Returning to the action and spectacle that have captured moviegoers around the world, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts will take audiences on a ’90s globetrotting adventure with the Autobots and introduce a whole new faction of Transformers – the Maximals – to join them as allies in the existing battle for earth. Directed by Steven Caple Jr. and starring Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback
It’s a mixed bag for me when it comes to the Transformers franchise. Back in 2007, director Michael Bay changed the game when it came to visual technology on screen. I absolutely loved his first Transformers film, and it’s probably still in my top 200 favorite (favorite doesn’t mean the best) movies of all time. However, I absolutely loathed his sequel Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen in 2009. While Michael Bay knew how to film certain action scenes and set the stage for pure epic mayhem, his sense of humor is extremely childish and waters down all the other positives his films had going for them. It’s also important to note that he’s a master technician genius when it comes to filming with IMAX cameras. If nothing else, that alone sets him apart from everyone else in the film industry. While Bay is one of the silliest wild-humored men out there, there’s still something about his movies that are magical that no one else could repeat. Though after five Transformers films his visual brilliance isn’t enough to say his past franchise is more than a financial success due to ridiculous character dynamics, cheap dialogue, and wild randomness. I’d given up on the franchise after The Last Knight (2017). Then Bumblebee was released in 2018 with director Travis Knight (Kubo and the Two Strings). It was the breath of fresh air needed to rejuvenate the Transformers IP like never before. It was a great film, and the future showed promise for the Autobots and Decepticons. So with the seventh film on the horizon with new director Stephen Caple Jr (Creed II), my interest was piqued. Especially since my childhood introduction to the Transformers was through Beasts Wars so I had nostalgic feelings running all through my veins as the lights turned down in the theater. So with my expectations being low to mid, and still mixed on how I felt about live-action Transformers movies, I was still ready to enjoy myself hoping for the best.
Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts is a good movie, and might even be considered great. The past Transformers films have always struggled with sharing screen time between the human and robotic characters. Sam’s character (Shia Lebouf) in past films was always a fun man to follow, but then you had other characters that said things like, “I’m not here to help you save your daughter, you’re here to help me save my girlfriend!” What man in their right mind would say such a thing to the father of the daughter he’s trying to court? It’s insane! Thank goodness Rise Of The Beasts doesn’t have that problem in the slightest. All of the human characters are far more competent and resourceful. Things do get very convenient at times when it comes to that resourcefulness, but at least the characters serve a purpose. Looks like the Blacks and Browns are teaming up too this time which is very different and appreciated, to be honest. Noah (Anthony Ramos) is a respectable Army man and older brother to Kris (Dean Scott Vazquez) who is just looking for a break. Elena (Dominque Fishback) is a historian/archaeologist whose curiosity about learning about the unknown is innocent and inspiring. The relationship that Noah and Kris have together is pure. It’s clear as day Kris looks up to his older brother, and that’s apparent in his maturity level given his age. Whatever Noah is doing is working, and that shows through the performance of his younger brother. Elena is adorable. She’s an intern that doesn’t quite know her worth yet, but by the end of the film she does. The pacing of the film when these two finally interact with each other for the first time flows organically. It’s straight to the point with their objectives when they meet, with one of them being just to survive. Relationships can possess unbreakable ties when launched during a crisis, and that’s the case here between these two humans.
The Autobots and Maximals are just as fun too. Of course, we have Optimus Prime and Bumblebee returning, but a stand out in this film was Mirage. Not only was his character funny, and a delight to be around, but he possesses one of the coolest powers/abilities by creating mirages to confuse any opposition. This was done so well multiple times during the film in the heat of battle against a foe, or trying to escape the local police speeding down a highway. All powers and abilities were on full display here and that is an example of what moviegoers want to experience when they take a trip to the theater. There were other Transformers as well that had brief moments to shine, but Mirage was a huge standout amongst the rest. The rest of the villains (Predacons) were physically able to do damage, and they did, but felt empty. There wasn’t much too memorable about them. Unicron felt more like an empty cloud, and more of his back story would’ve been appreciated.
When it comes to the action it was done well. It still missed that Michael Bay magic especially when certain characters were highlighted during signature moves, but you could still enjoy all the metals clashing and clanging back and forth. The first scene was shot at night, so the visuals didn’t pop out as bright as past interactions, but when they got to the daytime that contrast between the landscape and all the Transformers characters was beautiful. It was all choreographed well with an actual plot within the action too. Action with no plot is just visual noise, and that wasn’t the case this time around. It’s all easy to follow too. At no point was there confusion or no clear objective that the protagonists or antagonists were trying to achieve.
Going back to the human characters there was a ton of exposition in the film, and both the humans and Transformers are used as the gateway to the audience to flesh out all explanations of existence. The initial shock of their greetings is genuine as well. Any human would freak out if they saw a car they were driving suddenly turn into a humanoid robot. That was all realistic except for the duration of time it would take the average human to adjust. In other words, after the initial shock from the greeting, I felt the human characters felt too comfortable too fast around the aliens. I personally would have an infinite amount of questions to ask, and it felt like the film brushed over that too casually.
In addition to that, another negative of the film is the stakes and intensity could’ve been stronger. On one hand, this is a global threat, and not involving the world’s armed forces was a mistake. Sure the plot could conveniently say humans don’t trust robot aliens, but if the world is coming to an end Optimus Prime needs to stop being so stubborn. As far as the intensity, yes certain characters die, but I still didn’t entirely feel the threat. It was great action, with barely any impact. When one character died, I wasn’t sad, hurt, or emotional. I just said, “Oh ok,” and was ready to move on to the next scene, not caring if they came back or not. This is not good, and a clear indication that I didn’t have a strong connection with some characters on screen even if they looked good with shiny parts.
At no point was I nervous or at the edge of my seat worried about the outcome. I wasn’t in a panic gasping for air while punches were thrown. I still had fun, but even though I didn’t enjoy a majority of the Michael Bay Transformers films because of their lack of story and involvement with dumb as hell human characters, I still missed that intensity in action. Rise of the Beasts had a lighter tone to it. It was fun, and at points it brought out your inner child like you were watching a Saturday morning cartoon, but I still wanted more.
What’s also sad is the aspect ratio that was used. The widescreen 2.35:1. Every Transformers film except for the first was shot with IMAX cameras. Bumble wasn’t, but still used the full frame at 1.85:1. So for Rise Of The Beasts to go backwards with the aspect ratio was a huge letdown. So overall, I had fun with this movie. It wasn’t the best in the franchise, but definitely wasn’t the worst. Towards the end I was leaning towards saying, if I never see another Transformers movie, I’d be ok with that. However, the last sixty-second stinger got me so excited for what’s to come next I can’t wait. Great job at keeping my interest high, because at this point, I’m excited for the next epic chapter!
Video Review:
Official Teaser Trailer:
Official Trailer:
Official Final Trailer:
