TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS”
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“Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” Review Round-Up: Fan-Favorite Maximals & Human Story Supercharge Blockbuster

June 6, 2023
By The Credits

With director Steven Caple Jr.’s Transformers: Rise of the Beasts just a few days away from stomping into theaters, the reviews are starting to take shape (bad pun intended) for the seventh installment in the alien robot franchise. The verdict? Thus far, it seems as if Caple Jr. and his cast and crew have managed to breathe new life into this mega-narrative about the war between the Autobots and Decepticons, with Earth caught right in the middle. The new film introduces the Maximals, a group of proud, powerful robots that transform into animals, as well as their ancient enemies, the Predacons, and an even more terrifying legion of robots, the Terrorcons, a sub-group of the Decepticons that turn into monsters.

And Caple Jr., who so capably handled the fisticuffs in Creed II, has a way with filming action. As French Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter writes, “The many, many action sequences are spectacularly conceived and executed, including a car chase on the Williamsburg Bridge that’s probably still tying up downtown traffic.”

While the robots are always the main event in any Transformers flick, their human counterparts act as both proxies for the audience and comic relief, often in their reaction shots to the insane metamorphosis of giant robots turning into and out of various vehicles, and now, apes, rhinos, falcons and more. How might you behave if your 1977 Chevrolet Camaro turned out to be a sweet, sentient robot who could only speak in radio signals? In Rise of the Beasts, Caple Jr. made the wise choice of casting Anthony Ramos and Dominque Fishback as the two main Earthlings in this movie, and the critics are saying they give the movie a heart and soul that centers the mechanistic mayhem.

Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen), the noble leader of the Autobots, meets his nobility and leadership counterpart in the Maximal’s own Optimus—Optimus Primal (voiced by Ron Perlman), who takes the form of a great robotic ape. Then there’s Airazor (voiced by recent Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh), who turns into a giant Peregrine falcon, Rhinox (voiced by David Sobolov), who naturally takes the form of a colossal rhino, and Cheetor (voiced by Tongayi Chirisa), the swiftest of all the Maximals, who turns into a cheetah. It does seem like a missed opportunity that we didn’t get a cackling Hyenax, a robot/hyena hybrid, but perhaps next time.

Many critics also point out that Rise of the Beasts doesn’t require a Master’s degree in Transformers history to enjoy the spectacle. The film, set in the 1990s, predates most of the action in Michael Bay’s franchise save for the standalone Bumblebee, which was set in 1987.

The cast also includes voice work from the likes of Pete Davidson and performers from Peter Dinklage, Liza Koshy, John DiMaggio, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, and Cristo Fernández.

Let’s take a quick peek at some of the reviews. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts roars into theaters on June 9:

For more on Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, check out these stories:

New “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” Clip Finds Prime Meeting Primal

“Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” Official Trailer Roars New Life Into Franchise

Watch Optimus Prime & Optimus Primal Rise at SXSW Ahead of “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” World Tour

Featured image: RHINOX in PARAMOUNT PICTURES and SKYDANCE Present. In Association with HASBRO and NEW REPUBLIC PICTURES. A di BONAVENTURA PICTURES Production A TOM DESANTO / DON MURPHY Production. A BAY FILMS Production “TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS”

Let’s take a quick peek at some of the reviews. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts roars into theaters on June 9:

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The Credits

The Credits is an online magazine that tells the story behind the story to celebrate our large and diverse creative community. Focusing on profiles of below-the-line filmmakers, The Credits celebrates the often uncelebrated individuals who are indispensable to the films and TV shows we love.