Transformers: Rise of the Beasts juggles a large cast, with the Autobots being joined by both the bestial Maximals and the villainous Terrorcons. Due to this huge amount of characters and the movie’s somewhat short runtime, there are quite a few Transformers that don’t quite get their deserved spotlight. This is especially the case for two iconic characters, neither of whom show off their usual levels of genius.
Wheeljack and Rhinox are usually some of the smartest Transformers within their respective factions, even if other parts of their characterizations might go against this. Sadly, none of their trademark intellect and ingenuity is on display in the Rise of the Beasts film, which essentially makes both of them into glorified cameos. Here’s how Rise of the Beasts missed an opportunity to capitalize on Wheeljack’s and Rhinox’s brain power.
Wheeljack Was the First Mad Scientist of the Transformers Franchise
In the Generation 1 cartoon, Wheeljack was one of the more prominent Autobots that came to Earth with Optimus Prime. An inventory with all manner of incredible ideas, his intellect and creativity allowed him to create the monstrous Dinobots. Ironically, the Decepticons didn’t have their own resident “mad scientist,” with the largely forgettable Shockwave only really having this role in the comics. Wheeljack’s inventions would sometimes run awry and backfire on him, which occasionally made him as much of a hindrance to the Autobots as an assistant. Nevertheless, he was a valued member of the team, with Wheeljack and Bumblebee actually being the first two Transformers to show up on screen in the series.
Wheeljack’s field of expertise was mainly in tinkering, as he wasn’t quite a medic. This role fell to Ratchet, who was joined in the task by Red Alert in the cartoon’s second season. That season also introduced Perceptor, an erudite Autobot that transformed into a microscope and whose vast knowledge was matched only by his snobbery. Unfortunately, Wheeljack, Ratchet and Red Alert all met their end during the events of The Transformers: The Movie. Ironically, Perceptor became important in the movie and survived its conclusion, going on to remain a prominent part of the cartoon’s third season. This death robbed Wheeljack and his intelligence of being just as popular as Optimus Prime and Bumblebee. He only truly returned to the franchise starting in the late 2000s.
Beast Wars’ Rhinox Was a Gentle Giant Genius
Due to his Gatling guns and hearty beast mode, it’s easy to mistake Rhinox as something of a bruiser for the Maximals on Beast Wars: Transformers. That cartoon was set centuries after the end of Generation 1, with the Autobots and Decepticons being replaced by the Maximals and Predacons. The former was represented through a team of scientists and explorers led by Optimus Primal, Optimus Prime’s descendant. While these Transformers’ exploratory function meant that they weren’t particularly primed for combat, it was Rhinox that proved to be the real genius among them. A true scientist with a vast amount of knowledge, Rhinox’s powerful robot form and beast mode belied a gentle soul who was much more prone to sniffing flowers and appreciating nature.
This juxtaposition of design and character elements was somewhat similar to Wheeljack being a brilliant mad scientist, despite his sleek Lancia Stratos vehicle mode and streetwise Brooklyn accent. Conversely, Rhinox also incorporated elements of Perceptor and Ratchet’s functions, as he not only understood the most random of scientific phenomena but also ensured that the Maximals were treated for any battle injuries. Rhinox’s brainpower made it all the more ironic in the sequel series Beast Machines: Transformers when his spark was used to create the dim-witted Vehicon Tankor. Even the Maximals were shocked by this, as Rhinox had always been even more about brains than he was brawn. It might not have been as marketable as twin Gatling guns, but it was still an inherent part of his character.
Rise of the Beasts Doesn’t Adapt Wheeljack’s and Rhinox’s Most Important Aspects
Both Rhinox and Wheeljack are present in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, with the movie being a sort of “crossover” between more G1-style Transformers and those from Beast Wars. As usual, however, only certain characters get the bulk of the movie’s screen time, leaving others to pad out the action sequences. Unfortunately, both Rhinox and Wheeljack fall prey to this issue, namely the former. Wheeljack (whose new design makes him completely unrecognizable) at least shows up briefly to tell the Autobots’ human allies about how to find the powerful Transwarp Key in Peru, as well as aid Arcee during a battle scene. This is about the extent of his usefulness, however, with even Bumblebee’s revival in the movie’s climax being due to raw Energon instead of anything Wheeljack cooks up.
As disappointing as this sounds, Wheeljack arguably got off easily. Rhinox barely speaks at all in the movie, and he’s never characterized in any meaningful way. His usual complex mix of a boisterous beast mode and a more introspective mindset is completely absent, and his sole transformation into robot mode is only slightly visible on screen. To be fair, this is an issue that’s shared between the Maximals, with only Optimus Primal and the ill-fated female Maximal Airazor given any real focus. Once again, the result is that Rhinox’s presence in the film is that of a veritable cameo, and it feels more like a setup for a potential Beast Wars spinoff movie than anything else.
If the movie was longer, it could have established that both he and Wheeljack are scientific geniuses. Such comparisons would’ve done wonders to bridge the gap between the peaceful Maximals and the more “on edge” Autobots. Given all the changes to the movie and its script, however, it’s no surprise that some of the film’s Transformers simply ended up being mere footnotes — even if they’re far smarter and more important in other continuities.
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is now playing in theaters.