Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
CYBERTRON — It was my brother's seventh birthday. I was 3 years old when I watched him eagerly open his present on the shag carpet in the living room in the home that has likely changed owners several times since then. Despite being 3 years old, I vividly remember him opening that box and pulling out an Optimus Prime toy. The 12-inch Transformer was one of the most extraordinary things my young eyes had ever seen. I could not figure out how to make him transform from one form to the other, and I didn't get a chance to learn because my brother taught me that such a high-tech toy was not meant for my young hands.
Fast forward nearly 30 years — that toy is lost to the wind, and the "Transformers" movie franchise is releasing its seventh installment. "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" is more of a prequel as it takes place in the mid-90s and gives us the first meeting between the Autobots and Unicron.
"Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" is not a good movie, but it's not trying to be. Here are some reasons I liked the movie and some problems I couldn't ignore.
The good
Kaboom!
If this franchise is known for anything, it's explosions. A Transformer never met a fireball it didn't like. Blowing stuff up with giant robots may be a cheap entertainment method, but it works. The action kicks in, immediately, and keeps its foot on the gas the whole time.
The action sequences didn't break new ground or introduce innovative camera work. Still, they know how to meld pyrotechnics and CGI to put a silly smile on your face. As with all Transformers movies, there are plenty of impressive special effects and stunts to enjoy.
Anthony Ramos
The human lead in "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" is the talented Anthony Ramos. If you don't know his name, you likely know his work. Ramos made a name for himself as an original cast member in "Hamilton." He then danced and sang his way onto the big screen in the film adaptation of "In the Heights." Ramos has undeniable charisma and charm, and it's on display alongside Bumblebee and Optimus.
Ramos has a way about him that he feels accessible, and if we just had a chance to hang out, we'd become fast friends. It's not that Ramos turns in an incredible performance — it's not that kind of material — but he is engaging. His presence and likability connected me to the character and the story, even without a story.
The bad
I don't know what to write here other than it's the same stuff as the earlier movies. There is no real substance, we don't care much about what happens to these characters, and much of the humor is forced and awkward. I credit Pete Davidson for adding humor as the voice of Mirage, but he's the only one who gets some laughs.
Another issue with this franchise is that there are no stakes. So many characters have died just to come back to life that it seems like everything will always be fine no matter what happens, so it's hard to get too wrapped up in the drama of the situation.
Conclusion
If you're looking for a "Transformers" movie to do what they do, this is a good one. It's entertaining, kept my son engaged, and left me nostalgic for my brother's forbidden Optimus Prime toy. It could be better cinema, but it's not supposed to be, and it knows that.
"Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" is rated PG-13 for intense sci-fi violence and language sequences.
