#TRANSFORMERS THE LAST KNIGHT (2017) Review

[the-masked-reviewer]

Transformers: The Last Knight (2017) Review

potential spoilers ahead...

As always with this franchise, the CGI is on another level. The amount of detail and realistic movements applied to these robot cars is truly astounding.

For starters, this movie's story uses a take on Arthurian Legend and adds a dragon on top, and I for one am easily bought by knights and dragons, making the overall story more interesting and fun. Of course the movie with knights, swords, and a dragon Transformer, also manages to show you more of all of the various dinosaur transformers than age of extinction, the dinosaur transformer movie.

This movie directly follows possibly the worst of the Transformers movies (cough extinction cough) which made me almost believe that the movies after would go back to what made the originals before them so much fun (I was wrong, but that's not this movie's fault, its their performance's fault).

[rye-views]

Transformers: The Last Knight (2017) dir. Michael Bay. 7.6/10

I wouldn't recommend this movie to my friends. I wouldn't rewatch this movie.

I feel a bit of Star Wars mixed in here. Cade in the sub literally looks like Luke Skywalker.

We brought in the medieval times. This shit's for me. This dragon is for me. I like these baby dinos we got going on. I like the return of the cast. I did enjoy Cogman's background music. I liked this movie. omg not Bumblebee bringing Optimus back ㅠㅠ What a beautiful line.

omg Gemma chan??

I don't like that Optimus wasn't that relevant in a good chunk of the movie and he also wasn't who he is for no real reason. The Transformers are too CGI for me ㅠㅠ

We gotta get vaccinated before we open up Merlin's grave.

[jupitermelichios]

I'm feeling the need to be a hater but in a harmless and ultimately meaningless way, so join me around this barrell and lets shoot some motherfucking fish

Disclaimer: I am not telling you you can't enjoy these movies, or judging your taste if you loved them. This is literally just me being a hater about movies that happen to bug me personally for various reasons.

*of these random 10 11 movies I personally really hated

** obligatory disclaimer that I did not pay to watch this movie, JKR did not make a single penny out of my morbid fascination with cinematic trainwrecks

(despite what this list suggests, I watch a lot of movies that aren't cgi-heavy blockbusters, but having a specific interest in movie adaptations of comic books means I watch a lot of really terrible cgi-heavy blockbusters)

Anti-propoganda below the cut

Spawn: this movie hurts to look it. One of the single most visually unpleasant experiences of my life, and I'm including recovering from major surgery in that.

Batman v Superman: the entire plot hinges on people believing Superman shot a man to death with a gun. A less significant but unavoidable plot point involves Lex Luthor giving someone a jar of his own piss as a death threat. Compared to that, the Martha thing barely registers as stupid.

Cats: is it as bad as the viral reviews claimed? Sadly no. Did I almost strain a muscle trying not to laugh too loudly at how terrible it was when I saw it in the cinema? Absolutely.

Fantastic Beasts: none of the FB movies could reasonably be described as good, but the third one really lends credence to the JKR black mould poisoning theory.

The King's Man: they very clearly ran out of filming time/locations due to covid, and then for some reason instead of shelving what cannot have been a particularly expensive production, they decided to edit together what little footage they had and release it as one of the most fascinatingly incoherent movies of the last decade.

Last Airbender: the very rare movie that actually is as bad as the negative hype, this may have the worst use of cgi superpowers in all of cinema.

Fant4stic: if you don't have depression, but want to know what it feels like, watch this movie. That utter emptiness you're now feeling? That's what depression feel like. You don't feel bad, necessarily. You just feel nothing.

Transformers: none of the bayformers movies are good, but Last Knight is the only one which just straight up doesn't make sense. It's like someone took the strawman 'terrible soulless entirely CGI blockbuster' movie people use in tumblr arguments about hollywood, and decided to actually make it.

Black Adam: I feel bad about how terrible this film is, because it was a genuine passion project, and it has a great cast, but it also has the worst colour-grading and some of the worst editting I've ever seen. If a group of untallented first year film students got trapped in purgatory with dwayne johnson, pierce brosnan, and manual editting equipment from the 1930s, and had to make a superhero film in order to escape, this is the film they'd make.

TMNT: this film just makes me irrationally angry. It feels like a bad youtube skit about 'what if michael bay made an animated kids movie' but it's real and it cost $150 million

Flash: this was going to be a 10 option poll, but then I remembered this movie includes CGI christopher reeve, against the express wishes of christopher reeve, and WB went ahead and released it after Ezra Miller was arrested for kidnapping, and then it had the gall to also be a terrible film in almost every way.

[cineaura13]

Transformers One: A New Chapter in the Legendary Franchise

The Transformers franchise has been a staple of action-packed entertainment for over a decade, captivating fans with its blend of breathtaking special effects, intriguing characters, and epic battles between the Autobots and Decepticons. With Transformers One set to be released, the excitement has reached new heights. This film is highly anticipated not just for its role in the larger Transformers universe, but also for its promise of fresh storytelling and innovative cinematic experiences.

In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Transformers One—its plot, cast, what makes it stand out from previous films, and how you can watch it online for free. We’ll also introduce cineaura. in, a popular platform where you can catch the latest movies and enjoy high-quality streaming without breaking the bank.

The Transformers Franchise: A Brief Overview

Since its inception in 2007, the Transformers film series has become one of Hollywood's most successful and iconic franchises. Based on the beloved 1980s toy line and animated series, the live-action films brought the battle between the Autobots and Decepticons to a whole new audience. Directed by Michael Bay, the initial series delivered cutting-edge CGI that revolutionized how action and sci-fi movies could be made.

