Transformers One Review: Truly More Than Meets the Eye

Transformers One Review: Truly More Than Meets the Eye

As a seasoned gamer and long-time Transformers fan, I can confidently say that my heart has been racing ever since the trailer for “Transformers One” dropped. Growing up with the original animated series and the iconic 1986 movie, I’ve always held a special place in my memory banks for these robots in disguise.


Over the past few years, the battles between the Autobots and Decepticons for the fate of Cybertron and Earth have predominantly taken place on the big screen as live-action productions. Since the release of “Transformers The Movie” back in 1986, Optimus Prime and Megatron have not clashed in animated form on the silver screen. However, due to the popularity of the live-action movies, Paramount has opted to return to the realm of animation with a prequel film that delves into the friendship of Orion Pax and D-16, who will eventually become the leaders of the Autobots and Decepticons respectively. This new computer-generated animated film promises to be one of the finest Transformers movies yet, breathing fresh life into the franchise in an unforeseen manner.

Before the days of Autobots and Decepticons on Earth, Transformers One delves into the past of Megatron and Optimus Prime as they perform duties as “mining robots.” Instead of battling for their world’s destiny, these two protagonists struggle in a society that disregards them due to their lowly positions. Embarking on a journey that exposes them to both virtuous and malevolent robots, Transformers One illustrates how they eventually ascend to the roles of Autobot and Decepticon leaders we recognize, as well as revealing the events that shatter their friendship apart.

In the film Transformers One, Orion and D-16’s friendship is vividly portrayed, with their distinct personalities complementing each other beautifully. This isn’t just due to the script, but also the talented voice actors, Chris Hemsworth as Orion and Brian Tyree Henry as D-16. Taking over from Peter Cullen’s iconic role as Optimus was no easy task, but Hemsworth delivers a surprising performance that combines his unique identity with a convincing substitute for Optimus’ usual voice actor. Similarly, Henry’s portrayal of D-16 is impressive, as the initially innocent robot’s journey to the dark side feels seamless without straying from the character we know. The transformation of Megatron and Optimus’ rise to heroism unfolds organically, creating a gripping narrative that is heartbreaking in its depiction of these friends losing their bond and starting armies that continue an endless war. Key moments in the movie reveal the genesis of both Optimus Prime and Megatron, making these origins feel well-deserved thanks to strong setup.

Transformers One Review: Truly More Than Meets the Eye

Absolutely, although Orion and D-16 are the primary figures in the movie, they aren’t the only ones on their mission to uncover a mysterious aspect of Cybertron’s reality. Elita-1 (Scarlett Johansson) and Bumblebee (Keegan-Michael Key) join forces with them, embarking together on this investigation. The movie offers these secondary characters ample opportunities to shine, particularly Bumblebee who serves as a source of humor throughout the film. Many of Keegan-Michael Key’s jokes resonate effectively in his portrayal here, and a recurring joke remains fresh due to its execution and Key’s impeccable comedic timing.

The story of Transformers One explores deeper, sometimes darker themes that will captivate both new and longtime fans of Cybertron. The danger confronting D-16 and Orion Pax is complex and demands unusual responses from them. For seasoned fans, there are hidden references (Easter Eggs) throughout the film that don’t feel forced and could entice Transformers enthusiasts to rewatch the animated movie to see if they can recognize familiar figures during its duration. Without giving anything away, Transformers One not only reveals the beginnings of Optimus Prime and Megatron but also offers engaging tales for many significant franchise characters.

Transformers One Review: Truly More Than Meets the Eye

Speaking about the animation aspect, “Transformers One” is visually stunning and captivating to watch. The computer-generated imagery (CGI) employed by Paramount flawlessly breathes life into Cybertron. Unlike the live-action movies, this film features no human characters, a choice that enhances both its animation quality and narrative flow. The feelings expressed by Orion, D-16, and their companions feel genuine due to the exceptional animation. Additionally, Cybertron as a world is visually appealing and can be almost overwhelming in its beauty at times.

Failing to acknowledge it would be a mistake, as I believe this is the finest Transformers movie since the ’80s animated film. If this sets the tone for the future of the Transformers franchise, then undeniably, both Autobot and Decepticon fans have an exciting future ahead.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Transformers One will be in theaters on September 20th.

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2024-09-12 19:10