Transformers: Rise of the Beasts movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

This action sequel by Paramount Pictures is now playing in theaters

RATING: PG-13

LENGTH: 1 hour 57 minutes

MOVIE REVIEW MOM GRADE: B+

IN A NUTSHELL:

Steven Caple Jr. directs this 7^th addition to the Transformers franchise. Writing credits go to Joby Harold, Darnell Metayer, Josh Peters, Erich Hoeber, and Jon Hoeber.

During the ‘90s, a new faction of Transformers – the Maximals – join the Autobots as allies in the battle for Earth.

THINGS I LIKED:

The cast is fantastic and includes Anthony Ramos (I love him!), Ron Perlman (voice), Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh (voice), Pete Davidson (voice), Dominique Fishback, and young Dean Scott Vazquez.
The lead characters’ stories immediately make you want to root for them. The emotional connection between the Transformers is also significant.
You get action from the very first scene and plenty more later on.
Impressive set pieces.
Lots of humor. Not all of it lands, but I appreciated the effort.
Poppin music.
We get to go to Peru! The luscious, green landscapes mixed with terraced stones and wide fields make for the perfect backdrop and setting for more battle sequences. Throw in a little bit of Inca legend, and you’ve got something interesting.
If you’ve ever seen the TV series “Beast Wars: Transformers (1996), then you’ll recognize the Maximals, which can transform into animals.
Optimus Prime is a 1987 Freightliner FLA semi-truck in this movie.
There are some entertaining, new robots that are immediately likeable.
Shout-out to New York City grit.
Compared to the Michael Bay movies that had dizzying, grinding action sequences that were too close-up to see well, I thought the direction of this film was much better. The last few Transformer movies were real stinkers, but this one worked, cliched as it was.
The CGI is very good.
We get a LOT of different kinds of Transformers.
The ending lets you know you’re not going to have to wait too long for a sequel to this story. Yep, the Transformers franchise is not dead.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

Because they have to keep reinventing worlds, there is, necessarily, a LOT of exposition so the audience can understand what’s going on. So much explaining!
It always makes me laugh when the Transformers have massive battles out in the open, yet no other humans see or hear anything.
The plot is extremely simple, sandwiched by lots of battles and destruction.
Some of the story details are filled with predictable tropes and others don’t make sense but try not to overthink everything and you’ll enjoy it just fine.
If you don’t like Transformer movies to begin with, don’t bother with this one. Some fans are loving this new addition, but it’s probably not going to convince you otherwise.
There’s a short scene when Dominique Fishback starts to sing and I was REALLY hoping that Anthony Ramos would sing with her, but he doesn’t. Missed opportunity! I absolutely loved him in Hamilton and In the Heights. He is so talented!
First, Optimus Prime. Now, Optimus Primal. Seriously?
It felt a lot like the very first Transformers movie but without the novelty. (https://amzn.to/45XzRYI )

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

A mother swears and her son scolds her saying, “Language!”
There is some additional, “mild” profanity.
Some Spanish is spoken without subtitles. One line is crude.
Lots of destruction.
Lots of violence and fighting.
People and creatures are in dangerous situations.
A boy has Sickle Cell

THEMES:

Teamwork
Family
Sacrifice
Hope
Never give up
Believing in something greater than yourself

FUNNY LINES:

“Stop following me!” – Elena (Dominique Fishback) “I’m not following you. I’m just escaping in the same direction!” – Noah Diaz (Anthony Ramos)
“Don’t be a problem. Don’t go looking for a problem or else we’re going to have a problem.” – Noah Diaz (Anthony Ramos)
“Cross my spark and hope to die. Wow, that was corny when I said it.” – Mirage (Pete Davidson)
“You can’t handle the truth!” – ? “I do not want you going into that drive-in theater anymore.” – Optimus Prime (Peter Cullen)
“He’s a robot, so how’s that racist?” – Noah Diaz (Anthony Ramos)
“This is some Indiana Jones kind of shxx.” – Noah Diaz (Anthony Ramos)
“Stranger danger!” – Mirage (Pete Davidson)
“Scared? I’m not scared. Please. That’s just engine oil.” – Mirage (Pete Davidson)

INTERESTING LINES:

“If you keep your eyes and ears open, life will show you what you need to know.” – Elena (Dominique Fishback)
“Evil can never be vanquished forever.” – Optimus Prime (Peter Cullen)
“Together, we might just have a chance.” – Optimus Prime (Peter Cullen)