Hey there beloveds! For those who don't know, this is Stumpy LC posting up in herr!! Woo! ...ask Costal.
But I am here to bring you my personal and latest intro/what-to-look-forward-to for the movie I have been waiting impatiently for, Transformers: Dark of the Moon.
Now, for those that don't know me, please note that I am HUGE Transfan. I have literally been with the series my entire life and have watched every single disappointing series after another (Transformers: Energon... ugh) so it takes an awful lot to get me excited when I hear that a new Transformers movie is coming out (for those of you that have watched Revenge of the Fallen, you'll know what I mean when I say that the franchise has a lot to offer, but only when utilized correctly.)
Now I'll be the first to admit that the second movie left quite a bit to be desired. Though I enjoyed the idea and loved that they placed such an iconic character like The Fallen (first seen in Transformers: War Within) in modern light, but it could have been done in better taste. And it would have been much better without so many plot gaps (though I actually disagree with that notion of plot holes since the movies are actually meant to be researched first, then watched. It's a common trick done by Hasbro in marketing: you have to read the prequel and backgrounds of different characters to piece the story together, which Transfans have done for years. Apologies to the rest of you.)
Fortunately, Michael Bay has promised to get his act together and do the series proper justice.
(SPOILERS and PLOT and junk)
I won't reveal all that I know, but here are some of the basics to go into the movie knowing:
1) Dark of the Moon picks up a few years after Revenge of the Fallen left off. The Cybertronian race is now pretty much known and NEST is still trying to fight off Decepticon incursions globally. Everything seems to be going along relatively normally when Sam Witwicky (like usual) stumbles upon a grave secret: The US government has been hiding something from the Autobots, something so important the even Optimus Prime cannot believe its treachery. The moon landing was a cover-up. A Cybertronian ship crashed on the moon years ago and it was commanded by none other than Optimus's mentor, Sentinel Prime. A race ensues between Autobots and Decepticons to see who will recover the ship and its crew first and uncover the secrets surrounding the civil war that has crippled the Cybertronian people for eons.
2) The story focuses primarily on the history and lives of the transformers and less on that of Sam and company. It's an intense story-arc that makes up for the second movie, grabbing details that many Transfans will be excited about (space bridges, the Matrix of Leadership, the Ark, the Nemesis, Soundwave's Casseticons, the psychotic Shockwave, and the Code of Cybertron just to name a few) and somethings you don't have to be a fan to enjoy (like the fact that the paragliding into the city of Chicago was actually done in real life.) And the final battle? Let's just say that a lot of bots- including some that have been loved in the other movies- are going to die. It's not called Dark of the Moon for nothing.
3) There are going to be a TON of characters (both bot and human) in this so get familiar with them as quickly as possible. Here are the basics:
Autobots: Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Ratchet, Ironhide, the Arcee Sisters (Arcee, Chromia, Elita-1), Wheelie, Jolt, Sideswipe, Mirage/Dino(name changed post production), Silverbolt, Wheeljack/Que(name changed post production), Dreadbox, The Wreckers (Roadbuster, Topspin, Leadfoot)
Decepticons: Megatron, Starscream, Soundwave, the Cassesticons (Rumble, Laserbeak, Buzzsaw, Beastbox, Ravage), Astrotrain, Shockwave, Driller, The Dreads (Crankcase, Crowbar, Hatchet), Blitzwing(maybe)
Other bots: Brains, Sentinel Prime
Humans: Sam Witwicky, Lt. Colonel William Lennox, Agent Seymour Simmons, Chief Robert Epps, Carly Miller, Dylan Gould, Ron and Judy Witwicky, Charlotte Mearing, "Hardcore" Eddie, Dutch, Bruce, Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong
4) For the cast, Michael Bay has pulled out all the stops for this one. All Hail Peter Cullen (Transformers G1, Transformers: War for Cybertron, Transformers: Prime) as he returns to play Optimus Prime, and Megatron is again voiced by the talented Hugo Weaving (The Matrix, Lord of the Rings). Legendary Transformers voice talent Frank Welker (Transformers G1, Transformers: War for Cybertron, Transformers: Prime) is Soundwave, and Shia LaBeouf (Eagle Eye, Disturbia, Transformers) is our ever present Sam Witwicky. Megan Fox is out (finally) and Rosie Huntinton-Whitely is in as Carly Miller, an old, G1 favorite character from season 2. But the real fan favorite and actor I am personally looking forward to hearing will be that of Sentinel Prime, being voiced by none other than the legendary Leonard Nimoy (Star Trek: The Original Series) a.k.a Mr. Spock! He, once again, returns to the world to Transformers since his last role as the cunning Galvatron back in 1987 (Transformers: The Movie).
I, personally, cannot wait to see how this movie is depicted on the big screen (since, yes, I have read the prequel, the movie's book adaptation, and the Dark of the Moon comic as I am a dork.) I actually already have tickets (June 28th,midnight premiere in 3D!) and am waiting anxiously to see it myself.
Movie opens on June 29th (Paramount bumped it up from it's original release date, July 1), so look for it! (no doubt I'll be reviewing it and posting here soon after).
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