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INTRODUCTION
Chris Hemsworth had done some practice with Peter Cullen for the right voice of young Optimus Prime.
Megatron was originally named D-16, which is a reference to the Japanese serial number assigned to the original Generation 1 Megatron toy when it first came out in 1984 from Takara. The “D” stands for Destron, meaning Decepticon in Japanese, used in all previous media.
Transformers One is an adult animated science fiction action film directed by Josh Cooley, written by Eric Pearson, Andrew Barrer, and Gabriel Ferrari, from a story by Barrer and Ferrari.
Based on Hasbro’s immensely popular Transformers toy line, voice contributions include Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi, Laurence Fishburne, and Jon Hamm. That will represent the first animated theatrical release in the franchise since The Transformers: The Movie back in 1986.
In March 2015, following the release of Transformers: Age of Extinction, Paramount Pictures assigned Akiva Goldsman to assemble a writers’ room to develop future Transformers films.
By May 2015, Barrer and Ferrari had joined and pitched the idea for an animated prequel centered on Cybertron. The film was announced in August 2017. Josh Cooley was set to direct in April 2020. Industrial Light & Magic animated the film.
Transformers One screened at the world showcase in Sydney, Australia on September 11th, 2024, and shall be released in the US by Paramount Pictures on September 20th, 2024.
Running for just over 1 hour and 40 minutes, it is rated PG for mild violence, language, brief nudity, and depictions of alcohol, drugs, and smoking.
TRANSFORMERS ONE (2024) OFFICIAL TRAILER
WHAT IS TRANSFORMERS ONE ABOUT?
To begin with, the untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron starts long before their bitter rivalry as sworn enemies. In the early days of Cybertron, in the time when the planet was flourishing under the sign of peace, Optimus and Megatron were not just staunch allies but close friends, united by a common dream for the future of their native land.
At that time, Optimus was yet a Prime lowly and unassuming archivist/historian going by the name of Orion Pax. Megatron, on the other hand, was a gladiator and charismatic leader of the downtrodden lower classes, determined to rise against oppression.
Despite their respective backgrounds, Orion and Megatron were both witnesses to the growing corruption and injustice in Cybertron’s ruling elite. United in their determination for change and reform, they shared a period – a friendship that was almost as close as brothers.
They fought side by side, marshaling the support of others in their cause, dreaming of a Cybertron ruled by justice and equality. It was Megatron who first gave Orion the idea of a higher purpose, pushing him to dream bigger than his role as an archivist.
But as the centuries passed, their ideologies began to deviate: whereas Megatron’s view of change became ever more extreme, even violent-believing the only way true equality could be achieved was through revolution, even to the point of ruling Cybertron with an iron fist-Orion-while still committed to the cause of justice-believed in a more peaceful path, one that would unite all Cybertronians under a banner of freedom rather than oppression.
This was a philosophical rift that would continue to grow until it became a BIG problem. It was now that the Matrix of Leadership finally chose Orion to become Optimus Prime and the leader of the Autobots.
Now, he was remade as a guardian of freedom and justice, championing the peaceful. In contrast, Megatron, the Decepticon leader, had become avaricious in his ambition to conquer Cybertron, believing that only under his rule could order finally be realized.
For what had been a strong friendship was turned to bitter enmity. The two former allies would come to symbolize two opposing ideals: Optimus, the champion of freedom, and Megatron, the embodiment of tyranny.
MY THOUGHTS ON TRANSFORMERS ONE
Transformers One takes a franchise and elevates it to a whole new plane, bringing along a movie experience that is both fun and emotionally resonant.
Having grown up watching the animated series Transformers during the 80s, this film hits home. It’s not simply a nostalgic trip; it gives old characters new life in surprisingly fresh, exciting, and deep ways.
What differs in Transformers One from its predecessors is a focus on the relations and emotions between characters.
Naturally, action scenes are there, but what lingers is the personal dynamics between the characters, especially between Orion Pax and D-16, who would later become Optimus Prime and Megatron.
Their frenemy relationship makes this movie different in emotional depth often lacking in blockbusters filled with action.