The Evolution of the Franchise

The first Transformers film, released in 2007, introduced audiences to the world of Cybertronians, alien robots who could transform into various vehicles and machines. The movie was a financial juggernaut, grossing over $700 million worldwide. Following the success of this film, sequels such as Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009), Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011), Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014), and Transformers: The Last Knight (2017) followed, each adding to the universe’s lore.

While these films have received mixed reviews from critics, their appeal to fans of large-scale action, complex battles, and visually stunning CGI has never wavered. The series’ ability to blend humor, heart, and action has created a loyal fanbase that eagerly awaits each new installment. However, as the sequels piled up, fans started clamoring for a fresh take—something that could reignite the magic of the original movies while introducing new themes and perspectives.

That’s where Transformers One comes into the picture.

Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye

At its core, the Transformers franchise has always been about more than just action. It explores deeper themes such as loyalty, friendship, sacrifice, and the moral complexities of war. Whether through the leadership of Optimus Prime, the cunning of Megatron, or the human struggles intertwined with the robotic battles, the series has always managed to tug at heartstrings amidst the explosions.

Over the years, the movies have built an intricate universe that has now expanded into prequels, spin-offs, and animated series. One such spin-off, Bumblebee (2018), set a new standard by focusing on character-driven storytelling rather than just spectacle. Transformers One is poised to build on this momentum by exploring the origins of the war between the Autobots and Decepticons, giving fans a deeper understanding of the conflict.

Overview of Transformers One

Plot Summary

Transformers One takes us back to the beginning, long before the events of the previous movies. This prequel delves deep into the origins of the war on Cybertron, the home planet of the Transformers, and reveals how the longstanding rivalry between the noble Autobots and the malevolent Decepticons began. The film serves as a bridge between the rich history of Cybertron and the first Transformers film, providing crucial insights into the characters and the political strife that shaped their personalities and motivations.

The storyline centers on a young Optimus Prime, who is not yet the wise and battle-hardened leader we know. Instead, he is a bright-eyed idealist trying to find his place in a world divided by political intrigue and a rising war. The film explores how Optimus and Megatron—once close allies—end up on opposing sides of the devastating conflict. Fans will finally get to see the events that caused Megatron's fall into tyranny and Optimus Prime's rise to leadership.

This prequel also promises to introduce new characters, factions, and settings, expanding the world of Transformers in ways fans have never seen before. From deepening the lore around Cybertron's society to highlighting the ethical dilemmas faced by both Autobots and Decepticons, Transformers One aims to strike a balance between large-scale action sequences and poignant storytelling.

Themes in Transformers One

While the film will undoubtedly feature the high-octane battles and stunning visual effects that the franchise is known for Transformers One also promises to be a more introspective story. By focusing on the early days of Optimus Prime and Megatron’s relationship, it will explore themes of betrayal, the cost of war, and the difficult choices that leaders must make.

Moreover, Transformers One is set to examine the broader political context of Cybertron’s civil war, painting a complex picture of a society on the brink of collapse. This new layer of depth could breathe fresh life into the franchise, appealing to both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

Cast and Crew of Transformers One

A significant part of the excitement surrounding Transformers One comes from its star-studded cast and the creative minds behind the film. Although the casting choices are being kept under wraps for now, some early announcements have already generated significant buzz.

Directors and Writers

Transformers One marks a departure from the traditional direction of Michael Bay. While Bay has been a key figure in shaping the live-action Transformers universe, this new film will see a fresh creative team at the helm. Rising talents are expected to breathe new energy into the franchise, delivering a more nuanced and character-driven experience without losing the larger-than-life action sequences that fans love.

The script for Transformers One has reportedly been crafted by a team of seasoned screenwriters who have worked on both blockbuster films and acclaimed television series. With an eye for balancing character development with spectacle, the writing team is committed to delivering a prequel that honors the past while setting the stage for the future of the franchise.

Voice Cast

The voice cast for Transformers One is shaping up to be one of the film’s biggest attractions. Rumors suggest that well-known actors from the world of film and television have been tapped to bring the young versions of Optimus Prime, Megatron, and other key characters to life.

While Peter Cullen and Frank Welker have long been the voices of Optimus Prime and Megatron, respectively, it’s not yet clear if they will return for this prequel or if younger actors will take their place to reflect the characters’ earlier stages in life. Either way, fans can expect top-tier voice talent that will add depth and gravitas to these iconic roles.

What Makes Transformers One Unique?

With so many Transformers films already released, it’s natural to wonder what sets Transformers One apart from its predecessors. The answer lies in its approach to storytelling and its focus on character-driven drama.

An Origin Story Like No Other

Unlike the previous Transformers movies, which have largely focused on the Earth-based adventures of the Autobots and Decepticons, Transformers One takes us back to the heart of Cybertron. By exploring the political and social landscape of the Transformers’ home planet, this film adds a new layer of depth to the franchise. It also gives fans the origin story they’ve been waiting for—showing the personal and political events that led to the civil war that would eventually spill over to Earth.

A More Mature Tone

While the previous films, particularly those directed by Michael Bay, have often leaned heavily into explosive action and humor, Transformers One promises to be a more mature and introspective film. The focus on the relationship between Optimus Prime and Megatron, and how their differing philosophies ultimately tore them apart, gives the movie a Shakespearean quality that could appeal to older audiences as well as younger fans.

State-of-the-Art Visual Effects

Of course, no Transformers film would be complete without jaw-dropping special effects, and Transformers One is expected to push the boundaries even further. With advancements in CGI technology, this film promises to deliver the most visually stunning depiction of Cybertron to date. From massive battle scenes to intricate transformations, every frame is expected to be a feast for the eyes.

Watching Transformers One Online: Cineaura.in

Now that we’ve covered the excitement surrounding Transformers One, the next question on everyone’s mind is: how can you watch it? Thankfully, cineaura.in offers a fantastic option for streaming Transformers One and other popular movies for free.

