Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

Paramount's release of "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" on 4K UHD Blu-ray sets a new visual standard for home entertainment. Presented in a 3840x2160/24p BT.2020 image utilizing the HEVC (H.265) codec, this release benefits from the advanced color spectrums of Dolby Vision HDR, Wide Colour Gamut (WCG), and High Dynamic Range. The result is an image that delivers unparalleled clarity, sharpness, and texture detail, creating a viewing experience that is as close to theatrical as possible on home setups. Especially noteworthy are the improvements over its Blu-ray counterpart, with enhanced sharpness in both real-world and CGI elements, offering viewers a pause-worthy opportunity to appreciate the intricate digital craftsmanship. The Dolby Vision grading further enhances the presentation, introducing superior brightness, tonal depth, and shadow detail beyond what is achievable on Blu-ray.

The technical prowess of this release showcases every element—from the vivid Transformer eyes to the lush greens of the jungle setting—with an intensity and accuracy that leaps off the screen. Explosions and metallic textures are given new life with outstanding dynamism, ensuring that every scene from darker night sequences to bright, open landscapes is rendered with striking color nuance and detail. Skin tones are natural and nuanced, avoiding the overly saturated or unreal appearance often seen in CGI-heavy films. Additionally, black levels and white balance are meticulously managed to present a stable, consistent depth that maintains visual integrity across various lighting conditions.

Despite some instances of source noise, the overall handling and presentation are faultless, with no encoding issues or compromise on quality. This transfer not only respects but elevates the visual aesthetic of "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts," making it a standout title in 4K UHD home video. The marriage of less-aggressive color grading with the natural beauty and complexity of both earthly and urban environments, alongside phenomenal CGI detailing, ensures that this edition is probably the best-looking Transformers film to date.

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" on 4K UHD Blu-ray delivers a Dolby Atmos 3D High Definition immersive object-based surround sound track, which, while robust and comprehensive, slightly misses the mark in fully capturing the franchise's signature auditory might. The audio presentation does an exceptional job in terms of dialogue clarity, environmental detailing, and the dynamic use of the surround stage to create a vividly immersive experience. Effects are nuanced and precise, with sounds such as weapons firing, vehicles transforming, and the chaos of battle enveloping the viewer from all directions. However, despite these strengths, there's a notable restraint in the low-frequency effects (LFE) department. The bass response, although capable of delivering room-shaking moments during intense sequences, falls somewhat short of the explosive depth one might anticipate from a high-octane Transformers film.

The soundtrack excels in delivering a wide soundstage that adeptly encompasses both the whirlwind of action and the quieter moments with equal finesse. Musical elements are integrated smoothly, showcasing clarity and a well-balanced mix across the channels. While the overhead channels add a satisfying layer of spatial depth, they are utilized more for atmospheric support rather than discrete sound effects, leaving some potential for vertical immersion untapped. This slight timidity in bass power and the conservatively used height channels slightly diminish what is otherwise an excellent auditory experience, particularly when compared to its predecessors or even unexpected rivals in the genre.

Nonetheless, "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" still manages to impress with its aggressive use of surround sound, creating an engaging and lively soundscape that few films manage to achieve. From the bustling streets of New York to the metallic cacophony of clashing robots and explosions, the audio track brings a laudable level of detail and vibrancy to the experience. Gunfire, transformations, and even dialogue are rendered with crystal clarity, ensuring that every sound, whether it's a subtle background noise or a forefront action effect, contributes to an engrossing auditory spectacle.

Paramount's 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" presents an engaging assortment of special features, though it neglects any audio commentary or insights into the film's score and soundtrack. Nevertheless, the supplemental material is rich with content, offering approximately 90 minutes of behind-the-scenes footage, deleted scenes, and thematic explorations of the movie's production design and character development. Highlighted by numerous featurettes that delve into aspects ranging from casting reflections to intricacies of action sequences, these extras provide a comprehensive look at the filmmaking process. The lack of a Blu-ray copy is slightly remedied by the inclusion of a digital copy voucher, ensuring fans can enjoy this content across various platforms.

