Transformers: Age of Extinction (9/29/2014)

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, language and brief innuendo.

Starring Mark Wahlberg, Nicola Peltz, Jack Reynor, Stanley Tucci and Kelsey Grammer

Directed by Michael Bay (Transformers, Bad Boys, Pearl Harbor and Armageddon)

Almost three hours of pure nonsense.

After the battle between the Autobots and Decepticons that leveled Chicago, humanity thinks that all alien robots are a threat. So Harold Atinger, a CIA agent establishes a unit whose sole purpose is to hunt down all of them. But it turns out that they are aided by another alien robot who is searching for Optimus Prime. Cade Yeager a “robotics expert” buys an old truck and upon examining it, he thinks it’s a Transformer. When he powers it up, he discovers it’s Optimus. Later, men from the unit show up looking for Optimus. He helps Yeager and his daughter escape but they are pursued by the hunter. They escape and Yeager learns from tech he took from the men that a billionaire tech magnate and defense contractor named Joshua Joyce is part of all that’s happening, so they go to find out what’s going on.

Michael Bay’s Transformers franchise has delivered big bucks over the years, and the fourth installment looks to rake in even more dollars.

As I watched this film for over 165 minutes, I kept wondering if Bay is laughing at us. And the only thing that kept me from laughing at him…was knowing how much money he was making.

This film is set in a kind-of-post apocalyptic Texas. We don’t really know how much time has passed, but it seems like life is back to normal after the last Transformer battle. And that is the least of items that don’t exactly make sense.

Enter Mark Wahlberg…just about everything about him doesn’t make sense. He’s an “inventor” with bigger ‘guns’ than Optimus Prime. And while I guess it is possible for him to have a teenage daughter…he certainly does not look like a father.

Nicola Peltz is there to replace Megan Fox (which again makes Michael Bay look like a pervert) and newcomer Jack Reynor is there to be her new boyfriend. Stanley Tucci plays a billionaire inventor who has cracked the Transformium genome and plans to go into mass production – nothing bad could happen there. Kelsey Grammar plays the best role as a no nonsense bad guy, bent on world domination.

The film’s special effects are decent, but become overwhelming. Truth be told, Transformers is loud and obnoxious with an entire DVD worth of should-have-been-deleted scenes.

The script is weak and the story is forgettable… so you should “Skip It.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Although there is no sex and nudity, there is definitely sexualization of the main female character.

There are at least 2 F-words, 13 S-words and plenty of other profanities.

This film is three hours of non-stop action and violence. Robots and humans alike are seen fighting and dying. Countless civilians, robots and buildings are cut down in the wake of the battles.

CONVERSATION STARTER:

1. What makes the Transformers so cool?


2. If you could turn into anything or anyone, what or who would it be? Why?

Read Jeremiah 1:5

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”


3. What does this verse tell us about who we are?


4. How does it feel knowing that God uniquely formed us to be who we are?


5. How can you celebrate that truth this week?