Unleashing the Beasts: A New Era of Transformers Ignites with Fresh Characters and Bold Action

Reviews for Transformers: Rise of the Beasts are now available. The latest movie, heavily influenced by the Beast Wars storyline, marks the return of the Transformers franchise after a hiatus following the 2018 release of Bumblebee. Serving as a sequel to Bumblebee and a prequel to Michael Bay's first Transformers film, the movie is directed by Steven Caple Jr. and features Anthony Ramos from In the Heights and Dominique Fishback from Swarm in human roles, with the new Transformers voiced by renowned performers such as Pete Davidson, Michelle Yeoh, and Peter Dinklage. As the release date approaches, critics have weighed in on the film, praising its thrilling action and new characters while some lament the franchise's reliance on familiar action sequences.

The decision to take "Barbie" in a different direction seems to be motivated by spite, as if someone in power wanted to do the opposite of Mattel and Greta Gerwig's efforts to turn the franchise into a work of art.

The human story in the movie is relatable and well-executed, while the script features sustained bursts of dialogue that make the robots come across as more realistic characters than they typically do. Owen Gleiberman, writing for Variety, praised this aspect of the film.

The Hasbro action figures, both in physical form and as portrayed on screen, possess the ability to evoke a sense of childlike wonder and excitement in even the most cynical and mature adult. It's hard not to be mesmerized by their charm and appeal, prompting one to yearn for a chance to play with them on the floor.

The film's overall tone seems to lack a definitive conclusion, perhaps assuming that the audience's understanding of typical movie structures will allow them to fill in the missing pieces. Steve Caple Jr, the director, and the five-person creative team behind the script have left certain gaps in the plot that may require additional interpretation.

Valerie Complex, Deadline Hollywood Daily

Rise of the Beast is another generic story about an intergalactic menace from the sky carries all the plot predictability of a broken clock.

Alonso Duralde, The Film Verdict

Gives you some people to care about, sprinkled among the clanging heavy machinery that remains the real star of the series.

The latest installment in the Transformers franchise, Rise of the Beasts, delivers on every front. The thrilling action scenes are bound to make your heart race. With the movie season in full swing for a little over a month, Rise of the Beasts takes the popcorn blockbuster experience to new heights.

Mike Ryan, Uproxx

It’s kind of remarkable what can be done with a Transformers movie with a director who actually likes these characters.

Jeremy Mathai, Slashfilm

The franchise is running in fumes.

The latest installment in the Transformers franchise, Rise of the Beasts, follows in the narrative footsteps of its predecessor, Bumblebee. This action-packed sequel introduces a plethora of new and exciting characters, bringing a fresh perspective to the franchise.

The Transformers franchise has a lot to live up to, and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts manages to exceed expectations. Despite the pressure to deliver a quality film, the latest installment in the series is surprisingly enjoyable and entertaining.

Siddhant Adlakha, Polygon

Virtually all of the Transformers movies feel like they’re trying to defeat their audience, but this time, the movie wins.

How Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts Reviews Compare Past Films In The Franchise

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' Rotten Tomatoes score currently sits in the 60 percent range, which is not as high as its predecessor but still a step in the right direction for the franchise. Unlike Michael Bay's films, which were often criticized for lacking relatable human characters, Rise of the Beasts introduces new characters portrayed by Ramos and Fishback that are both believable and engaging. Additionally, the film injects new life into the franchise with the introduction of new factions such as the Maximals, Predacons, and Terrorcons. By continuing to embrace its '90s nostalgia, Rise of the Beasts solidifies the franchise's new direction for the future.

Source: Various (see above)