A Film by Steven Caple Jr.

I have a long history with the Transformers franchise, dating all the way back to the original 1986 film, which was the first movie I ever saw in theaters. I had some of the toys and absolutely LOVED the cartoon growing up. Despite its controversial marketing decision to kill off beloved characters to make way for new toys, I still hold fond memories of that movie. Of all the things I remember from being four years old, that opening scene of Unicron (a gigantic planet-sized eater of worlds) destroying a planet still sticks with me for some reason.

The franchise eventually faded away, despite some prominent animated shows, but it resurfaced in the 2000s to once again become a media phenomenon. Looking back at the summer of 2007, I remember the excitement of watching the first live-action Transformers film, directed by Michael Bay and featuring stars like Megan Fox and Shia Lebouf. It was a surreal experience, considering the property’s origins as a children’s toy and TV series from the 1980s. This film marked the beginning of a successful franchise that has produced seven movies and counting.

While the first Transformers film may not have been a cinematic masterpiece, it held sentimental value for me; I was once again four years old and smiling ear to ear in that theater. Seeing my childhood heroes on the big screen, brought tears to my eyes. However, as the franchise continued with subsequent films, I couldn’t help but notice a decline in quality. Personally, I was not a fan of the Mark Wahlberg films, and my interest waned until the release of Bumblebee in 2018. This underrated movie rekindled my enthusiasm for the franchise and left me eagerly awaiting a sequel.

“Optimus Prime and the Autobots take on their biggest challenge yet. When a new threat capable of destroying the entire planet emerges, they must team up with a powerful faction of Transformers known as the Maximals to save Earth.”

This year, we finally got Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, and in my opinion, it stands as one of the best films in the entire franchise. The key factor that sets it apart is the proper balance of screen time between the Transformers and human actors. It seems like common sense, considering the movies are called “Transformers,” but previous films often focused more on the human characters. Calling the movies “Shia Lebouf and his robot friends” would have been more fitting at times. Rise of the Beasts faced the challenge of revitalizing a struggling franchise (I mean they make money like crazy I guess) and introducing fan-favorite characters from the Beast Wars iteration of Transformers, all while somehow acting as a fresh start to tired ideas, and somehow coming out with a coherent film in the end. Remarkably, it manages to bring all these elements together cohesively.

While the movie still embraces its signature dumb, explosive, CGI-filled action sequences—typical of a Michael Bay-produced film—it also possesses a heart that was lacking in the recent installments directed by Bay. Rise of the Beasts injects a sense of emotion and connection, reminiscent of the successful Bumblebee film. It represents a step in the right direction for the franchise and leaves me hopeful for its future.

Longtime fans of the Transformers franchise will be delighted to discover that Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is packed with nostalgic callbacks to the original series. The film introduces fan-favorite characters such as Arcee, Optimus Primal (voiced by Ron Pearlman), Cheetor, and even the iconic Unicron. While some may argue that the movie lacks the star power of A-list actors in leading roles, many are there as voice actors, and I believe that this actually strengthens the film. By not having to work around somebody big like Wahlberg, the film has more breathing room. The cast is rounded out by Anthony Ramos in the role of Noah, Dominique Fishback as Elena, Michelle Yeoh as Airrazor, Pete Davidson as Mirage, Liza Koshy as Arcee, and the legendary Peter Cullen reprising his iconic role as Optimus Prime.

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts continues the trend we saw in Bumblebee, where production designers broke from previous films in terms of character design, as it embraces a more classic style that resonates with longtime fans. Unlike some of the earlier films, which took liberties with the appearance of the robotic characters, this movie stays true to the iconic designs from the cartoons and original toy line. In the 2007 Michael Bay film and its subsequent sequels, the Transformers often had a more intricate and complex look, with organic elements incorporated into their designs. Megatron, for example, looked like a spiky Evangelion Unit 00 for absolutely no reason. While this approach appealed to some viewers, others hated it.

By staying faithful to the original character designs, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts allows long-time fans to easily recognize and connect with their favorite characters on screen. The return to classic character styles is a testament to the filmmakers’ understanding of the importance of honoring the source material and pleasing the fan base. It demonstrates a willingness to listen to the feedback and desires of longtime fans who have been longing to see their beloved Transformers portrayed in a more faithful manner.

The two main human characters, Noah and Elena, work alongside the Cybertronians as a team throughout the film. Their backgrounds, such as Noah’s struggle to support his family and Elena’s challenges at the museum, are introduced in a concise twenty-minute segment. This quick setup allows the story to swiftly shift gears without getting bogged down in excessive human drama. Once the stage is set, the film maintains a fast-paced momentum, taking the audience from a fiery museum battle to the captivating backdrop of Peru. By minimizing unnecessary human drama, the film keeps the focus on the thrilling action and collaboration between humans and Transformers.

While not a perfect film, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts left me pleasantly surprised and thoroughly entertained. The film was fun, and I had a great time watching it. The cherry on top was an exciting “Easter Egg” at the end that hints at either a spinoff or the next installment, leaving me incredibly excited for what’s to come. If you’ve been neglecting the Transformers franchise, Rise of the Beasts could be the perfect entry point to jump back in. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the series, do yourself a favor and check this out. Let’s hope for the film’s success, as it deserves many more installments in the future.