The Most Underrated Sci-Fi Film of the Decade Is Officially Coming to Free Streaming

Image: Paramount Pictures

While the original Transformers captured the cultural zeitgeist of the 1980s, anyone who grew up in the 90s understands the real pinnacle of the franchise: Beast Wars. Debuting in 1996, this computer-animated series swapped out vehicles for organic animal forms, offering a more mature narrative, nuanced character development, and key mythology—such as the “spark”—that remains the heartbeat of the modern series.

Given its legacy, there was immense anticipation when Beast Wars icons finally made their way to the big screen. Even with the narrative constraints imposed by fitting these characters into the existing Transformers cinematic universe, seeing them realized in live-action was a long-awaited milestone for fans. With the film arriving on Pluto TV on July 1, it’s the perfect time to give it another look.

Directed by Steven Caple Jr., 2023’s Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is set in 1994, bridging the gap between the 1987-set Bumblebee and the 2007 original directed by Michael Bay. While fans often argue whether the current films represent a total reboot or a prequel, Rise of the Beasts effectively stands on its own, delivering a cohesive experience regardless of its place in the timeline.

The story opens in the distant future on the Maximal homeworld, currently facing extinction at the hands of the planet-devouring Unicron. As the Terrorcon antagonist Scourge hunts for the Transwarp Key—a powerful tool for interstellar travel—Maximal leader Apelinq makes the ultimate sacrifice to ensure his comrade, Optimus Primal, escapes with the device. The refugees hide the key on prehistoric Earth, only for it to be unearthed in 1994, setting the stage for a desperate alliance between the Autobots and the Maximals to save the world.

Image: Paramount

Admittedly, Rise of the Beasts struggles with common franchise pitfalls, specifically an overstuffed cast and occasionally opaque world-building. Major figures like Rhinox are left with surprisingly little dialogue, and the Maximals often feel sidelined in favor of the Autobots. Notable fan-favorites like Rattrap and Dinobot are missing entirely. However, the film triumphs in its visual execution. By scaling up the Maximals, the production team created characters that feel tangible and grounded. Airazor, voiced by Michelle Yeoh, is a triumph of design, mirroring her 90s counterpart with remarkable fidelity, while Optimus Primal’s imposing frame draws deep inspiration from both Beast Wars and its sequel, Beast Machines.

Image: Paramount Pictures

Ultimately, these visual successes make Rise of the Beasts a compelling watch for long-time enthusiasts. While it may not reach the heights of Bumblebee, it serves as a worthy tribute to the source material and fulfills a long-held fan desire to see these metallic beasts in action. Until a dedicated Beast Wars feature is realized, this iteration stands as a solid, entertaining bridge.

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts arrives on Pluto TV on July 1.

Source: Polygon