I am not a big fan of Michael Bay. He would have to be one of the worst directors working today. His films are always the same. His films always seem to be aimed at 15 year-old boys (straight ones). I do not mind mindless action films but doing the same thing over and over was getting monotonous. I did become intrigued when this film was announced. I thought finally he was doing something different, alas I was mistaken. While he may not be directing huge robots or blowing up buildings or destroying freeways in car chases, Michael Bay is still making terrible films. There is a really great comedic film here which could have been hilarious but in the hands of Michael it is a boring mess. The story sounds very funny but it needed a more comedic director to accentuate the humour of the situation. These are very funny characters but Michael cannot seem to bring out their funny side and they just come off as the big, dumb bodybuilders. Their story is seems funny too but in the hands of Michael Bay it get really boring and dull. His quick cut editing is one of those annoying things that upsets me the most. I also get the feeling that this film might be homophobic too.
The only thing that Michael Bay did get right with this film was the casting. Mark Wahlberg is excellent as the leader of our group. He can play that dumb but charming character so well. Dwayne Johnson is also very good as groups weak link. His character's inner turmoil regarding his religion is quite a good character trait. Anthony Mackie is very good too and is given the more interesting trait for a body builder to have. Tony Shalhoub plays a sleazy asshole very well but it does come off as a bit stereotypical. Ed Harris seems to be the only one in the film whose character has any kind of dignity.
I suppose it was too much to expect Michael Bay to break away from his tried and true methods of making films for teenage boys. I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt but he let me down.
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