First ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ reactions have faint praise for a perfectly acceptable blockbuster

The Transformers franchise is now 16 years old, and has seen some major ups and downs during that time. The series has never been a critical smash, but it’s almost always been box office gold, and Paramount will be hoping that Transformers: Rise of the Beasts continues that lucrative streak.

We’re still awaiting the Rotten Tomatoes score, but the first reactions from those that have seen it are now in. As is typical with this franchise, it appears that Rise of the Beasts is silly fun that delivers what you expect in a movie about a truck robot teaming up with a gorilla robot. It also seems to be a substantial improvement on the last mainline entry The Last Knight, in which not even the scenery-chewing presence of Anthony Hopkins could save it from being a deeply confusing and dull blockbuster.

At least it’s not a disaster:

Another positive early impression praises the humor:

Is this finally the movie Transformers fans have been demanding?

But things aren’t universally positive:

So, predictably, it looks as though Rise of the Beasts is great if you’re a Transformers fan, but perhaps less enjoyable if you didn’t enjoy any previous films in the series. The real test will be at the box office, where it faces some stiff competition. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is currently cleaning house, with The Flash arriving next week. Can Rise of the Beasts crowbar out some space between these juggernauts?

We’ll find out very soon, as Transformers: Rise of the Beasts hits theaters on June 9.