Autobots! Role Out To The Theaters!
'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' packs an exhilarating punch
Optimus Primal (represented here in a statue on display in March at the Silver Leaf Garden, Gardens by the Bay, Singapore) and his band of Maximals join forces with the classic Autobots to battle an ancient evil in 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.' [Courtesy photo by Derek Teo | Shutterstock]
"Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" is the second movie in the rebooted franchise and it's everything I could have asked for and more!
Five years after the events of "Bumblebee," the movie picks up where that movie left off with Bumblebee and the rest of the Transformers searching for a way back to Cybertron, their home planet.
During their search they meet a human named Noah, played by Anthony Ramos ("In The Heights"), and an archeologist named Elena, played by Domonique Fishback ("Judas and the Black Messiah"). They accidentally activate an ancient key and awaken an ancient evil, only known to the autobot as a legend, that could destroy the planet.
The autobots -- Optimus Prime, Mirage and the rest of the automobile-affiliated crew -- join forces with the Maximals, a faction of the transformers who maximize into the form of beasts, to battle the Terrorcons, the villains of the film.
If you love the Transformers, you're going to have a ball watching this film. I have always loved the franchise, and seeing all of my favorite autobots kick metal butt was so cool!
Opitmus Prime got so much character development, and why he fights for the humans survival is surprisingly compelling! I loved where they took his character, and I hope they continue to add to his growth.
Mirage, the newest autobot, is centered as the main character, along with Noah, and the duo is so fun to watch! Both Mirage, played by Pete Davidson (“SNL”) and Noah are given room to shine, and how they handle certain situations, like stealth and combat, is sure to entertain. One scene involves using the human's size on a stealth mission, while the autobot distracts the Terrorcons, the villains of the movie. Their friendship and teamwork are the heart of the film and brought a few tears to my eyes during some of then more dramatic moments.
For everyone wondering about Bumblebee, he isn't in the movie that much. What surprised me more was that I barely noticed and shifted my attention to the other characters with ease.
Even though he's not in the movie a lot, his action scenes are still stunning. All the Maximals were awesome, especially Optimus Primal and the amazing character arc he gets in the movie was riveting!
Director Steven Caple Jr. ("Creed II") knocked it out of the park with this movie! No offense to Micheal Bay's five "Transformers" films, but those movies made the Transformers look like clumps of metal that can take several lethal blows and still get up.
Caple's Transformers, on the other hand, have heart, and when someone gets fatally hit, they go down, which makes the tension go up significantly. This movie throws a lot of twists and turns at the audience making it an action-packed, tense ride but still lots of fun!
I give "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" a 10/10. It deserves to be seen in theaters!
Carter Salley is a broadcast & cinematic arts major and host of the Central Michigan Life podcast "Raving Geeks
