Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023)
Director: Steven Caple Jr.
Screenwriters: Joby Harold, Darnell Metayer, Josh Peters, Erich Hoeber, Jon Hoeber
Starring: Anthony Ramos, Dominique Fishback, Peter Cullen, Pete Davidson, Ron Perlman, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, Dean Scott Vazquez, Liza Koshy, Colman Domingo, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Luna Lauren Vélez, Tobe Nwigwe, Sarah Styles
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts aims to expand the live-action Transformers universe by drawing on the popular 1990s Beast Wars concept, in which robots transform into animals and other organic forms rather than vehicles. Set in the mid-1990s, the film introduces the Maximals—beast-form Transformers—alongside Autobots and a new breed of antagonists. While the movie benefits from occasional visual flair and committed performances, it ultimately struggles with an overcrowded roster, a recycled plot structure, and a lack of meaningful character development.
The story begins in 1994 Brooklyn, where Noah (Anthony Ramos), a former military technician now struggling to find steady work, tries to support his family. He crosses paths with Mirage (voiced by Pete Davidson), an Autobot who recruits Noah after a chance encounter. Mirage and the Autobots, led by Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen), become involved in a mission centered on a powerful artefact: one half of the Transwarp Key. Archaeology intern Elena (Dominique Fishback) uncovers symbols in a museum that point to a hidden temple in Peru—symbols that attract multiple factions.
Competing for the same object are the Terracons, commanded by Scourge (voiced by Peter Dinklage), who serve larger cosmic threats, and the Maximals, led by Optimus Primal (voiced by Ron Perlman), whose beast modes allow them to blend into the jungle. As the plot moves from city streets to South American jungles, the film assembles its cast of heroes and villains for a globe-spanning confrontation about the fate of Earth.
On a technical level, Rise of the Beasts offers moments of confident direction. Steven Caple Jr., who has shown skill with character-focused storytelling in previous projects, stages several set pieces with clarity and energy. The choreographed action sequences in the final act deliver spectacle and kinetic momentum, and the Maximals’ beast forms are visually inventive and often entertaining to watch. Fans will likely appreciate hearing Optimus Primal roar the rallying cry “Maximals, Maximise!”—a moment that taps into franchise nostalgia.
Yet the movie’s many strengths are undermined by structural weaknesses. The screenplay dumps an excessive number of named Transformers and disposable henchmen into the narrative, making it difficult to form attachments or keep track of individual personalities. Where Bumblebee succeeded by keeping its cast lean and giving each character distinct traits, Rise of the Beasts dilutes attention across a crowded field. As a result, only a few characters—such as Mirage, with his rapid-fire wisecracks, and the lead humans—leave any strong impression.
The human leads, Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback, both deliver committed performances, but the script shortchanges their arcs. Themes introduced in their backstories—Noah’s responsibility to a younger family member with a serious health condition and Elena’s professional frustrations—are promising but insufficiently explored. These elements could have grounded the film emotionally, yet they remain peripheral to the larger effects-driven plot.
Narratively, the film recycles familiar franchise devices: galaxy-spanning MacGuffins, moments of apparent sacrifice that are later reversed, and predictable reversals that undercut stakes. The introduction of the Maximals and the cosmic menace associated with the Terracons and Unicron raises the expectation of fresh mythology, but the story relies heavily on well-worn beats from earlier entries. That familiarity may comfort long-standing fans, but it reduces dramatic tension and prevents the movie from feeling truly new.
Voice performances are a mixed bag. Pete Davidson’s Mirage stands out for his comic timing, while Ron Perlman and Michelle Yeoh add gravity to the Maximals. Peter Dinklage’s Scourge, however, is muffled by digital processing and plot convenience: his menace fluctuates according to the needs of the story, which weakens the antagonist’s credibility. The CGI character work is polished but often so busy that the robots’ emotional beats get lost in the visual chaos.
Despite its shortcomings, the film is not without entertainment value. It delivers energetic action, fan-service moments for longtime followers of the franchise, and occasional flashes of heart when the human characters interact with the Autobots. The production design and creature work for the Maximals are among the more enjoyable aspects, and the tropical setting gives parts of the film a distinct aesthetic.
Ultimately, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is a film with ambition and sporadic inventiveness that fails to fully cohere. It demonstrates that the franchise can still generate visually arresting sequences and tap into nostalgic affection, but it also reveals a continuing challenge: balancing spectacle with focused character storytelling. Viewers seeking nonstop action and familiar Transformers tropes will find much to watch, but those hoping for a tighter, more emotionally satisfying entry in the series may come away disappointed.
Score: 8/24
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