Sample Reviews for Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

Critic reviews are coming in for Transformers: Rise of the Beasts which premieres in just a couple of days. The overall score from most can best be summed up as "meh". It is landing as better then most of the Bayverse Transformers films but not as good as Bumblebee. The Rotten Tomatoes average if currently at 56% with a goal of 70% being preferred since most critics will take 20 points off just for being a CGI heavy tentpole movie designed only to entertain. What I pay attention for in popcorn films is the audience score and so far there are no results in that regard. Below are few quotes pulled from a few reviews. A hardcore example of this is the Guardian review below where its clear the critic had no business being assigned this film.

If your interested in a Transformers fan's take on the movie, check out the review from Feris O. who has often contributed to this blog - Facebook | Twitter| Instagram
His take aligns with what many of the critics are saying citing weak story but good action.

The Guardian (1/5)

As obligatory human Noah Diaz (Anthony Ramos, looking like he’s just walked into a party and realized he doesn’t know anyone) stumbles through a cosmic clash between opposing hunks of dinged-up CGI... It behooves a viewer to set their suspension of disbelief at a generously accommodating looseness in dealing with a film featuring Airazor, the extraterrestrial cybernetic eagle that speaks in the voice of Michelle Yeoh... An unspoken aside of “who cares?” punctuates every line of dialogue, most nearly audible in those about the glowing rock that’s going to stop planet-sized monster Unicron (voiced by Colman Domingo and who has nothing to do with unicorns)... So if this is all stupid crap for overgrown and actual children, then why bother the undiscerning with anything above the bare minimum?

Deadline

The plot treads a well-worn path rather than pushing the boundaries of storytelling within the franchise. Travis Knight’s Bumblebee breathed new life into the series, which gave me hope that this would go in a different direction. Rise of the Beasts walks all of that back as another generic intergalactic menace from the sky carries all the plot predictability of a broken clock. Adding to its detriment, the thrill and urgency of the first act screech to a halt, replaced with exposition-heavy scenes that disrupt the rhythm of the narrative. ...The Maximals create an exciting dynamic, often outshining the more familiar Autobots and humans in terms of intrigue and character interest. ...The setting in Peru and weaving Peruvian indigeneity into Autobot lore offers a unique departure from previous films. ...The narrative crutch of invincibility seems permanently welded to our robotic heroes, which could have been reimagined in a more balanced way by the franchise’s seventh film.

The Hollywood Reporter

The film benefits greatly from its locations, including New York City (and Montreal subbing for same) and especially Peru, including the gorgeous historic city of Cusco and the ruins of Machu Picchu ...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. ...Ramos invests his performance with a dynamic enthusiasm that will certainly work for younger viewers, while Fishback, so impressive in the recent Prime Video series Swarm, proves equally relatable. ...The voice talents are also impressive, with Perlman and Dinklage using their stentorian delivery in suitably imposing fashion and Yeoh proving perfect as the falcon Maximal because, as everyone knows, she can actually fly in real life. The only misstep is Davidson as the wisecracking Mirage; the comedian-actor’s voice is distractingly recognizable delivering lame Marky Mark jokes and groaners like “Cojones muy grande!”

Gizmodo

...we’re happy to report that Transformers: Rise of the Beasts does not suck. It’s actually quite entertaining, especially for a Transformers movie. ...One of the best things Rise of the Beasts has going for it is the way the human characters feel fairly well-integrated into the story. We spend time with them without the giant robots to give us a sense of their hopes, dreams, and humanity before they’re sucked up into the grand adventure, and that throughline gives the whole film a crucial beating heart. ...Prime is also a very strong component of Rise of the Beasts. He’s still very much the leader we know and love from the Transformers movies, shows, and more, but he’s actually given an arc this time around. ...Where Transformers: Rise of the Beasts falters a bit is in making that story feel wholly cohesive. The second act, which takes place in Peru, feels pointless and repetitive, dialing down the excitement and pacing that’s earned in the first half. ...Thankfully, just as things have gotten stale, the third act kicks in, and it’s an absolute blast, featuring at least two big surprise cheer moments that make you forget about the unease that came before.

Variety

...“Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” isn’t as stylish as “Bumblebee,” but it’s an example of how a “Transformers” movie can serve up the escapist-junk-food amusement it promises without giving you a synthetic sugar headache. ...Set in a hip-hop-inflected 1994, it’s got a relatable human story that works, and thanks to a script that actually has sustained bursts of dialogue, the robots felt more real to me as characters than they usually do. But they’re still the Transformers. ...I’m not sure if animal robots will prove as compelling to viewers as monster trucks. I expect a box-office ground-rule double, rather than the home runs the old Bay overkill used to provide. That said, Michelle Yeoh makes her valorous presence felt as Airazor, a glittering peregrine falcon whose devotion to the cause takes a surprise turn. ...The battles are clash-bang spectacles of torn coils and gears, staged as if Optimus, Scourge and the rest were knights or gladiators.