Cineaura.in is a reliable and user-friendly platform that provides access to a wide range of movies across genres, including action, sci-fi, and fantasy. Whether you’re a fan of high-octane action or more character-driven dramas, cineaura.in has something for everyone.

Why Choose Cineaura.in?

Free Streaming: Cineaura.in allows users to watch movies without any subscription fees or hidden charges.

High-Quality Content: The platform offers high-definition streaming, ensuring that you can enjoy Transformers One in the best possible quality.

User-Friendly Interface: Navigating through cineaura.in is a breeze, making it easy to find and watch your favorite movies with just a few clicks.

If you’re looking to catch Transformers One from the comfort of your home, cineaura.in is your go-to platform. Not only can you watch this highly anticipated movie, but you can also explore a treasure trove of other blockbuster films.

Conclusion

As the Transformers franchise continues to evolve, Transformers One represents an exciting new chapter that delves into the origins of one of the most iconic rivalries in cinematic history. With its fresh approach to storytelling, deeper focus on character development, and stunning visual effects, this prequel is set to be a must-watch for fans of the series.

And when it comes to watching the movie, cineaura.in provides an excellent option for enjoying Transformers One online. Make sure to visit cineaura.in to stream this film and immerse yourself in the epic saga of the Autobots and Decepticons! 

[thecinemacritic]

REVIEW: While unfortunately feeling a little tired and having a difficult to follow plot, Transformers: The Last Knight has enough insanity, stylised direction and large action sequences that I enjoyed it.

[thebrayingmoose]

My ★½ review of Transformers: The Last Knight on Letterboxd https://boxd.it/5HkDgp

[amcsociety]

Transformers Movie Franchise

The Transformers movie series, directed primarily by Michael Bay, consists of seven films that span over a decade. Below is a detailed review of each film along with a clean timeline of the events that take place in the Transformers universe.

1. Transformers (2007):

Synopsis: The first film in the series introduces the war between the Autobots and the Decepticons, two factions of alien robots. Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) discovers his car, a yellow Chevrolet Camaro named Bumblebee, is an Autobot. He teams up with the Autobots to prevent the Decepticons from acquiring the AllSpark, a powerful artifact.

Review: "Transformers" lays the foundation for the series with its mix of explosive action, humor, and groundbreaking visual effects. It successfully brings the beloved toys and cartoon series to life, appealing to both fans and newcomers. The film's energetic pace, impressive CGI, and charismatic performances by the cast make it an entertaining ride.

2. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009):

Synopsis: In the sequel, Sam Witwicky and the Autobots face a resurrected Megatron (Hugo Weaving) and a new threat known as The Fallen. Sam discovers ancient symbols that hold the key to a hidden power, and the battle between the Autobots and Decepticons escalates.

Review: "Revenge of the Fallen" amps up the action and introduces new Transformers, but some critics felt it relied too heavily on spectacle and lacked a coherent storyline. Despite mixed reviews, the film still showcases impressive visual effects and continues to explore the mythology of the Transformers universe.

3. Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011):

Synopsis: The third film reveals a long-hidden Transformer spacecraft on the Moon and a conspiracy involving the U.S. government. Sam, now working for a new love interest (Rosie Huntington-Whiteley), uncovers a plan by the Decepticons to enslave humanity.

Review: "Dark of the Moon" improves upon the second film with a more focused storyline and grand-scale action sequences. The film delves into the history of the Transformers and delivers breathtaking visuals, particularly during the climactic Battle of Chicago. The addition of the villainous Shockwave and the return of fan-favorite characters contribute to an engaging experience.

4. Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014):

Synopsis: "Age of Extinction" takes place several years after the previous film and introduces a new human cast led by Cade Yeager (Mark Wahlberg). The Transformers are now hunted by a government agency, and Cade's discovery of a dormant Optimus Prime sets off a chain of events that involves a new threat and the emergence of the Dinobots.

Review: This film serves as a soft reboot of the series, introducing new characters and a fresh narrative. It explores the ethical implications of human involvement with Transformers technology and features stunning visuals, intense action sequences, and strong performances from the cast. The addition of the Dinobots brings an exciting new element to the franchise.

5. Transformers: The Last Knight (2017):

Synopsis: "The Last Knight" delves into the history of the Transformers on Earth, revealing an ancient connection between them and King Arthur's Knights of the Round Table. Cade Yeager, now a fugitive, joins forces with new allies to stop an impending apocalypse.

Review: The fifth film attempts to expand the mythology of the Transformers but received mixed reviews due to a convoluted plot and overwhelming spectacle. However, it still delivers on visual effects and features notable performances from Mark Wahlberg and Anthony Hopkins. The film's exploration of historical connections adds an intriguing layer to the series.

6. "Transformers: Bumblebee" (2018):

Synopsis: "Bumblebee" serves as a prequel to the Transformers series, set in the 1980s. The film follows Charlie Watson (Hailee Steinfeld), a teenager who discovers and forms a special bond with the Autobot Bumblebee. Together, they navigate their way through thrilling adventures while evading government agents and uncovering the secrets of the Transformers' presence on Earth.

Review: "Bumblebee" breathes new life into the Transformers franchise with its heartfelt storytelling, engaging characters, and a more intimate scale. The film is a delightful mix of action, humor, and emotion, catering to both long-time fans and newcomers. Director Travis Knight delivers a visually stunning and character-driven experience, showcasing impressive CGI effects and a nostalgic '80s atmosphere. Hailee Steinfeld's charismatic performance, combined with the heartwarming connection between Charlie and Bumblebee, makes for a compelling and enjoyable film.

