TRANSFORMERS AGE OF EXTINCTION: A PRIMER

Optimus Prime rides Dinobot leader Grimmlock

Optimus Prime, the charismatic leader
of the Autobots

The Metal Mayhem has begun! I know everybody's eager to watch the latest spectacle of Michael Bay that opened today. But before doing so, let me give you a primer on what to expect from this steel and shrapnel theatrics.

1. Director Michael Bay, unintentionally or otherwise, showcased the economic might of the World's second superpower China through the colossal battle in Guangdong. The film subliminally highlighted China's most progressive province, home to most of the World's valuable brands. As a backdrop and through sweeping imagery, Guangdong's towering buildings and huge production facilities figured prominently, demonstrating the highly touted Chinese economic invasion. I saw glimpses of corporate structures of Philips and Samsung during the massive fight sequences. Fortunately, they weren't destroyed 😉

2. The movie kinda harks back to its earlier permutations. Early in the film and similar to the first installment, sweeping camera angles and country and 80's music fittingly accompanied the relationship narrative of new recruits Mark Wahlberg and Nicola Peltz who played his daughter.

Superstar Mark Wahlberg topbills the latest
Transformers film

3. I was silently and fervently hoping for a romantic sub-plot similar to the first film, which I think was one of the biggest selling points of the franchise, but sadly there is non. The initial awkwardness and clumsiness of Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) in courting bombshell Mikaela Banes (Megan Fox) was a hit. I think because average people can definitely relate to his character. It even made Fox a poster girl for hotness for a few years. It also made 80's New Wave music hot again.

4. I'm quite disappointed with the Dinobots' bland introduction and limited roles. They were relegated to beasts of burden by Optimus Prime. To make matters worse, they don't speak but growl. This is farthest from the original 80's classic cartoons where the Dinobots have different, funny and interesting personalities albeit short in IQ, which a dinosaur should be, given their pea-sized brains. Their one liners were the comedic highlights in that series. In fact, the presence of the Dinobots in the show got the highest ratings and was highly anticipated.

Meet the new and menacing Dinobots!

5. The screeching metal noises that were very prominent and irritating in the second and third installments were toned down a bit here. Now it was a pleasure to watch the transforming and battle scenes. The shrill noises made by clashing and rubbing metals were turned into ambient (background) sound.

6. Despite some of its few misses and its  exaggerated storytelling, I must say the actions scenes and compelling imagery and CGI were the best in the series.

So go ahead and watch it! Immerse yourself in the pure pleasure of a true cinematic experience. After all, this is the essence of watching a movie.

By Paolo Angelo Florenda