The Transformers franchise has returned yet again this summer with another popcorn summer blockbuster laden with more special effects and product placement than you can shake a stick at. Fans of the first Transformers film are likely to enjoy Transformers 2 just as much as the first, as it packs in all of the explosions and fast paced action that director Michael Bay is known for. At the same time, this new Transformers film carries all of the same flaws as a typical Bay film, as the movie consists more of a ninety minute hodge podge of titillating CGI action and teeny popper eye candy at the expense of anything resembling a plot.
While the lack of any real substance may mean that most viewers of the film will not be pondering the finer nuances of Transformers 2 during quiet moments of introspection for weeks afterward, it doesn’t mean that the movie doesn’t keep you right on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Film buff snobbery aside, that is just fine, because Transformers 2 is exactly the kind of film you want for easy watching summer time fun. Adults who grew up playing with the original Transformers toys will get a kick out of seeing their favorite childhood heroes in computer generated glory on the big screen, as well as enjoying watching their children’s faces light up in excitement in the eyes of the next generation of Transformers fans. So grab a bucket of popcorn, set your brain to mush, and enjoy the ride.