7. "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" (2022):

Synopsis: "Rise of the Beasts" expands the Transformers universe by incorporating elements from the popular Beast Wars storyline. Set in the 1990s, the film explores a conflict between the Autobots and Decepticons that escalates to involve ancient forces and the emergence of new transforming creatures. Noah (Anthony Ramos) and Elena (Dominique Fishback) become entangled in the battle, joining forces with the Transformers to save Earth from destruction.

Review: "Rise of the Beasts" takes the franchise in an exciting new direction, incorporating the beloved Beast Wars mythology. Director Steven Caple Jr. delivers a visually stunning film with thrilling action sequences and compelling characters. The movie strikes a balance between honoring the established Transformers universe and introducing fresh elements. The voice performances, particularly from Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime, Tony Todd as Megatron, and Ron Perlman as Optimus Primal, add depth and authenticity to the characters. The film's exploration of the Maximals, Predacons, and their conflicts brings a refreshing twist to the series.

Clean Timeline of Events:

- "Bumblebee" (1980s): Charlie Watson discovers and forms a bond with Bumblebee, kickstarting their adventures and uncovering the secrets of the Transformers on Earth.

- "Transformers" (2007): The war between Autobots and Decepticons begins as Sam Witwicky joins forces with the Autobots to prevent the Decepticons from acquiring the AllSpark.

- "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" (2009): Sam Witwicky discovers ancient symbols and faces a resurrected Megatron and a new threat known as The Fallen.

- "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" (2011): The Autobots uncover a hidden Transformer spacecraft on the Moon and face a conspiracy involving the U.S. government and the Decepticons.

- "Transformers: Age of Extinction" (2014): Cade Yeager discovers a dormant Optimus Prime, leading to a new threat and the emergence of the Dinobots.

- "Transformers: The Last Knight" (2017): The history of the Transformers on Earth is unveiled, revealing an ancient connection and an impending apocalypse.

- "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" (2022): The Autobots and Decepticons engage in a conflict that involves the emergence of Maximals, Predacons, and ancient forces, with Noah and Elena joining the battle to save Earth.

This timeline provides a coherent progression of events within the Transformers movie series, showcasing the various installments and their respective stories

[andy121019]

My @letterboxd review of Transformers: The Last Knight (2017). Objectively a pretty horrific movie but it was fun to laugh at and there were some good ideas in there.

[geekgemsspooksandtoons]

Considering the news from hours ago, and other things that’s been going on...I’m gonna make this before I go to bed. I’m using parts of my tweet from here. https://twitter.com/Geekgem1/status/1600776657110913024?s=20&t=5HQl82Z_yqflH8fboKcHpQ

Thank you, Zack Snyder and Henry Cavill...for everything. 

Thank you, Zack, for giving us the Snyderverse. And along with many who helped you out on them along the way. Man of Steel, Batman V Superman, Zack Snyder's Justice League. Particularly these three, I'll keep on cherishing them.

 And thank you Henry Cavill for giving us the best Superman, or more so, my Superman. Thank you giving us your performance as the iconic character.

I won’t forget this universe. Even whatever new reboot comes. I’ll treasure it, always.

Anyway, here’s my rant when the news of Henry not being Superman anymore was...fresh or so. This was sent to @hawkofkrypton my good buddy. Who I wanted to tell first because...it was something. https://twitter.com/Geekgem1/status/1603209861805723649

From a Twitter message, a messy rant/ramble. Unedited and raw. Be warned.

“Henry Cavill was my Superman. Despite I have seen the Superman character in different versions growing up. 

I loved Zack's take on the DC universe. And despite how hopeless stuff would be like...this is what happens...after all of the bullying, the insults, the horrible people who act like their better when they need to look at themselves in the mirror. After everything that had happened. 

This is what we get...this is what happens... I'll treasure my Blu Ray copies of Zack's DC trilogy forever...they are on the level of The Dark Knight, and I will never forget the impact those films or just...I loved these films. I had wished I became a fan much earlier. But maybe that would've been more painful. I became a full-on Zack fan during 2017 before JL released. 

I liked Man of Steel, BVS was mixed to me at first, but the reviews that made me wonder just...I'll never forget the man that had the fuckin balls for the films he made. And this is what happens when people bitch about their being no jokes and 30 minutes being cut out from the film. 

Or when a studio becomes a pussy an they hire a racist comic book writer to lead their franchise. Or they hire another abusive asshole to direct and reshot nearly the entire movie. Geoff, Joss, Haramda, and whoever else. People like them are the reason this happened. 

Amazing I am listening to some fitting music and...even before that... This is the death of Superman...more so, our Superman...and his last appearance would be possibly a glorified cameo in a film that wasn't saved by that same cameo. 

This is what happens when WB doesn't have the fucking balls like Paramount to release Transformers films and I'm rambling on man. I've said enough.”

[adamwatchesmovies]

Geostorm (2017)

Why'd I give Geostorm the benefit of the doubt? Because I imagined that, if competently made, it could be the first of many. No need to set up a reason for the ocean’s currents to reverse, or to spend time discovering that the San Andreas fault is about to go ballistic. Just have the Geostorm satellite go haywire every couple of years! Unfortunately, Dean Devlin decided to make a film so stupid you’ll wonder if it’s set in a universe where being born without a brain is perfectly normal.

In the future, a network of satellites dubbed “Dutch Boy” control Earth's climate. When a village in Afghanistan is found frozen solid, disgraced engineer Jake Lawson (Gerard Butler) is sent to investigate the source of the problem. All hints point towards a conspiracy that could lead towards a global disaster: a geostorm.

I can swallow the premise; I just wish some effort had been put into the story, characters or dialogue. Apparently, Jake is one of those engineers that's never EVER been in a business meeting so when he’s called up by a Senate sub-committee to be reprimanded, he barks at them incessantly until he gets fired. Every human in this film couldn't have sounded realistic on paper and they fare no better when actors have to vomit this dialogue.

