FOLLOWING the success of Bumblebee in 2018, Paramount Pictures returns with a sensational new installment titled Rise of the Beast, which marks the seventh film in the Transformers live-action series and the second that is not directed by acclaimed director Michael Bay.
This exciting film draws inspiration from the beloved Beast Wars animated series, where Transformers take on animal forms instead of vehicles (dubbed Maximals), captivating fans with its engaging narrative.
Directed by Steven Caple Jr., this latest film impressively maintains continuity with the established timelines while introducing an improved storyline. Not only does it reunite fans with beloved characters, but it also reignites the essence of what made the series so compelling.
The adventure goes on as the Maximals, a technologically advanced race of Cybertronians who can transform into animals, face a dire threat as the planet-eating entity called Unicron attacks their homeworld.
To aid Unicron’s destructive mission, his minions, known as the Terrorcons, and a legion of Predacon scorpions, led by Scourge, target the Maximals’ most powerful artefact, the Transwarp Key.
The Transwarp Key grants the Maximals the ability to journey across space and time. Displaying remarkable selflessness, the leader of the Maximals, Apelinq, sacrifices himself so that his fellow Maximals can escape to Earth using the Transwarp Key. Under the guidance of Optimus Primal, the Maximals find sanctuary on Earth and join forces with the Autobots and two chosen humans to confront and combat Unicron’s menacing forces.
Back on track
In my honest opinion, I think that the pairing of Bumblebee (2018) and Rise of the Beasts—despite the fact that they are not connected or sequels to one another, just linked by a timeline—serves as a crucial course correction for the Transformers franchise. These two movies, reuniting beloved Transformer clans, have a compelling plot and deliver intense metal-crunching action that outshines Michael Bay’s previous films, which were underwhelming and overly serious.
While it may not receive the same level of praise as other works by Bay, I might have to say that director Steven Caple Jr. really does successfully execute Rise of the Beasts as a satisfying crowd-pleaser, particularly catering to the nostalgic sentiments of longtime fans who fondly remember watching the Beast Wars animated series during their youth.
By carefully crafting a film that pays homage to the beloved source material, Rise of the Beasts serves as a heartfelt and enjoyable experience, reigniting the excitement and memories of those who grew up with the series.
Picking up the story after 2018’s Bumblee, Rise of the Beasts sticks to the ancient era of 1994, giving it some comfortable distance from the mess of the previous Transformers movies. Setting itself apart from the complexities of previous films, Rise of the Beasts offers a familiar and nostalgic experience by allowing audiences to immerse themselves in a refreshing storyline, unburdened by past installments’ intricacies.
Character development
Rise of the Beasts stands out by giving surprising attention to the human characters amidst the epic battle between good and evil. Unlike the previous films, known for their flat characters and cringe-worthy dialogue, this installment allows Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback to create characters that are ideally logical.
Taking place in 1994, shortly after the events of Bumblebee and before the first Transformers, the film presents a grungy, pre-Giuliani New York City.
Noah Diaz, a former military electronics expert, faces the challenge of finding employment to support his family, especially his sick little brother Kris. In a comical twist, Noah becomes the Autobots’ human correspondent, grappling with the surreal reality of alien robots traversing Earth’s roads. Meanwhile, Elena, an intern, strives to establish her expertise in artefacts.
Simple and clear narrative structure
The main focus of the story revolves around the search for the Transwarp Key, which leads Noah and Elena on an exciting adventure. One of the highlights is the entertaining banter between Ramos and Pete Davidson, who voices Mirage and brings his irreverent and playful persona to the character.
The other cast of voices, which includes Michelle Yeoh as Airazor, Ron Perlman as Optimus Primal, and Peter Dinklage as Scourge, adds depth to the characters and their performances.
Although the film features enjoyable smaller-scale effects and impressive transformations, I have to admit that the climactic fight sequence lacks the same level of excitement as the previous Bay movie.
The lack of real stakes is noticeable since we already know the characters’ ultimate fate and the continuation of the franchise. A mid-credits scene suggests more to come, reminding us of the ongoing nature of the cinematic universe.
Overall, Rise of the Beasts delivers the expected Transformers action as it draws inspiration from the Beast Wars while also paying attention to its human characters and offering social commentary. This is accomplished without sacrificing the overall quality of the film. Despite the underwhelming nature of the final battle, the film is still entertaining and enjoyable for fans of the franchise.
