Transformers: The Last Knight parents guide

Transformers: The Last Knight Parent Guide

Hardcore fans of the franchise may relish the action, but for the rest of us, it all feels a little long and loud and labored after 90 minutes.

Overall C-

The Transformers make a fifth return to the big screen for an even bigger action adventure. This time, as the Humans and Transformers wage war, Optimus Prime discovers the only way to save the future is to find an artifact from the past.

Release date June 23, 2017

Violence D+
Sexual Content B-
Profanity C-
Substance Use C+

Why is Transformers: The Last Knight rated PG-13? The MPAA rated Transformers: The Last Knight PG-13 for violence and intense sequences of sci-fi action, language, and some innuendo.

Run Time: 148 minutes

Official Movie Site

Parent Movie Review

The Transformers are back for their fifth (that’s right) round of colossal clashes. However casual followers of the film franchise may still have a hard time distinguishing who’s good and bad—especially when one of the good guys goes rogue.

Like E.T., Optimus Prime (voice by Peter Cullen) wants to go home. But when he does, he finds a dying planet, one he is responsible for destroying. Using electrified handcuffs to get Prime’s attention, the Creator charges him with finding an ancient artifact hidden below Earth’s surface. The long-lost object will restore the alien home world.

Back on the blue planet, humans have outlawed Transformers and sentenced them to life in prison or hiding. But everyone knows the uneasy peace is only temporary. Why else would audiences pay to spend 2 ½ hours confined to their seats?

Unfortunately, viewers will also have to stay focused on the screen. This storyline jumps between locations and time eras with no more effort than a hop and a skip.

Early on we meet a bloodied and battle-weary King Arthur (Liam Garrigan) trying to hold off invading forces. Meanwhile a boozy Merlin (Stanley Tucci) trots across the countryside in search of help from a hidden alien. (It seems the Transformers have shared space with us for a very long time.) The medieval conflict turns in favor of King Arthur when Merlin receives a magical staff. Centuries later, a secret society of humans still safeguards the location of that ancient relic—the one the Creator wants and the military is determined to find.

If rapid scene changes aren’t enough to keep you confused, toss in a sexy history professor, a wannabe hero, a spunky orphan, a stuffy British Lord and his C-3PO-style butler, a nervous computer geek and a vacillating military leader. (Played by Laura Haddock, Mark Wahlberg, Isabela Moner, Anthony Hopkins, Jim Carter, Jerrod Carmichael and Josh Duhamel.)

Yes, it sounds complicated. Yet while these flesh and blood characters engage in their own moments of conflict, their real role is to add a human element to the epic combat between the alien enemies. And epic battles are what we get—in a remote junkyard, the busy streets of England, and even in a sunken space ship at the bottom of the ocean. These titanic transformers flatten cities and rip through earth’s surface like meringue on a pie.

Hardcore fans of the franchise may relish the action, the explosions, the decapitations and the smack talk. But for the rest of us, it all feels a little long, loud and labored after 90 minutes.

However, if you’ve bought into these toys turned film stars, don’t let the title Transformers: The Last Knight fool you. The movie’s conclusion hints this won’t be the final battle between the Autobots and Deceptions.

Directed by Michael Bay. Starring Anthony Hopkins, Mark Wahlberg, Laura Haddock |. Running time: 148 minutes. Theatrical release June 23, 2017. Updated

Transformers: The Last Knight
Rating & Content Info

Why is Transformers: The Last Knight rated PG-13? Transformers: The Last Knight is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for violence and intense sequences of sci-fi action, language, and some innuendo.

Violence: Constant clashes between the Autobots, Decepticons and humans result in a hugebody count. Characters are impaled, shot, blown up, crushed, engulfed in flames and tossed into the air—usually with minimal blood shown. Guns are fired and rockets are deployed. A character appears to be electrocuted. Others are kidnapped or taken captive. Car chases through busy city streets involve near misses with pedestrians, numerous car crashes and some explosions. Massive destruction of cities and the environment are depicted.

Sexual Content: Suggestive sexual remarks and jokes are common in this script including comments about lesbians, supposed sexual activity, male anatomy and revealing clothing.

Language: Frequent scatological slang, crude terms, crass name calling and some terms of deity are used along with a crude hand gesture.

Alcohol & Drug Use: A drunken man drinks from a bottle and later promises to give up alcohol in exchange for help. A man is given a bottle of beer. Women share drinks in a home setting. A character chews on a cigar throughout the film.

Page last updated

Transformers: The Last Knight Parents' Guide

Like many other films, this one has a storyline about being the chosen one. What is the appeal of this plotline? Why do we each want to believe we are chosen for greatness of some kind? What do we actually have to do in order to make a difference in the world, even on a small scale? How can we be heroes in our own lives?

As a history professor, Vivian Wembley teaches her students the tale of King Arthur is only a myth. Later she discovers it is true. What can students do when they disagree with a teacher’s point of view? Is there a way to have open debate about certain subjects? Can we agree to disagree about some ideas and still be respectful of the other’s opinion? Do you think today’s universities encourage or discourage differing opinions? Are certain opinions valued over others?

News About "Transformers: The Last Knight"

This movie is based on a Hasbro toy.

BUZZ: This is the fifth of the Transformer movies, directed by Michael Bay. Each of the films have been a little longer than the one before, which has received some criticism– even from fans. If you are planning on seeing this one – prepare to buy a lot of popcorn!

UPDATE: Transformers: The Last knight clocks in at 2 hours and 28 minutes. As promised it is shorter -- but it is still not short!

Just FYI:
Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)- 2h 45min
Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011) - 2h 34min
Transformers - Revenge of the Fallen (2009) - 2h 30min
Transformers (2007) - 2h 24min

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Transformers: The Last Knight movie is September 26, 2017. Here are some details…

Home Video Notes: Transformers: The Last Knight
Release Date: 26 September 2017
Transformers: The Last Knight releases to home video (Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy) with the following extras:
- Merging Mythologies – Explore the secret TRANSFORMERS history
- Climbing the Ranks – Military training
- The Royal Treatment: Transformers in the UK
- Motors and Magic
- Alien Landscape: Cybertron
- One More Giant Effin' Movie

Related home video titles:

Other movies in this franchise include: Transformers (2007), Transformers - Revenge of the Fallen (2009), Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011) and Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014).

Related news about Transformers: The Last Knight

2017: Summer Movie Round Up

2017: Summer Movie Round Up

{parents:pull_quote}