ANALYSIS:

The Autobots are helping the NEST team to solve human problems while looking for signs that the Deceptions have returned.   A trip to Chernobyl reveals to the Autobots that the Russians and Americans have been to the moon to retrieve samples from a crashed Autobot ship called the Ark (that was thought lost after it was seen fleeing Cybertron in the last days of the robot wars between Autobots and Decepticons.   Meanwhile, Sam Witwicky has problems finding a job and engages in a rivalry with his sexy new girlfriend's boss (who knows more about the Decepticons than anyone knows).   Soon Sam finds that everyone involved in the American moon missions are being eliminated one by one by the Decepticons as the Autobots and Sam race to discover what the Decepticons are planning.

The TRANSFORMERS films have usually been about robots creating destruction and fighting other robots.   The third film does have a good set-up about the real reason for the manned missions to the moon and the Deceptions having people who willingly collaborate with them.  However, it seems with each sequel that the story keeps making up new elements because I just wonder why didn't the Deceptions hatch this plan back in the first sequel to create a space bridge.  Soundwave is the coolest Transformer in the film while Megatron is again sidelined for too much of the film while you have another bad guy for Optimus Prime to fight against.  Sam Witwicky again isn't very useful to the plot and he has a new girlfriend (bye bye Megan Fox) who Michael Bay knowingly acknowledges as eye candy by the way he films her.   

Did we really need Sam's parents in the film and his search for a  job in addition to his rivalry with his girlfriend's boss?  Not really.  I rather have the plot just be about the Transformers.   I'm here to watch the TRANSFORMERS movies for them and not the human drama.   If they do any additional TRANSFORMERS films, I hope the focus is shifted more to knowing about the Autobots and Decepticons.   I do have high hopes that Michael Bay will not be involved in the next film and they can get down to writing better stories that will make me expect more than robots smashing robots and causing lots of destruction.

Disc 1 is the 3D version of the film in Blu-ray

Disc  2 is the regular version of the film in 2D Blu-ray

Disc 4 is the movie on DVD

SPECIAL FEATURES:

ABOVE AND BEYOND: EXPLORING DARK OF THE MOON-  a seven part behind-the-scenes documentary that runs about two hours and goes into depth about the production and post-production of the film in addition to how some people involved thought the second TRANSFORMERS was a disappointment in addition to why Megan Fox wasn't involved in the film.

UNCHARTED TERRITORY: NASA's FUTURE THEN AND NOW- people involved with NASA and Director Michael Bay reflect on the past and future of NASA in regards to space exploration and the challenges they face in tough economic times.

DECONSTRUCTING CHICAGO: MULTI-ANGLE SEQUENCES- 12 different mini-featurettes that show previz and visual effects of 12 different scenes in Chicago.

THE ART OF CYBERTRON- five art galleries (Autobots, Decepticons, Environments, Weapons, Ships).

The teaser trailer and theatrical trailer

Also you can download an Ultraviolet digital copy of the film from iTunes for having bought this special edition.

FINAL ANALYSIS:   TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON does have it's flaws, but the action of robots causing destruction is pretty impressive.   DVD/ Blu-ray extras Producer Charles de Lauzirika delivers some excellent extras as usual which is alone worth the price of buying this four disc 3D Limited Edition if you want to watch some behind-the-scenes extras even if you don't care to watch the 3D version of the movie.

this review is (c)2-23-2012 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission.  send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com