TRANSFORMERS ONE, the first animated theatrical feature since 1986’s THE TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE and a new look into the Transformers universe, catapults audiences back millions of years to the beloved behemoths’ home planet of Cybertron to reveal the origins of Optimus Prime, supreme leader of the heroic Autobots, and his nemesis Megatron, the diabolical commander of the Decepticon forces.
In 2007, the release of Michael Bay’s Oscar-nominated, live-action TRANSFORMERS stormed the global box office with its electrifying depiction of warrior robots battling for dominance on Earth. Inspired by the unprecedented success of Hasbro’s groundbreaking line of transforming toys, the film became a global phenomenon, spawning six more record-breaking films over the next 17 years. The new film shows us who Optimus and Megatron were before the wars and it lets us see Cybertron in total for the first time.
Long before the Transformers bots dreamed of escaping their dying planet for Earth, Cybertron has focused on mining the precious Energon that fuels all life no longer flows freely. The original Primes have been slaughtered in a war with the ruthless Quintessons. In subterranean Iacon City, elite Transformers bots live in luxury, while cog-less, non-transforming bots work tirelessly, digging for dwindling Energon reserves.
As the movie begins, the audience meets Orion Pax and D-16, a pair of lowly worker bots in the Energon mines deep within Cybertron. They are on the verge of a journey that takes them from being the best of friends to the bitterest of enemies. It is a classic tale, echoing powerful stories from the past, even as far back as the Bible’s Cain and Abel. Against this backdrop, ambitious mining bot Orion Pax risks everything in an effort to retrieve the long-lost Matrix of Leadership, a talisman of great power he believes will restart the flow of Energon. Along with fellow workers D-16, Elita-1 and B-127 (aka Bumblebee), Orion travels to the forbidden surface of Cybertron and discovers a breathtaking landscape – as well as a shocking conspiracy that extends into the highest levels of Transformer life.
Directed by Oscar winner Josh Cooley (TOY STORY 4), TRANSFORMERS ONE’s groundbreaking animation and innovative designs introduce a new level of cinematic artistry to the franchise and ups the stakes on the original live-action films. Cooley truly connects the audience with the characters emotionally by exploring the personal hopes and dreams of the alien robots.
TRANSFORMERS ONE’s terrific voice cast is led by Chris Hemsworth. In each previous iteration of the Transformers franchise, the voice of Optimus Prime, the stoic, heroic leader of the Autobots, has been provided by actor Peter Cullen. His silken growl has become synonymous with the character – until now – and Hemsworth steps into the role of Orion Pax, (aka Optimus Prime), with a natural ease. He had some big shoes to fill and he really honors Cullen’s previous work. Hemsworth even gives fans the line “Transform and Roll Out!”
Brian Tyree Henry plays D-16, aka Megatron, one of the greatest arch-nemeses of all time in the Transformers pantheon. He’s extremely likable at first and the opposite to Orion Pax’s rule breaker. He’s not a bad guy from the beginning. D-16 is a scrappy, smart, hard worker who follows the rules and hates injustice. He aspires to be more, but he’s not going to cross any lines. When he realizes that everything he thinks he knows is a lie, the disillusionment changes him.
With a story by Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari and a screenplay by Eric Pearson and Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari, the funniest dialogue comes from Keegan-Michael Key who plays B-127 (AKA Bumblebee) who has been a mostly silent character in other chapters of the stories. He never stops talking and is constantly referring to himself as “Bad-Ass-atron”. The perfect partner for Bumblebee is Elita-1, a mining manager who takes no guff from anybody. Voiced by Scarlett Johansson, Elita-1 is an initially unwilling participant on the journey to the surface of Cybertron. She can barely wait to get back to Iacon City and turn the rest of the party into the authorities. Elita-1 is a central character in this sumptuous movie and a great opportunity for the filmmakers to create an authentic female Transformer.
The cast also features a trio of actors in pivotal roles, including Jon Hamm as Sentinel Prime, the leader of Iacon City. Since the loss of his brothers, he has diligently but fruitlessly searched for the Matrix of Leadership. Hamm brings the character a heroic air, as well as some comical pomposity as he postures for the adoring crowds. As Alpha Trion, a Transformer elder statesman believed to have died beside the Primes, Laurence Fishburne brings undeniable authority to his character as he tries to guide the four younger bots toward their goal. It’s heartbreaking to witness the betrayal and ultimate destruction of the Primes. Steve Buscemi also joins the cast as incipient Decepticon Starscream, bringing an unhinged, gonzo quality to the story. Fans will also be pleased to see Soundwave, Shockwave, Jazz and hear a reference to Ratchet as “Dr. Ratchet”.
The artists behind the scenes Production Designer Jason Scheier, Cinematographer Christopher Batty, Editor Lynn Hobson, Art Director Gerald de Jesus, Visual Effects Supervisor Frazer Churchill and Animation Supervisors Rob Coleman and Stephen King, along with ILM give TRANSFORMERS ONE’s the most amazing action sequences which include the stunning Iacon 5000 road race, along with the final battle between Optimus Prime and Megatron. The Transformers’ home planet of Cybertron has only been glimpsed in snippets in the previous films and TRANSFORMERS ONE is set entirely in this mysterious world. The grandeur is a wonder to behold. It’s richly colorful and gorgeously lit, with beautiful landscapes, while also giving the audience a sense of metals and mechanics, as if Transformers designed it.
TRANSFORMERS ONE is a story of friendship and betrayal, of aspiring and overcoming and composer Brian Tyler’s score is filled with heartfelt and heroic melodies. He makes you feel like you’re in an Alien world. His unique cues for The Iacon 5000 race and final battle between Optimus Prime and Megatron, once friends, is both exhilarating and tragic, and much credit is to be given to the beautiful work done by the orchestra and musicians.
For fans of the live-action movies where the Autobots were focused solely on protecting humanity, this origin story is fun for everyone. It’s a story filled with emotion, humor, betrayal and giant fights. If you’re a fan, it delivers on what you’re hoping to get and if you’re not yet a fan, you’ll experience something that you probably didn’t think Transformers had in it. TRANSFORMERS ONE is the exhilarating adventure fans have been waiting decades to see and it’s one of the best films of 2024.
TRANSFORMERS ONE opens in theaters on September 20, 2024.
RATING: 4 out of 4 stars
Based on Hasbro’s Transformers™ Action Figures
