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Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023)

By on July 4, 2023

Set in 1994 Brooklyn, Transformers:Rise of the Beasts, a standalone sequel to 2018 Action Sci-fi Bumblebee and prequel to 2007 Transformers, is coming to Japan theaters on August 4, 2023.

The seventh installment in the Transformers live-action film series starts with a brief intro of how after the Maximals (Cybertronians with beast modes) defeated the planet-eating dark god Unicron, left their planet to live on Earth in ancient times.  The forces loyal to Unicorn wanted Maximals’ greatest piece of technology, the Transwarp Key, which can open portals through space and time. The Maximal leader Apelinq sacrifices himself to allow the other Maximals to escape the planet before Unicron devours it. Now under the command of Optimus Primal, the Maximals use the key to flee to Earth.

A thousand years later, Noah Diaz from New York City, desperately looks for a job to support his little brother, Kris with sickle-cell anemia. Noah accepts a job to steal a Porsche during a gala but later learns it was the wisecracking Autobot Mirage (voiced by Pete Davidson).

Elena Wallace, an intern with the New York Archeology Museum on Ellis Island discovers what turns out to be an ancient beacon that can summon Transformers, including the servants loyal to Unicorn – Scourge Optimus Prime and the Autobots – that want the beacon key to return to Cybertron, their home planet.  As Scourge and his associates were ready to turn the key into a portal for Unicron to destroy Earth, the Autobots, humans, and Primals band together to prevent the villain from pursuing the evil plan.

There’s no denying that families will be entertained as they watch the gripping story unfold. The human drama feels authentic although there’s not much emphasis on family dynamics.

Director Steven Caple Jr. injects nostalgic, family-friendly scenes with lots of action sequences in keeping with the vibe of Bumblebee. My 11-year old child, a huge Bumblebee fan enjoyed it.

In theaters August 4, 2023.   Age 11 +

About Ted Tanaka

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