A section of hard-core fans may have been disappointed, but there’s no doubt Michael Bay’s 2007 robotic extravaganza was a big success. It was 2007’s most profitable film, making over $700million worldwide, and transformed (sorry) the careers of both Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox. It is perhaps inevitable, and to be fair somewhat exciting, that a sequel has been in the works, with Michael Bay purposefully flooding the internet with red herrings in order to keep the plot secret.

We rejoin Sam Witwicky (LaBeouf) two years on from the first film, still in a relationship with the lovely Mikaela (Fox) and on his way to college, when he finds a fragment of the All-Spark that transmits secrets about the Autobots and Decepticons’ past into his brain. With the secrets leading to a source of unimaginable power, Sam must once again be the focal point of a battle between the warring aliens, with the consequences threatening the fate of the Earth itself.

Yes, there was a bit of plot to get through, but the crux of the first film was big bangs and bigger CGI effects. The sequel has much the same remit, only this time there’s more of everything - longer and more elaborate fights, more spectacular effects, and peppered with more than a few gags. The action scenes are great, and the looong climactic battle is a master class in modern special effects. To be honest it could have done without the majority of the ‘Sam going to college’ opening, but you won’t be able to remove the smile from your face when the big robots have their showdown.

LaBeouf is charged with being the focal point for the movie, and it’s to his credit that he’s likeable. The fact that he’s not a grunting action hero means it’s much easier to empathise with him, and carries the story along nicely. Fox was rumoured as saying Bay’s main direction was for her to ‘look hot’, and indeed she fulfils that role nicely. She won’t win any (acting-related) awards, but does her job and many viewers will be very happy seeing her in gradually smaller outfits. John Turturro’s the surprise package. Returning from the first film, he emerges as the genuinely funny comic relief. The regular ’bots are joined by MANY new companions, some interesting (a grizzled British sounding robot called Jetfire), some not so much (‘the twins’, two foul-mouthed ‘urban’ robots).

In conclusion, it’s a bit like super-sizing your meal at a fast food restaurant - the quality stays the same, there’s just more of it. That’s not to say it’s a disappointment - it’s as good as the first, and the longer running time will delight those who flocked to its predecessor. A darker tone would have been nicer, but Bay’s mantra seems to be ‘if it ain't broke, don’t fix it’, and whilst it’s no Empire Strikes Back, it’s still a fun ride.