The latest installment, “Rise of the Beasts,” brings together Optimus Prime’s Autobots and Optimus Primal’s Maximals to face off against Scourge, a Transformer who serves as the herald of the formidable and world-devouring Unicron. This marks the highly anticipated live-action debut of Unicron, a villain renowned from the 1986 animated film, “The Transformers: The Movie,” and briefly mentioned in 2017’s “Transformers: The Last Knight.”

The film culminates in a climactic battle for Earth’s destiny, as Scourge and his Terrorcons strive to summon Unicron to our planet using the combined Transwarp Key. Tragically, Mirage sacrifices himself to shield Noah, portrayed by Anthony Ramos, from enemy fire, transforming into an exoskeleton suit in the process.

Ultimately, Optimus manages to vanquish Scourge, but the threat of the portal remains unresolved. Optimus destroys the Transwarp Key, narrowly escaping the collapsing portal that threatens to consume him. It is only through the combined efforts of Noah and Optimus Primal that Optimus avoids a grim fate. This serves as a crucial reminder that our heroes are strongest when they stand united.

“Rise of the Beasts” concludes with a somewhat open-ended conclusion. While Scourge and the Terrorcons may be defeated, it is implied that Unicron still survives, ready to pose a future threat to the world. Although the Autobots have lost the Transwarp Key and their means to return to Cybertron, Optimus finds solace in the knowledge that he has forged powerful alliances.

As Dominique Fishback’s character, Elena, receives well-deserved professional recognition for her accomplishments, Noah’s own future appears promising as he secures a new position at a security firm. However, this isn’t just any ordinary firm. During Noah’s interview with a mysterious agent played by Michael Kelly, he is presented with a business card bearing the G.I. Joe logo. Noah, due to his technological expertise and affiliation with the Autobots, is being recruited into this clandestine military organization. For the first time in live-action, the worlds of Transformers and G.I. Joe converge.

Kelly’s character makes it clear that he intends to recruit Noah and the Autobots, emphasizing, “We’re in the midst of an ongoing war.” We will soon uncover the nature of this conflict.