>>6373308The real big issue with DOTM is that it didn't run with all the potential the first movie set up, and its still something we're trying to rebound from to this day. When all is said and done, the 2007 movie did a solid job. We can complain that they glossed over too much mythos or the Decepticons didn't get enough characterization, but for a risky first movie, I think it was respectable.
The second movie, though, had to run with all that set up, and feel flat. The first movie ends with some interesting threads; Optimus calling more Autobots, Starscream retreating. Then , in movie 2, we jump to the Autobots already having arrived, with little to no explanation as to what they're personalities are, and just serve as rank fillers, and Starscream with a bunch of tattoos that aren't explained, taking orders from another Decepticon leader.
Look at this thread, where people complain about Decepticon models being repeated without explanation, even though clones, drones, and palette swaps have been a thing in every series since G1. If they bothered to explain, say, the Deccepticons brought along Constructicons in their second invasion, and used the toyline explanation that they where an entire faction and any number of them could combine, that would account for all the doubles and look-alikes.
