“Transformers One” Movie Review: An Exciting Journey That Takes the Franchise to New Heights

The animated film emphasizes storytelling, placing a strong focus on its themes and character development. This approach elevates it beyond mere flashy robot action.

“Transformers One” is an exhilarating adventure that breathes new life into the franchise while adhering to the established conventions of the Michael Bay films. The movie is rich in themes and features sharp dialogue, brought to life by an impressive voice cast. It explores concepts like friendship, betrayal, power, and destiny, delving into unchecked ambition, fragile alliances, and the idea of the chosen one. While the live-action films, which this movie precedes, touch on similar themes, “Transformers One” places a stronger emphasis on storytelling and character development, making it much more than just flashy robot action.

At first glance, the narrative may seem complex, but at its heart, it’s quite straightforward. The story follows Orion Pax’s transformation from an Energon miner to someone who discovers his potential to alter the fate of Cybertron, the home planet of the Transformers. As he evolves into the iconic Optimus Prime, voiced by Chris Hemsworth, Orion forms lasting friendships while also making formidable enemies, particularly D-16, voiced by Brian Tyree Henry, who ultimately becomes his fierce rival, Megatron.

The film is a joy to watch, thanks to its talented voice cast and the clever humor woven throughout. Hemsworth and Tyree Henry create a believable bond between their characters, making their camaraderie feel genuine as they are willing to do anything for each other and for Cybertron. The dynamic banter between them shines in the first half hour. Then, Scarlett Johansson and Keegan-Michael Key join the mix as Elita-1 and B-127 (a younger version of Bumblebee), respectively. B-127, in particular, is likely to resonate with younger audiences due to his quirky personality traits.

The writing effectively complements Jon Hamm’s role as the voice of Sentinel Prime, who sees himself as the guardian of Cybertron. Known for his performances in “Mad Men” and “Top Gun: Maverick,” Hamm adds a layer of seriousness to Sentinel that helps anchor the narrative, even in the fantastical setting of “Transformers One.” His character plays a significant role in the emotional depth of the story, particularly in the evolving relationship between Orion Pax and D-16, who transition from allies to adversaries. Laurence Fishburne and Steve Buscemi also make a notable impact, delivering strong performances despite their limited screen time.

One minor issue I have is with the animation, especially during some of the more action-packed scenes. At times, the visuals feel a bit lackluster and reminiscent of typical computer-generated imagery, falling short of the standards set by top studios like Disney Pixar, DreamWorks, or Sony Pictures Animation. However, the robots do exhibit distinct personalities through their expressions. Certain sequences, like an early race involving the main characters and actual Transformers, stand out visually. Ultimately, the remarkable voice acting helps to overshadow any shortcomings in the animation.

Director: Josh Cooley

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Jon Hamm, Keegan-Michael Key