorry to those who weren't entertained, but if you're actually just complaining because it didn't provide you with a new life perspective, then you really should have known better.

I said it in another post, and I'll say it again. The movie was awesome. It did what it was meant to do, portray giant transforming robots, and entertain. And it did so and more. I didn't go and expect to see Ghandi. I expected to see what I saw. And another point of relevance is.....were these critics into Transformers or did they at least appreciate the idea? I hated Lord of the Rings, (please do not throw stones yet), but I didn't understand the background and such to appreciate it. And most who did, loved it because it fed them what they wanted and portrayed the story the way they expected. But, I would never say it was not a good movie, just not my thing. So I wonder if these critiques are a long winded way of saying that it wasn't their cup of tea. Now there may have been some fans that would have reviewed ROTF badly, but I haven't done my homework on who did the reviews. It's the same as saying that Fords are crap when you like Chevys (RIP). Just rambling. And shouldn't the audience do the reviews, they need cards outside the movies for the people who pay to see it. Who cares what the critics say if the crowd loves it?

Oh don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the movie! I was disappointed in several aspects, but it was a nice little transformers adventure. I understand people get entertained by different things, which is why I disregard personal opinions on movie reviews, just the reviews on plot and character archetypes, cinematography, direction, characterization, special effects and musical scores.

I enjoy movies too that get slammed by critics too, because they're enjoyable (Like all 6 Nightmare on Elm Streets), but that doesn't mean those movies are perfect in the eyes of the viewer, for example, in Tim Burton's planet of the apes, it was a great movie but I also had troubles understanding the direction of the movie. Character motivations were unclear, etc.

Anyway I'll come back to this post, I've got a delivery to make X3