Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts Review: 4 Ups & 6 Downs

The seventh Transformers movie is "finally" out now - a somewhat confusingly standalone sequel to Bumblebee which focuses on a new cast of human characters who, of course, end up caught in the middle of a war between warring robot factions.

Given that Bumblebee was a major breath of fresh air for the series, ditching the most widely-loathed aspects of the Michael Bay films - namely, the rampant sexism and awful "comic relief" - many were hopeful that Transformers: Rise of the Beasts would follow in its stead.

Yet with an entirely different creative team under the hood - including five credited screenwriters - Rise of the Beasts fails to recapture its predecessor's unexpected charms or live up to the everything-and-the-kitchen-sink insanity of the "Bayformers" movies.

The result is a watchable yet aggressively mediocre blockbuster which, despite its climactic attempt to expand the cinematic universe, is unlikely to muster much enthusiasm for future installments.

Say what you will about the Bay films, but they were at least memorable and had personality, whereas this is a more-or-less anonymous, occasionally amusing $200 million tentpole.

And so, here's what doesn't work in Rise of the Beasts...