Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)

Seen on October 16th, 2011

The Autobots learn of a Cybertronian spacecraft hidden on the moon, and race against the Decepticons to reach it and to learn its secrets. [imdb]

Nominated for 3 Oscars:

Best Visual Effects
Best Sound Mixing
Best Sound Editing

I must confess the Transformers series is one of my guilty pleasures; the first one was the best, no doubt about it. The second one had big writing issues and this one... well, sure, plenty of annoying characters, but the visual effects are fantastic, with the last 30-40 minutes as a series of one stunning visual effect after the other. For me, it was probably one of the most relaxing actions flicks of 2011.

Unfortunately, it has no chance of winning anything... the first Transformers lost the Visual Effects Oscar to the talking bear from Golden Compass and this Transformers will probably lose the award to the talking ape from Rise of the Planet of the Apes. The acting is all over the place: I like Shia LaBeouf and he always does the best he can, while Turturro & Frances McDormand are simply awful and Razzie-worthy.

My rating for the film: 6/10. Those who appreciate an unpretentious summer movie will like it; but the screenplay is often enough nonsense.