This piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labour of the actors currently on strike, the movie being covered here wouldn't exist.
Since its toy line started in 1984, the Transformers IP is one that has, over the years, just grew bigger each year to the point where it has a giant handprint on pop culture. From its highly successful toy line to the popular spin off shows all the way to the billion-dollar grossing movies, it's safe to say that at least everyone has encountered the robots in disguise at some point in their lives. So, with the latest film in the franchise, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, now available on Home Entertainment, is it worth picking up?
Set as a sequel to Bumblebee but a prequel to the Michael Bay movies, Rise of the Beasts follows the Autobots as they team up with the Maximals to stop a new threat that has emerged and is capable of destroying the entire planet. With humanity hanging in the balance, humans Noah (Anthony Ramos – In the Heights) and Elena (Dominique Fishback – Judas and the Black Messiah) will do whatever it takes to help the Autobots save Earth.
Similar to every other Transformers film, Rise of the Beasts involves massive battles, loud noises and robots turning into cars; staying very true to the other films. However, after many complained about how migraine-inducing The Last Knight was, director Steven Caple Jr. (who previously helmed Creed 2) to try and get the franchise back on track which he somewhat does a good job of here. The story feels a lot more focused compared to other recent entries, focusing on one objective and not convoluting it, while having likeable characters at the centre of it all.
However, while it may not be as much of a headache as some of Bay's films, it does feel like the producers behind the movie desperately want Transformers to feel like a Marvel film, all the way down to its look and feel. Noah and Elena, while charismatic leads, feel like they have been pulled out of the latest Marvel movie; all the way down to their personality, constant quippy jokes and humour, which does come off as off-putting. At least with a Michael Bay Transformers film, it at least feels like it is a Michael Bay film; whereas, Rise of the Beasts feels like a studio course-correction by playing it too safe.
But, while the film's quality may be mixed, the 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray is a fantastic transfer. Using Dolby Vision, the video quality is top-notch with bright colours looking bright yet natural and fitting with the environments. While the Dolby Atmos sound design makes all the action feel impactful and make the entire room vibrate due to the loud and bombastic action. Despite the film maybe not reaching the high's it maybe could have, this 4K disc is definitely worth picking up if you are a Transformers fan as it looks and sounds incredible with fantastic mixes for audio & visual.
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is now available on Digital, DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Ultra-HD
