The latest addition to the “Transformers” franchise has already made waves in theaters with a $ 100 million opening weekend. “Transformers: Age of Extinction” is directed by the legendary Michael Bay, but beyond that, the similarities between this and the other “Transformers” movies are few and far between. While Megan Fox and Shia LaBeouf were the iconic characters in the previous films, “Transformers: Age of Extinction” features an entirely new cast, including all-new Autobots.
“Transformers: Age of Extinction” picks up where the last movie left off. Chicago is level and humanity is convinced that the Autobots are threats rather than saviors. Five years have passed and the government is still struggling to rebuild. A young mechanic named Cade Yeager stumbles upon an old truck that holds some unimaginable secrets about past events. As you suspect, the truck turns out to be Optimus Prime from the first three movies, and a mysterious group is chasing it.
It turns out that the group works for an otherworldly bounty hunter who is convinced that all Autobots are a serious threat to humanity and must be wiped out at all costs. Cade is convinced that the Autobots and the Decepticons are completely different species and that the Autobots are humanity’s only hope of coming off the brink of extinction. Cade and his family manage to escape with Optimus, engaging them all in a fight for their lives and for humanity itself.
Mark Wahlberg takes on the lead role of Cade in this film, a stark contrast to the modest main character played by Shia LaBeouf. Critics have praised Wahlberg’s performance as a compelling protagonist who must find a way to protect his family amid the chaos. Cade and Optimus form an instant connection thanks to Cade’s knowledge and mastery of all things mechanical.
One of the most dramatic aspects of the film involves Cade’s hesitation to further involve his family in such a dangerous situation. He must find a way to help Optimus and the other Autobots while protecting his family and keeping them out of the deadly bounty hunter’s line of fire. “Transformers: Age of Extinction” features one of the most complex storylines in the “Transformers” franchise and has some of the most compelling character developments. However, what audiences really look forward to when they sit down to watch a Michael Bay movie are stellar special effects, larger-than-life Transformers, and epic battle scenes.
“Transformers: Age of Extinction” offers much more in all respects. An important plot point in the film is that the early Decepticons were responsible for the extinction of the dinosaurs when they planted genetically altered seeds on Earth. Millions of years later, dinosaurs seek revenge and take the form of Dinobots. The Dinobots bring something to the franchise that has yet to be achieved visually. The perfect combination of primal fury and mechanical brilliance, Dinobots are an unstoppable force to be reckoned with on all sides.
As always, the CGI in “Transformers: Age of Extinction” is flawless. The fight scenes are a mix of realism and enough graphic imagery to remind you of the classic animated series. Autobots and larger than life enemies take over the big screen and make suspending reality entirely possible for the duration of the film. With such stunning graphics and fast-paced plot, it’s no wonder that “Transformers: Age of Extinction” has dramatically surpassed every other box-office movie, including “22 Jump Street” and “Maleficent.”
No other franchise has managed to capture the excitement and profound world-building experience for which the “Transformers” franchise is known. Beneath the eye-catching character designs and incredible fight scenes, there is still a strong human element to this movie. Cade’s relationship with his daughter Tessa is poignant yet strained throughout the film. Audiences can witness Cade’s transformation from irresponsible dreamer to hero not just for his own family but for all of humanity.
“Transformers: Age of Extinction” is a movie action fans don’t want to miss. The visuals in this movie are unforgettable, even compared to the rest of the “Transformers” franchise. The acting is the best of all movies, and nothing compares to the rich and compelling plot that pits the modern world against ancient beasts. In a battle with only one final winner, it is impossible to say which species will emerge victorious and which will face total and utter extinction. Either way, “Transformers: Age of Extinction” is an exciting journey that audiences will surely remember.
