Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Josh Duhamel
Directed by: Michael Bay
SC=5 V=7 C=4
Grade: A++

I loved the first Transformers movie and hated the second (it was awful). But, when the trailer for this one came out, it looked so good I decided to go ahead and see it. And I'm so glad I did. This movie was so great, I'd say it even outdid the first one. Shia is great, as always. And Rosie was actually much more likable as Carly, Sam's new girlfriend, than Megan Fox as his old one. And a major awesome bit, they used the song Iridescent by Linkin Park, which is one of my favorite songs (also used in the epic YouTube video Katniss and Rue). Sam Witwicky (LaBeouf) is having trouble adjusting to his new life of no excitement, no recognition, and no Bumblebee. Even his girlfriend Carly (Huntington-Whiteley) has a glamourous new job working for Dylan (Patrick Dempsey), a really rich guy that collects cars. Sam soon learns that the Decepticons are, yet again, trying to take over Earth (You'd think they would have learned by now...) and the Autobots have to defeat them again. Like many Michael Bay movies, the story isn't all there. But good characters and epic fight scenes more than make up for it. (The scene in the office building, which is, like, 20 minutes long, is especially awesome.)

I Am Number Four

I Am Number Four (2011)
Starring: Alex Pettyfer, Timothy Olyphant, and Dianna Agron
Directed by: D.J. Caruso
Produced by: Michael Bay
Grade: A-

Okay, I read this book. And it's AMAZING. I was pretty excited about Alex playing John (aka Number Four) but when I heard Timothy Olyphant was playing his guardian Henri, I was stoked! But I was disappointed overall in the movie. Timothy Olyphant was great, but his part was limited and they showed him to have a lot of weaknesses that he didn't have in the book. They also changed a lot of the dynamics between John and Henri. In the book, it's very much like a father/son relationship, because Henri is the only father John has ever known. But, in the movie, it seems that John is always annoyed and disrespectful to Henri, something that never happens in the book. Dianna Agron was very good as the cute and sweet Sarah, Callan McAuliffe was adorable as John's geeky friend Sam, and Theresa Palmer was the perfect choice for the tough but loyal Number Six. Overall, an enjoyable movie, especially if you haven't read the book, but it would have been even better had they not made so many changes.