PARAMOUNT Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo)

Movie - 4.5The first Transformers did a pretty good job. It has a great cast, great production value, a gripping score, and even a little humor. It's innocent enough that you feel for the character of Sam Witwicky, realize the scope of the Autobot/Decepticon war coming to earth, then get to watch it all unfold as a grand and adventurous sci-fi actioner. Revenge of the Fallen.. not so much. It takes the nobility out of Optimus Prime's character, overshadows the plot with a little too much juvenile humor, one-liners, and situational comedy for my tastes, then tries to go beyond the conventions of sci-fi by making a "heaven for robots," while also making its female lead completely infallible to makeup discrepancies, then decides to ghetto-fies its robot cast by adding two inadvertently segregating "black" twin robots, and even flashes the movie-goers with John Toturo's ass in a jock strap (not a pretty sight). So yes; a writer's strike, no story or script, and only a year to shoot set the movie franchise back a bit (at least from a fanbase perspective). Thankfully, though, Dark of the Moon makes up for it, even surpassing TF1 in terms of character development, overall scope, and of course, brevity of action. For the writing, I enjoyed three particular elements: the ambition and search for self-worth of Sam's character, the more gritty and no-holds-barred nature of the storytelling, and the downright sense of treachery that seemed to loom throughout many of the characters. We see Sam yearning to feel useful and finding a purpose in life. He can't a find a job despite saving the world twice already, but at the same time knows he's capable of so much more than the office job he ends up with. His new girlfriend doesn't want him to be as ambitious because she feels that same kind of ambition is what got her bother killed in the military. Yes, the first half of the film is about as "fluffy" in spirit as the first two, but the overall structure is much less comedic than the former and substitutes it with a more epic story and darker tone in the second half. People and robots are killed, betrayal runs amok, and total kinetic action ensues for pretty much the entire duration of the movie thereafter. It's escapist sci-fi robot fantasy at its best that's a technical marvel, wonderfully choreographed, and everything one could hope for in a Michael Bay film.Video - 5.0- Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC- Video resolution: 1080p- Aspect ratio: 2.40:1- Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1Prior to this BD release I'd only seen Dark of the Moon in 3D in theaters (and 3 times, to boot). If the 3D was that impressive, I'm sure a 2D BD presentation would've been just as stellar as the previous entries, and boy is it. They really went all out in filming this using 6 different cameras, 4 types of film negatives, and another 6 types of cinematographic processes ranging between 35mm, digital, and 3D dual-strip. While TF2 barely accomplished anything with its crappy IMAX sequences (not crap in the sense of quality, but the fact that there was just so little of it), TF3 has some amazing cinematography in general, whether it be 2D or 3D. As far as the 2D presentation goes it's as demo-worthy as you can get. The CG and visual effects in particular are pristine and flawless in terms of detail and clarity. All the lines in the robotic parts, scuffs in peoples' faces, stubble on their chins, tiny bits of debris falling from the sky, sparks ricocheting off of exploding structures, water droplets from splashes, steam and smoke from fired weapons, everything is perfectly visible from any given angle under every kind of lighting imaginable. Blacks and contrast are the biggest draw for me revealing lots of fine texturing in the production design, while colors are very vibrant, particularly in opposition to the grittier look of the second half of the movie. There's hardly any noise to speak of aside from maybe a couple of dark shots filmed in 35mm. Everything has either a clean digital sheen or a fine layer of film grain. There's no over-saturation of colors, no noise reduction, edge enhancement, banding, or any of those detracting elements that may otherwise bog the video presentation. My favorite scenes for demo material would be the part where Sam meets Dylan for the first time (for a good contrast of colors with the least bit of CG) and, of course, any part of that massive last hour where they're fighting the Decepticons in Chicago (for a great mix of real and CG-integrated footage). I know the Oscar committee hates Michael Bay and are all about politics, but a film as technically sound as this needs to win an award at least for something like cinematography, visual effects, or editing.Audio - 5.0Languages- English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1- English: Dolby Digital 5.1- English: Dolby Digital 2.0- French: Dolby Digital 5.1- Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1- Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1Subtitles- English, English SDH, French, Spanish, PortugueseWell, so much for Thor being my (previous) number one loudest BD (after its two-week reign). First, I want to address the supposed controversy about the use of a TrueHD encode. Yes, while TrueHD may be have the lowest bit rates of the three lossless codecs, it also takes up the least amount of disc space. I believe