Tag: sci-fi

Sci-fi Side Step: Transformers – Rise of the Beasts 

Continuing the theme of TV and movie reviews I kicked off last week, I thought I’d turn my hand to writing about Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. As a sci-fi fan with fond memories of watching the Transformers cartoon and animated movie as a boy—probably the peak of Transformers for me—I hoped this one might deliver. It didn’t. (I’ll be digging into plot details about particular characters, so if you don’t want to know what happens, watch the movie first.)

A TV on a wooden stand in front of a white wall 

This installment whisks us back to 1994, where Autobots tangle with a new threat: Scourge, a brutal enforcer for the world-devouring Unicron. Optimus Prime leads the charge, Bumblebee’s along for the ride, and a Transwarp Key holds the key to Earth’s fate. It’s the classic Transformers setup—robots, relics, and relentless stakes—but it left me feeling meh. I’ve caught a few of these films over the years, and this one blurred into the pack: loud, busy, and instantly forgettable. I walked away somewhat indifferent.

The visuals deliver what fans crave. Robots morph with a clang, cities quake under their weight, and the 90s retro vibe adds a nostalgic twist. I perked up for Mirage, the slick Porsche 911 Turbo who struts into the Autobot roster. I’ve always had a thing for Porsche sports cars, so his flashy flair and smooth moves were a rare jolt of joy. Seeing Optimus Prime and Bumblebee again felt like greeting old pals, but even their shine couldn’t shake the sameness of it all.

What dragged it down was its lack of bite. The villain, Scourge, is exactly like every other Transformers villain—a growling hulk with no real edge. He’s mean, he’s metal, but he’s nothing I haven’t seen before. The story chugs along on autopilot, piling on action without building tension or surprise. The one attempt to mix things up comes with the Maximals—animal-like robots led by Optimus Primal, a gorilla, and featuring Airazor, a hawk-type bird. It’s the really only stab at setting this apart from its predecessors, but it doesn’t add anything new—just more robots with a different look, slotted into the same old formula. Even the finale, where human hero Noah fuses with Transformer parts into an Iron Man-like superhero to fight Scourge, feels like a borrowed beat—less inspired than Tony Stark’s sleek ingenuity. I missed a hook to care about, something to lift it beyond the franchise’s usual roar.

One scene did linger: Bumblebee’s death and revival. Scourge takes him down early—a shock that lands hard—but an Energon burst later resurrects him in a blaze of hope. It struck me as a faint echo of Jesus—dying to save others, rising to turn the tide. In Scripture, Christ’s sacrifice and return redefine everything; here, it’s just a plot beat to cheer for. The movie doesn’t dwell on it, racing back to the chaos, but that flicker of meaning gave me pause in an otherwise forgettable blur.

As for content, it’s heavy on robot-on-robot violence—metal limbs clashing, sparks flying—and there’s the occasional profanity tossed in. From memory, it’s not too much to worry about otherwise; it’s standard blockbuster fare that leans hard into action over anything else. I took it in stride, though it’s not winning any awards for subtlety.

Optimus Prime still commands with that deep, noble voice, brought to life by Peter Cullen, who’s been voicing him consistently since that animated movie I loved as a boy—great to hear that continuity after all these years. Bumblebee’s scrappy charm endures, even after his brief exit. Mirage steals scenes with his Porsche swagger, but Scourge? He’s a blank slate of bad—forgettable as the humans scurrying around the edges. The whole thing feels like a rerun with a 90s playlist slapped on top.

So, Rise of the Beasts? It’s a polished shrug—decent if you’re hooked on Transformers, but it won’t sway the unconvinced. I didn’t dislike it; I just didn’t feel it. Mirage was a win, and that Jesus-parallel with Bumblebee stuck with me, but it’s not enough to call it special. It’s the same Transformers flick I’ve seen before, repackaged and fading fast from memory. Have you seen it? Drop a comment with your thoughts—I’d love to hear what you made of this one!

Sci-fi Side step: Halo, the TV show 

I’m venturing into new waters with this piece, shifting from my usual Bible-centered reflections to try my hand at TV critique. I don’t watch television often—life’s too full for that—so when I do, I’m hoping for something truly standout. Recently, I tuned into the Halo series on Netflix UK, and it left me with thoughts worth sharing. With a lifelong passion for science fiction and fond memories of playing the original Halo game on Xbox (though I never bothered with the sequels), this adaptation gave me plenty to chew on—both as a story and as a spark for bigger questions.

A television on a wooden stand in front of a white wall 

Set in the 26th century, Halo follows Master Chief John-117 as he leads humanity against the Covenant, a zealous alliance of alien races bent on our destruction—a premise that echoes the game’s core of a lone, armored hero standing tall. I’ve always been drawn to that idea, and it tugged at me as I watched. But while the concept hooked me, the show itself landed in a middling spot—not exceptional, yet not entirely skippable either, just hovering at “okay.” As I watched, I kept telling myself I’d give the next episode another try—one more chance to grab me—but it never quite did. I pressed on to the end, though it didn’t leave me itching to dive into more.

Visually, it’s a treat. The sleek ships, alien landscapes, and bursts of action deliver the polish you’d expect from a big-budget sci-fi effort. One standout for me was Cortana, Master Chief’s AI sidekick, whose sharp wit and surprising humanity won me over. In a genre where artificial intelligence often swings between savior or doom, she’s a refreshing take—showing the wonder of human creation without tipping too far. I found myself mulling over what we craft and its limits, even if the show doesn’t chase those threads far.

Where Halo stumbles, though, is in its pacing and depth. It drags at times, bogged down by a subplot that feels tacked on rather than essential, and I kept waiting for the tension to ramp up—only it never quite did. I couldn’t help comparing it to Disney’s The Mandalorian, another tale of a helmeted loner in a rough galaxy; while they share some DNA, Halo’s action lacks the same tight, thrilling pull. I also missed the Flood, those nightmarish parasites from the game, whose absence left the stakes feeling lower than they could’ve been.

Another character who caught my eye was Dr. Catherine Halsey. She’s complex—a woman who’ll use any means to achieve her goals, which might be noble in intent but get murky in practice. That tension between good aims and flawed paths intrigued me, reflecting how often life blurs those lines.

On content, Halo keeps it gritty but not over-the-top. There’s mild swearing and violence—fitting for a war-torn setting, though worth noting if you prefer gentler fare. It didn’t bother me much, but it’s not exactly cozy viewing either.

Master Chief himself offers the richest ground for reflection. Unmasked more than in the game I loved, he’s given a raw edge through Pablo Schreiber’s quiet, steady performance—a soldier hinting at something deeper, shifting from weapon to protector. It’s a thread I wanted more of, though the show stops short of diving in fully, leaving his arc dangling just out of reach.

So where does that leave Halo? It’s a mixed bag—a slick sci-fi romp that flirts with big ideas but doesn’t commit, fine for genre fans if you temper your hopes. For me, it didn’t hit the “really good” mark I crave when I carve out TV time, despite my nostalgia for the original game. Still, it sparked some pondering—about creation, rescue, and the stories we tell—and that’s worth something. I don’t wander into this space often, but maybe I’ll make it a habit, posting on Saturdays about TV or movies in this style. What do you think? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear if this detour resonates with you!