There are no clever scenes or choices in Geostorm, only various degrees of skull-busting awfulness. The person behind Dutch Boy's "malfunctions" is so obvious I was barely able to resist screaming “GUILTY!” the second they walked on-screen. Briefly, I thought maybe it was a red herring, but then I saw the giant holographic screen. “What’s wrong with that?” Let me tell you. Firstly, it creates an enormous plot hole. At one point, Jake sends a coded message to his brother Max (Jim Sturgess), the kind where every third word must be ignored for the true meaning to be understood, the kind that would’ve been easy to do via email! Imagine if he’d forgotten a word and accidentally communicated the wrong message! But the fact that it's a needless special effect is the real reason that giant Jim Sturgess head made me lose all hope. Why not refrain from one or two unnecessary SFX and instead pay a real writer that understands how human beings function to polish the hack script? Obviously, the objective wasn't to make a movie; only to blow stuff up in a climax that begs you not to ask "why would anyone want to go through with this plan", "Are you SURE that's science, and not just magic" and "Could Abbie Cornish's character be some kind of emotive lady Terminator?".

This has been a year filled with bad movie surprises. Geostorm joins The Circle, Transformers: The Last Knight and The Book of Henry in "Movies I can't believe got made". (3D Theatrical version on the big screen, October 28, 2017)

[thegeekapocalypse]

Transformers: The Last Knight (My Review) Spoilers Ahead!

“Without Sacrifice There can be No Victory”

Optimus Prime has given almost everything to protect the Earth from the same fate as Cybertron’s own, but this time won’t be as easy as the last four times. Vowing to stop his creators from destroying the earth in the last movie, Age of Extinction, Optimus finds Cybertron in shambles, and is met by one of his creator’s, Quintessa.

Stating that Cybertron is dying and it’s Optimus’s fault, Quintessa commands Optimus to help her destroy the earth, which happens to also be Unicron, Cybertron’s enemy. Optimus Prime is reluctant to carry out the dark deed, the same is not true for Nemesis Prime.

On earth, it is no secret that Cybertron is coming. Humanity’s greatest scientists have seen the writing on the wall and are predicting the Earth’s doom. Transformers, Autobot, Decepticon, and neutral bots are being hunted by a government hit squad, the TRF. Despite the danger, Cade Yeager and his group of Autobots  are on a mission to protect all bots who are in danger.

Cade and Bumblebee stumble upon a Cybertronian spaceship with a wounded transformer who gives Cade a talisman that will change all their fates.

This talisman brings great danger to Cade and his group from the Decepticons who have partnered with the TRF and the military. At the head of this group is Colonel Lennox and a reborn Megatron.

In the midst of the fighting, a “C-3p0 knockoff” named Cogman commandeers Bumblebee and Cade on a mission to the U.K. in regards to the talisman.

While at the same time a new character, Vivian, is kidnapped by newcomer: Hotrod to Cade and Bumblebee’s destination.

Vivian and Cade are met by Sir Anthony Hopkin’s character who reveals that Transformers have been  instrumental to humanity���s warfare. The key campaign being King Arthur’s Victory 1,000 years ago thanks to the help of Merlin’s staff. The “staff of Merlin” is really a Cybertronian staff stolen from Quintessa by her knights. Quintessa seeks to use the staff to destroy earth, but only a descendant of Merlin can locate the staff and use it to save Earth. Said descendant just happens to be Vivian who with Bumblebee, Cade (the Last Knight) and Cogman, sets’s out to find the staff while being pursued by the Deceptions and TRF.

Hitching a ride on a submarine, they journey to a underwater Cybertronian ship where they find the staff, the TRF on their tail, and are met by Nemesis Prime. A fight between Bumblebee and his mentor breaks out, until a mute Bumblebee talks with his own voice for the first time and wakes Optimus up.

But even with Optimus back, the world is still ending and Quintessa must be stopped. With the help of the Autobots, Quintessa’s Knights, and the military, the race against time begins.

Overall, I’ll give this one four stars. Some of the dialogue was a little predictable, but the action was better than ever.

[the-masked-reviewer]

Transformer Movie Reviews

Transformers (2007)

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)

Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)

Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)

Bumblebee (2018)

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023)

[jackbootsinc]

Shorthand Review - Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)

The Transformers franchise has never been good. Some say that the series is "Dumb fun with good action and cool explosions". To me, that could maybe be used to describe only the third movie. The first one is promising and has a certain "child-like-wonder" appeal. But neither of them are truly good. The second Transformers is meaningless garbage.

But when Age of Extinction was released in 2014, the franchise hit new, abysmal lows. Watching Transformers wasn't just a chore, it wasn't just boring, it was excruciating. It was so bad I felt nauseous. I was aggravated to the point of brimming with feelings of genuine anger. They say that if a film makes you feel something, that is a victory in itself. Be it sadness, excitement, intrigue, joy, hope, nostalgia, hysteria, love, fear, warmth - whatever - I tend to agree with that statement. What I felt in Age of Extinction was not a victory. It was a failure. A Guinness Book of World Records level failure.

Transformers: The Last Knight, is at least that bad again.

Arguably worse.

I guess it didn't dedicate an entire character to being a justification for paedophilia, so it has that up on its predecessor.

Final rating:½ - So bad it’s offensive. I may never fully recover.

