The 2nd Transformers 2 trailer... wow.

Once again I am amazed at the sheer scope, size, and scale of this one. What I'm sincerely hoping for is that Transformers 2 plays like a dark, brutal, hard-as-PG-13 can be giant monster movie where the monsters happen to be giant transforming robots. And since we're dealing with the Godzilla/Gamera genre, some silly humor is allowed. What makes me love the clips (as someone who loathed the original) is that the robot destruction looks genuinely intense and scary. Buildings are blowing up, helicopters are being knocked out the sky, and people, innocent bystanders including, are seemingly dying by the scores. And is it just me, or are the trailers implying that a major character is going to die at the halfway mark?* This may be the epic, globe-spanning horror show (what would happen if giant robots came to Earth and began slaughtering people?) that the first one lacked the nerve to be. If Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen can take itself seriously and make me scared of the evil robots, than it will work splendidly. I'm cautiously optimistic.

Scott Mendelson
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* Spoilers if correct - A friend of mine thinks the shocking mid-film death is Kevin Dunn (Sam's father). I'm wondering if they won't follow the 1986 animated movie and, if they dare, kill off Optomus Prime himself.