For a franchise as popular and enduring as Transformers, it’s surprising it’s taken this long to get an animated feature-length film. It’s been over 15 years since Michael Bay’s Transformers debuted in 2007, and in that time, we’ve seen six more live-action films in the series, the latest being Rise of the Beasts in 2023. While these films haven’t always received praise from critics, they’ve consistently been a memorable experience at the theater. When the Transformers One trailer dropped, its bold, stylistic animation immediately grabbed attention. But striking visuals have been a staple of the franchise for over a decade. Where Transformers One truly sets itself apart, is giving audiences our first look at the Transformers homeland, Cybertron.
Transformers One takes us back to a time before any Transformers set foot on Earth, telling the origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, known then as Orion Pax and D-16. At this point in their history, Transformers are divided into two groups: those with the ability to transform, known as “cogged,” and the “cogless” who cannot. Orion Pax and D-16 start the story as cogless miners struggling to work their way up in society. While the first act may feel slow, it does an excellent job of establishing the brotherly bond between these two best friends. Although the story is relatively simple, the movie’s focus on their relationship is surprisingly engaging.
Despite not taking place on Earth, this feels like the most emotionally grounded Transformers film due to the depth and humanity given to its characters. I found myself invested in their relationship, wondering how these close friends ultimately become the mortal enemies we’re used to. As the story unfolds, the intensity of their eventual fallout is portrayed much more seriously than expected. This is full of humor and lighter moments, but they never undermine the emotional beats, which was refreshing for a movie aimed at a younger audience. The final act finds this balance really well, providing some humorous action, while still letting the audience feel the gravity of the situation.
Chris Hemsworth gives a solid effort in stepping into the role of Optimus Prime, though it’s hard not to hear hints of Thor in his performance at first. As the film progresses, he gradually captures more of the heroic tone that Peter Cullen made iconic. However, the true standout is Brian Tyree Henry as D-16, who later becomes Megatron. Henry conveys the gradual loss of faith in his voice so convincingly it was easy to understand his character. When he finally rises as Megatron, it’s nothing short of epic. Keegan-Michael Key (Bumblebee) and Scarlett Johansson (Elita-1) also deliver pretty standard performances, but nothing that really elevated the overall experience.
Transformers One joins the renaissance of films using multimedia animation style, and the results are stunning. It would’ve been a letdown if our first look at Cybertron was depicted in typical clean 3D animation, but the film avoids this by using its visual style to create a vibrant and lived-in world. The different set pieces used animation to its fullest potential and produced some stunning imagery. The animation style allowed for some really creative action sequences that wouldn’t be possible in love action. The ending sequence particularly was a pleasure to watch. Composer Brian Tyler’s score not only helps build up this new style but also makes for some really fun moments. Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite reach the iconic level of Steve Jablonsky’s work from the original movies.
For Transformers fans, Transformers One is going to deliver. With an unexpectedly heartfelt story, creative visuals, and strong voice performances, it offers a refreshing take on the franchise that’s hard not to enjoy. Rumors of a sequel are already circulating, which is deserved. Whether you’re a lifelong fan, or this is your entry to the Transformers universe, Transformers One is more than meets the eye.
