The Transformers movie series was developed from Japanese toys. While facing challenges with critics in both Transformers and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, the series has achieved significant box office success by garnering strong audience support.
Dark of the Moon is the highest-earning film in the series. The movies have always been big, but this one goes even further. So, what sets its story apart from the earlier films?
Transformers Series – Box Office & Budget (in USD, millions)
| Film Title | Domestic (U.S.) | Worldwide | Production Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transformers (2007) | $319M | $710M | $150M |
| Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) | $402M | $836M | $200M |
| Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011) | $352M | $1,124M | $195M |
| Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014) | $245M | $1,104M | $210M |
| Transformers: The Last Knight (2017) | $130M | $605M | $217M |
| Bumblebee (2018) | $127M | $468M | $135M |
| Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023) | $157M | $441M | $200M |
The third installment with heightened sci-fi flair
Compared to the previous movie, ‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon’ feels even more like an American sci-fi film. The last film took the story around the world and ended in Egypt, showcasing its global scale from the outset.
This movie takes it even further, with the moon playing a key role, as the title suggests. The opening scenes featuring Apollo 11 and President Kennedy make it clear that this is a distinctly American story, and the presence of the Soviet Union adds to that sense of national identity.
Transformers have always had a link to space, but this time, the moon and spaceships actually appear on screen. This makes the space theme feel stronger than ever, giving the movie an even more sci-fi vibe.
This movie also introduces a human villain, which makes the familiar sci-fi plot stand out even more. The character—a wealthy CEO who initially seeks to save himself but ultimately helps the villains—is a common and relatable archetype, which suits the big-budget sci-fi style.
Transformers as a 3D Film
The movie Transformers: Dark of the Moon was also produced as the first 3D film in the series. While the series has always featured outstanding CG technology centered on the Transformers, this film was released in theaters as a 3D movie, so I felt the overall 3D-specific direction was more prominent. It wasn’t simply about aiming for effects that seemed to pop out of the screen; rather, I sensed an increase in framing that emphasized depth while allowing the viewer to better appreciate the Transformers themselves. Unlike the previous film, which was set on Earth and centered on the United States, specifically Chicago. The depth of the skyscrapers, the retro feel of the old buildings’ exteriors, and the metallic sheen of the Transformers combined to create a uniquely atmospheric vibe that left a strong impression. Personally, I felt a “Japanese toy-like texture” emanating from the Transformers’ surfaces more than in previous installments, somehow reminding me of my childhood.
Furthermore, the Transformers’ technology seemed more integrated with Earth than in previous films, amplifying their “gadget-like feel” in sync with real-world technological advancements. Considering its release timing, when superhero movies were proliferating, this approach likely resonated well with audiences. With Sam, who was a high school student in the first film, now a working adult, the film itself adopted a more polished visual style overall. This evolution, built upon the series’ foundation, was palpable even through the CGI visuals.
What defines a 3D movie?
This refers to films where viewers wear special 3D glasses to experience a sense of immersion, as if the images are leaping off the screen. It utilizes the brain’s mechanism for perceiving depth by delivering slightly different images to the left and right eyes.
Avatar and the 3D movie boom: James Cameron’s 2009 film Avatar marked a turning point for 3D cinema.
Following the success of “Avatar,” many Hollywood films began producing 3D versions, leading to the rapid proliferation of 3D-capable cinema equipment.
However, the 3D boom has since subsided, with attention shifting toward more natural viewing experiences and other technologies (IMAX, 4K, etc.).
The most serious installment of the trilogy
The film “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” featured the most serious narrative development compared to the previous two installments. The “Transformers” series has primarily unfolded with numerous comedic scenes in its human segments. Given the core premise of Earth potentially being taken over by the extraterrestrial Transformers and the inherently tense nature of the action sequences, comedic scenes likely served as necessary respites from the tension. However, in the previous two films, especially the last one, this felt excessive and seemed to drag down the overall work. Perhaps learning from that lesson, this film reduced the comedic scenes while simultaneously increasing scenes where the Decepticons, the evil side of the Transformers, commit cruel acts against humans. Compared to the previous two films, the color palette also felt somewhat darker, giving it the most grounded and dark atmosphere of the trilogy. Given the “Dark” in the title, this felt like just the right atmosphere.
However, the portrayal of the human drama still felt problematic. Particularly, replacing the heroine Mikaela from the previous films with the new heroine Carly felt unnatural, given the established flow, creating a sense of dissonance within the series. Since this was the final film in the trilogy with Sam as the protagonist, this was a disappointing point.
Sudden Heroine Change
Megan Fox, who played Mikaela in the first two films and captivated fans with her beauty, was suddenly replaced by Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in this installment.
According to reports from the time, it’s said that this was actually Steven Spielberg’s decision. Spielberg, serving as executive producer, apparently decided to replace Megan Fox.
Steven Spielberg Fired Megan Fox from ‘Transformers’! | Cinematoday Megan Fox, who appeared in the films ‘Transformers’ and ‘Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen’ and was expected to star in the third installment, was reportedly fired on Steven Spielberg’s orders.
Summary: The Serious Sci-Fi World Depicted by the Series’ Top-Grossing Film
‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon’ is the series’s biggest effort to deliver an American sci-fi spectacle, using 3D and special effects to make a strong impression. Even with these technical upgrades, the movie still demonstrates how challenging it is for the series to break free from its usual formula.
The movie feels more serious by cutting back on jokes and showing the Decepticons as more ruthless, but suddenly changing the heroine hurts the story’s flow. Even with great visuals and big-ticket sales, the film highlights the struggle between flashy effects and good storytelling that marks the end of the trilogy.