TRANSFORMERS ONE (2024) FILM REVIEW
PERFORMANCE CHARACTER
The voice acting in Transformers One is great. With Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, and Brian Tyree Henry, it couldn’t go any other way. Henry, though, is easily the standout and shines here as D-16/Megatron.
The way he can make you feel the internal struggle and frustration of this character and his eventual descent into villainy is what gives this film its emotional core. You feel for him, even while watching him transform, pun intended into a darker figure.
Orion Pax, as voiced by Hemsworth, is significantly more youthful and less battle-hardened than what we’re generally accustomed to with Optimus Prime.
While the original Optimus from Peter Cullen will always be iconic, Hemsworth brings a refreshing take to the character. Elita-1, as voiced by Scarlett Johansson, also brings that strong, determined energy into the film, serving as a perfect foil to Orion Pax.
To complete the package, Keegan-Michael Key’s voice work for B-127, aka Bumblebee, brings a delightfully eccentric humor to make him one of the most memorable movie characters.
VISUAL DESIGN AND CINEMATOGRAPHY
Visually, Transformers One is stunning. The animation style is slick and polished, with vibrant colors. G1-inspired aesthetic shows a nostalgic treat to longtime fans, yet manages to feel both fresh and modern. The design of the robots stays true to their classic forms but with just enough updates to make them feel new.
Yet, sometimes the action becomes too chaotic despite the brilliance of the visuals. Yes, the very aggressive battles of robots are exciting; it is just one of those things where, with many moving parts and perhaps explosions, it is rather easy to lose track.
While the scale of the battles is an impressive feature, it does make it hard to sometimes keep up with who’s who and what exactly is at stake. It feels, at times, like visual design took a little too much over clarity in some scenes, and the detailed nature of the action is completely lost.
WRITING STYLE AND STORY
Transformers One tells the story of some of the most iconic character’s origins featured in the series-specifically, the relationship that spawned between Orion Pax and D-16. The writing is straightforward, and clear, yet with depth in themes such as social hierarchy, political corruption, and the cost of ambition.
But on occasions, the plot does feel a little overstuffed. It juggles several storylines in one go-from a political conspiracy to a fetch quest which detracts from the emotional weight of the main narrative.
The pacing at times feels uneven, with certain plot points getting rushed through while others get more time than needed. But even when the script falters, the central arc of Orion Pax and D-16’s fractured friendship holds the film together.
THEMES
Perhaps the most striking aspects of Transformers One have to do with friendship, power, and moral compromise. It is here, at the core of the film, where the relationship between Orion Pax and D-16 presents itself. Their bond, along with its eventual breakdown, adds a layer of emotional complexity in making this more than just an action movie.
The film also explores the themes of social hierarchy discontent, and dissatisfactions coming from living through a corrupt regime. D-16 frustration about the politics in Cybertron and belief that the only answer to such issues is radical change is reflective of real-life social movements.
His is a tragic arc, as we trace his development from hopeful idealist to hardened villain, and because of that, Transformers One is less a simple tale of good versus evil than the personal costs of power and ambition.
At the same time, there is a real sense of fun and joy throughout the film. Most of the banter between especially the goofy antics of B-127 manages to lighten the mood even more, making some of the heavier themes in the movie that much easier to deal with. One of the strengths of the film is that it balances depth with lighthearted humor.
CONCLUSION
Transformers One is a refreshing, emotionally engaging addition to the Transformers franchise. Instead of cheap flashes and over-the-top action that the series brought into play, it concerns itself with the relationships of the characters, emotional growth, and deeper themes like friendship and social justice that give this film more human resonance.
While at times the action can be overwhelming and the plot a bit crowded, it’s some great voice work and a genuinely heartfelt story of Orion Pax and D-16 that hold this movie together. Visually, this is great, the humor works, and there’s a very legitimate emotional core at the center that makes this one of the best Transformers movies to date.
Transformers One is for fans of the franchise. It’s a film that pays homage to the original series while making many new and exciting directions in the story. Whether you’re an older, more seasoned fan or a newbie to the world of Transformers, this movie has something to offer anyone.
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