Skydance Media, Hasbro, New Republic Pictures, Di Bonaventura Pictures and Bay Films’ Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts (dubbed; UA) is a science-fiction action film based on Hasbro’s Transformers toy line. It is the seventh instalment in the Transformers live-action film series.
The world of the Maximals comes under attack from the planet-eating dark God, Unicron. His heralds, the Terrorcons, seek to obtain for their master, the Maximals’ greatest piece of technology, the Transwarp Key, which can open portals through space and time. The Terrorcons are led by Scourge. Maximal leader Apelinq sacrifices himself so that the rest of the Maximals can escape the planet before Unicron eats it up. Optimus Primal is the new leader of the Maximals. He uses the Key to flee to Earth.
In 1994 Brooklyn, ex-military electronics expert Noah Diaz (Anthony Ramos) struggles to find a job to support his family, and is convinced by friend Reek (Tobe Nwigwe) to steal a Porsche to sell it. But he soon discovers that the car is Autobot Mirage in disguise. Simultaneously, museum intern Elena Wallace (Dominique Fishback) finds half of the Transwarp Key hidden in an ancient statue of a falcon. The search for the other half begins. Noah and Elena are on a mission to lay their hands on it. The Autobots, Maximals, Terrorcons… all want the Transwarp Key.
Joby Harold has written an engaging story which keeps the excitement alive. It can get a bit confusing for the Hindi film-going audience but the confusion is not of the kind which can irritate the viewers. The screenplay, penned by Joby Harold, Darnell Metayer, Josh Peters, Erich Hoeber and Jon Hoeber, is fast-paced and it involves the audience, but the fact that there’s just science fiction in the drama could put off many among the Hindi film-going viewers. Otherwise, the excitement level is quite high.
Anthony Ramos does an excellent job as Noah Diaz. Dominique Fishback is lovely as Elena. Tobe Nwigwe makes his presence felt in the role of Reek. Dean Scott Vazquez shines as Noah’s younger brother, Kris Diaz. Luna Lauren Vélez is alright as Noah’s mother. All the others, including those playing the Autobots, Maximals, Terrorcons etc. lend phenomenal support.
Steven Caple Jr.’s direction is pretty impressive. But the fact remains that the film has a lot of sci-fi, which has limitations for the Hindi film-going audience. Jongnic Bontemps’ music is of a fine standard. Enrique Chediak’s cinematography is fantastic. Sean Haworth’s production designing is wonderful. Editing (William Goldenberg and Joel Negron) is sharp. Dubbing is excellent.
On the whole, Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts is an average fare for the Hindi film-going audience. The original English version will fare better than the Hindi dubbed version.
Released on 8-6-’23 at Metro Inox (in 3D; daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Viacom18 Motion Pictures. Publicity: fair. Opening: so-so. …….Also released all over. Opening was average at most of the places.