“Transformers: Age of Extinction” review

Michael Bay is back with a new “Transformers” movie. Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci and Kelsey Grammer head the human cast. Is this film the best in the franchise? Or is time for this series to roll out.

The Good

Let’s face it. We know what’s good about a “Transformers” film. There are those money shots that are indeed glorious. But there are also long action scenes involving the humans that aren’t the military. And it’s a breath of fresh air … at first.

Perhaps more surprising is that, even though the film’s run time approaches three hours, it didn’t feel like the longest of the series to me. That may not be high praise, but hey, it’s praise all the same.

There’s way more focus on the human characters this time around … which isn’t always a good thing. But, the characters aren’t nearly as annoying as some of the characters who appeared in past installments. And, Tucci is entertaining throughout while Grammer does his best with his limited character.

The Bad

With the focus so much on the human characters, there’s surprisingly little robot action in this one. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot of action scenes. But, never the all out robot vs. robot battle the film was seemingly building up toward. Focusing on story may seem like a step in the right direction … Except when the story is pointless, dumb and with characters who don’t think or act like a rational human being in parts.

Also, none of the characters rank as overly annoying, but they all have their moments. And there are absolute throw away characters who serve almost no purpose in the film (though I’m sure some would make the argument all the human characters in this franchise serve no purpose).

The Final Word

At times, “Transformers: Age of Extinction” seems to bring the franchise into new directions that could be genuinely interesting. At other times, you’re reminded that this franchise has some really bad moments in them. If you’re looking for a lot of action, you won’t be disappointed. But those hoping a new cast meant a new start will be disappointed.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

Box office battle: Is “Pacific Rim” in big trouble?

It would be a shame. I’m very much looking forward to Guillermo del Toro’s “Pacific Rim”. Think “Transformers” with monsters and intelligence (sorry Michael Bay). But, as one of my friends said, “The movie looks kinda dumb.” Thus the challenge the film has made. Coming on the heels of news that Warner Brothers and Legendary Pictures are splitting comes some distressing news from Variety. Apparently audiences are showing more interest in “Grown Ups 2” than “Pacific Rim”. You know the Adam Sandler comedy where we see Sandler do everything he’s done in practically EVERY OTHER MOVIE he’s made. Hopefully audiences warm up here late in the game.

But if “Grown Ups 2” actually does beat “Pacific Rim” none of those people has any right to complain about the lack of new films. When a new film comes out, they’re going to shun it? It’s like people complaining about movies not making you think so when a film like “Cloud Atlas” comes out and challenges you, they ignore it. Come on, people.

“Pacific Rim” stars Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Charlie Day, Rinko Kikuchi, Ron Pearlman and more. I know I’ll chose a movie from the director of “Pan’s Labyrinth” over the actor responsible for ‘Jack and Jill” any day of the week.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

Robots set for “Transformers 4”?

Michael Bay’s sort of reboot “Transformers 4” may have some new robots for fans to get excited about. JoBlo is reporting that the Dinobots and, specifically fan favorite Grimlock, will appear in the film. Also the Autobot Hound and a Decepticon “Samurai” robot will appear as well. And Galvatron will be replacing Megatron. Now I’m pretty sure the Dinobots have been rumored for every film, but maybe this reboot will see them make their way to the big screen. The film stars Mark Wahlberg, Jack Reynor, Nicola Peltz, Sophia Myles, Li Bingbing, Kelsey Grammer and Stanley Tucci.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

“Transformers 4” adds “Underworld” actress

The cast list keeps growing as Michael Bay’s (“Pain & Gain”) nears the start of filming. Sophia Myles, best known to American audiences for her role in “Underworld” and “Underworld: Evolution” has joined the cast in a “major supporting role”. She joins Mark Wahlberg, Nicola Peltz, Jack Reynor and Kelsey Grammer, who was revealed to be the main antagonist in the film. Of course, gone are Megan Fox and Shia LaBeouf are out. This sort of reboot is scheduled to hit theaters on July 10, 2014.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

Michael Bay backtracks on “Ninja Turtles”

