'Transformers: Age of Extinction' has been criticised in reviews ahead of its US release on Friday (27th June). The action is excessive and there is nothing remotely original about the fourth in the hugely successful franchise. 

Age of ExtinctionTransformers Age of Extinction has been panned by critics ahead of its US release today (Friday 27th June). 

The film, directed by Michael Bay, stars Mark Wahlberg (Ted), Stanley Tucci (Devil Wears Prada), Kelsey Grammer (Fraser) and Nicola Peltz (Bates Motel). Age of Extinction continues on from Dark of the Moon in which we saw Chicago ravaged by the Autobots and Decepticons. Four years later, a group of ambitious business men have started to use the alien technology to create weapons. In the meantime transformers, whether Autobots or Decepticons, are being hunted down by the CIA. 

Unfortunately, the weapons have one flaw as the developers used data from Megatron's remains and the new creations are perfectly capable of thinking independently from their human masters. Meanwhile, in Texas, a mechanic/inventor and his daughter (Wahlberg and Peltz) discover an old truck is actually an injured Optimus Prime. With the new, re-imagined Megatron and Optimus Prime recovering it's only a matter of time before they have a violent encounter whilst the CIA is attempting to capture both sides. 

Transformers Age of ExtinctionTransformers Age of Extinction has not impressed the critics

But will the Autobots triumph and regain the CIA's trust or are we destined to finally see the end of Optimus Prime? Well you'll have to watch for yourself unless the reviews critics have given the movie put you off entirely. 

Read More: Transformers: Age of Extinction is another no go

The only aspect of the film critics have focussed on is the excessive amount of action which dwarfs all other possible aspects. A.O. Scott (New York Times) claims the film "is wrecked in a thunderous shower of metal, glass, masonry and earth." Indeed, as Jocelyn Novack (AP) writes, there is little else but action especially towards the end of the film. A whole hour, out of the two and a half hours, of the film is dedicated to the confrontation climax. Novack writes "The final confrontation alone lasts close to an hour, and at some point, you may find yourself simply in a daze, unable to absorb any further action into your brain."

There's nothing revolutionary or unconventional about the film but after three highly successful films, Bay appears to have discovered a formula which works. Action, robots and an attractive woman in distress are evidently hugely popular with cinema goers although, as critics point out, it's a painfully typical approach. 

Transformers: Age of Extinction is released in US today and in the UK on 5th July.  

Watch The Movie Trailer For Transformers: Age of Extinction: