Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

Official Australian release date: 22/6/23. Viewed: 26/6/23.
Director: Steven Caple Jr
Actors: Anthony Ramos, Dominique Fishback, Peter Cullen, Pete Davidson
Genre: Action / Sci-Fi
Rating: M

‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ is maybe the 7^th Transformers film and a reboot (also maybe) – I gave up watching them a while ago, but making this a film version of the great 1996-99 TV show ‘Beast Wars’ made it worth a watch. While we get Maximals, there’s no Predacons – I assume they’ll be the plot for the sequel. This is set in 1994 for some reason, so we get plenty of 90s hip-hop and two new human characters – Noah (Ramos) & Elena (Fishback). They find the power-stone-thing, which is a space/time portal, which brings the Autobots and the Terrorcons (not Decepticons).

The plot is then to either destroy the power-stone-thing, or the Autobots use it to get back to Cybertron. The Maximals got sent back in time to Earth 5,000 years ago, escaping Unicron (the Galactus of Transformers). They then go to Peru to try to stop Unicron coming to Earth. As with all alien films, too much time is spent on humans, as after the 5min prologue, there’s probably 40min with mostly just Noah and Elena and giving them backstory. I know they think we relatable characters, but we’re mostly here to see robots fight!

Which does pay-off solidly in the final act. It’s good to see Optimus still voiced by Peter Cullen and Bumblebee is still there, with Mirage (the Porche) voiced by Pete Davidson. There’s also Arcee, Wheeljack, Optimus Primal, Air-razor, Rhinox and Cheetor. The main bad-guy, Unicron’s right-hand-man, is a Ultron rip-off, Scourge (Dinklage). Ending is predictable, but obviously leaves open further films. Some solid jokes and action throughout. I think if you’re a 7-14 year old kid, you’ll love this.

Overall: Lacking in many ways, but fun enough

Gav's Rating: 3 stars