About the film (courtesy of Paramount Pictures):
The untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, better known as sworn enemies, but once were friends bonded like brothers who changed the fate of Cybertron forever.
Origin stories seem to be a dime a dozen in an era where the film industry lacks originality and creativity on a whole. The same can also be said of sequels or sagas. With that being said, we have been blessed with some very solid attempts of changing that perception with some recent successes. Probably the most pleasantly surprising, to me at least, was Top Gun: Maverick (2022), released 35 years after the original that had Tom Cruise flying high for the first time. Just in the last few weeks, Alien: Romulus (2024) and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) have made the presence felt in box offices with very solid efforts. Now, can Transformers One find itself on the side of positivity or will it fall flat? Let’s find out.
Transformers One is a bold attempt to reintroduce the beloved Autobots and Decepticons to a new generation while also tugging at the heartstrings of those who grew up with the franchise. The film largely succeeds in delivering visually stunning action sequences and a heartwarming origin story, but it stumbles in certain areas that prevent it from reaching its full potential.
The film excels in its character development, particularly with Orion Pax (future Optimus Prime) and D-16 (future) Megatron. Their complex relationship, rooted in a shared past and diverging ideals, is the emotional core of the film. The voice acting, especially Chris Hemsworth as Orion Pax and Brian Tyree Henry as D-16, adds depth and nuance to these eventual iconic characters. The supporting cast, including the voices of A-Listers such as Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi, Jon Hamm and Laurence Fishburn also deliver solid performances, adding humor and heart to the film.
Visually, Transformers One is a feast for the eyes. The animated transformation sequences are incredibly detailed and fluid, a significant improvement over previous installments, which is an easier achievement when you don’t have to worry about live-action CGI. The action scenes are fun, thrilling and well-choreographed, with a full embrace on what we saw in the original cartoons. Only this production is bigger and better.
Transformers One does falter slightly in its pacing. The first act, which focuses on establishing the characters and their relationships, feels somewhat slow and exposition-heavy. The film picks up considerably in the second act, and the pacing issues are mostly resolved in the third act.
Another issue is the film’s reliance on nostalgia. While it’s heartwarming to see familiar faces like Bumblebee and Ratchet, the film often leans too heavily on references to the original cartoon and previous films. This might be a little distracting for newcomers to the franchise and even somewhat pandering to longtime fans. Then again, it is an animated feature that is probably geared more so into bringing in a much younger base, so I digress.
The film’s plot, while serviceable and somewhat predictable, is a good foundation to really show how these two main characters came to be. The roadmap is clearly laid out for a conflict between the Autobots and Decepticons, born out of misunderstandings and misguided principles.
Despite minor flaws, Transformers One is an enjoyable and visually impressive film that successfully inserts a worthy origin story to the franchise. It’s a nostalgic trip for longtime fans and a solid introduction for newcomers. The film’s strong character development, stunning visuals, and thrilling action sequences outweigh its pacing issues and reliance on nostalgia.
In conclusion, Transformers One is not perfect, but ultimately satisfying experience that delivers on its promise of spectacle and heart. It’s a film that will please fans of the franchise and likely win over some new ones. While it’s not without its shortcomings, it’s a big step in the right direction for the Transformers franchise, offering hope for a brighter future.
Viewers beware: there is a mid-credits and well as a post-credits scene, so you’ll want to stay put for the duration, and yes I know this will be a tough ask for all of you that bring littles with you. This is a true 104 minute runtime where they use all of the applicable time. The good news is that you will have been thoroughly entertained throughout regardless of gender or age.
Transformers One will be in theaters everywhere starting Friday, September 20th. Roll out, eager fans!
