The year is 1994 and Noah Diaz is having a hard time making ends meet. The Brooklyn native puts his computer skills to use around the hood but it isn’t enough to help his family rise above mounting medical bills. A chance encounter with a sentient hot rod introduces the ambitious young man to the Autobots, a faction of Transformers trapped on Earth desperately seeking a way home. The hands of fate also draw in young historian Elena Wallace who unknowingly uncovers an artifact that could be the Autobot’s ticket home. Unfortunately for all, the piece was also tracked by a world-devouring God called Unicron who sends his henchmen to retrieve the piece. In order to save the planet, humans and machines must band together to preserve life as we know it and save the world from its biggest threat.
Transformers: Rise of Beasts serves as a direct sequel to 2018’s Bumblebee, which was a prequel designed to restart the entire franchise. In contrast to the films preceding it Bumblebee offered a more kid-friendly comedic approach to the films. Bumblebee marks the first film without King of Explosions Michael Bay as director. For the relaunch, Micheal Bay relinquished the reigns to Travis Knight. By taking a few liberties with the continuity of the first six films, Knight has set up a fresh new series which may launch the official Transformers universe. Bumblebee’s plot revolved around the yellow transformer landing on Earth and scouting out the planet as a potential new home back in 1987. The film ends with Bumblebee leaving his new human friends back in San Francisco as he goes on to continue his mission with the Autobots.
Directed by Steven Caple Jr., Rise of Beasts takes place seven years after Bumblebee left San Francisco with the Autobots laying low in New York City. During a botched robbery attempt, Autobot Mirage is discovered by Noah Diaz a former soldier turned thief. After falling on hard times and not seeing a clear way out Diaz tries to steal Mirage only to discover the ride has a mind of its own. After a wild police chase through the city, Diaz finds himself in an abandoned warehouse face to face with the Autobots including a weary Optimus Prime. While Noah is coming to terms with Alien life forms made of metal across town at the Brooklyn Museum, historian Elena Wallace is unwittingly firing up a beacon that will attract a threat as no one has ever seen. The two worlds collide when Diaz strikes a lucrative deal with the Autobots to retrieve the beacon. His attempt is thwarted by Wallace and the unexpected arrival of Scurge and the Predacons. The battle ensues and millions of dollars in damage later everyone is headed to Peru in search of clues. The Autobots and their new human companions get more than they bargained for as they are introduced to the Maximals a race of transformers who had been protecting the Earth for generations. The Autobots want to go home, the Predacons want to devour planets, The Humans want to save Earth and the Maximals want peace. Only one will get what they want and it’s a thrilling 2-hour ride to find out who wins.
Filled with 90’s hip hop and nostalgia Rise of Beasts is almost a love letter to NYC. The soundtrack is full of classic hip-hop and some R&B and the cast is filled with familiar New Yorkers such as; Staten Islander Pete Davidson who lends his voice to Mirage serving quick quips and funny one-liners. Luna Lauren Valez who many remember from New York Undercover is the struggling single mom of Noah Diaz and his baby brother. Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback hail from the popular borough, a fact that is woven throughout the film as their Brooklyn pride helps establish a bond between their characters early on.
As a duo Ramos and Watson breathe new life into the franchise establishing a more relaxed comedic spin on the action-packed series. This film also introduces the Maximals, a race of transformers that turn into beasts instead of vehicles. The Maximals were the stars of the wildly successful Beast Wars cartoon series. Though it is unclear if there will be any connection to the preceding films this new direction will provide a much-needed reset. This reintroduction will surely be a hit with the original audience whilst generating interest with a new generation. Be sure to stick around after the credits for a bonus scene that offers a huge teaser for this budding cinematic universe.
Transformers: Rise of The Beasts invades theaters on Friday, June 6, 2023.