by ECI Released : 2023-06-14
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is a sequel to the 2018 film Bumblebee and serves as a continuation in the semi-rebooted transformers franchise. Following Micheal Bay’s first transformer film which fans and critics seemed to enjoy to an extent the following films were poorly received, with bloated run times, thin characters, and repetitive story lines. 2018 Bumblebee was a much more scaled down Transformers film set in 1987 and was far more character driven with less action and in my opinion the high point of the franchise.
Its sequel is set in 1994 and follows Noah Diaz (Anthony Ramos) as he aids Optimus Prime and the autobots in finding a key that could allow the Transformers to return to their homeworld of Cybertron.
The film at times falls victim to the franchise's flaws, the runtime is slightly bloated and all the action scenes were not on point. However the introduction of new transformers like Mirage, a soundtrack inspired by the 90s time period of the film, and the performance of Anthony Ramos in the lead are all strengths of the film that make it an entertaining watch. A chase scene in the first act of the film, and the first act in general are the best parts of the film. Once the Maximals and Autobots team up the film lags before picking up with an action packed third act. Overall the film was good and one of the three best films in the franchise but the promise of a truly great Transformers film still eludes this inconsistent film franchise heading in the right direction.
