Great popcorn flick that's very tense in places and quite moving at the end, its also a possible reality check.Second best Bay film after 'The Rock' for me and his biggest hit I think, certainly blasted him into the stratosphere no pun intended hehe. the visuals here are brilliant, really cool looking and believeable
in places from the machines to the suits. Its not totally genuine looking of course, it has that kind of 'Batman Forever' quality to it, big, shiny, in your face but somehow cool looking even though it shouldn't be.The cast is another great line up, Bay seems to be able to get these teams together and they all gel well which equal some unique characters...Wilson, Duncan, Buscemi and Patton being the best.Brilliant scenes in space, very tense and some admittedly lump in the throat inducing as the film goes on, you really do feel for them as they struggle against the odds. The best scene for me is the recruiting sequence at the start where all the misfits are gathered together for the job haha then you got the fast track training, so so good. Dead pan Thornton plays the game well in those scenes :)The beginning may be better than the space action actually, the motley crew really shine in those early scenes and you have fun with these relaxed sequences...before the impending doom.Very good all the way, your typical blockbuster with every cliche and stereotype you can muster plus some good old 'God Bless America' slapped on top just incase you forget America always saves the world...always. Really challenges 'Independence Day' for that all American Stars n Stripes baloney but there isn't any Presidential action in this film sooooo. The fact its based on true possibilities makes it even better, gives you something to think about on the way home.
June 11, 2008
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