REVIEW: ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ Continues the ‘Transformers’ Correction Course with Nostalgia Filled Movie
In 1984, the American toy company, Hasbro and the Japanese company Takara released the first Transformers toys. Each toy had the ability to shift from either a vehicle, a device, or an animal into its very own robot. The toys became immediate hits in households and would lead to the creation of the hit animated series, The Transformers. The animated series would run until 1987, but the company would continue to produce the highly sought toys to this day. Helping to propel this prolonged interest, Paramount Pictures would jump into the game to develop the live-action Transformers movie series. From the mind of Michael Bay, and led by Shia LaBeouf, the first movie in the series, Transformers was released in 2007. The movie was an immediate box office hit and the franchise was a go. LaBeouf would go on to lead two more Transformers movies, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and Transformers: Dark of the Moon, before Mark Wahlberg would step into the lead role for the next two movies, Transformers: Age of Extinction and Transformers: The Last Knight. With audiences’ interest slowly dwindling in the series, Paramount Pictures decided to change it up with its next film, Bumblebee. This film, led by Hailee Steinfeld, took audiences back to the 80’s and brought a whole new feel and vibe to the Transformers franchise. With this new course correction underway, the studio is now gearing up to release the next film in the series, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, and while it might not be as good as some of its predecessors, it is still an enjoyable ride.
Set in 1994, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts introduces audiences to Brooklyn born, Noah Diaz (Anthony Ramos). An ex-military service member, Noah is doing everything he can to keep his struggling family afloat. After failing to get a job due to his inability to act as a team player, Noah turns to his friend, Reek (Tobe Nwigwe) for help. Reek promises to lend Noah some cash if he helps him steal a silver-blue Porsche 964 Carrera RS 3.8. With no other options, Noah agrees to steal the car, but, as he attempts to take the car, the car has other ideas. Mid-steal, the car receives a mysterious message “calling all Autobots”, and with Noah inside, the car jets off to find these said Autobots. It is here where Noah is introduced to the Autobots, including the robot behind the Porsche he has been riding in, Mirage (voiced by Pete Davidson), and their leader, Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen). Wary of humans, but desperate to find a way home, Optimus explains why he has called them all together. The Transwarp Key, a key that will return the Autobots to their home world, Cybertron, has been located. With Noah in tow, the Autobots head out to find this key, but soon learn they are not the only ones looking for it. The deadly Scourge (voiced by Peter Dinklage) and his henchmen are in search of the key for their leader Unicron. With constant obstacles being thrown their way, Noah and the Autobots will travel across the world, teaming up with researcher Elena Wallace (Dominique Fishback) and the legendary Maximals (robots that can shift into animals) to stop Scourge before it is too late.
Directed by Steven Caple Jr., Rise of the Beasts continues the course correction Bumblebee started in 2018. Unlike past Transformers movies, this one is not filled with unnecessary action scenes or over sexualized characters. The CGI used was not distracting nor did it have a low budget look to it like we have seen the past. Caple Jr. has created a story that is straight to the point with no unnecessary fluff. Sure, there are parts that I wish had been more fleshed out, namely the parts with the Maximals, but overall, Caple Jr. has managed to create a fun family movie.
One of the best parts of the film though is the heavy focus on the 90’s nostalgia. This is really propelled by the movie’s soundtrack. Jongnic Bontemps scored the movie and made sure to pick pieces that would continue to remind people of the year in which the movie takes place. He also used pieces from the first live-action movie, as well as Transformers: The Animated Movie which helped remind the audience that this movie is indeed connected to the overall world.
Ramos steps in to lead this new movie, though I wouldn’t exactly call him the lead. He is the lead human, but this movie has more of an ensemble feel to it. Unlike past movies where the focus has been on the relationship between human and Autobot, this one focuses on how the two have to put their differences aside and work as a team. Davidson does well voicing Mirage but isn’t given enough. I would have liked to have seen more scenes between him and Ramos. That is one relationship I hope is explored more, if we get another movie. Fishback plays our other human lead, Elena, and does a nice job. However, her character was very much underutilized. Cullen, Dinklage, Liza Koshy (Arcee), Michaela Jaé Rodriguez (Nightbird), Ron Pearlman (Optimus Primal), and Michelle Yeoh (Airazor) round out the voice cast. Each brings something fun and engaging to their characters. Though, Cullen, who has voiced Optimus since the 1980s, continues to be the standout.
Transformers: Rise of the Beast will keep Transformers fans excited for the series while bringing new fans into the fold. There is a mid-credit scene that will have many jumping from their seats, so make sure to stick around. But I highly recommend checking this movie out this weekend in theaters or seeing it when it is released to stream later this year.
Grade: B+