---
title: "Transformers: Dark of the Moon"
year: 2011
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/transformers-dark-of-the-moon"
fi1m_id: "transformers-dark-of-the-moon"
imdb_id: "tt1399103"
tmdb_id: 38356
wikidata_id: "Q232774"
fi1m_score: 46
critics_score: 47
critics_reviews: 22
published: "2026-10-05T12:05:59.777498+00:00"
updated: "2026-10-05T12:06:00.366112+00:00"
region: "MY"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)

Directed by Michael Bay · 2h 34m · Action, Science Fiction, Adventure

## Identity

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/transformers-dark-of-the-moon
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** transformers-dark-of-the-moon
- **IMDb ID:** tt1399103
- **TMDB ID:** 38356
- **Wikidata ID:** Q232774
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1399103/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/38356, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q232774

**Fi1m score: 46** · Critics 47 from 22 reviews

*In a sentence:* The moon landing was a cover-up, Chicago falls over, and the film still finds an hour for Shia LaBeouf to shout in

> Michael Bay’s third Transformers film hides, in its last hour, the clearest action he has staged in the series and a tilting skyscraper that had us gripping the armrest. Getting there means an hour of Shia LaBeouf shouting through a domestic comedy, which is too much.

## Synopsis

In 1969, Apollo 11 lands on the moon with a second purpose: to inspect a wrecked alien ship on its far side, a secret the American government has kept ever since. In the present day, Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) has saved the world twice, left college and cannot get a job. He lives in Washington with Carly (Rosie Huntington-Whiteley), who works for a wealthy collector, Dylan (Patrick Dempsey), while Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen) and the Autobots run missions for a government unit overseen by the brisk Mearing (Frances McDormand), with the old agent Simmons (John Turturro) hovering at the edges. When Optimus learns what was found on the moon, he brings back the ship’s cargo, including his old mentor Sentinel Prime (Leonard Nimoy), and Megatron (Hugo Weaving) begins to stir.

## Review

Michael Bay’s third [*Transformers*](https://film.one/film/transformers) film opens with the best idea the series has had. In Ehren Kruger’s script, the Apollo 11 landing of 1969 was, among other things, a mission to look at a wrecked Cybertronian ship on the far side of the moon, and Bay stages the cover-up with archive footage, lookalikes and a hushed Mission Control, cut with real care. It is a tight, witty ten minutes. The film then runs for 154 minutes, most of which are neither, though the last hour contains the best action Bay has staged in the series. That is our verdict, and the proportions are the problem.

The trouble starts when we come down from the moon. Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) is back, with Carly (Rosie Huntington-Whiteley) beside him, and Kruger spends the best part of an hour on their civilian life, played as comedy. LaBeouf plays all of it at a yelp. John Malkovich, as Bruce Brazos, turns himself up to match and earns stares rather than laughs. Kevin Dunn’s Ron Witwicky is back and given little to do. We looked at our watch during this stretch, which we had not expected in a film about alien robots.

The grown-ups fare better. Frances McDormand plays Mearing, the intelligence chief who oversees the robots’ human unit, as a woman who has read the file and is not impressed by any of it, and she gets the only laughs that were meant as laughs. John Turturro’s Simmons is back, louder and richer than before, and we were glad of him for about two scenes. Josh Duhamel and Tyrese Gibson, as the soldiers Lennox and Epps, do what they did in the earlier films, which is run towards things.

The robots are another matter, and here Bay has learned something. Amir Mokri shoots the fighting wider and holds it longer than the previous film did, so that for the first time you can usually tell which machine is hitting which. William Goldenberg, Roger Barton and Joel Negron cut at a speed the eye can follow more often than not. Nigel Phelps’s production design gives the wrecked ship on the moon a proper scale, all dead corridors and dust, and when the action reaches Chicago in the last hour the streets are dressed as a city that has already lost. Leonard Nimoy’s voice as Sentinel Prime is the one piece of gravity among the machines. Hugo Weaving’s Megatron spends much of the film sulking under a tarpaulin.

