Quartile rating: 6/10 · 1 rating
The Autobots continue to work for NEST, now no longer in secret. But after discovering a strange artifact during a mission in Chernobyl, it becomes apparent to Optimus Prime that the United States government has been less than forthright with them.
Transformers: Dark of the Moon is a loud, bloated blockbuster that exemplifies the franchise's formulaic approach. The plot is convoluted yet predictable, recycling world-domination stakes with paper-thin characters. Acting is largely functional at best, with most human performers overwhelmed by spectacle. Cinematography gets a slight boost for the genuinely impressive Chicago battle sequences and some inventive 3D-era visual staging, which represent the film's strongest technical achievement. Novelty is rock-bottom — it's a by-the-numbers sequel that doubles down on the same beats as its predecessors with little distinctive voice or conception. The ending is overlong and chaotic, dragging an already exhausting climax well past its welcome.