“Transformers: The Last Knight” (2017), directed by Michael Bay, is the fifth installment in the live-action Transformers film series. This film expands the Transformers mythology by delving into their historical presence on Earth, blending elements of science fiction, fantasy, and action to create an epic yet convoluted narrative.
The story begins with a flashback to the Middle Ages, revealing that the Transformers have been involved in human history for centuries. The wizard Merlin (Stanley Tucci) forms an alliance with the Transformers, who provide him with a powerful staff. In the present day, Transformers are outlawed, and a military organization called the TRF (Transformers Reaction Force) hunts them down. Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen) has left Earth to search for his creator, and Cade Yeager (Mark Wahlberg) is in hiding, helping the remaining Autobots.

Cade discovers a dying Transformer who gives him a mysterious talisman, marking him as the “Last Knight.” Meanwhile, Optimus Prime encounters his creator, Quintessa (Gemma Chan), who brainwashes him into becoming Nemesis Prime, intent on destroying Earth to restore Cybertron. The film introduces several new characters, including Vivian Wembley (Laura Haddock), an Oxford professor who learns she is the last descendant of Merlin and the key to finding Merlin’s staff.
The plot weaves together multiple storylines, including the return of Sir Edmund Burton (Anthony Hopkins), who explains the history of the Transformers’ involvement in human affairs and recruits Cade and Vivian to find Merlin’s staff before Quintessa and Nemesis Prime can use it to bring Cybertron to Earth. Bumblebee, the Autobots, and a group of human allies must unite to stop the impending apocalypse.

“Transformers: The Last Knight” boasts impressive visual effects and elaborate action sequences, hallmarks of Michael Bay’s direction. The film’s battle scenes, particularly the climactic showdown, are visually spectacular and filled with the explosive action that fans have come to expect. The special effects team once again delivers detailed and realistic CGI, bringing the Transformers to life in dynamic ways.
Mark Wahlberg reprises his role as Cade Yeager with energy and determination, while Laura Haddock’s character, Vivian Wembley, adds a mix of intelligence and wit. Anthony Hopkins brings a touch of gravitas and eccentricity to the film, providing exposition and comic relief. The voice performances, especially Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime and Frank Welker as Megatron, continue to anchor the Transformers characters with familiar and iconic deliveries.

However, the film suffers from a convoluted and overstuffed plot. The narrative juggles multiple storylines, historical flashbacks, and a large ensemble cast, leading to a sense of disjointedness. The pacing is uneven, with some scenes feeling rushed and others dragging on. The attempts to blend historical fantasy with modern sci-fi elements result in a plot that can be difficult to follow and lacks coherence.
Character development is also lacking, with many characters receiving minimal attention or disappearing for large portions of the film. The humor, characteristic of Michael Bay’s style, is hit-or-miss, sometimes detracting from the overall tone and tension of the story.

Despite these issues, “Transformers: The Last Knight” provides the spectacle and action that fans of the franchise enjoy. The film’s visual effects and action sequences are its strengths, delivering an entertaining, if not entirely cohesive, blockbuster experience.
Overall, “Transformers: The Last Knight” is a visually impressive film that continues the franchise’s tradition of high-energy action and elaborate special effects. While the plot and character development leave much to be desired, the film offers enough spectacle and excitement to satisfy fans of the series.