Movie Review: ‘Transformers: Age of Extinction’ - Bayverse’s Quality Production with High Emotional Value

Source - Mifty is Bored

“I am Optimus Prime. This is a message to all my creators: Leave planet Earth alone, 'cause I am coming for you.” 

-Optimus Prime

From comic books, cartoons, and novels, the shift to movies on live Transformers was the most exciting part of my childhood in the aspect of entertainment, connectivity, emotional comfort, and more.

The movies based on these transformable cars are not just fictional stories involving chunks of quality metals with life moving and jumping galaxies in search of a home. They are more than characters, a combination of engineered metals or CIGs.

Stay tuned to know what makes this series last long, the most loved and remain in the deepest corner of our hearts.

Introduction

Movie’s Name - Transformers: Age of Extinction

Director’s Name - Michael Bay

Genre - Action, Sci-Fi, Adventure, Fantasy

Language - English

Synopsis - Spoiler Alert!

Optimus Prime and his team are back on planet Earth following the aftermath of an epic battle where a great city lies in ruins. While humans are learning more about the Decepticons and Autobots who are trying to take control of history and Earth, an ancient and powerful new menace sets its sight on Earth.

Cade Yeager and his new group of humans take up the challenge and help Optimus Prime rise up to save Earth from a worldwide war of good versus evil where humanity lies on the verge of extinction.

About the Director

Source - Variety

Michael Bay is an American director and film producer best known for his high-concept, use of special effects movies such as Armageddon (1998), Pearl Harbor (2001), and the Transformers film series (2007 - present).

His films are mainly characterized by the following aspects: fast-cutting, stylistic, cinematography, visuals, and depictions of explosions. He has been one of the most commercially successful directors in history following the big success of the Transformers movie series that grossed over $7.8 billion worldwide.

He also owns the production house Platinum Dunes which has remade the films: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003), The Amityville Horror (2005), The Hitcher (2007), Friday the 13th (2009), and my most favorite - A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010).

About the Movie

Transformers: Age of Extinction is the fourth installment of the live Transformers film series and a sequel to Dark of the Moon (2011). The story takes place after five years of events that occurred in Dark of the Moon.

The film stars Mark Wahlberg, Jack Reynor, Nicola Peltz, Stanley Tucci, Kelsey Grammer, Sophia Myles, Bingbing Li, Titus Welliver, T.J. Miller, and more. The film does not feature the original cast from its previous three installments. It not only introduces new human characters but also new transformers, especially the Dinobots.

This film was released in 2014 and had unfortunately received negative reviews for its runtime, performances, screenplay, direction, and many other factors which I will be discussing ahead. A sequel of this installment - ‘The Last Knight’ with more or less the same cast was released in June 2017.

Personal Verdict

Unlike the negative reviews this film received from much of its audience and critics, I have different views. The movie-like other installments have kept their take on including a serious tone with deaths and risks. Yes, the introduction of a whole new team of humans by Optimus’ side was disappointing and sad - probably because we had all got used to Sam and his bond with Bumblebee and Prime.

However, as the film progressed I started liking these new humans because they also gave feelings of realistic portrayal of emotional connections, values, performances, and especially the supporting mindset.

The movie is not only serious but also takes a few fun turns, new Autobots, and an expanding storyline. There is so much to the history of these transformers, outer space, and universes that we don’t know of yet.

This installment has offered a new start to a new generation and team of humans walking on the same path as Sam Witwicky. There aren’t enough good dialogues and I agree but overly powering deceptions, violence and the legendary final battles in each of its installments always earn its keep.

In conclusion, the most important aspect of the movie that most fail to understand is that these chunks of walking metals are more than their characters portray - they just want a home and are ready to adapt to live with humans. Not to mention, their level of emotional connectivity just makes me empathize and cry always.

Special Highlights

1. Optimus vs Dinobots

Source - Youtube “Autobots, we're gonna prove who we are and why we're here!. Autobots, we charge together! Now, roll out!” (Optimus)

2. Optimus vs Lockdown - The Final Battle

Source - Youtube

Dialogues in the Spotlight

1. “There are mysteries to the universe we were never meant to solve, but who we are and why we are here, are not among them, those answers we carry inside.” (Optimus)

2. “This is not war, it’s human extinction.” (Optimus)

3. “What do you think being human means, that's what we do. We all make mistakes. Sometimes those mistakes turn into something more beautiful.” (Cade)

4. “Defend my family, or die!” (Optimus)

The Bottom Line

Though this installment may not have had good elements the way things move in the story - definitely paved a fair path for its future installments and the stories just get more interesting with time! 

My ratings for the movie - 3.8 on 5

You may watch the movie on - Fmovies

Written By - Umme-Aiman