The untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, better known as sworn enemies, but once were friends bonded like brothers who changed the fate of Cybertron forever.
Right off the bat, Transformers One had me leaving the theater feeling elated. This “new” origin story is a breath of fresh air in every aspect: it was full of humor & heart, and it was a lot of fun! While longtime Transformers fans may be used to an animated format, followers of the live-action films may wonder if this style translates well to the big screen… and the answer is yes! It’s still very much a full cinematic experience!
As the first theatrical animated Transformers film since 1986, Paramount Pictures and Industrial Light & Magic did a great job transporting the audience into the world of Cybertron. Paired with amazing facial expressions, the voiceover work by the cast really brings your favorite bots “to life” and makes it so easy to journey alongside classic characters portrayed by Chris Hemsworth (Orion Pax / Optimus Prime), Brian Tyree Henry (D-16 / Megatron), Scarlett Johansson (Elita-1), and Keegan-Michael Key (B-127 / Bumblebee).
In a way, there’s less fluff in this movie – it’s all Transformers, all the time, doing all kinds of Transformers things! And as a “prequel”, all viewers (even as an entry point into Transformers) will be able to appreciate the lore & storytelling… not to mention lots of Easter Eggs for the hardcore fans! And even if you’re aware of the inevitable fate of our main characters, the how & why is more than captivating enough to keep you at the edge of your seat.
It’s a fairly fast-paced movie… perhaps a little too quick near the end. But once things pick up early on, there’s hardly a dull moment. And with the film score composed by Brian Tyler (previously Transformers: Prime, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, as well as installments of the Marvel and Fast & Furious franchises), you know you’re in for an epic ride!
What an exciting re-introduction to Transformers, especially in time for the franchise’s 40th anniversary! Will there be a Transformers “Two”?
Overall: 9/10
P.S. You’ll want to stick around for the mid-credit & post-credit scenes!
Transformers One is rated PG with a running time of 104 minutes and hits theaters on September 20, 2024.
Directed by Josh Cooley and Written by Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari.
Starring Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Jon Hamm, and Laurence Fishburne.
lesdudis.com 