Newest ‘Transformers’ movie lives up to lowered expectations

Sigh. I mean, really: Just how many times can the world be in peril because of ancient feuds between transforming creatures from space? Didn’t we just watch “Noah”?

But maybe that’s missing the point. Because I’m pretty sure “Transformers: Age of Extinction,” the fourth Michael Bay-directed feature film foray based on the Hasbro toy line of the same name, doesn’t have a point for me to miss. Shadowy figures (government, corporation and shady people) planning to hatch insidious plans? Check. Overly abundant battle sequences that stretch on for what seemingly feels like forever? Check. The pretty girl who, if this were real, would have died at the very beginning of the movie (and rightfully so)? Check. Any meaningful, coherent plot structure making this beast of a movie worthy of its nearly three-hour runtime? Umm…

Look, “Transformers” presents us with premise of a world-ending cataclysm normally caused by the extraterrestrial who have to jump into the fray to save, plus those pesky humans who always seem to be necessary in some hard-to-believe manner. And nobody cares. Nobody. Because the reason for watching any “Transformers” movie is simple: explosive action, metallic crunching sounds and slo-mo robot-on-robot destruction. And lots of it. In that vein, “Age of Extinction” excels. For the rest of us, be prepared for three hours of loud noises, insipid characters and outright stupid storylines.

Click here to read the full review at TDN.com.

Two transforming stars out of five.

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Mark Wahlberg plays Cade Yeager in “Transformers: Age of Extinction,” from Paramount Pictures. (Photo credit: MCT)