Transformers: Dark of the Moon parents guide

Transformers: Dark of the Moon Parent Guide

Long, loud and ludicrous may be three appropriate adjectives to describe this third installment in the Transformers franchise.

Overall C-

It turns out that NASA didn't really lose contact with the astronauts during their first landing on the moon. Instead, the space agency intentionally blacked out communication with the public, allowing the astronauts to carry out the top-secret investigation of a Cybertronian spacecraft. Now decades later the Autobots have learned of the ship's existence and are racing the Decepticons to the lunar surface to discover the vessel's secrets.

Release date June 29, 2011

Violence D+
Sexual Content B-
Profanity D+
Substance Use B+

Why is Transformers: Dark of the Moon rated PG-13? The MPAA rated Transformers: Dark of the Moon PG-13 for intense prolonged sequences of sci-fi action violence, mayhem and destruction, and for language, some sexuality and innuendo.

Run Time: 155 minutes

Official Movie Site

Parent Movie Review

Long, loud and ludicrous may be three appropriate adjectives to describe this third installment in the Transformers franchise.

Clocking in at 155 minutes (five minutes longer than the last movie), the action includes even more computer-animated clashes between the alien Autobots and Decepticons. Adding to their arsenal, the Decepticons prepare to strip the planet of its resources in order to rebuild their own civilization. Their plan is aided by the discovery of one of their wrecked ships on the dark side of the moon.

The skirmishes that follow are anything but quiet. As well, a thundering musical score bellows out of the speakers from beginning until the climatic conflict at the end of the production. (Supposedly the impact of seeing dead bodies, burning cities and severed heads is mitigated by this moving orchestral accompaniment.)

Still long and loud might be excused if it weren’t for the script’s ludicrous plot elements. Recently graduated from an Ivy League school and looking for work, Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) throws a whining temper tantrum when hardnosed US Secretary of Defense Charlotte Mearing (Frances McDormand) refuses his help after another alien threat is discovered. Yet despite his juvenile behavior, the jobless, freeloading Sam has managed to bed a blonde bombshell and move in with her. (Megan Fox’s absence as Mikaela Banes is accounted for with the mention of a painful break-up.)

Dressed in provocative clothing that looks more appropriate for the bedroom than the boardroom, Carly (Rosie Huntington-Whiteley) works for an antique car collector (Patrick Dempsey) whose actions could easily be interpreted as sexual harassment. But beyond exposing her curves in skin-tight attire and keeping her makeup perfectly applied, Carly’s character does little more than purse her pouty lips and walk seductively toward the camera while massive explosions erupt around her. These sensual depictions are combined with other moments of sexual innuendo including some suggestive comments by Sam’s parents (Julie White, Kevin Dunn) and an awkward encounter with a co-worker (Ken Jeong) in a bathroom stall.

However most of the film’s action centers around government deceptions and the escalating turf war between the mechanical extraterrestrials. In the fray, both human and robotic casualties result as characters are stabbed, beheaded, run over and blown up while the Chicago skyline burns (a refreshing change from the usual destruction of New York or Los Angeles).

As always, the Autobots remain committed to the freedom and preservation of mankind. But if the film is trying to say humans are worth saving, the main characters in this film hardly model the kind of behavior that speaks well of our race.

Directed by Michael Bay. Starring Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Tyrese Gibson. Running time: 155 minutes. Theatrical release June 29, 2011. Updated

Transformers: Dark of the Moon
Rating & Content Info

Why is Transformers: Dark of the Moon rated PG-13? Transformers: Dark of the Moon is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for intense prolonged sequences of sci-fi action violence, mayhem and destruction, and for language, some sexuality and innuendo.

Violence: A man is pushed out a window. One man spits in another’s face. Characters are slapped, punched, stabbed, run over, beheaded, burned, crushed and chased. A blood-like fluid is released from a robot that is injured. Buildings are burned, demolished and fired upon. Dead bodies are seen. Numerous explosions take place. Aliens attack people around the world. A bird-like alien attacks and kills a man. Human corpses and a skeleton are seen in the streets. Characters are threatened with guns and other weapons.

Sexual Content: A woman’s scantily clad buttocks are partially exposed beneath her shirttail. Comments include references to male anatomy, a boy toy, sexual activity between adults and homosexual activity. An unmarried couple shares an apartment. A character misconstrues the activities of two men in a bathroom stall. A boss makes suggestive statements about his female employee. Women wear provocative clothing in an office environment.

Language: The script includes a strong sexual expletive, moderate profanities, scatological and sexual slang and some terms of Deity.

Alcohol / Drug Use: Secondary characters engage in social drinking.

Page last updated

Transformers: Dark of the Moon Parents' Guide

Sam says he just wants his work to matter. Does he exhibit skills that would be impressive to an employer? Because of his presidential medal does he expect to get a job too easily? What real contributions has he made in the past?

Does this film objectify women? Are there any positive female characters in this movie? What contributions, if any, do women make?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Transformers: Dark of the Moon movie is January 31, 2012. Here are some details…

Home Video Release: Transformers: Dark of the Moon: 3D

Release Date: 31 January 2012

Transformers: Dark of the Moon releases on Blu-ray in 3D with the following bonus extras:

- Above and Beyond: Exploring Dark of the Moon

- Uncharted Territory: NASA’s Future Then and Now

- Deconstructing Chicago: Multi-Angle Sequences

- The Art of CYBERTRON

- The Dark of the Moon Archive

- The Matrix of Marketing

Home Video Notes: Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Release Date: 30 September 2011

Transformers: Dark of the Moon comes to DVD and Blu-ray on September 30, 2011. This is a bare-bones package, because the studio is planning to release the Blu-ray 3D version and bonus features at a future date.

Home Video Release: Transformers Trilogy: 7-Disc Limited Collector’s Edition

Blu-ray Release: 31 January 2012

The complete Transformers Franchise releases to home video as a trilogy in a 7- Disc set. Bonus extras include:

- Blu-ray and DVD copies of: Transformers, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and Transformers: Dark of the Moon.

- Plaque of movie images signed by Michael Bay

- More than 10 hours of special features

Related home video titles:

Transformers: Dark of the Moon is the third movie in a series, preceded by Transformers and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. All three movies are also available in a single package: Transformers Trilogy: 7-Disc Limited Collector’s Edition.

Related news about Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Leonard Nimoy Passes Away at Age 83

Leonard Nimoy Passes Away at Age 83

{parents:pull_quote}

Take to the Skies with an Astronaut Movie

{parents:pull_quote}