‘Transformers One’ (review)

At its inception in 1984, the media associated with the Transformers was, in truth, a glorified toy commercial, as Hasbro and Takara Tomy commissioned the animated series to promote their toy line.

With the popularity of the toy line and cartoon series, an animated feature eventually made its way to theaters in 1986, followed by the animated adventures continuing on the small screen.

In 2007  the beloved characters returned to the big screen for their live action debut with Michael Bay’s Transformers.

While there was some novelty value to seeing the shapeshifting robots utilized for live action the first time around, the subsequent theatrical releases only succeeded at becoming increasingly tedious endurance tests, where problematic stereotypes, lazy humor and general cringe took precedence over fun robot action.

With Transformers One, we return to the realm of animation, as the previously untold origins of Optimus Prime and Megatron are explored, detailing how the sworn enemies we know so well once were best friends, and how their early adventures changed them and their homeworld of Cybertron forever.

Being the first Transformers media to not feature Peter Cullen’s iconic baritone voice for Optimus Prime, Chris Hemsworth picks up the mantle of the Autobot leader, delivering a good voice performance that largely works thanks to this younger version of the character being previously unexplored, thereby lending itself well to a new interpretation by a different voice actor.

Brian Tyree Henry impresses as Megatron, delivering a subtle performance that gradually intensifies before the eventual leader of the Deceptions makes his inevitable turn against Optimus Prime.

Scarlett Johansson and Keegan-Michael Key both play to type here, with Johansson’s Elita-1 being another assertive heroine, while Key’s Bumblebee is a goofy chatterbox who adds plenty of comic relief without outstaying his welcome.

The animation is sleek without being mind-blowing as such, however, the action sequences are expertly executed, achieving an great balance between stakes and spectacle that the live action films rarely, if ever, managed.

Narratively, the film strikes an excellent balance between straightforward robot fun and fairy tale lore, imbuing Transformers One with a mythical quality that the live action films tried and largely failed to implement.

This lends the narrative of Transformers One a grandiose feel suitable for the robots in disguise, just as our two main characters also have fulfilling arcs that stay true to their essential traits, as their intertwined journeys toward becoming their respective archetypes unfold.

Thematically, Transformers One has a surprising amount of depth, making the robots and their plight compelling for children and adults alike, all the while staying true to the themes at the core of the franchise before the live action films lost sight of these aspects.

The film’s unwaveringly sincere commitment to the core values that the Transformers have come to be associated with elevates the film, showcasing how even a franchise originating in toy marketing can become a worthwhile cinema-going experience.

While Transformers One can hardly be described as a concept audiences were clamoring for, the end result is nonetheless incredibly compelling, showcasing a deeply engaging story with tons of heart behind its clunky robot exterior, easily making it not only one of the best animated features of 2024, but also some of the very best storytelling this franchise has ever seen.

Verdict: 8 out of 10.

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Produced by Don Murphy, Tom DeSanto, Lorenzo di Bonaventura,
Michael Bay, Mark Vahradian, Aaron Dem
Screenplay by Eric Pearson, Andrew Barrer, Gabriel Ferrari
Story by Andrew Barrer, Gabriel Ferrari
Based on Hasbro’s Transformers action figures
Starring Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson,
Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi, Laurence Fishburne, Jon Hamm