Extras included in this disc:

• Human Affairs: Cast and crew share their attachments to the Transformers universe and insights into the new cast dynamics.
• Life in the 90s: A nostalgic look back at the film's setting with commentary on the period-specific production design.
• Heroes: Exploring the hero characters, their vehicles, and voice acting.
• Villains: A complementary piece to Heroes, focusing on the antagonists.
• The Chase: Behind-the-scenes of the Mirage/police chase sequence.
• The Battle of Ellis Island: Making of the battle scene outside the museum.
• Into the Jungle: Detailing the Peruvian shooting locales and storyline elements.
• The Switchback Attack: A deep dive into creating a specific action piece in the film.
• The Final Conflict: An in-depth look at crafting the climactic action sequence.
• Deleted and Extended Scenes: Compilation of alternate openings/endings and extended scenes.

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" attempts to strike a delicate balance between honoring the franchise's legacy and charting a new course, but ultimately it leans heavily into familiar territory, evoking mixed feelings. The movie, helmed by Creed II's Steven Caple Jr., navigates the precarious landscape of the Transformers saga by incorporating a mix of 90s nostalgia, new characters including Maximals with animal forms, and a fresh human cast led by Anthony Ramos and Dominque Fishback. Despite these efforts, the film often feels like a step back into the realms Michael Bay explored, reverting to over-complicated designs and a plot that struggles with delivering both coherence and novelty. The action sequences maintain their grandeur, benefiting from the UHD presentation, but they're shackled by a narrative that can't quite escape the franchise's more criticized elements.

The incorporation of fan-favorite Unicron adds a layer of intrigue, yet the movie's reliance on established formulas—overlong runtime, underdeveloped characters, and familiar villains—diminishes its potential impact. Moreover, while attempting to inject vibrancy through its 90s setting and a soundtrack to match, these elements feel underutilized, relegating what could have been a rich canvas to mere background decoration. The technical prowess of the film's 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation does justice to its visual and auditory elements, with scenes that showcase the technological evolution since the franchise's inception. However, the spectacle often overshadows substance, leaving audiences with a visually stunning yet emotionally lacking experience.

Critics argue that "Rise of the Beasts" oscillates between homage and overhaul, struggling to find a definitive voice amidst a cacophony of metal and mayhem. While it aims to recapture the charm that "Bumblebee" brought to the series—a return to character-driven storytelling amid cybernetic chaos—it seldom reaches those heights. The performances are competent, yet constrained by the thinly sketched characters they inhabit. The movie's action prowess is undeniable, skillfully executed scenes humming with energy, but it's the soul, the core emotional pulse of the franchise, that feels muted. As Paramount eyes future installments, "Rise of the Beasts" serves both as a lesson in the pitfalls of formulaic retreads and a beacon of potential, hinting at untapped possibilities within this beloved universe.

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts," despite facing some skepticism due to past franchise letdowns, delivers a technically impeccable 4K UHD Blu-ray release that elevates its reception among both critics and fans. Paramount's effort shines through with a visually stunning 4K Dolby Vision HDR presentation, complemented by an engaging Dolby Atmos soundtrack, which together provide an immersive viewing experience. However, this installment, while not the most objectionable in the series, fails to capture the charm and critical success of "Bumblebee." It suggests a pivot or inspiration from prior successes could benefit future sequels. The diverse array of featurettes and additional content enhances the package, making it a solid acquisition for completists and fans of high-fidelity home cinema.

Despite its box office performance, which fell short of revitalizing the franchise as hoped, "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" asserts itself as a standout action film within the series. It incorporates some of the best action sequences to date and integrates emotional depth with an impressive soundtrack, elevating it above mere spectacle. Nonetheless, criticisms regarding its fidelity to the original Transformers spirit hint at a missed opportunity for rejuvenation through a more authentic homage. The array of extras and technical brilliance in audiovisual presentation recommend it to fans eager for high-quality content, despite the narrative shortcomings.

In conclusion, "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" represents a complex juxtaposition of advanced technical achievements in home entertainment against a backdrop of franchise fatigue and unmet narrative aspirations. While it may not signify a transformative moment for the series, its exceptional video and audio quality affirm it as a must-have for aficionados of technical excellence in home cinema. It serves as a reminder of the potential within the Transformers universe, hinting that with a recalibrated creative vision, future installments could yet capture both the nostalgia of the originals and the advanced cinematic technology of today.