Did Steven Caple Jr. restore the Transformers franchise back to its former glory? I think so, because Rise of the Beasts was actually a fun watch.
It might not be the best movie in the franchise but it had the best combination of action and story since the first film. It’s obviously over-the-top but nothing like the Michael Bay movies. And it doesn’t feel like a slow burn, like the Bumblebee movie.
After years I can proudly proclaim myself as a fan of the Transformers movies again. I went in with low expectations and was wonderfully surprised. The human characters might not be as interesting as Sam, but they came in and did what they had to. And that tease at the end was pretty special.
The standout was the inclusion of the Maximals. I grew up on Beast Wars; it’s the show that introduced me to the world of Transformers. Seeing Optimus Primal, Cheetor, and Rhinox was a real treat. I just wish we got Ratrap as well.
The Predacons were also great, Scourge is a worthy villain, but he is no Megatron. And now I’m talking about the Decepticon and Predacon Megatron. The Terrorcons are pretty horrifying and are great foot soldiers.
I wish we got more of Unicron, but I have a feeling that he will return in the future… And now the main man and his team, Optimus Prime and the Autobots. It was great to see them again. This is a different version of Prime, which makes his arc more compelling. Mirage is also a great new addition.
The story might be predictable and some of the special effects are a little underwhelming, but it doesn’t drag the film down too much. My biggest criticism is that they didn’t play enough into the 90s nostalgia, because that would have created a higher level of awesomeness.
So is this the best Transformers movie? I might be able to give a clear answer after I rewatch it a few times. I will however say that it is a great soft reboot and I look forward to more. Get your tickets now and see it in theaters, you will not be disappointed.