The office tower is the sequence everyone talks about, and they are right to. It comes late, so we will say only that Bay stages it mostly from inside the building, in long takes, and that our stomach went. We gripped the armrest for perhaps three minutes, which we cannot remember doing in either of the earlier films. Nothing else in the last hour lands like that.

That is the film’s difficulty. Steve Jablonsky scores the last hour with choirs and drums at one pitch throughout, the editors keep the cuts coming, and the fighting goes on well past the point where any of it costs anything. Huntington-Whiteley is photographed in Deborah Lynn Scott’s white dress the way Bay photographs cars, from low down and at length, and is asked to do nothing else. By the end we had watched a city destroyed in enormous detail and felt about it roughly what we feel about a demolition on the news.

Against Bay’s own work it sits in the middle. *Revenge of the Fallen*, from 2009, was a mess nobody could read; this one can be read, which is an improvement; it is still an hour too long. The first film had a boy and his car and knew that was enough. Here the boy has a girlfriend, a government and a war to worry about, and the film cares about none of them.

See it for the tower and the last forty minutes, and only if a city falling over is your idea of an evening. If you are watching at home, the first hour is a good time to make dinner. The film will not notice.

*Fi1m score 46, published 5 October 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics are unimpressed, and the reviews lean negative by roughly two to one. Where praise exists, it goes almost entirely to the action: the Chicago battle and the collapsing skyscraper are named again and again as the film’s best stretches, and several reviews find the 3D clearer and more spacious than in the previous film. A few grant that it is an improvement on its predecessor, if a marginal one.

The reservations are the same from review to review: too long, thin human characters, misjudged comedy, and a final hour that becomes hard to follow. The spread is wide. Vulture, writing years later, calls it a thrilling and wildly ambitious spectacle; Eye for Film finds it thuddingly boring. The Guardian likes the counterfactual Apollo 11 opening but calls the climax chaotic and dull. Few critics dispute that the destruction is well staged; the question is whether anything else survives it.

## Straight answers

**Is Transformers: Dark of the Moon worth watching?**

*Transformers: Dark of the Moon* is worth watching only for its last hour, and we scored it 46. The Chicago fighting is the clearest action Michael Bay has staged in the series, and a tilting office tower had us gripping the armrest, but reaching it means sitting through an hour of Shia LaBeouf shouting through a domestic comedy. For anyone who finds a city falling over an evening well spent; nobody else.

**How long is Transformers: Dark of the Moon, and what is it rated?**

*Transformers: Dark of the Moon* runs 2h 34m. It is an action and science fiction film.

**Where can I watch Transformers: Dark of the Moon in Malaysia?**

*Transformers: Dark of the Moon* is streaming on HBO Max in Malaysia, and it is also available to rent from Apple TV from RM 9.90. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How violent or frightening is Transformers: Dark of the Moon, and is it suitable for children?**

*Transformers: Dark of the Moon* is a 12A, with most of its violence done by robots to robots and to a city that is destroyed in enormous detail across its last hour. There are no scares as such, though the office tower sequence is staged from inside the building and may unsettle anyone who dislikes heights. Older children should cope; younger ones face 154 minutes.

**How does Transformers: Dark of the Moon compare to The Rock?**

*Transformers: Dark of the Moon* is the louder, longer and emptier of the two, and [*The Rock*](https://film.one/film/the-rock) is the better film. Bay's earlier picture has Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage and Ed Harris to make its nonsense worth following and jokes that are meant as jokes; here the comedy is Shia LaBeouf yelping and the people are an afterthought to the machines. Choose this one only if you want the robots.

**What should I watch after Transformers: Dark of the Moon?**

After *Transformers: Dark of the Moon*, try [*Bumblebee*](https://film.one/film/bumblebee) (2018, Fi1m 78): The same machines at a fraction of the size, with a girl and a car and a plot you can follow. Then [*The Rock*](https://film.one/film/the-rock) (1996, Fi1m 78): Bay before the robots, when the explosions had people in them and the jokes were on purpose; and [*Pacific Rim*](https://film.one/film/pacific-rim) (2013, Fi1m 70): Giant machines hitting giant monsters, shot so you can always tell who is winning.

