"Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" is yet another film about colossal extraterrestrial robots engaging in verbal smackdowns and physical clashes. However, it surpasses many of its predecessors in the franchise.
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The latest summer spectacle, based on Hasbro's toy line, doesn't quite live up to the surprise hit of 2018's "Bumblebee." Yet it vastly outshines the five deafening blockbusters that Michael Bay directed from 2007 to 2017. Now, Steven Caple Jr. ("Creed II") assumes directorial duties, bringing much-needed narrative clarity and visual consistency. The epic action sequences are now clear and discernible, a welcome change.
Longstanding fans will likely appreciate the nostalgic return of favorite characters. Besides the Autobot brigade, led by the ever-dependable Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen), the film introduces Maximals from the "Transformers: Beast Wars" series and various cosmic villains under the command of Unicron (Colman Domingo). Their quest revolves around a mysterious, immensely powerful artifact that could cause catastrophic destruction.
"Rise of the Beasts" sets itself apart by exhibiting unexpected care for the human characters caught amidst the colossal clash of good and evil, a deviation from the franchise's norm of one-dimensional humans and cringe-worthy dialogue. The script, a product of five writers, presents Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback. The characters might genuinely elicit audience sympathy.
Paradoxically, it might seem odd to demand more human sentiment in a film centered on alien beings masquerading as vehicles. However, this element is precisely what distinguishes "Rise of the Beasts," as well as Travis Knight's '80s themed "Bumblebee."
The film isn't strictly a sequel to "Bumblebee," but it starts in 1994, shortly after and before the original "Transformers." The story unfolds in a gritty, pre-Giuliani New York City. Ramos' character, Noah Diaz, is an ex-military electronics expert struggling to support his family, including his sick younger brother, Kris (Dean Scott Vazquez). Concurrently, on Ellis Island, Fishback's Elena battles to establish herself as a youthful artifacts expert. Both characters, as marginalized young people of color, bring an added layer of social commentary rarely seen in the franchise.
Both Noah and Elena get drawn into the quest for the crucial Transwarp Key: Noah, when he inadvertently attempts to steal an Autobot-occupied Porsche, and Elena, while examining a newly arrived sculpture with mysterious symbols. One of the film's highlights is the repartee between Ramos and Pete Davidson, who voices Mirage, the cheeky sports car. Davidson's irreverent, playful personality shines in the role, perhaps representing his best work to date.
The voice cast features other notable performers, including Michelle Yeoh as the noble Maximal falcon Airazor, Ron Perlman as the ferocious gorilla Optimus Primal, and Peter Dinklage as the menacing Scourge, Unicron's right-hand man. Cristo Fernández channels his charming Dani Rojas persona from "Ted Lasso" to voice a 1970s Volkswagen bus named Wheeljack, and it works beautifully. The score, packed with nineties hip-hop classics, adds an energetic ambience.
However, "Rise of the Beasts" eventually reverts to the Transformers franchise's signature style: a seemingly infinite battle sequence featuring hulking metallic beings colliding loudly. The smaller, more intimate special effects, like Mirage's realistic and versatile transformations, are more impressive than these enormous set pieces. While the climax isn't as dizzying as typical Transformers finales, it's somewhat lackluster compared to the preceding action.
The film does have a fundamental issue: the lack of tangible stakes. We're aware of these characters' future trajectories, knowing they'll survive for subsequent films. And naturally, a mid-credits sequence hints at further expansion of this cinematic universe. So, strap in for the ride.
