And there it is. One of the best Transformers movies I have ever seen. So, hear me out, I have been here since day one. This franchise has been my life for many years. Toys, cartoons, comics, lore, movies, did I mention toys? So, trust me this is now one of my favorite movies and one that I feel like I’m going to be re watching for quite some time.
Let’s take it from the beginning, shall we? For many years, the tale of Optimus Prime and Megatron and how they began has been hinted at in the early cartoon and expanded on in comics from various publishers. Even going mainstream in the first live action Transformers movie with Optimus Prime saying “You left me no choice brother.” Well, this is Hasbro laying it out for what could be the definitive lore. Because the title said this is Transformers One let’s lay some foundation.
The story follows the two future leaders of the warring factions of the Autobots and Decepticons, but this time there are no such factions. Cybertronians exist in a caste system where when you come online your calling may be chosen for you. Orion Pax, our future Optimus Prime, and his friend D-16, the future Megatron are on the lower side of this system. They are miners whose job it is to excavate for hours to keep Energon, the life blood of the Cybertronians flowing along with their shift leader Elita -1. Ruled by Sentinel Prime who has led Cybertron for many years after the first thirteen Transformers known as the Primes went missing presumed dead and with them the symbol of authority The Matrix of Leadership. Also, at the lowest these miners are without transformation cogs as it’s something reserved for those who lead or the ruling class.
Orion, despite his standing and hinderances from the upper class wants to find out what happened to the 13 Primes and return his planet to the state it was previously, a rich utopia where Energon flowed in abundance for all. D-16 is not so eager and though Orion is his best friend he finds himself saving him from his own plans at times and just wants to go with the program. Along the way they meet B-127, another who’s been relegated to the bottom of the system and believes in a better way. What follows is a story of how two people can have their world shattered and do you respond with compassion, or hate.
Chris Hemsworth does an excellent job of playing the wide-eyed Orion Pax and seeing the world as it should be and not the way it is. Brian Tyree Henry is really the standout as we see him develop into the darker character that will one day be know as Megatron and at times you will feel like his actions are justified but trust me his rode getting to the merciless leader we know he’ll be is a joy to watch. Scarlett Johansson is exceptionally good as Elita-1 and serves as the voice of reason but while she’s playing it straight, she gets some truly funny moments. Keegan-Michael Key as B-127 is the comic relief but at no point did he get to an annoying level with it as he was funny constantly and I loved it. John Hamm as Sentinel Prime really gives a performance that from the moment you meet him something is not right. Also, one of my favorites and a legendary voice actor Steve Blum is the announcer for the Iacon-5000 in the film.
Story wise this thing flows. For a 104-minute runtime it never drags and consistently moves the plot and character development along. The highlight of this is the character development of the two main characters. Visually the movie is beautiful with some stunning shots of the planet Cybertron and the character designs. And if you’re a follower of the lore you’re going to spend a lot of time pointing at the screen as you recognize familiar characters and places. This is a perfect telling and setting of what could be a revitalization of the Transformers movie franchise.
I’ve lived in this franchise for many years, and I’ve been a fan of so many stories in this universe and I have to tell you for the first time I felt like that 8-year-old kid watching the first Transformers movie. That utter joy when you know that something you love has done the best it could do and succeeded. Transformers One is a 4.5 out 5 movie and worth a watch.
Jason The X
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