Transformers: The Last Knight (2017) is the fifth installment in the Transformers film series, directed by Michael Bay. The film continues the story of the war between the Autobots and Decepticons, this time involving ancient history, time travel, and an impending global catastrophe.
The film opens with a flashback to the medieval era, where the Transformers were involved in historical battles. Sir Edmund Burton (Anthony Hopkins), a historian and secret Transformer ally, reveals that Optimus Prime was once a knight of King Arthurโs court, and that the Transformers have been secretly influencing Earth’s history for centuries. Fast forward to the present, where Optimus Prime has turned against the Autobots and joined the villainous Quintessa, an ancient Cybertronian, who seeks to enslave humanity and restore the dying planet Cybertron by using Earth’s resources. Optimus, under Quintessa’s control, becomes “Nemesis Prime,” a dark version of himself.
The world is in chaos, with humanity torn between supporting the Autobots or rejecting them after the devastation caused by their ongoing war. Cade Yeager (Mark Wahlberg), who has been hiding from the government due to his association with the Autobots, discovers a new Transformer artifact that can save or destroy the world. He joins forces with Vivian Wembley (Laura Haddock), a professor who holds the key to unlocking the secret of the artifact, which is connected to the “Staff of Merlin,” a powerful weapon that can control the fate of both Earth and Cybertron.
As the battle between the Autobots and Decepticons escalates, the fate of humanity hangs in the balance. Cade, Vivian, and Bumblebee, along with their allies, work to stop Quintessaโs plan. However, Optimus Prime, still under Quintessaโs influence, must be brought back to the Autobots’ side. The climax of the film sees Optimus battling his way back to redemption, choosing to fight alongside the Autobots to stop the destruction of Earth. In a final showdown, the Autobots and humans work together to prevent Cybertronโs rebirth and save the Earth from devastation.
Ultimately, Transformers: The Last Knight ends with the Transformers remaining on Earth, and a hint of more adventures to come, as Optimus Prime and the Autobots continue to protect humanity. Despite the high stakes and action-packed sequences, the film explores themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the constant struggle between good and evil. The film is a blend of spectacle, history, and science fiction, combining large-scale action with moments of personal character growth.