### Reviews we read (22)

- **Vulture**, David Edelstein (90/100, inferred): Edelstein finds the film a thrilling, wildly ambitious spectacle despite its excesses. He especially praises the action sequences, singling out the Chicago battle and a highway chase for their visual inventiveness. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/2011/06/movie_review_transformers_dark.html)
- **Little White Lies**, Adam Woodward (3/4/3): Woodward finds the film an overlong, shallow spectacle that delivers excessive action at the expense of story. He praises Bay’s commitment to extravagant action excess, while criticizing the pacing and thin human characters. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/transformers-dark-of-the-moon)
- **Radio Times**, Alan Jones (4/5): Jones finds the screenplay ragged, the humour misjudged and the film overlong, but praises its spectacular action. He singles out Michael Bay for raising the action bar with the film’s spectacle. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-ditty1/transformers-dark-of-the-moon/)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Betsy Sharkey (70/100, inferred): Sharkey finds this a leaner, more watchable entry, praising Bay’s effective use of 3-D and the detailed visual effects. She complains that the spectacular action, especially the final battle, goes on far too long. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2011-jun-29-la-et-transformers-20110629-story.html)
- **Screen Daily**, Tim Grierson (64/100, inferred): The page identifies this as a review of the 2011 film. The review text is inaccessible, so its verdict and specific praise or complaint cannot be determined. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/transformers-dark-of-the-moon/5029225.article)
- **The New York Times** (64/100, inferred): The article text is inaccessible, so the critic’s verdict cannot be established. No specific praise or complaint can be verified. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/29/movies/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-theyre-at-it-again-movie-review.html)
- **Slant Magazine**, Jaime N. Christley (2.5/4): Christley offers a conflicted verdict, finding Bay’s eccentric excess both entertaining and troubling. He praises the collapsing office-tower sequence and the film’s distinctive visual personality, while criticizing its stereotypes and rushed editing. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/transformers-dark-of-the-moon/)
- **Variety**, Justin Chang (50/100, inferred): Chang finds the film more coherent and visually controlled than its predecessor, but still an overlong spectacle with little human or dramatic interest. He particularly praises the clearer, more spacious 3D action, while faulting the story’s reliance on clunky human motives and relentless mayhem. [Read](https://variety.com/2011/film/reviews/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-1117945553/)
- **Evening Standard**, The Standard (45/100, inferred): The review finds the film overlong, repetitive and confusing, though it gives audiences much of the spectacle they want. It praises the chaotic CGI combat scenes as terrifically done. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-review-7425579.html)
- **Time Out**, Tom Huddleston (2/5): The critic describes the third installment as tiresome. The review’s opening complaint singles out how quickly the film establishes that tone. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-1)
- **Empire**, Chris Hewitt (35/100, inferred): Hewitt finds the film only marginally better than its predecessor, with weak writing and characters undermining it. He praises the climactic Chicago action sequence as spectacular and especially effective in 3D. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/transformers-dark-moon-review/)
- **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (30/100, inferred): Bradshaw finds the film loud, exhausting and overlong, though slightly less foolish than its predecessors. He praises the opening’s counterfactual Apollo 11 sequence but says the climactic action is chaotic and dull. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/jun/30/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-review)
- **Sight and Sound**, Kim Newman (25/100, inferred): Newman finds the film disappointing, despite its state-of-the-art effects and occasional bursts of spectacle. He singles out the burrowing mechanical worm and the tilting-skyscraper action as effective, but says the human comedy and robot carnage drag. [Read](http://old.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/reviews/releases/transformers-dark-of-the-moon.php)
- **The New Yorker**, Anthony Lane (25/100, inferred): Lane finds the film briefly entertaining at first, but says it soon collapses into disconnected drivel. He faults Bay for abandoning sequence and consequence, making the Chicago invasion feel incoherent. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/07/11/fired)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Kirk Honeycutt (20/100, inferred): The critic finds the film exhausting and emotionally hollow, with destruction overwhelming human drama. He singles out the elaborate Chicago battle as a showcase for spectacle that ultimately leaves the movie feeling lost. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/transformers-dark-moon-film-review-206080/)
- **Den of Geek**, Ryan Lambie (3/5): Lambie finds the film tedious and overlong in its first half, but says the action-packed second half makes the wait worthwhile. He praises the impressive integration of live-action and CGI and the effective 3D in a standout set piece. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-review/)
- **The Playlist** (45/100, inferred): The headline suggests a mixed verdict, with the film’s action praised despite an asinine story. It singles out roughly 40 minutes of great action as the film’s strength. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/review-transformers-dark-of-the-moon-rewards-with-40-min-of-great-action-after-an-asinine-story-20110628/)
- **HeyUGuys**, Jon Lyus (2/5): Lyus finds the film technically impressive but largely sterile and emotionally empty. He singles out the collapsing-building sequence for praise, while criticizing the childish comedy and repetitive action. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-dvd-review/)
- **Paste**, Jonathan Hickman (20/100, inferred): The critic finds the film incoherent and exhausting, calling it bigger but no better than its predecessor. He singles out the overwhelming special effects and spectacle as crowding out the story and leaving the destruction emotionally meaningless. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/transformers-1)
- **The Wrap** (20/100, inferred): The critic finds the film joyless and impotent despite a few entertaining performances. They single out the overacting of the veteran actors for praise, while criticizing the chaotic visuals and weak performances elsewhere. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/transformers-dark-moon-cant-get-it-28632/)
- **Digital Spy**, Simon Reynolds (15/100, inferred): The critic finds the film an incoherent, overlong and disappointing spectacle. He praises the striking opening montage and effective use of 3D, but faults the storytelling and comedy. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a326788/transformers-dark-of-the-moon/)
- **Eye for Film**, Anton Bitel (10/100, inferred): Bitel finds the film exhausting and thuddingly boring despite its enormous scale. He singles out the relentless, overwhelming action and the film’s inability to make its spectacle engaging. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-film-review-by-anton-bitel)

