Transformers: Rise of the Beasts – Movie Review
By Luis Sanchez
Luis Sanchez. photo submitted
A movie directed by Steven Caple Jr. stars Anthony Ramos as Noah Diaz and Dominique Fishback as Elena Wallace. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts takes place after the events of Bumblebee (2018). The audience sees Noah and Elena work together with the autobots and the maximals as they try to stop the Earth from being eaten by Unicron.
I have always been a huge Transformers fan, and the movies played a role in my interest in robotics. But with a new movie this year I was able to see it from a different perspective.
To begin with, I think that the humans are a huge downside of any Transformers movie. It takes away from the large-scale battles. I always feel as if the humans are only there to place a risk on humanity which would be the only reason that viewers would be interested in the conflict of the movie. This is incorrect. I think that a movie can still be successful without having human characters in it. All it takes is for the director to place an emphasis on the different world at stake, and that will make everyone interested. I have seen different Transformers shows that take place on Cybertron, which is the world where some of the Transformers are originally from, and I have been invested in it. The humans in this movie just make it seem less genuine to the Transformers name. I wish we could see a movie about the Transformers – not just a side quest where they try to protect the Earth.
One of the standout aspects of this film lies in its awe-inspiring visual effects. From the very first frame, the audience is transported into a world where giant transforming robots coexist with humanity. The meticulous attention to detail in the CGI brings these colossal mechanical beings to life, showcasing their intricate designs and the seamless integration of their robotic and human forms. Every explosion, every transformation, is a feast for the eyes, immersing us in a dazzling display of cutting-edge technology. The visual effects team has truly outdone themselves, capturing the essence of the beloved Transformers franchise in a way that feels both nostalgic and fresh.
But it’s not just the stunning visuals that make this film shine. The heart of any great blockbuster lies in its storytelling, and this film delivers with an engaging and satisfying plot. While some may argue that the narrative follows a familiar formula, it is the execution that sets it apart. The filmmakers masterfully balance exhilarating action sequences with moments of genuine emotion and character development. We become invested in the struggles and triumphs of both the human protagonists and their robotic allies, rooting for them as they navigate a world on the brink of chaos. The plot takes unexpected twists and turns, keeping us guessing and ensuring that the excitement never wanes.
Overall, this movie was satisfactory. It did not surpass any of my expectations, but it did meet them. I’m glad I get to see many of these autobots in the big screen again, but I sure hope that one day I will get to see a film in their own habitat. I will rate this movie a 5/10 and recommend waiting for a digital release to watch it with your family.
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Voting in Quinsigamond Village
By Pamela Jordan
Yes, half the country felt this way about Trump!
This is a different kind of Village Vignette … a semi-political one. I remember Election Day. The voting booths were set up in the all-purpose room of Quinsigamond Elementary. There was always a coinciding bake sale to raise money for school adventures. It was always very popular-a vote and a cake.
The Village was predominantly Democratic, although there was no minute breakdown of voting patterns back then. The Democratic lean came from the presence of the many Union members who called the Village home.
It followed in subsequent generations. I am a dyed-in-the wool Democrat and will be until I die. The first campaign I ever worked for was McGovern v. Nixon and we know how that turned out! The Dems are for the working man, the Republicans protect the rich – a sentiment that still exists today.
Regardless of how you normally vote, we cannot allow a twice impeached, twice indicted (with more to come), guilty sexual abuser, disgraced ex-president another shot at the White House. He has no regard for the rule of law and has been caught red-handed with classified documents. Once again it comes down to tape recordings of Trump admitting he held on to vital documents. He stamps his feet and say “Mine, Mine, Mine!”
He has a core base of around 35% of Republican voters who drank the Kool-Aid and will believe anything he says. Past that, he has ruined the Republican Party in the circus-like House where very little is getting done for America. They have gone so far as allowing an indicted Rep. George Santos of NY to keep his seat in order to maintain a slim margin in the House. No useful bills of any significant importance have been proposed by Republicans.
So I am off the soap box. I wonder if there are still bake sales on Voting Day at Quinsigamond Elementary? If you know, please let me know.