Transformers: Dark of the Moon Review Scores Merely Mediocre

Transformers: Dark of the Moon review buzz started out strong, if only by comparison. Since the second Transformers movie set such a low bar, Dark of the Moon didn't need to do much to be received better. Indeed, the review consensus for the movie looks better than that of Revenge of the Fallen, if only because of the action and 3D. Yet by any other standard, the numbers aren't too good -- not that it matters in the long run.

Once the major critics weighed in, the film's score on Rotten Tomatoes dropped considerably. Currently, Dark of the Moon has dropped to 38 percent positive, with the consensus that "Its special effects and 3D shots are undeniably impressive, but they aren't enough to fill up its loud, bloated running time, or mask its thin, indifferent script."

None of these criticisms are new for a Transformers movie, or a Michael Bay film in general. By now, critics and even fans have given up wanting anything more from the director and the franchise. When it comes to quality, the main question is whether this installment is more embarrassing than usual or just mediocre.

The first film was just mediocre, which was still an improvement from past Bay efforts like Pearl Harbor and Bad Boys II. But Fallen put Bay back into hysterically bad mode, and he has made this third installment as a kind of apology. However, reviews suggest that he has only gotten back to bad/mediocre levels.

Strictly by Rotten Tomatoes scores, the latest installment ranks well above Fallen's 20 percent, but far below the original's 57 percent as well. So, at the least, it is the second best movie of the series, although that may not be something to brag about.

As such, those expecting to rant and rave about Dark of the Moon as they did with Fallen might be disappointed, as the movie may not be terrible enough to go into fits over. But it may not be good enough to rave about, which was the case for the first film. Therefore, since it doesn't appear to be jaw-droppingly awful or great by Bay's low standards, this could be forgettable in the long run.

Yet the epic isn't forgettable for a lack of trying, since it is over 2 1/2 hours long, shot in 3D, and lays total waste to the city of Chicago at the end. It is also the rare movie that has earned praise for being in 3D -- the last bit of sensory overload Bay hadn't used yet.

While the numbers are hardly fresh, critics may not have that much venom left for Dark of the Moon after using so much of it on Green Lantern and Cars 2. Therefore, the pans are mostly out of indifference, not full hate, especially since most of America will have its senses assaulted by the movie regardless.

Sources

Rotten Tomatoes- "Transformers: Dark of the Moon"