[yeonchi]

Kisekae Insights #26: The Superhero Project Prelude (a preview of things to come)

(Art by blakehunter)

My journey into tokusatsu began in 2013 when I watched Power Rangers Samurai on television and was enthralled at the use of kanji in the series. This led me to learn about Super Sentai through watching its counterpart, Samurai Sentai Shinkenger. Later, I began to learn about Kamen Rider through watching Decade thanks to its crossover arc with Shinkenger, which would lead me to watch other Super Sentai and Kamen Rider series. Eventually, I also learnt about Metal Heroes through watching crossover movies and Ultramen after watching some episodes of Orb online out of curiosity (Ultraman was on TVB through satellite back in the day, though I never really cared for it).

While the adaptations of Super Sentai and Kamen Rider in Gokaiger and Decade were among the initial elements teased and hyped for the Moushouden Series, it should be noted that they had their roots in previous series. In the final instalment of the second run of Kisekae Insights, allow me to walk you through how I implemented Super Sentai before 2018 and give you all a little bit of a preview of what is to come.

Samurai Mode: The prototype powers

The second half of Series 9 in 2014 featured the Doctor and his companions becoming beta testers for the Superhero Project in the form of Samurai Mode. The arsenal of Shinkenger was adapted, but the names were kept close to their adaptation counterparts, with the exception of the core rangers’ morphers, which are named the ShodoPhones. The Samurai Morpher and the Gold Ranger’s powers were the first to be developed for alpha testing; their tester, Hiroki’s assistant who was also one of his “triad” comrades, would go on to become ShinkenGold when the Superhero Project was launched. Akari had also managed to get her hands on a ShodoPhone as well, presumably having been stolen from UNIT.

Red Samurai Ranger: Hiroki Ichigo

Blue Samurai Ranger: Momoka Mizutani

Pink Samurai Ranger: Angelina Mouseling

Green Samurai Ranger: The Doctor

Yellow Samurai Ranger: Satoyuki Saitō

Gold Samurai Ranger: Hiroki’s assistant

Female Red Samurai Ranger: Akari Ichigo

Samurai Mode was first used by the Doctor and his companions on Destination One, but unlike in Shinkenger, they weren’t fighting demons or monsters; they were fighting Girl Power and their allies. Following that adventure, the Doctor passed his ShodoPhone on to Storm Dasher, who used it when he fought Lord Tirek alongside Twilight Sparkle on Equestria. Dasher did not transform into the Green Samurai Ranger, but he did temporarily transform into an alicorn – an unintentional foreshadowing of things to come in the Moushouden Series. Dasher gave his ShodoPhone back to the Doctor at the end of the episode.

As for the other five, they went on to fight at Sekigahara, Osaka and Kyoto (Honnōji and Nijō Castle), though they never used their Samurai Mode powers at Sekigahara. The Doctor would rejoin them when they fought the final battle in Yokohama as he had been on Trenzalore during the events of the Series 9 finale.

The year after, I wrote a “director’s cut” version of the arc which is basically just a remake but with the Samurai Mode powers given more prominence than they did during the series while also toning down on influences from Dynasty Warriors, Samurai Warriors and Final Fantasy. I also used Mega Mode outside of a Megazord setting (instead of it being a combination of power-ups) and featured Megazord finishers on human-sized opponents with the Mega Blade. Because the events of the director’s cut version are different to the original episodes, I consider them to be non-canon.

The road of the Xtreme Legend

Before Gokaiger and Decade premiered, a set of prelude stories were made for Series 10 and 11 in 2017; to complement the BBC Series 8 and 9 having 12 episodes each, I write a total of four episodes – one to replace Deep Breath (titled The Advent of the Doctor), two extra original episodes (one for each series) and an original Christmas Special (titled Dawn of the Space Pirates).

After Girl Power’s defeat, everyone began focusing on their high school studies. By 2016, the first wave of UNIT’s Superhero Project teams were launched; alongside the new Shinkengers led by Akari that replaced the beta testing team, the Gekirangers, Go-Ongers, Goseigers and Zyuohgers were formed as well. The five teams got into a conflict with the Doctor, Hiroki and his assistant while they were investigating a conspiracy involving the Clockwork Droids harvesting organs from students who had committed suicide over their studies and a company giving students unfair advantages in their studies (through cheating).

The year after everyone graduated high school (2017), Hiroki, Akari and Narutaki discover the return of Kawakara, the lost city of Akari’s grandfather, Antoni. Later that year, Narutaki went missing after she and Hiroki were freed from the possession of Evil Death (the Grim Reaper, not to be mistaken for Good Death based on the character played by Simon Farnaby in Horrible Histories) and her role as ShinkenBlue was replaced by another member of Girl Power. Around the same time, Takumi Kamijō and his team at Torchwood Pleiades became the Magirangers after testing a prototype system during the Superhero Project’s beta testing phase.

That Christmas, Hiroki encountered a demon named Suira, also named Sui after the demon in Chinese folklore that explained the origin of money in red pockets. Suira transformed Hiroki into Gyūki after having done so 17 years earlier in an effort to help him get revenge on his parents after being sent to time out. Meanwhile, the Doctor began gathering up the Gokaigers in response to the Zangyack Armada’s vanguard fleet attacking cities. They fought Shikabanen before they help the other Rangers fight Suira, who had transformed into a demonic orge named Dokkaebi (based in Korean folklore) and later combined with Gyūki and Nian (the Chinese New Year Monster) to become the Krlunk Smasher. Although the Rangers defeat the Krlunk Smasher, he grows giant and the Gokaigers form the Legendary Megazord to defeat it.

From the Doctor’s point of view, the 2017 Christmas Special and the events of Gokaiger take place between Series 11 and 12 – after Hell Bent but before The Husbands of River Song and the episodes featuring Nardole, which are collectively known as the Nardole Saga.

