Why So Blu?

Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts – Steelbook (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)

Transformers continue to roll out in theaters, the latest being the 90s set, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. While not generating huge numbers like they used to, Rise of the Beasts still easily crossed the $400 million line and proved to be more successful than some more highly anticipated and well respected franchise efforts last summer. You can now own it, which Paramount released on 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray on October 10th. It comes with an Atmos track and a smattering of featurettes. It also comes in a collectible steelbook edition, which is the copy sent here for review. You can order one for yourself by using the paid Amazon Associates link that follows at the end of the review.

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Film

OPTIMUS PRIME and the AUTOBOTS take on their biggest challenge yet!  When a new threat capable of destroying the entire planet emerges, they must team up with a powerful faction known as the MAXIMALS. With the fate of humanity hanging in the balance, Noah (Anthony Ramos) and Elena (Dominique Fishback) will do whatever it takes to help the TRANSFORMERS as they engage in the ultimate battle to save Earth.

Until Bumblebee, I had been pretty middling on most of the live action Transformers movies. Impressive scale and action pieces but never finding myself connecting with a series I couldn’t get enough of as a child. Then, Bumblebee comes along and winds up being one of my absolute favorite blockbusters of the 2010s. Something I was just getting out of the house and taking my kids to see a movie on an afternoon for. I wasn’t too sure what to think when they moved on from Hailee Steinfeld and jumped a decade for Rise of the Beasts. Bumblebee was a modest success but not the kind they were used to so it appeared they were abandoning that kind of movie and going back to the basics.

Fortunately, that is not the case. Rise of the Beasts appears to have learned correct lessons from Bumblebee and carried a similar tone while exercising a much more Transformers heavy film that introduces their popular iteration of the 1990s. It doesn’t quite all gel or impress like its predecessor, but its a fun, carefree movie to take back and enjoy. The Autobots and Decepticons are once again animated in a more colorful and easy to tell apart in action sequences fashion. There’s a nice gee whiz to be had and the human characters are very likeable and feel like worthwhile ones to follow if they are going to continue to just not make Optimus Prime and company full fledged leads in their own movies.

I don’t think this will be the one, but Anthony Ramos is certain drooling in the wings for a breakout into mass stardom. Yes, he’s checked boxes and received good marks for well reviewed films/musicals like Hamilton and Into The Heights, but he’s not yet hit that movie start/household name status. He continues to put in good work here in Rise of the Beasts and showcases that he meshes will with both robot and human as Ramos seems a guy easy to find chemistry on screen with for his costars.

Transformers latest effort isn’t going to break the bank or wow you to the dark of the moon, but it certainly entertains and leaves the door open for a viewer to eagerly come back to another installment. It learns the correct character and Transformer lessons from the previous movie and takes some ambitious strides to try and grow this iteration of the series into something unique and of its own to step out of the shadow of the Michael Bay 5-film run. Definitely one to check out and one that should please both the fan and the casual popcorn munching blockbuster seeking enthusiast.

Video

Disclaimer: Screen captures used in the review are from the standard Blu-ray disc, not the 4K UHD Blu-ray disc.

Encoding: HEVC / H.265

Resolution: 4K (2160p)

Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1

Layers: BD-100

Clarity/Detail: Transformers: Rise of the Beasts comes with a pretty nifty 4K transfer that is rather radiant and colorful. The CG effects hold up quite good and feel at one with the live action under the 4K scrutiny. There are lots of details to behold be it physical or digital. Its a sharp, crisp picture that really gives you the finest an Autobot could offer for a viewing experience.

Depth:  Depth of field is rock solid, delivering in the presentation of scale as well as some good pushback and spacious outdoor sequences. Movements are fluid and smooth with no distortion issues during big action sequences or fast camera movements.

Black Levels: Blacks are deep and natural with plenty of good shadowing and very good presentations of nighttime sequences. Patterns, textures and fine details all show through in even the darkest corners of the screen. No crushing.

Color Reproduction: This film and its predecessor really show off more colorful looking Transformers and their 4K discs thank them for it. This has some lovely colors, especially on said robots, with the HDR popping nicely in contrast as well as with blasts, explosions, beams, displays and car lights.

Flesh Tones: Skin tones are natural and consistent from start to finish. Facial features and textures are easily discernible from any given distance in the frame.

Noise/Artifacts: Clean

Audi0

Audio Format(s): English Dolby Atmos, French Dolby Atmos, Spanish (Castilian) 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish (Latin American) 5.1 Dolby Digital

Subtitles: English, English SDH, French, Spanish, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish

Dynamics: Transformers: Rise of the Beasts comes with a Dolby Atmos track that is above average. This will satisfy but leave you wanting a bit more. I’ll echo what I’ve seen in that it could be improved on the low end sounds. Nonetheless, it does have some good depth and layering with a nice handling on the many many foley effects taking place in any given scene.

Height: From above you get debris, glass falling, characters swooping over camera, helicopters and plenty more.

Low Frequency Extension: The subwoofer gives you a solid impact but you want this thing to pound as per previous Transformers movies and you just expect more when something big happens.

Surround Sound Presentation: The room is well versed and spins with great contributions from side to side and back to front. There is some solid force in the rolling sound. Rear channel speakers pick up good on angle changes and tossing in unique contributions and ambiance building.

Dialogue Reproduction:  Vocals are crisp and clear.

Extras

Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts comes with the standard Blu-ray edition and a redeemable digital code. This particular edition comes in collectible steelbook packaging.

Human Affairs (HD, 7:32) – This is a look back at the appreciation for Transformers from the cast and crew and how they went forward with this film, following up Bumblebee and where to go from there.

Life in the 90s (HD, 6:14) – A nostalgic look at the 90s lifestyle from the cast and crew.

Heroes (HD, 10:12) – This featurette looks at our heroes and their meaning in the story and the people who play or voice them.

Villains (HD, 8:36) – Same thing as the heroes but for the baddies.

The Chase (HD, 5:35) – A featurette focused on creating the big chase sequence that is in the film’s first act.

The Battle of Ellis Island (HD, 7:07) – Here is another specific action sequence “making of” of sorts.

Into the Jungle (HD, 10:20) – A location featurette on shooting in Peru.

The Switchback Attack (HD, 7:11) – This is another action sequence focused making of.

The Final Conflict (HD, 10:46) – And lastly, another action sequence making of for the film’s finale.

Deleted and Extended Scenes (HD, 13:45)

Summary

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts doesn’t live up to the series high mark that was Bumblebee (for me) but it shows promise as a continuation of the type of film that one provided. Paramount brings it to 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray with a pretty solid package of good presentation + extras. This particular edition comes with a steelbook that has (imo) some nifty artwork. A pickup for your Transformers collection when it hits your preferred discounted price point.

This is a paid Amazon Associates link