For as long as I can remember Transformers has been a cultural icon, spawning numerous toylines, comic books, TV Shows, and most recently a series of hit movies, the second of which, Revenge of the Fallen has stormed into theaters with mixed reviews, loved by the audiences who have seen it, but slammed by movie critics. Having just seen the movie this past weekend, I feel it is time for me to write a review of my own.

Overall Revenge of the Fallen is a fantastic edition to the Transformers Universe, the film marks the return of many of the characters from the first movie, and introducing new characters, including fan favorite Decepticons Soundwave, Ravage, and the Constructicons and their combined form Devistator. However the biggest new character is the Fallen, the only remaning member of the Orignal 13 Transformers and until this point had only appeared in the comic book: War Within Dark Ages, making his TV/Movie debut.

Plotwise, the movie is typical Transformers. Picking up two years after the end of the first movie, the Cybertronian Civil War continues to rage across the cosmos, and threatens to spill over into the Human World. To make matters worse, the Decepticon leader, Megatron has been resurected by the Constructicons and has begun his quest for revenge, under the direction of his mentor, a former Prime known only as the Fallen, who seeks to unleash a devistating weapon capable of destroying the Earth's Sun. However during the course of the movie, the film makers made the mistake of rushing through the plot.

One of the best things they did, was making the Human Characters a lot more realistically and helpful then they were in the orignal cartoon, showing everything from understanding the Autobots purpose on Earth, protecting all life, to fearing them and blaming them for bringing their war to Earth. The film also makes the Autobots a lot more three demensional as well, hinting at tensions between some of the Autobots, particuallry Ironhide, and their Human Allies. However in the climatic battle, we see Humans and Autobots fighting side by side against an advancing Decepticon Army, something that was rarely if ever shown in the orignal cartoon.

Through out the course of the film, there are two scenes that are particuallry well done, the first being the Death of Sam Witwicky, who is critically injured by a shell burst from Megatron and his meeting with the Ghosts of the orignal Transformers. While not as emotional, as the original 1980s movie, Revenge does a fantastic job of recreating the 80's movie's most infamous scene: The Death of Optimus Prime, showing him fighting single handedly against a horde of Decepticons, only to be stabbed in the back by Megatron, this scene also shows just how cruel and ruthless Megatron really is, because the first film showed that Megatron and Prime were brothers, and the idea that Megatron would destroy his own brother in his quest for power and in service of his master shows just how far Megatron has fallen.

However, one of the most disappointing moments of the movie occurs during the climatic final battle, which is probably the best scene of the movie, showing Human Armies, the Autobots, and the Decepticons engaged in a full on battle royale. During the battle, Optimus Prime, having been resurected, unites with the wounded Seeker Jetfire, in order to confront the Fallen. The entire battle feels as though it was rushed, instead of a three on one brawl between Optimus, Megatron, Starscream, and the Fallen, Megatron is knocked out in the first few minutes, and Prime defeats the Fallen, who through out the entire movie is played up to being a vicious and amazing warrior, in the space of a few minutes, with out taking any damage himself.

All in all, Revenge of the Fallen is probably the best film so far this year, and probably one of the best Transformers movies ever made, with lots of action and suspense to keep the audience entertained, and will most definatally please many fans of the Transformers series.