A look at the first wave teams

So in summary, the first wave of Superhero Project teams shown in the preludes to Gokaiger and Decade are the Magirangers, Gekirangers, Go-Ongers, Shinkengers, Goseigers, Gokaigers and Zyuohgers. For the most part, the names of their arsenal are derived from their original Super Sentai series, but there are a couple of exceptions; the Shinkengers’ arsenal uses the names from Power Rangers Samurai (as stated earlier) while the Gokaigers’ Zords and Megazord combinations uses names derived from Power Rangers Super Megaforce.

Very few teams had Megazords in Gokaiger due to time constraints; in fact, the only teams that have Megazords featured (aside from the Gokaigers) are those that have a button on their morphers to summon or combine their Zords. Out of the teams in the first wave, the Zyuohgers are in this category, though Cyber Knight and the Gosei Ground Megazord would appear mid-way into Gokaiger.

Speaking of the Shinkengers, what happened to the beta testers for the Superhero Project? Hiroki would go on to become Kamen Rider Decade; Hiroki’s assistant would retain his equipment and become ShinkenGold; the Doctor and Angelina would become part of the Gokaigers; and Momoka and Satoyuki would resign. The ShodoPhones were handed back to UNIT and four of the new Shinkengers received the Samuraizers (from Samurai) as their morphers; Akari retained her ShodoPhone when she became the official ShinkenRed.

Power-ups for the Shinkengers and Goseigers were also introduced; the Black Box and Shark Disc were introduced in Series 9, while the Super Goseigers were introduced in the 2017 Christmas Special.

And that’s all I’m going to tease for the third run of Kisekae Insights. As I stated in the last instalment, this is going to be final instalment of the second run as I want to focus on other things, including the Doctor Who Series 13 reviews and finishing off my personal project. I don’t know when I’ll begin work on the third run, but right now, I’m currently dreading the time until then because of various things, particularly in regards to current affairs.

Kisekae Insights will return, but be warned that things might not be the same. I leave you with my take on an English version of the Shinkenger opening song that I wrote in 2018 after being inspired by Psychic Lover’s take on it. For the most part it’s the same, but I modified the lyrics to fit with the tone of the Shinkenger arc in Series 9.

That’s it again from me. Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook and Tumblr to see more of my posts.

Samurai Sentai Shinkenger English Lyrics (modified by me)

Original lyrics here

Dance! Dance! Get up! Fight together! Chop! Chop! Take down Girl Power! Samurai Sentai Shinkenger Forever! Year upon year it goes This Time War never ends Humans, Time Lords and Daleks are fighting again So we are serious And we are dangerous When we see your weaknesses Your future is over! Let the words light up the sky The elements make us strong! These heroes are makin’ noise They’re fighting for us all! Swords clash, gunshots blazing loud Go Go Samurai Power Rangers! Just do it! Fight for time and for our universe! Don’t! Don’t give up! Don't be afraid We say ‘Banzai’ in the end When Rangers get together, it’s Samurai forever! That’s ‘Bushido’ Hey bring it on! Samurai Sentai Shinkenger Forever! What are we fighting for? Harmony or discord? We indeed fight for peace To understand your drive When we get serious Regrets are part of us We practice so we can fight with no more regrets! Let the words light up the sky The elements make us strong! These heroes are makin’ noise They’re fighting for us all! Flowers blossom, moon sun storm Go Go Samurai Power Rangers! Just do it! Fight for those who really believe in you! Fighting, dancing, shining, dreaming For our future, don’t be afraid! When we combine our powers We will not be beaten! That's 'Bushido' Cut with the sword! Samurai Sentai Shinkenger We are dreaming of the day when the world will be at peace If you don’t wanna understand, then we will take you down! Dance! Dance! Get up! Fight together! Chop! Chop! Take down Girl Power! Our love and courage is what powers our swords! Dance! Dance! Go Go Samurai! Chop! Chop! Go Go Power Rangers! Altogether we will break the darkness of the world That's 'Bushido' Hey bring it on! Samurai Sentai Shinkenger Forever!

[sandysreviews]

Catching Up On Reviews Post 2

My second post to catch up on reviews!! This post includes the following; A Cure For Wellness, Get Out, John Wick Chapter 2, The Mummy, Baywatch, Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2, and Transformers The Last Knight. A Cure For Wellness – Absolutely phenomenal movie!! Creative and unique storyline, with a spectacular leading performance by Dane DeHaan – it’s a psychological thriller which plays with the mind, while creating an interesting story that doesn’t drag on through its 2 and a half hour duration. If you haven’t seen this movie, I highly recommend checking it out – it’s not for everyone, but it’s a movie you should definitely witness yourself. Get Out – Another Psychological Thriller that should definitely be seen!!! The cinematography throughout the film is incredible, and gives so many scenes double meaning, that can allow endless interpretation. The whole cast give a fantastic performance, and it’s definitely a film worth seeing. John Wick Chapter 2 – I absolutely love John Wick, and Keanu Reeves is one of my favourite actors so I was super excited when this was announced. Unfortunately, Australia got this film 3 months late – some how I managed to avoid all spoilers and it was worth it! The storyline was fantastic and did just as well as the first, the action/fight sequences were enjoyable, with great cinematography/light effects to emphasise many of the fight sequences. If you love John Wick, you will definitely love this. Can’t wait for Chapter 3!! The Mummy – I love The Mummy starring Brendan Fraser, so when I thought this might be a potential sequel or a rehash to continue on that story I was pretty excited. This doesn’t really acknowledge the other films (with the exception to a book) so I’m unsure if it was hinting at a sequel or not. I did enjoy this film regardless, but it definitely wasn’t as good as the others… Tom Cruise, Jake Johnson, and Sofia Boutella was great in the movie – but the storyline was lacking as the subplot kept taking over and they cared more about the special effects rather than providing a strong story/franchise. Worth seeing if you’re a fan of ‘monster’ movies. Baywatch – While I was never a fan of the TV show, the movie is pretty enjoyable. It’s very over-the-top but quite hilarious. The chemistry between the cast helps the jokes be funnier/believable making the characters and their development more enjoyable. Comedy fans should definitely check it out – I saw it twice and the jokes hold up on both viewings. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 – I wasn’t a huge fan of the first, but I did enjoy the humour and I of course loved Groot – so I was very excited to see baby Groot. The second is even better than the first – a pretty solid storyline with a surprising twist, great character development that was deprived from the first film. Fans of Marvel and GOTG will definitely like it – the 5 after credit scenes were a bit much, but at least funny. Transformers The Last Knight – Is the latest Michael Bay Transformers film for a franchise that should’ve stopped 2 movies ago. Although with saying that The Last Knight was a decent film, way better than Age of Extinction so it was an improvement to the story – Mark Wahlberg had a decent performance (and thankfully his daughter is no longer in this one). My major issue with this with the misleading trailer of Prime being ‘bad’ and the unnecessary swearing in almost every scene. I am not uptight about swearing in the slightest, but have Sir Anthony Hopkins saying ‘bitch’ and other transformers saying ‘bitch’ in every scene – it just seemed very odd considering the audience used to be targeted towards younger children. Anyway The Last Knight is a slight improvement – so worth checking it out if you like the previous Transformer movies.

