MPAA Rating: PG-13 (For Intense Prolonged Sequences of Sci-Fi Action Violence, Mayhem and Destruction, and for Language, Some Sexuality and Innuendo)

Running Time: 154 Minutes

Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Josh Duhamel, John Turturro, Tyrese Gibson, Rose Huntington-Wheeley, Patrick Dempsey, Kevin Dunn, Julie White with John Malkovich and Frances McDormand

Written by: Ehren Kruger

Directed by: Michael Bay

Studio: Paramount

Retail Price: $44.99

Features: None

Specs: 2.35:1 Widescreen 1080p High Definition, English 7.1 Dolby TrueHD, English 5.1 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, Portuguese Dolby Digital 5.1, English 2.0 Surround, English Audio Description, English Subtitles, French Subtitles, Spanish Subtitles, Portuguese Subtitles, Scenes (22 scenes)

Released: September 30th, 2011

"Transformers: Dark of the Moon'" is presented in 1080p high definition, with an aspect ratio of 2.35:1. This is an overly solid, if a bit imperfect, transfer. First the good: fleshtones hit their marks, the movie looks overly sharp and color saturation is fleshy and bold. Michael Bay, in his typical style, employed a load of filters for this production — and the transfer keeps up with the variety of palettes, without smearing. Black levels are great, and detail is pretty extroardinary — be it on the robots themselves, backgrounds of the worldwide locations and even small matters such as costumes. While I have seen better, there is still a wonderful depth to the image as a whole.

Small flaws get in the way of things, though — most notable is the large amount of shimmering that appears, which can be distracting. Mosquito noise is a presence as well, and there is the slightest bit of edge enhancement (which is so slight, you likely won't notice it unless you're up close by your television). In all, this transfer does justice to all the visual mayhem and is pleasing, but I think it could have been a tad better. 

"Transformers: Dark of the Moon" features a 7.1 Dolby TrueHD mix, and if you have the equipment, then this is demo piece material right here. For those who are curious, all the dialogue sounds clear and the music is mixed nicely throughout. All of it is balanced, and none of it interferes with the good stuff: the sound effects. 

This is a bit of an overblown track, but that's the whole point: this is a complete sonic assault. Car engines roaring, helicopters flying and gunfire certainly pack a punch, but whenever the Transformers go toe-to-toe, it's incredibly discrete and razor sharp: the punches they swing, the clinks of Optimus Prime's sword and all the scrapped metal as a result. The battle in Chicago is an immersive tour-de-force, between the destruction of buildings, vehicles getting thrown, explosions and basically any over-the-top carnage that you can imagine. (Say what you want about the movie, but some of this is fun.) Overall imaging and use of the rears is fantastic, dynamic range is mightly impressive, fidelity is sky high and you'll constantly sense jolts emitting from your .1 LFE. 

Also included are Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese, as well as a English 2.0 Surround track and Eglish Audio Description. Subtitles in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese are on the disc as well.

Aside from a DVD and digital copy, there is nothing here, though a special edition is in the works. 

This is a bare bones edition of a critically derided movie, though rest assured it looks and sounds fantastic. Your feelings toward the Transformers franchise and your home media preferences is what should influence your purchase. A special edition Blu-ray of "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" will likely be released in 2012, and will include the 3D version of the film in addition to an array of extras. If you have a 3D set, and/or love your supplements, then that's the version to wait for (though Paramount is kind enough to include a $10 off coupon for that release with this "starter" version if you need to own the film now). For those who watch their Blu-rays in 2D and who are indifferent to extra features, and want to complete their trilogy collection at this very moment (or want a mindless action movie to rent), then this version is for you (assuming you can purchase this edition at a discounted price). And not that anyone needs any warning, but be prepared to lose a few brain cells if you choose to see this movie.