Today’s tough male movie moguls used to be young boys
too. Given how many superhero and toy-based movies there now are, they
appear to be living out their childhoods. Nowhere is this more apparent
than with the ‘Transformers’ movies. Based on the popular 1980’s toy-line
where cars turn into indestructible robots, the franchise has spawned 5
live-action films. ‘Transformers: The Last Knight’ continues the series’
cinematic excursions. Just as silly and thinly plotted, it conjures a
colourful spectacle sure to have its male viewers reminiscing about their
misbegotten youths.
Years after their appearance on earth, the war between the
virtuous Autobots and evil Decepticons continues. Only a few humans are
brave enough to join the battle with Cade (Mark Wahlberg) one of them.
Forming an alliance with one of the Autobots, he also enlists the help of Sir
Edmund (Anthony Hopkins) and university professor Viviane (Laura
Haddock). Together they aim to unlock the secrets to why the Transformers
continue inhabiting earth. The answer becomes crucial with Earth’s fate
hanging in the balance as the robot’s destructive ways take their toll.
‘Transformers: The Last Knight’ delivers exactly what one
expects. A more over the top and high-voltage spectacle would be hard to
overtake than this one. The action is dazzling, the CGI is fantastic and
the colourful cinematography superbly catches the overall comic-book tone it
requires. It’s also a terrible movie with a poorly structured screenplay
and wooden performances. Michael Bay directs with the subtlety of a
sledgehammer although the ‘Transformers’ movies were never known for being
high-art.
Wahlberg and the cast go through the motions without much
passionate energy. That’s difficult to do when all they do is react to
events than initiating them. As a continuation of the series’ mythology,
‘Transformers: The Last Knight’ develops few new angles. The franchise
feels a little tired at its fifth outing with the pedestrian plotting hard to
hide amidst the incredible action sequences.
There’s not much more you can say about ‘Transformers: The
Last Knight’ as it’s the same as the others. Brains won’t be hurt
watching it although it’s surprising how totally forgettable it is. The
obligatory ‘setting things up for a sequel’ scenes are there although even the
enthusiasm of those young at heart movie moguls may not be enough to see
audiences demand a return visit.
Movie Review Rating out of 10: 5
Movie Review by Patrick Moore
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Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at movie
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