Transformers 7 | What changes can we expect from the new director?

The release of "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" has evoked a flood of emotions for me, as this franchise holds a special place in my heart.

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

I remember it like it was yesterday, the excitement and anticipation leading up to the release of what would become an iconic summer blockbuster in 2007 - Michael Bay's first Transformers movie. I couldn't wait to see how the beloved Autobots and Decepticons from my childhood would be brought to life on the big screen, and I was not disappointed.

Transformers （2007）

As soon as the credits rolled and the lights came up after the showing, I knew that I had witnessed something special. The stunning visuals of cars transforming into robots, the epic battle scenes between Optimus Prime and Megatron, and the heartwarming story of the bond between Sam Witwicky and Bumblebee left a lasting impression on me.

I was so engrossed in the movie that I had to go back and watch it two more times at the cinema just to relive the thrill and excitement. Each time, I noticed something new - a detail in the movie, a clever line of dialogue, or a subtle moment of character development - that deepened my appreciation for the film.

It's unfortunate that director Michael Bay repeatedly failed to meet my expectations, as the subsequent sequels only got worse with each installment. Aside from the repetitive action scenes and stunning visuals, the story failed to leave a lasting impression on me. Despite my initial love for the franchise, the lack of character development and depth in the later films left me feeling disappointed and unfulfilled. As much as I wanted to enjoy the subsequent movies, they unfortunately fell short of the bar set by the original film, and failed to capture the magic that first drew me in.

This time, " Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" is helmed by director Steven Caple Jr., marking a departure from the franchise's long-time director Michael Bay. With an entirely new cast and a story set in the 1990s, the film promises to bring fresh perspectives to the Transformers universe.

Will this time be different after so many disappointing sequels?

Transformers have become smaller

Compared to other IPs, "Transformers" stands out for its close bond with merchandises.

In "Transformers 4" and "Transformers 5," the car designs combined medieval style with the capability to transform into airplanes and humanoid robots, which posed great difficulties for manufacturers and resulted in a decline in toy quality and sales. Learning from these lessons, "Transformers 7" focuses more on practical deformation, which is beneficial for the overall IP promotion and profit.

In terms of body size differences, Michael Bay's Optimus Prime was over 8 meters tall, while the Optimus Prime in "Transformers 7" is only 6 meters tall. Shrinking the size of the Transformers weakens their "godly" presence, but it facilitates interaction with human protagonists，making them more compatible with human protagonists appearing in the same frame.

Transformers （2007）

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

Steven Caple Jr. has mentioned that he restored his childhood "G1" era Optimus Prime, rather than simply continuing Michael Bay's work. This sentimental gesture adds to the appeal of "Transformers 7," differentiating it from the previous five installments without altering the established narrative system, a perfect example of IP reboot.

The story emphasizes more on the sense of immersion

From "Transformers 1" to "Transformers 5", Michael Bay's style has always been about big scenes, military battle, and a chaotic, explosive ending that caters to adult audiences. However, such an unchanging pattern has inevitably led to audience fatigue.

"Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" aims to create a work suitable for all ages. In this movie, the human protagonists are given more screen time, and in the climactic battle, the male lead wears phantom armor and fights alongside Optimus Prime, implying that humans are also able to participate in the war and make a difference. This groundbreaking plot is crucial for audience empathy and immersion.

In terms of casting, the creative team prefers actors with an ordinary appearance. For instance, Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback are cast more likely for racial diversity purpose and their neighborly charm.

Even so, when it comes to "Transformers", fans expect to see large robots fighting each other. Yet, "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" focus more on humans as true protagonists, allowing for more shots of the male and female leads. However, without the attractive appearance of actors, the visual appeal inevitably suffers. The intention of emphasis on the human part is good, but it also greatly affects the audience's satisfaction. The relative importance of these factors still depends on market selection, while with a rating of 6.3 on Peliplat, this work apparently has room for better market performance.

The climax lacked originality

Similar to my previous review of "Ghosted," this movie contains many references to other films. For instance, the search for a key fragment is reminiscent of "Indiana Jones," where the protagonist had to find the Ark of the Covenant. The difference is that in Transformer 7, the key fragment leads to a secret weapon intended to destroy the world and thus the stakes are much higher. The chase scene with the male and female leads is reminiscent of "Jurassic Park," but the setting is in an urban area rather than a jungle. The car chase scene is similar to that in "Fast and Furious," but the cars in this movie are futuristic, with the ability to fly and transform into different shapes. Finally, the final battle scene draws inspiration from "The Avengers," where a group of superheroes must work together to defeat a common enemy. In this movie, the heroes come from different planets and have different powers, but they must unite to defeat a powerful villain who wants to conquer the universe.

Stephen is knowledgeable about market preferences and has extracted the best essence from various movies to create a new work. With just one ticket, audiences can experience countless entertainment elements, which can elevate their sense of curiosity. However, this make the climax lacked originality.

Due to the numerous failures of previous installments, it is understandablt that Stephen chose a more cautious approach. He injected new energy into the film through breakthroughs in merchandising and emphasis on human performance as well as the combination of inspirations from trademark scenes various classics. Unfortunately, the movie's overall score still falls short.

In short, it is still uncertain whether this installment of Transformers can revive the series.