the reasoning behind this logic is because 1) it's still lossless; even TF1 has TrueHD and many people still refer to it as one of the premier demo discs, 2) not only does it still sound awesome, but it's even 7.1 to compensate for the fact that it is TrueHD in the first place, which if you consider TF1 to be pretty good, then this is even better, and 3) they need the extra space for the eventual 3D version which will surely take up more disc space, so instead of barely being able to fit a two and a half-hour movie in 3D AND with lossless audio without suffering possible compression issues, you do the math and tell me otherwise. Not to mention this disc already supports 3 other spoken languages in Dolby Digital 5.1 (again, more disc space). Now, as for the audio presentation itself, it should be a no-brainer. Greg P. Russell returns as re-recording mixer for, yet another, truly wonderful auditory experience. The guy has worked on all 3 Transformers films and 200 films altogether in his illustrious career. He's been nominated for 14 Oscars but hasn't won any because, again, the Oscar committee is full of pretentious sycophants that just won't give mainstream movies the credit they're due, let alone anything Michael Bay is a part of. Needless to say, this easily one of the finest presentations you'll hear on a BD. Dialogue remains clear from the center channel, even throughout the chaotic battle sequences, high and low ends are pitch-for-pitch perfect, directionality and separation are flawless from the remaining fronts, sides, and backs, and, of course, LFEs are expectedly ground-shaking. Specifically, the score by Steve Jablonsky is very fitting for the film. It works something to the affect of Hans Zimmer's work in The Dark Knight and Inception giving a very emotional feel to the happenings on screen. But it's to be expected since Jablonsky is a disciple of his. My favorite scenes: the highway chase when Bumblebee transforms in mid-air to catch Sam and the part where they fight Shockwave. Oscar committee, please be more open-minded and at least give Mr. Russell is much-deserved award.Extras - 0.5There's nothing here, of course, as they're pulling off an Avatar and trying to capitalize as fast as they can. But at least Paramount gave early warning. I'm sure the eventual deluxe package will have the usual commentary and 2+ hours of special features on a separate disc when it comes out. As much work as they put into this, I'm actually very eager to see how they did it.Overall - 4.0Based on the average scores and whether or not you even care for extras (or even 3D) this could either be a "buy now" or "buy it later" recommendation. I, for one, love special features in general and will gladly wait for a complete package. Those who don't mind a bare bones release, however, shouldn't hesitate to get this. This is easily the best of the three Transformers films. It has a gradually building plot structure, a better balance of humor, amazing production value, and is overall a darker and more satisfying film altogether. And with equally amazing A/V quality, fans of the franchise will definitely be pleased.

I pre-ordered the movie before it came out for $25 originally with the shipping option that it would get to me on the day of its release date(Sep. 30). The movie went down in price so I got $5 bucks back and I also got the movie delivered personally to me by an agent on the day before it was released (Sep. 29th) so BIG points for that. The disc case comes in a nice looking shielded cover and the product itself includes a Blu-Ray copy, DVD version and a code for a digital version copy which you can get on the website somehow which I haven't tried yet. The movie is beautiful Hi-Def which you would expect from any Blu-Ray movie, which is a real treat in this one when the sparks start flying(and there are many sparks).The Movie itself should be viewed only as a blockbuster summer flick for entertainment purposes only. If you havent watched this movie yet and are expecting it to be good then you will be utterly dissapointed. This movie has terrible story(tho not as bad as the second one), mediocre acting and the dialogue/humor sometimes is a little awkward and embarrassing(like almost any Michael Bay film these days). The action is great and intense just dont expect good deaths for the bad guys given almost all of them have a very stupid/pathetic death scene given to them regardless of how badass they are in the movie. Megatron, despite how badass he's supposed to be, is punked and pushed around the entire film and not given a proper death. Basically the movie feels a little rushed towards the end and the ending doesnt really feel like an ending more like they just wanted to finish the damm thing already.Oh and for the idiot people complaining this movie isnt the extended edition and rating it down because of it, learn to read. This is the version that was in theaters not a special edition but I will have to agree with the people complaining about the lack of extras in this disc. There are NONE, which is stupid but then again I got this product for the movie itself not to see how they made the damm thing so I got what I expected. They are going to release an extended version of this movie later on this year (around November/December) as well as the 3D version of the movie, which is NOT included in this version so if you want to watch the movie in 3D then you better off waiting for the later version instead.

