Michael Bay should be shot...

Rating: 3/10 (14 November 2006)

This movie is more proof that Michael Bay really IS the worst director working in Hollywood today. I know that many people are quick to point out that this film is strictly an "action" movie, and is not meant to be Oscar bait. That's no excuse.
An action movie can still have a relatively intelligent script, good direction, and not ruin a perfectly talented cast of actors.
The only aspects of the film more insulting to the viewer's intelligence than the script are the direction and editing, both of which apparently seek to set a new record for number of useless, ineffective cuts. And the first hour or so of the film seems only moderately terrible. The only enjoyment that can be gleaned from midpoint on (after the ridiculously implausible shuttle launch) is watching and pondering how this film could possibly be any worse.
I guess Jerry Bruckheimer and Michael Bay wanted to add another credit to their list of films that fall under the category of "using corny, cheesy effects and making good actors go bad" (see "The Rock," "Con Air," "Pearl Harbor"). Such talents as Willis and Buscemi are utterly wasted; Billy Bob Thornton is even bad in an utterly useless part that serves no real purpose, other than to occasionally grimace at the horrible set of circumstances standing before him.
The gaping plot holes, the cornball cinematography and direction, the dialogue (essentially a series of terrible one-liners that land with a practically audible thud every couple of minutes) - they all add up to an overstimulated, overacted, overdone mess which lacks any cohesion and, after the first hour and fifteen minutes or so, only succeeds in eliciting a splitting headache for the viewer.
Avoid at all costs.