Transformers 5: Rise of the Beasts

Transformers 5: Rise of the Beasts (2023)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


While this is part of the Transformers series, it could also stand on its own aside from Bumblebee's offhanded remark that the humans were his friends. Optimus himself seems colder almost, insisting that they can't rely on humans and conveniently forgetting that he himself has fought with them and protected them as friends as well. The Maximals are also a new addition to the lineup, along with a new enemy as Scourge replaces Megatron from the earlier films. As with other movies in the lineup, the CGI is well done, however, the story itself seems repetitive and the acting isn't the best. How many more "last chances" will there be for the Autobots to return home only to end up still stuck on Earth? Not to mention Optimus apparently has some pretty deep regret over leading them all to Earth now. There's a tie in to a potential GI Joe movie in the future with the card drop at the end as well. If nothing else, at least most of the characters seem to learn, and Mirage has gained a new friend that has learned how to work with a team.

Transformers 0.5: Bumblebee

Transformers 0.5: Bumblebee (2018)

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


This isn't a seamless prequel add-on to the original start of this Transformers story, however it is true to character and maybe explains how Bumblebee comes to speak through his radio. Charlie is a walking contradiction, and despite ultimately trying to do the right thing, has more than a few issues of her own that need working on throughout the film. Overall, taking the movie in for it's own value, it's enjoyable. If you want a perfect fit to the established universe for this set, you might go a little crazy with some of the inconsistencies.

Transformers 4: Age of Extinction

Transformers 4: Age of Extinction (2014)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The dinobots are interesting, but kind of an afterthought at the very end of the movie. The main human counterparts have all been replaced. The only returning autobots are Optimus Prime and Bumblebee. The overall story seems to be more of a reason to blow things up than any cohesive tale. Of course Megatron would find a way to come back again... what is a hero without a villain, even if there is a hunter after Prime already on the loose. The humans trying to literally recreate the transformers but thinking that they wouldn't also be sentient just the same is laughable in it's sheer naivete. Overall not the best movie, but sadly probably better than Dark Side of the Moon.

Magic Knight Rayearth 2

Magic Knight Rayearth 2 (2001)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Sometimes these series seem to drag on. This time, not only do they face another enemy, but it appears Hikaru may be in a bit of additional trouble as she both discovers love and faces off against her own evil twin, a splintered part of her own personality from her first time in Cephiro. Of course, as with all the romances in this series, nothing can actually come from it as the girls and their beaus are always split from each other when they return to their own world. Despite the turbulent times, the return gives the girls some hope as discovering the new Pillar gives them a chance to fix the errors they made in having to kill the previous one.

Magic Knight Rayearth

Magic Knight Rayearth (1994)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


It took me awhile to really get into this series. There are parts that seem slow, especially as they run into each of their enemies and systematically seem to turn them from bad to good. Ultimately, they must learn to discover their own powers and they fight to save Cephiro, another world that they were pulled to from their very own Tokyo. These three would likely never have met otherwise, being from different schools, but end up being the closest of friends.

The Vision of Escaflowne

The Vision of Escaflowne (1996)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Hitomi finds herself pulled from Earth (also known as the Mystic Moon) to another world known as Gaia. Some of the people there remind her of friends from home. She quickly learns that things in this new world are very different from her own. Van Fanel, king of Fanelia, becomes her most trusted friend and ally. Despite realizing she must return home, by the end of their journey, the two are definitely more than just friends. Between traveling to a different world, meeting entire new species, finding love, having to leave love, and learning that her tarot and visions are actually frighteningly accurate, her life is turned completely upside down as this series progresses.

Transformers: Beginnings

Transformers: Beginnings (2007)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This was an extra short film included in the special 2-disc release of the first Transformers live-action movie. Done in cartoon stills, this is a narrated story of the beginning of the Transformers film, including the discovery of NBE1, aka Megatron, the governments cover-up and watch for future visitors and the set of the search for the All Spark, including Bumblebee losing his voice and finding his way to Sam.

Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen

Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


Not as good as the original film, but definitely better than the third. This time the Autobots may be gone for good just when they're needed the most. Megatron is revived, which should not have been possible, and the war is on yet again. It takes a small miracle to get the pieces added together, revive Optimus Prime, and turn him into the super-bot needed to save the world yet again.

Transformers

Transformers (2007)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


By far the best of the Transformers series, the first film introduces the conflict between the Decepticons and Autobots as they come to Earth in search of the All Spark and entangle the humans in their war. Having vague memories of watching the cartoon of this series with my brother as a child, it is interesting to see how they've adapted the series now to be a live action adventure series.

Mobile Suit Gundam Wing

Mobile Suit Gundam Wing (2000)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Not the best anime series out there, but it is the only gundam based series that didn't give me headache within the first three or so episodes. I think there's something about Duo and Heero that keeps me interested on the rare occasions I do turn this on. Lots of robots, so not on the rec list if that's something you can't stand.

Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz

Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz (1998)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This actually takes place after the original anime series. Decent as a stand alone, but almost too brief if you aren't already familiar with what happened earlier in the series or the characters themselves. There's a lot of history that gets ghosted over. Oddly, it was this same lack of detail that lead me to watch the series in the first place many years ago.

Escaflowne

Escaflowne: The Movie (2000)

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars


This is basically a summary movie that flies through the events of the TV series with a few adjustments. The wardrobe is one of the obvious changes, along with Hitomi's attitude in the series and the lack of Alan's doppelganger in Hitomi's world. Merle is also much more friendly from the get-go in this film, and the key to piloting the Escaflowne is a bit different. Beyond that, the story line, characters, and overall purpose are all the same. I must admit to enjoying the TV series a bit more as, despite being much longer, it also provides a lot more detail and interaction between the characters. The growth and change between Van and Hitomi especially is key in the TV series and seems rushed in the movie. If you like the series, you'll enjoy the film, just don't expect every nuance from the other media.

Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon

Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon (2011)

My rating: 1.5 of 5 stars


This film really does not have much purpose, very much of a story line or originality from the other films. It feels more like filler and a lot of rinse and repeat scenes from the previous films. New girlfriend, no longer in school, not with Bumblebee 24/7. Otherwise, same old, same old. As far as Transformer films go, a big disappointment. I will however be looking for the new Linkin Park song. They always have good singles for these films.

Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence

Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (2004)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Would you rather be a doll or a human? Two dolls fight to eliminate the inhabited shells and save what is left of humanity. This film has been out long enough that I expected it to be dubbed, but it ended up being subbed. Not having seen the first one, there were parts that seemed confusing as they appeared to reference things from the first film. Overall not a lot of detailed plot or character development. Just a lot of screaming, crying, and shooting.