Michael Bay's third installment of "Transformers" is worth every penny, even if all you want to do is show off your surround and high-definition setup, especially due to its astounding 7.1-channel Dolby TrueHD audio and relentless action scenes. To the story in a minute, but first, the sound is a big deal because few big pictures as of the end of 2011 are filmed in 7.1. The difference between 7.1 and the 5.1 that your ears are used to is mind blowing, assuming you have a 7.1 system. It fills all the corners of your listening space freakishly well, putting even the subtlest sounds in the corners of the room, behind the couch, under the couch. The movie gives you crystal clear stereo transitions and sounds that seem to snake around you, moving from one speaker to the next. Sounds are where they should be, and they can surprise you. Simply put, this is one of the richest sound experiences you can get in a movie, even without 7.1 I'd wager.Now, that story I promised. If you think "Dark of the Moon" is a rehashing of the same old stuff, you're not completely wrong. But the elements that made the first two movies work were pretty good. The Decepticons are back again with a plot to take over the world, and it's up to Sam and the Autobots to shut them down. Rounded characters and glimpses into the "Transformers" universe keep things interesting. Shia LaBeouf and the actors who portray his parents gel as well as ever, with Sam the ever-geeky comic with heart. And the guys won't be able to take their eyes off his girlfriend. Nearly every character has a motive and compels the story forward, and once it gets going, the action seems to never end. Bay takes us to the brink of Earth's destruction like never before. Perhaps there are only so many ways a robot can spin, dodge and attack another robot, but it never stops being fun to watch, especially with Bay's cinematic standards, with visuals so sharp and contrasty they almost hurt your eyes and animations that are still dumbfounding. You'll want to watch it again.In perspective, if this had been the first "Transformers," it would have been even more mind blowing. But if you can't walk away somehow enriched from some of the best visuals and audio on the planet, a compelling and fast-moving -- if not a bit complicated -- story, some of the most intense action ever, and the biggest-hearted robots in the universe, maybe movies aren't for you.

Megatron was going after the Cube on earth AND meeting up with Spock (aka Sentinel) for making the ultimate bad-ass portal? How many other things will they tack on to that moment in history? Transformers 4 anyone?The Soviets took pictures in 1963 of the Pillars drag marks and stockpiled on the moon. Who were these Decepticons that did this and why didn't they attack Earth for resources if they had nothing else to do?Soviets never bothered to tell anyone about those early pictures they took? Sure would have been helpful to the Autobots years ago huh? Another story spoiler the writers couldn't afford.Sam's hot model girlfriend (who cares what her name is) has her opening scene showing a close-up of her perfect a_ss in panties. Can we get back to the robots now and schedule her p_orn movie later? -And let me know the title for that moviePoor Sam having it tough getting a job....that storyline took too long and got annoying fast.Sam just happens to get a job where one of the few human worshiper-spies for the Decepticons works? That sure was convenient. And what was up with that psycho Asian guy's attitude? Were they desperate for the underwear-disgusting, gay-like comedy?The Autobots revive Sentinel and speak to him in English when they try to calm him down. I sure hope he had been to earth in the past otherwise I can understand why he's so freaked out by the Autobots' voices.Sam's parents camp out near Sam's hot model girlfriend's house and give him woman advice....creepy.Sam tells his mom that his hot model girl is "the one". Really? If Mikaela dumped him after two big adventures and years together....how long can he last with a hot model who doesn't like him risking his life?Just after Sentinel reveals he's really with the Decepticons and all h_ell breaks loose and Ironhide is killed, Sam goes back to visit his folks to have the girlfriend chat to change the pace of the movie??I'm not