[pigballoon]

Tranformers: The Last Knight

(Michael Bay, 2017)

As someone that has either liked, enjoyed, or defended three out of the four previous Transformers movies... Well, I wouldn’t say that this is a new low, because it’s tough to imagine a movie ever quite bottoming out in the way that 2009′s Revenge of the Fallen managed to, but the latest effort in Michael Bay’s franchise that has over the past decade become the byword for cinematic crap sure does give it a run for its money.

It’s honestly tough to know where to start when talking about this film. I have never particularly found the accusations of incomprehensiblity aimed at these movies to be particularly warranted, and maybe this is no different, and I’m just getting old, but I really did struggle to keep up with what the hell was going on here a lot of the time. Now whether that’s because the verbal exposition was squeezed in between too much madness to be memorable, or the movie is just too heinously, and idiotically overplotted for anyone to be able to wrap their head around it, I don’t know. The Last Knight does for sure often feel like 2 or 3 movies content have been thrown together into one without a care in the world for whether or not it all blended together, and when you see the film has 3 credited screenwriters, and Akiva Goldsman getting a story credit too... That should come as no surprised.

Indeed, it’s an overstuffed movie, but it also somehow manages to feel strung out well beyond the point of being bearable. It is hard to imagine based on official run times that this movie is apparently only 149 minutes, clocking in as the second shortest movie of the quintet after only the original film. The Transformers movies have never been quick affairs, they always go on and on and on, but they normally maintain an assault on the senses from beginning to end in a way that obviously annoys plenty of people, but at least feels like it somewhat earns its length because they have so much to get through. This movie didn’t feel like that at all, and it’s latter stages prove a genuine chore to get through. Noise wise I actually think it was a less of a maelstrom than some of its elder siblings, but never for a second does that make it easier to sit through, or understand. Whatever these movies do or do not do, they’re usually too fast moving, and loud to be boring, and I almost fell asleep during the climactic stages of this movie.

The fact that the movie is filled with characters, and very few of them seem to matter in any way doesn’t exactly help either. None of them get enough time for you to get to know or care about them, for them to fleshed out in any meaningful way, whether through the writing or the acting. the characters bought back from the previous films don’t even really fare any better than the new ones, with Mark Wahlberg’s lead maybe the one exception. The fact that a number of the characters and events here feel quite clearly introduced less to serve this movie, and more to serve one more extended universe also just renders it all laughable.

Young Isabela Moner and her cybertronic sidekick Squeeks are a particularly strong pair introduced early on to great promise, only to serve absolutely zero purpose within the confines of this movie. Other positives that should not be overlooked are the almighty Anthony Hopkins, delivering exposition in a way that makes exposition the highlight of the movie, and the vocalisations of Jim Carter as his cybertronic sidekick, the damn near show stealing Cogman. The character of Cogman is also key to perhaps the best thing about the movie (at least early on) and that is its generally irreverent tone. We might all be sick of this franchise by this point, and they seem to (intentionally, I think) deal with that problem by adopting heaps of absurdity right from the off courtesy of Stanley Tucci returning in little more than a cameo after his movie making performance the last time around (other pointless miniscule performances come from Steve Buscemi, Ken Watanabe, Omar Sy (all transformers), Tony Hale, and the returning John Turturro who for some reason has been lured back in after escaping the last outing). That kind of helps, the movie is for sure heavy on the laughs, Mark Wahlberg has always been better at the funny stuff, and the fact he gets to flex that side of his screen persona more often than not helps, but it’s all too little in the grand scheme of things.

The movie is just too much like this review - too long, completely aimless, and doing far too inadequate a job communicating its ideas to its audience. The amount of times that the ‘end of the world’, not really a small term to be easily bandied about, is mentioned in this movie would lead you to believe there is some serious shit at stake, but I don’t think the movie ever gets anywhere near close to earning all that talk. When the entire world is supposedly on the line at the end here, all I could think was “That’s the fakest grass I’ve seen since The Phantom Menace”.

Anyway, I could go on talking about this movie forever if I hadn’t already forgotten most of it a couple of days after seeing it, and struggled to stay awake while I was watching it. A bad movie is a bad movie, but a bad movie on which so much talent is involved, so much money spent, and 150 minutes of your time required in return is unforgivable. The fact that they then end with a cliffhanger for where they want to go next makes the whole enterprise that much more laughable. I wonder how many of the people that make it through to the end of this movie will be stoked for the next one.