## Details

- **Director:** Michael Bay
- **Director:** Michael Bay
- **Writer:** Ehren Kruger
- **Cinematography:** Amir Mokri
- **Editor:** William Goldenberg, Roger Barton, Joel Negron
- **Music:** Steve Jablonsky
- **Production design:** Nigel Phelps
- **Costume design:** Deborah Lynn Scott
- **Producer:** Don Murphy, Ian Bryce, Lorenzo di Bonaventura
- **Cast:** Shia LaBeouf as Sam Witwicky; Rosie Huntington-Whiteley as Carly; Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime (voice); Leonard Nimoy as Sentinel Prime (voice); John Turturro as Simmons; Frances McDormand as Mearing; Josh Duhamel as Lennox; Tyrese Gibson as Epps
- **Runtime:** 2h 34m
- **First release (RU):** 23 June 2011
- **Genres:** Action, Science Fiction, Adventure
- **Budget:** $195 million
- **Box office:** $1.12 billion
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeUtb5L9iNE

## Where to watch in Malaysia

- HBO Max: streaming
- Apple TV: rent RM 9.90, hd
- Apple TV: buy RM 24.90, sd

*Checked 2026-10-05.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- Academy Awards 2012: Best Sound (nominated); Best Sound Editing (nominated); Best Visual Effects (nominated)

## If you liked this

- *Bumblebee* (2018), Fi1m 78: The same machines at a fraction of the size, with a girl and a car and a plot you can follow. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/bumblebee.md)
- *The Rock* (1996), Fi1m 78: Bay before the robots, when the explosions had people in them and the jokes were on purpose. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-rock.md)
- *Pacific Rim* (2013), Fi1m 70: Giant machines hitting giant monsters, shot so you can always tell who is winning. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/pacific-rim.md)
- *Gojira* (1954), Fi1m 88: A city destroyed in black and white, and every fallen building is allowed to mean something. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/godzilla.md)
- *Mad Max: Fury Road* (2015), Fi1m 88: Two hours of metal and sand that prove relentless action can also be legible. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/mad-max-fury-road.md)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/transformers-dark-of-the-moon