sure which is worse: McDreamy as the traitorous bad guy, or Spock doing Sentinel's voice.The Autobots' ship is destroyed in true shuttle-Challenger-explosion fashion....double creepy.Sam can't shoot McDreamy from 10 feet away before getting b_itch-slapped? Of course not, we need McDreamy to turn the Pillar back on again later in the movie...and how did McDreamy know what to push?Sam basically ruins the Autobots desperately needed surprise attack with his bungled rescue of the hot model. Nothing like risking the fate of the world on a guy who's jealous-hot for a potential porn star and can't shoot a gun.They spent a lot of movie time with human strike teams trying to get close to the Trump building but never did...Optimus shot at it via Shockwave's gun. They could have made a mini-movie of the tipped-building scenes....and I have to say that was the toughest building to destroy I've ever seen.The humans did "deceptively" well battling Decepticons with assault rifles. Remember how Vortex (the Decepticon helicoptor) obliterated the military base in the first Transformers?Spock gives his Vulcan line for "The needs of the many outweigh...." - that was my first clue that the film hit rock bottom. There's already enough homage to Star Trek in this movie - don't mess with Star Trek II.I'm sure Spock's plan to enslave us little fragile humans to work on the huge Cybertron metal planet will work just fine......was I the only one skeptical about this the moment he said it?I'm also sure that bringing Cybertron into close proximity would have NO effect on the Earth.Hot model girl saves the world by using her feminine wiles on Megatron?? That was my second clue that the film hit rock bottom.Megatron can see Spock about to destroy Optimus, so he doesn't wait a few seconds first before shooting Spock? And then Optimus takes the opportunity to kill Megatron.....see Megaton, that's what you get.I was very happy that Optimus wasted no time killing Megatron and Spock....unlike Sam who when handed a pistol from Epps, grabs it like a little girl grabbing an icky worm with her fingers.The film apparently had very obvious product placements, but I was too busy trying to find reasons to like the movie to notice.What's the best parts?1. Opening scene on Cybertron.2. Whenever Optimus is fighting.3. Any scenes of the hot model in panties or sexy outfits. And to think, when she was a kid her classmates made fun of her big lips and no b_oobs....where are those loser classmates now?(It should be noted - the "Transporter" dude is bangin her now and he's 20 years older than her. Now that's a REAL hero.)

I've been into director's commentaries and making of featurettes since they first started coming out on DVD's in the late 90's (The Matrix and Wargames come to mind for excellent commentaries). I've found that there is diminishing returns on these.Pretty much all the featurettes are worthless for new movies. Actors running around in front of blue/green screens and graphic artists sitting in front of computers are pretty much all the same. It's mostly boring stuff that might be watched once. They were cool when DVD was new and this stuff was fresh. But now, except for the true classics (original Star Wars trilogy), aren't even worth the time to watch. Transformers isn't going to have anything worth the time to even surf through. I've seen the features on the first two movies deluxe sets and they weren't anything worth watching.As for commentaries, these are sometimes very good. But this is only true for certain directors/producers for certain types of material (Donnie Darko for instance, Zack Snider also does a good job). Michael Bay's commentaries are generally worthless, where he just comments on how he likes some scene or how something looks totally awesome. Really, who cares, so he liked his own movie.Basically, this blu-ray has great picture and sound. That's all that people on the whole really want for this release. There isn't going to be some extended release later, so this isn't Avatar or Lord of the Rings "bare bones." This is the movie.So go buy it if you like big popcorn action/sci-fi, it's a decent film, with spectacular special effects. I strongly doubt any of the rumored future versions with special features will add much of value. What they will have is a higher price tag.