Review: Transformers Rise of the Beasts
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.
Anthony Ramos, Dominique Thorne, Michelle Yeoh, Dean Scott Vazquez, Tobe Nwigue, Peter Cullin, Ron Pearlman, Peter Dinklage, Pete Davidson, Liza Koshy, John DiMaggio & Colman Domingo.
Transfomers: Rise of the Beasts is the newest instalment in the Transformers franchise & it’s a step down from the more subtle, less ambitious yet better realised ‘Bumblebee’.
This instalment brings back Michael Bay’s canon & timeline by becoming its prequel. And with this, the film starts to lean more into the gritty and darker tone and aesthetic. Unfortunately it tries to lean a lot into its comedic side to compete with Bay’s and for the most part doesn’t pull it off, often becoming cringe and cheesy than laugh out loud funny. As well as attempting their own Sam Witwicky character and dynamic that while is more “compelling”, it’s far less interesting and engaging.
The two leads, Dominique Thorne & Anthony Ramos do their best and for the most part, impress in all aspects both comedy and drama. Their dynamic, however, is rather mixed and doesn’t feel as authentic as dynamics in the other films. Optimus Prime is strangely unlikable and annoying to see on screen, mostly aggressive and illogical in his decisions and interactions. Mirage is decent in concept but is constantly irritating and presence isn’t warranted except for comic relief.
The CG, sound design & other technical elements are at high standard, but dragged down a little by its mostly bland cinematography and creativity. The plot is familiar and the end of the world scenarios are becoming tiring in big budget live action blockbusters. But, the director tries his best to create engaging characters and blend them with its robotic counterparts and succeeds occasionally, but it’s messages and attempt to make autobots relatable with human flaws doesn’t match how ambitious the overall film is. Especially the beasts who feel as though they’re in the completely wrong film.
The editing & score is inconsistent but does it’s job. The two leads do their best, but the dialogue and overall script drags them down greatly. It’s sometimes fun, but far too generic and familiar to be fully engaged. It has its moments of comedy that do pay off. However, It’s weird needle drops are completely unwarranted & the ending is laughable.
