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One of the summer's most anticipated sequels and perhaps the summer's biggest tear-jerker are among the new films in theaters this week. They are "My Sister's Keeper" and the follow-up to "Transformers."
I wish I'd come up with this line: "It's like watching two-plus hours of metal being dumped into a blender." It's what is being described as the new "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen."
Shia LaBeouf is back as Sam Witwicky who, after touching a shard of the spark, now has the knowledge and the deceptions needed to win their epic battle with the Autobots and suck the energy from the sun. Are you still with me?
Well, hardcore "Transformer" fans were absolutely euphoric as this overblown, convoluted tale unfolded with crunching, grinding, ripping and tearing up on the big screen. For me, a numbing effect began to settle in, making it difficult to absorb what little human plot their actually is.
Just 2 stars for "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," and it's rated PG-13.
"My Sister's Keeper"
Also out this week -- get the hankies out for this one -- "My Sister's Keeper."
Abigail Breslin stars as Anna Fitzgerald, who opens this film by describing why she was brought into this world. When her sister, Kate -- played by Sofia Vassilieve -- was diagnosed with cancer, her parents decide to conceive a child who will be a genetic match so Kate can be the recipient of life-saving donations from her little sister.
Finally, little Anna seems to have had enough and seeks out Campbell Alexander -- played by Alex Baldwin -- a high profile attorney, to help her achieve medical emancipation from her parents. What follows is a telling of the family's story focusing on each member weaving past and present together.
"My Sister's Keeper" is a gut wrenching look at the battle for a young girl's life and the dynamics that draw the family together but also threaten to destroy it. Filled with some great performances, this film is impactful, to say the least.
This film is such an emotional drain that while the tears are still drying it's easy to lean toward a four star review. There are some shortcomings, but still, I'm going with my gut. So, "My Sister's Keeper" gets 3 1/2 stars and it's rated PG-13.
