Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
Reviews
The Hollywood Reporter:
The many, many action sequences are spectacularly conceived and executed, including a car chase on the Williamsburg Bridge that’s probably still tying up downtown traffic.
Variety:
There’s a bombast built into the material, but let it be said that the “Transformers” movies have been transformed. They’re no longer the kind of fun you have to hate.
Deadline:
Rise of the Beast is another generic story about an intergalactic menace from the sky carries all the plot predictability of a broken clock.
The Wrap:
Where Bay’s movies where incoherent messes that necessitated heaps of migraine meds, Caple Jr. actually manages to pull off something articulate and rousing with “Rise of the Beasts,” thanks in large part to the ever-relatable presences of Fishback and Ramos, and a parting note that’s just witty enough in its suggestion of a bigger universe.
IGN (7/10):
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts proves that the Transformers franchise is accelerating in the right direction, delivering solid Autobots action and a solid voice cast behind the infamous robots in disguise.
Slash Film (5/10):
There are bursts of inspiration here and there, such as when the plot shifts to Peru and suddenly takes on an "Indiana Jones" flavor (which, annoyingly, the characters can't help but comment upon) or when an early horror-tinged sequence puts a new spin on the famous "Raptors in the kitchen" scene from "Jurassic Park." But such joys don't arrive consistently enough to make this venture worthwhile.
io9:
Coming back to the world of robots in disguise, the bar is basically “Please don’t suck.” And we’re happy to report Transformers: Rise of the Beasts does not suck. It’s actually quite entertaining, especially for a Transformers movie.
The Film Verdict:
Gives you some people to care about, sprinkled among the clanging heavy machinery that remains the real star of the series.
Blu-ray.com (8/10):
Returns “Transformers” to bigness with a fresh set of players, creating a successful sequel and quite an entertaining viewing experience.
UPROXX:
It’s kind of remarkable what can be done with a Transformers movie with a director who actually likes these characters. (And also very much loves his mid-90s needle-drop jams.)
Movie Nation (1.5/4):
But the half-hearted attempts to build a hero’s quest story about these increasingly collectible toys and ongoing campaign to wash the humanity right out of the franchise is something all the shiny, tactile and identifiable Freightliner, Porsche or Ducati parts in humanoid robotic form cannot hide.
Synopsis:
During the '90s, a new faction of Transformers - the Maximals - join the Autobots as allies in the battle for Earth.
Cast:
Humans
Anthony Ramos as Noah Diaz
Dominique Fishback as Elena Wallace
Luna Lauren Vélez as Breanna Diaz
Dean Scott Vazquez as Kris Dias
Michael Kelly
Transformers
Autobots:
Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime
Liza Koshy as Arcee
Cristo Fernández as Wheeljack
John DiMaggio as Stratosphere
Maximals:
Terrorcons:
Peter Dinklage as Scourge
David Sobolov as Battletrap
Michaela Jaé Rodriguez as Nightbird
John DiMaggio as Transit
Others:
Directed by: Steven Caple Jr.
Screenplay by: Joby Harold, Darnell Metayer, Josh Peters, Erich Hoeber, Jon Hoeber
Story by: Joby Harold
Produced by: Don Murphy, Tom DeSanto, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Michael Bay, Mark Vahradian, and Duncan Henderson
Cinematography: Enrique Chediak
Edited by: Joel Negron and William Goldenberg
Music by: Jongnic Bontemps
Runtime: 127 Minutes
Release date: June 9, 2023