Rob Reviews – Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

Here’s another movie review, because when Kid 1, Kid 2, and I get together, we watch a few movies.

This one has been on my “watchlist” for a while. It garnered better reviews than the last few Michael Bay-led Transformers movies—Age of Extinction and The Last Knight—but I must admit the whole “continuity reset” after the Michael Bay era left me a little confused.

As I understand it now, Bumblebee and Rise of the Beasts are effectively the start of a new story and a new continuity for the Transformers live-action lore.

The Premise

This time out, our favorite Robots in Disguise—and no, I’m not talking about the Go-Bots—are trying to prevent a villainous Transformer named Scourge from attaining the Trans-Warp Key, an item that would enable the Autobots to return to their home world, Cybertron.

Pulling the strings on Scourge is the evil, planet-gobbling Unicron. Yes, that Unicron from the 1986 animated Transformers: The Movie. Unicron needs the trans warp key so he can come to Earth and devour the planet. Along the way, the Autobots make new allies in the Maximals—the same good guys from the early 90s Beast Wars toy line and animated series.

The Beast Wars Connection

I’m a little old to remember the Beast Wars line; that was more Kid 1’s time frame. The continuity between the animated shows and the toys was always a bit confusing. Were the Maximals actually Autobots? Were they an entirely different robot group? It was refreshing to see that the Maximals were established as another faction of transforming robots, although the parallels between Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal were still quite clear.

It’s a lot of new introductions and definitely a reset of the status quo—probably the biggest reset since the original 2007 Transformers.

The Human Element

As is the norm, the Autobots work with a few humans, Noah (Anthony Ramos) and Elena (Dominique Fishback). At least in ROTB, some of the characterizations we’ve seen in previous Transformers movies were split up. Noah is a young man helping his single mom support him and his brother in New York City. On the other hand, Elena is an archaeologist or sociologist of sorts—to be honest, her profession is never clearly defined.

Noah gets drawn into the conflict when he accidentally attempts to steal Mirage in order to make some fast money for his family. Although he is loyal to the Autobots, Noah’s priority becomes saving the Earth. Elena seems reluctant to go along with him, although her loyalty ultimately remains with the Autobots.

Eventually, when the truth comes out, Prime maintains that it doesn’t have to be a “one or the other” choice. Both Cybertron and Earth can be saved. This was, by far, his most “Optimus Prime-like” moment in the entire movie. He’s even pleading with Noah to not destroy the Trans-Warp Key.

Final Thoughts

Rise of the Beasts is a much better movie than Age of Extinction.

Once again, however, the characterization of Optimus Prime feels off. While the film’s status as a “reboot” allows for creative flexibility, I’m still waiting for that classic, inspirational leader to emerge. At times, he feels despondent, lamenting his presence on Earth—a vibe that reminds me more of the cynical characters in Clerks than the heroic leader I’ve known for four decades.

I’ll admit, when Optimus Primal was introduced, I found myself hoping for a noble sacrifice on his part—a moment that might have served as the catalyst to inspire Prime to finally become the hero we love. That hasn’t happened yet, but it’s a fixable narrative trajectory. In a sequel, I’d love to see Prime explicitly acknowledge how the Maximals’ interaction with humanity changed his perspective. A simple realization—that their willingness to protect and co-exist with humans has fostered a newfound respect for our species—would be a perfect way to bridge the gap and restore his stature.

The human element remains a point of contention. While I appreciate the inclusivity—it was a pleasant surprise to see both leads were people of color—the archetypes feel stale. We’ve seen the “down-on-their-luck strategist” and the “brainy techie” recycled in almost every installment. The English teacher in me understands the necessity of humans to provide heart and perspective—even the 80s cartoons reminded us that the Decepticons’ underestimation of humanity was often their downfall—but I’d love to see the franchise break the mold and give us something new.

Ultimately, Rise of the Beasts succeeds as a jumping-off point for new fans. There is fan service, but it’s accessible rather than obscure. More importantly, it actually treats its secondary characters with respect. Unlike the Dinobots in Age of Extinction, who were nameless props, the Maximals are actual characters with screen time and depth. It’s not Shakespeare, but it’s a refreshing step toward the consistency this franchise deserves.

The Verdict: While I’m not putting a score on this one, I highly recommend Rise of the Beasts as a great jumping-on point for new viewers. If you are a long-time Transformers fan, you’ll definitely find this a much more satisfying experience than Age of Extinction.

Rebuilding a life takes grit, consistency, and a lot of ‘Option C’ thinking. Having crossed the 1,000-day milestone, I’m now charting the territory beyond. The mission remains the same: No glitz. Just the work. New to the blog? Start your journey here to see the blueprint and the ‘Tricorder’ perspective behind the rebuild.

Today’s post is inspired by the WordPress Daily Prompt. While I’ve taken the topic in my own direction for the Road beyond 1,000 Days, you can find more responses to today’s prompt HERE.

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