While to say “it’s better than the first” is to say very little (because the first Transformers was one of the worst action films ever made), I think it’s an important distinction - especially for former collectors of the toys.  While the first film featured such staples as Optimus Prime, Megatron and Starscream, it overlooked some of the more interesting characters childhood collectors had expected to see (Soundwave, the Constructicons).  Of course, these omissions were likely deliberate - so we’d return for the sequel.

This film’s pretty standard Michael Bay fare:  awful dialogue that reduces even talented actors to assholes, ridiculous scenarios, hot chicks, one-liners, lots of noise and sick, non-stop action.  Of course, most of us go just for the action; the rest we could do without.  And the action delivers.  The highlight of the film, for me, was an incredible fight scene in the woods where Optimus Prime takes on five Decepticons at once and kicks some serious ass.  The special effects team is at the top of its game here, and Bay’s direction of these moments - which happen with much greater frequency than the first film - is solid as usual.  Prime is also given some amusing one-liners to speak, which he didn’t have in the original.  Surprisingly, these don’t come off as clunky as you’d expect...

In a rather daring departure from industry standards, this film has a more crude sense of humor than other stuff in its genre, with offensive robots intended to serve as comic relief spewing profanities as casually as humans in an R-rated film.  These two characters, given gold teeth and an african american vernacular, are pretty offensive in their presentation, and are easily compared to Lucas’ mistake with JarJar Binx in the new Star Wars films.  There’s also a sexuality to the film that’s not appropriate for little ones.  Transformers hump humans’ legs like horny dogs, cleavage and long legs and non-stop sexual references are at every bend, and one Transformer even takes the form of a hot woman and does some aerobics with her tongue.  These inclusions seem an attempt to give the film an edge, and may work for some, but do rule out bringing kids under twelve.

The acting is...well, what you’d expect, given the shit they have to say, and given the fact that they’re acting on a green screen talking at blank space half the time.  The film is also annoyingly long.  The freaking Transformers shouldn’t exceed a hundred minutes, much less a hundred and forty. 

It’s disappointing that films with budgets this large aren’t given stronger writing and directing of actors, to pair great action with something of greater substance.  I mean, Bay has to realize that he can’t direct humanity, so why not bring in an AD or an acting coach to assist?