Oh Michael Bay. First he was done with “Transformers”. Now he’s back for “Transformers 4” with Mark Wahlberg in. Then he said that the “Teenage Ninja Mutant Turtles” would just be called “Ninja Turtles” and that they would be alien turtles. Now he’s backtracking again. Here’s what he told Moviefone:

“There was that quote saying that we’re making [the Ninja Turtles as] aliens. We’re not. It’s the ooze! It’s from the original source material. These are from the original writers, and I never went out to correct myself in the press. I do listen to the fans and I do want this to be authentic. I think they’re going to be really happy with this movie. When I see the digital stuff, the turtles look great.”

Here’s director Jonathan Liebesman’s explanation of that quote;

“Look, it’s so funny—if everyone was such a die-hard fan, they would know that the TCRI canisters where the ooze comes from. That is alien ooze. Now I’m not saying what Michael said is exactly what the movie is, because we’re sitting in a room now figuring everything out. So we don’t know, but we are like Michael said: we’re expanding it, and the expansion will be true to the mythology.”

That’s funny because no one brought that up until now. So yeah, I’m guessing the backlash was so harsh they changed it. The new film stars Megan Fox (ugh), Will Arnett, Danny Woodburn, Alan Ritchson, Noel Fisher, Jeremy Howard and Pete Ploszek.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

Shia LaBeouf joins WWII film

Shia LaBeouf is looking to make a comeback. Since “Transformers” and “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”, his stock has steadily declined. Now he’s joining the WWII film “Fury” from director David Ayer. The film follows the battle-hardened Wardaddy, who commands a Sherman tank and her five-man crew on a deadly mission behind enemy lines. Outnumbered and outgunned, Wardaddy and his men face overwhelming odds in their heroic attempts to strike at the heart of Nazi German (From Comingsoon.net). Brad Pitt is attached to star, so this could be a good career move for him.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

Guess who Michael Bay is working with again…

Back when “Transformers” and “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” came out, it made mega stars out of Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox. Then Fox called director Michael Bay either Hitler or a Nazi and she left the series. Looks like time heals all wounds and Bay confirmed that Fox is joining “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”. No word on what role she’ll have, but I’m surprised. I guess grudges only last until you’re out of work in Hollywood.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

“Transformers 4 lands its lead actor

Little known Irish actor Jack Reynor will star opposite Mark Wahlberg in “Transformers 4”. Original stars Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox are long gone now.

Director Michael Bay posted this on his website:

I just hired a great new actor for Transformers 4 to star against Mark Wahlberg. Jack Reynor, he is an Irish kid that came to America with 30 bucks in his pocket. Pretty ballsy. Seriously who does that? Anyway I spotted him in a great little Irish movie WHAT RICHARD DID. This kid is the real deal.

Transformers 4, is not a reboot. That word has been floating around on the net.

This movie takes place exactly 4 years after the war in Chicago. The story makes a very natural transition, and reason as to why we have a whole new cast. This Transformers will feel very different then the last three. We are embarking on a new trilogy.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

“Transformers 4” to take place four years after “T3”

In the sort of reboot, sort of sequel “Transformers 4”, Michael Bay’s revealed some new details. In an interview with TMZ, Bay had this to share:

“The movie is going to continue four years from the attack on Chicago,” says Bay, “which was in the last movie. It’s going to have the same lineage, but it’s going in a full new direction. It actually feels very natural how it’s going in that direction… We’re doing a lot of things that are really going to make it fresh and feel new.”

Former series stars Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox are long gone now. Though, those rumors about Mark Wahlberg appearing in this film could be interesting. Bay has said in the past this film will have a female main character.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.

Mark Wahlberg in Transformers 4?

Rumors swirled on the web that Mark Wahlberg would be in “Transformers 4”. Michael Bay debunked those rumors…or did he. On his blog he said that he is working with screenwriters to create a role for Wahlberg in T4. So, looks like the internet is influencing Bay’s decisions now? Wahlberg and Dwayne Johnson can be seen in Bay’s upcoming flick “Pain and Gain”.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at eggen.lukas@gmail.com.