Buzz
Compared to its predecessors, “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” undergoes significant changes from its crew to its storyline. This installment paves the way for an entirely new direction for the famed shape-shifting robot franchise.
Since its debut in 2007, Transformers has enjoyed immense success, becoming one of the most popular action franchises in history, grossing over $4.8 billion globally across six installments.
However, fans had to wait five years for the return of the robotic ensemble in the seventh installment titled Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Vietnamese title: Transformers: Quái thú trỗi dậy). Upon release, the project quickly topped the box office charts in several countries, including Vietnam.
A Fresh Start for the Iconic Franchise
As announced by Paramount, Rise of the Beasts will kick off a new trilogy aimed at rejuvenating the Transformers brand. The storyline is entirely independent from its predecessors, making it highly accessible to new audiences interested in joining the franchise.
Featuring a straightforward plot, sticking to the familiar series formula where humans are caught in the battle between giant robots. However, the story is actually inspired by the beloved animated series Beast Wars from the 1990s.
Set in 1994, the film serves as a prequel to the previous 6 installments. At this time, the Autobots must try to stop Unicron - planet-eating villains who are plotting to destroy Earth.
Both sides vie for the Transwarp Key, a key capable of opening gates through space and time. Amidst this backdrop, the main character Noah Diaz (Anthony Ramos) inadvertently encounters the Autobots, ultimately becoming their unexpected ally in the fight to preserve peace for their homeland.
Sitting in the director's chair is no longer the 'explosion king' Michael Bay - the man behind the success of the first 5 installments. Instead, Steven Caple Jr. takes the helm. Compared to his peers, he is younger both in age and experience. Before embarking on this blockbuster project, the filmmaker born in 1988 had only directed 2 feature films, including Creed II (2018).
Transformers 7 also marks the first installment that doesn't feature any star power. Leading actor Anthony Ramos is relatively unknown compared to the likes of Shia LaBeouf and Mark Wahlberg. Additionally, the supporting cast is not prominent, consisting of relatively lesser-known names.
From the casting choices to the directorial change and the setting overhaul, all reflect the team's efforts for rejuvenation. This is understandable as Transformers has always been a Hollywood cash cow.
The changes in Rise of the Beasts will breathe new life into the series, filling the void of the past 5 years, especially amidst the influx of compelling action projects.
Visual Effects and Action Remain Highlights
With a production budget of $200 million, Transformers 7 isn't the most expensive project in the franchise. However, it still impresses with its heavily invested visuals.
Compared to its predecessors, the film features a diverse cast of characters. It introduces many new characters, intriguing even the most loyal audience members. Notable among them are the Maximals - the new allies of the Autobots, consisting of robots capable of transforming into beasts instead of cars.
They include the gorilla Optimus Primal, the eagle Airazor, the cheetah Cheetor, and the rhinoceros Rhinox. Each character makes a striking appearance, capturing attention from the moment their first images are revealed.
Computer-generated effects play a crucial role in crafting the giant robots. Each character appears lifelike, with mesmerizing transformation sequences.
Director Steven Caple Jr. effectively leads the action scenes, delivering numerous thrilling chase sequences and battles. Towards the end of the film, the explosions and fights escalate in scale, becoming more intense and dramatic.
Additionally, the sound effects are cleverly integrated, providing audiences with both visual and auditory pleasure. Moreover, the filmmakers skillfully highlight the 1990s setting by incorporating some elements of popular culture, such as hip-hop music, references to the film Dead Poets Society, and the Indiana Jones series.
The screenplay addresses some of the shortcomings of previous installments. For instance, human characters are portrayed more realistically and nuanced. They have their own destinies and personalities, taking control of their actions rather than merely being pawns in the battle between robots.
However, the film's screenplay still plays it safe and lacks innovation. Audiences can easily predict the story's progression and outcome. Despite being a redeeming factor, the Maximals group is not fully explored, only serving as guests. Perhaps the filmmakers will delve deeper into the robotic animal characters in future installments.
Furthermore, the performances in the film are still unremarkable. Actors like Anthony Ramos, Dominique Fishback, Luna Lauren Velez... deliver average performances, failing to evoke strong emotions in viewers.
Like its predecessors, Transformers 7 didn't receive favorable reviews from critics upon release. The film only scored 42/100 on Metacritic and garnered 55% positive ratings from industry professionals on Rotten Tomatoes. The consensus is that the movie relies too heavily on action sequences at the expense of the screenplay, with many forced plot points. Performances also contribute to the detracting factors.
However, the film still manages to attract audiences, especially fans of the shape-shifting robot franchise. Most viewers rate it higher than the previous two installments, Age of Extinction (2014) and The Last Knight (2017).
