Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Movie Review — An Overshadowed Optimus Prime & Bumblebee in Decline

4 min readJun 7, 2023

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts — Movie Review

Review Rating : ★☆☆☆☆

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is out, and its tagline should be ‘Decline Of The Bots’ as key characters Optimus Prime & Bumblebee get overshadowed. This rise of beasts seems to indicate the decline of our beloved bots, but is there more to the film than meets the eye? Here’s an in-depth review of the latest instalment in the iconic franchise.

The Star Cast and Director

Directed by Steven Caple Jr, the movie boasts an impressive cast including Anthony Ramos, Dominique Fishback, Luna Lauren Velez, Dean Scott Vazquez, Peter Cullen, Ron Perlman, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, Liza Koshy, Pete Davidson, and Colman Domingo.

The Good, The Bad, and The Unforgettable

The movie does offer some varied and well-executed stunts that manage to keep you hooked, but unfortunately, these moments are overshadowed by the film’s long run-time. The filmmakers seem to be stuck in a ‘fan-service’ zone, seemingly unaware that their audience has moved on to more sophisticated storylines.

The Story

The story begins in a manner all too familiar for fans of superhero films: the bad guys, led by Unicron, are set on a path of destruction, and it’s up to the good guys, Optimus Primal (Ron Perlman) and team, to stop them. The narrative then moves to 1994, where we meet Noah Diaz (Anthony Ramos) in Brooklyn, an ex-army soldier trying to look after his ill brother while struggling to find work.

The Rise of Pete Davidson’s Mirage

Despite Optimus Prime (Peter Cullen) and Bumblebee being the lead characters, the film pushes hard for Pete Davidson’s character Mirage to take centre stage. Mirage provides the comic relief while Prime & Bumblebee are left performing their old tricks.

Direction, Music, and More

Unfortunately, the direction by Steven Caple Jr and the background score by Jongnic Bontemps don’t quite hit the mark. The music, despite using classic 90s tracks, feels forced, and Steven Caple Jr’s lack of experience in handling a film of this magnitude is evident.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the rise of the beasts has resulted in the decline of the bots, and it feels like the world has outgrown the spectacle of cars transforming into robots. What’s missing is a strong storyline to give the spectacle substance, and it’s clear that the world is ready for more than just ‘metal-p*rn.’

FAQs

What is the plot of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts?Transformers: Rise of the Beasts revolves around Noah Diaz, an ex-army soldier living in Brooklyn, who becomes involved with the Autobots after trying to steal a luxury car that turns out to be an Autobot. The Autobots need his help to retrieve a ‘trans-warp’ key, vital to their return home, from a museum.Who are the stars of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts?Transformers: Rise of the Beasts features Anthony Ramos, Dominique Fishback, Luna Lauren Velez, Dean Scott Vazquez, and notable names such as Peter Cullen, Ron Perlman, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, Liza Koshy, Pete Davidson, and Colman Domingo.Who is the director of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts?Transformers: Rise of the Beasts was directed by Steven Caple Jr.Where can I watch Transformers: Rise of the Beasts?As of now, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is available for viewing in theaters.What is the runtime of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts?The runtime of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is 128 minutes.What’s the overall review of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts?Transformers: Rise of the Beasts has been reviewed as having spectacular stunts but lacks a compelling story and screenplay, leading to a decline in the appeal of the beloved Autobot characters.