Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts – 4K Review
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Paramount Pictures | 2023
PG13 | 2hrs 6mins | Action | SciFi | Adventure
HD | 1080P | DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1
Native 4K | 2160P | HDR10 | Dolby Vision | Dolby Atmos | Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
Staring: Anthony Ramos | Dominique Fishback | Peter Cullen | Ron Perlman | Peter Dinklage | Michelle Yeoh
Directed by: Steven Caple Jr.
Ratings & Reviews
Please see here for my comments on reviewing movies.
My ratings are simple being marked out of a maximum of 5+. My reviews are biased towards the technical production aspects of the film with brief comments about the story line. Extras, sorry, that’s just not my ‘bag’.
So what did the 4K HDR10 video look like? Reference, and the 7.1 soundtrack? Also reference.
Entertainment: 5
Video: 5
Audio: 5
Technical Review – Native 4K UHD HDR10
Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts was captured digitally by cinematographer Enrique Chediak in the ARRIRAW format at 4.5K using
The image morphs onto your screen as a reference HDR10 presentation. Shot in a high resolution format, this 4K release has excellent overall image clarity with plenty of crisp, sharp detail with refined texturing throughout. Autobots, Maximals, Predacons, Terrorcons, Unicorns ship, buildings, objects, human or bot facial close-ups, the textures of metal, rubber and even the hair and feathers on the animals, all showing terrific detail. Wider shots of the Peru landscapes and forests, towns, cars and NY city-wide buildings are also impressive with no softness to the image. Human facial pores, stubble, wrinkles, eyelashes, hair strands and features are all accurately rendered without any undue exaggerations. CGI and special effects integration are very good, having realistic textures, blending well with the real action shots and never looking soft. Effects like explosions, weapons fire, flying objects, debris and smoke are well integrated into the live action with few distractions.
Contrast balance was excellent throughout, from the brilliant uncompressed whites of the daylight exterior shots and specular highlights to the deep inky blacks of the Peruvian catacombs, interior rooms, night shots, space and the blackish bodies of Optimus Primal, Apelinq and Rhinox, all showing good low level and shadow detail. Peak whites and specular highlights from the twinkling stars, the many light sources, various metallic objects, weapons blasts and explosions all sparkling with a degree of realism, with metallic surfaces offering up a glistening realistic shine. All creating a good dynamic contrast range and enhancing visibility of objects in both exterior and interior shots, creating an excellent depth of field, particularly for the wide shots of the Peruvian landscapes, forests and associated ruins that had an impressive three-dimensional quality, almost as if “looking through a window”.
The color palette presents with a large array of vibrant colors. Color fidelity is excellent throughout with vivid and well saturated primaries and secondary’s, all having good color depth and density, hues are bold and vibrant. From the jungle and mountain regions where more earthy tones collide with those bright pops of transformer/robot primary colors to the warmer shades found in the early night sequences. From the NY cities steely grey and beige-like skyscraper interiors, the museums shades of red and brown, to the electric blues, brilliant green vegetation, grays and full array of more earthy tones of the open landscapes that contrasted the bright reds and yellows of the Autobots and fiery reds, yellows and oranges of explosions. All punctuated by the piercing blue, red, green and yellow autobot eyes, the splashes of purple, orange and blue, Bumblebees bright yellow body, the red of Primes cab, Nightbird’s purple tones and the rainbow of colors of the Peruvian festival. Human skin tones and facial complexions looking very natural throughout.
This video is excellent on all fronts, providing a reference image.
Audio – Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts stomps into home theaters with a reference, Dolby Atmos mix that defaults to Dolby TrueHD 7.1 in my system. The soundtrack was thoroughly engaging whether during a quieter moment or a pounding action scene, having room shaking bass, clarity and dynamics.
The overall sound presentation is very dynamic, with very good sub involvement and surround action. The soundstage is wide and surrounds are constantly active with ambience, directional cues and movement, delivering an active environment that drops the listener into the quieter environments and action-packed sonic spectacles alike. From those huge explosions and other worldly autobot noises, to people walking and talking around NY city or in apartments, cars honking and distant explosions, effects placement are accurate and natural, with plenty of movement in both the rear and side surrounds. From those quieter, dialogue-heavy sequences steeped in surrounding activity, the silence of the Peruvian catacombs and night jungle, the scraping sounds of metal, sparks and rubber on the ground to the many transformer transformations and turbulent weather, all fill the surrounds pulling you into the scene and keeping you fully engaged.
Sub action is very good and wall rattling, having the serious, hard hitting low-end extension that this movie deserves. Fully supporting the various weapons blasts, roar of engine revving, explosions, impactful weapons fire, body blows, falling debris and general mayhem, all digging nice and deep. Imaging continuously feels broad and expansive following the action as it moves on and off-screen. Dialogue is always crystal clear and well detailed with a clear mid-range and solid front-center imaging and prioritization, providing good clarity and detail no matter how loud and aggressive the action.
Flushing out the soundscape and supporting the movie throughout its entire length, the films original score composed by Jongnic Bontemps, with a little input from Steve Jablonsky, also features several 90’s hip-hop, rap and electronic music tracks. It provides a highly supportive and well integrated mix for both the aggressive and more relaxed scenes equally well. Presenting with good bass and hitting a good balance between the dialogue and effects, the score provides a light spill into the surrounds and excellent integration within the soundstage.
An excellent reference audio track that compliments the reference video in every way.
Story Overview
This seventh film in the franchise is set in the 1990’s. With the world as their oyster, the latest faction of Transformers, the Maximals join with the Predacons, Terrorcons and Autobots to battle the Decepticons on Earth. The ensuing battle is helped and supported by two unlikely characters, Noah (Anthony Ramos), a sharp young guy from Brooklyn and Elena (Dominique Fishback), an ambitious and talented artifact researcher. Enlisting this pairs help to gain access to a powerful artifact, this new band of heroes must now work with Optimus Prime and the Autobots to face a new terrifying foe, Scourge, who is hell bent on their destruction and consuming the earth.
My 2 cents
Did I enjoy this 7th film in the franchise? Well yes, but there were just a lot of new CGI characters (that didn’t really transform) that for me, took the look and feel away from the original Transformer Autobots movies. I often found myself looking at many of the new characters as just creatures with armor, rather than having the lovable characteristics of the transforming Transformers. Having said that, it was still a very entertaining movie with an enjoyable storyline with lots of action and new characters that are all wrapped up in reference eyeball and ear candy.
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