Transformers One marks the first time the Robots in Disguise have hit theaters in animated form since 1986’s Transformers: The Movie. It’s honestly the best medium for the toys that came from humble beginnings. The transforming robots were originally created in the early 80’s by Japanese company Takara. Hasbro bought the rights, rebranded them as Transformers, and partnered with Marvel Comics to create a mythology. It was Marvel editor-in-chief Jim Shooter, along with legendary writers Denny O’Neil and Bob Budiansky that crafted the back story and came up with cool names like Optimus Prime, Megatron, and Starscream.
The toyline inspired the original “Generation One” animated series, which in turn, spawned numerous iterations from the computed animated Beast Wars to the anime influenced Robots in Disguise. Younger audiences today are probably more familiar with the live-action series directed by Michael Bay, which have always been short on substance and heavy on bombast. However, Travis Knight’s prequel/soft reboot, Bumblebee, was more appealing to long-time Transformer fans. The film had more heart than all the Bay movies combined, plus the Cybertronian robots actually resembled their G1 counterparts rather than an ugly mass of CGI metal.
Transformers One could be seen as either a prequel or a reboot. Either way, it’s a fresh start and serves as a standalone picture, regardless of your knowledge of the franchise mythos. Before he became Optimus Prime, leader of the heroic Autobots, he was Orion Pax (Chris Hemsworth), a young worker toiling away in the mines of Cybertron. A long time ago, Cybertron went to war with the tentacled Quintessons and emerged victorious at the cost of their greatest warriors, the Primes, and a powerful artifact known as the Matrix of Leadership. Since then, robots like Orion and his best friend D-16 (Brian Tyree Henry), search for the planet’s primary energy source, Energon, which has become increasingly scarce since the war. These working class robots are also considered one of the lower castes because they lack the cogs that give them the ability to transform into their vehicle modes.
The idealistic Orion Pax dreams of being more than meets the eye, much to the chagrin of the more grounded D-16, who many know will eventually become the megalomaniacal Megatron. Their journey from brothers-in-arms to archenemies begins when Orion discovers a long-lost message from Alpha Trion (Laurence Fishburne) with the possible location of the Matrix. In order to do so, they must journey to the dangerous and forbidden surface of Cybertron with the help of the feisty Elita-1 (Scarlett Johannson) and the motor mouthed B-127 (Keegan-Michael Key). Of course, the canary-colored B is destined to become Bumblebee, who could only speak via soundbytes through his radio in the Bay series. As our protagonists explore their homeworld, they discover something sinister behind the regime of their current leader Sentinel Prime (Jon Hamm).
Transformers One finds itself in the capable hands of former Pixar employee Josh Cooley, who previously directed Toy Story 4. The screenplay is credited to the duo of Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari (Ant-Man & The Wasp), along with Eric Pearson, who has multiple Marvel projects under his belt, including Black Widow and the upcoming Thunderbolts. Together, they’ve put together a production that is fun, fast-paced and action-packed. The first major action starts with a raucous race that evokes the chaotic mayhem of the Wachowskis’ Speed Racer or Alita: Battle Angel. This is later followed by a topsy-turvy sequence involving a speeding train vertically rising to the surface. The script has fun with the Transformers concept without relying on lowbrow humor. Throw in the brightly colored animation and the kids will definitely enjoy the thrillride. The filmmakers haven’t forgotten the older fans as there are plenty of references to previous incarnations. Iconic lines like “‘Till all are one,” and “Transform and roll out” are peppered into the script, along with plenty of cameos from recognizable Autobots such as Ironhide, Wheeljack, and Jazz. Key & Peele devotees might even spot a quick reference to one of their famed skits by Key’s B-127.
One newer robot makes her mark in Airachnid, Sentinel Prime’s lieutenant, who has a unique design with spider legs and multiple eyes running down the side of her head. She’s a Decepticon that made her first appearance in the recent Netflix series Transformers: Prime.
It’s difficult to imagine anyone with the proper gravitas to voice Optimus Prime other than Peter Cullen. However, Chris Hemsworth has enough bass in his voice to adequately portray the Autobot leader. He’s also got the exuberance to play the younger Orion Pax. Brian Tyree Henry is excellent in conveying the descent of loya D-16 into the vengeful Megatron. Though he only has limited screen time, Steve Buscemi is brilliantly cast as Starscream, who is more of a fierce warrior here than the sniveling toady he was in the G1 cartoon. Jon Hamm is also at his smarmy best as the seemingly benevolent Sentinel Prime.
Transformers One slathers a fresh coat of wax on the franchise with efficient, if somewhat predictable, storytelling that doesn’t get bogged down in lore. It’s the perfect jumping on point for new and old.
Film Rating: 7
