Transformers: Rise of the Beast – Movie Reviews by Ry!

Transformers: Rise of the Beast – Roar as an Animal, Transform as a Hero

‘Autobots … Roll Out’ is an infamous line that strikes that chord of familiarity, fun and childhood memories.  Like many, nostalgia brings delight when an adaptation comes to the big screen.  As those things come to life … we can only hope to experience the same fun from the past.  In this review, I look at the latest film in the Transformers’ series.  In this slight reboot, we get a film that dances the line between generalities and lore.  Even within a simple script, Transformers: Rise of the Beast becomes a fun ride of nostalgic robot action.

In this latest chapter, we find the autobots are living in hiding with hopes of returning to Cybertron.  As their search leads to a new threat, they will have to decide between leaving or fighting to save Earth.  On the surface, this is a basic Sci-Fi/action outline.  The first act starts with a quick epilogue that introduces us to the Maximals, the trans warp key (MacGuffin), and the foreshadowing of a fight with the Terracons and the ultimate threat … Unicron.  From this point, we move into the film’s present (1994), where we are introduced to two human characters: Noah (Anthony Ramos) and Elena (Dominque Fishback).  After some character building, the linear directive leads through obvious detail, showcasing how they get involved with the underline fantastical plot elements (alien robots, Trans warp key, and villainous Terracons).  After a mixture of cheesy dialogue, CGI action and predictable plot devices, Noah and Elena find themselves teaming up with the Autobots to prevent the Terracons from getting the key.  As the film moves into the second act, it becomes an amalgamation of the ‘heroes v. villains’ trope mixed with the ‘race against time’ motif.  Through this mixture and the film’s MacGuffin (Trans warp key), it leads to some predictable but fun world-building, leading to the group encountering the Maximals.  Once they come into the fray, the journey shifts towards more lore building.  As the groups are forced into an uneasy alliance, it leads to a dynamic that showcases a reasonable cause in the idea of existence.  As this ideal becomes a conflict of personal importance, it leads to a fragility of character growth within the simplistic nature (of the film).  There is heart in the commonalities, striking a tone of worth in the fantastical. 

As the heroes group comes across the final piece, this leads to a plot twist that puts their survivability on the line.  With the existence of Earth and Cybertron at stake, we head into a third act that becomes a series of over-the-top sequences of robot action, cheesy one-liners and the foreshadowed conflict coming true.  As Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal lead their groups into battle, it builds towards that triumph-like climax, and an epilogue that will have you feeling nostalgic for more.  Transformers: Rise of the Beast is a simply, just a fun action/fantasy film.  If you are a fan of the film’s IP, action or just like having a good time, this is one for you.  I think there is fun for the family … worth seeing at a matinee.

Full Score – 3.5 out of 5 (Matinee)