Transformers One Movie Review (Rating: 2.5/5)
Star Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Jon Hamm, Laurence Fishburne
Director: Josh Cooley
Duration: 104 minutes
Transformers One Synopsis
Transformers One dives into the untold origin story of two iconic characters — Optimus Prime and Megatron. The story begins with Orion Pax (voiced by Chris Hemsworth), a cog-less miner bot living in the city of Iacon on Cybertron. His closest friend, D-16 (voiced by Brian Tyree Henry), works alongside him. Both look up to Sentinel Prime (voiced by Jon Hamm), the respected leader of Cybertron, who is on a mission to locate the legendary Matrix of Leadership. Without it, the planet’s Energon rivers have dried up, pushing bots into endless mining.
Sentinel announces a holiday celebration through a grand racing event, the Iacon 5000. Orion convinces D-16 to join using jetpacks. While they lose, their efforts catch everyone’s attention. However, their luck runs out when authoritarian security bot Darkwing (Isaac C Singleton Jr) banishes them to Sublevel 50. There, they meet the eccentric B-127 (voiced by Keegan-Michael Key). Among heaps of scrap, the trio discovers a chip containing a message from Cybertron’s founder, Alpha Trion (voiced by Laurence Fishburne). The chip also holds a map to the Matrix of Leadership.
From here, Orion, D-16, and B-127 set off on a daring journey, reluctantly joined by Elita-1 (voiced by Scarlett Johansson). Their adventure changes their perspective and eventually transforms close allies into sworn enemies, setting the stage for the legendary conflict fans know so well.
Story and Screenplay Analysis
The story by Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari feels tailor-made for longtime Transformers fans. The screenplay, penned by Eric Pearson, Barrer, and Ferrari, keeps the action moving at a steady pace. However, it stumbles in places where humor and emotional depth could have elevated the narrative.
Director Josh Cooley does a commendable job of fitting a vast storyline into a crisp runtime of 104 minutes. The pacing is balanced, ensuring the film doesn’t feel rushed. The animation style is vibrant and distinct from big players like Disney or DreamWorks (read more about DreamWorks animation here). The climax stands out as a thrilling highlight, likely to earn cheers and applause in theaters.
That said, some aspects miss the mark. The heavy, detailed animation sometimes overwhelms during large fight sequences, making it hard to follow the action. The humor feels undercooked, with only a handful of jokes landing. The most jarring moment comes when D-16 abruptly shifts into a darker role — a transition that feels rushed and leaves audiences questioning the character’s sudden transformation.
Performances and Voice Acting
One of the film’s biggest strengths lies in its voice cast. Chris Hemsworth delivers a grounded performance as Orion Pax, bringing the right mix of grit and sincerity. Brian Tyree Henry complements him well as D-16. Scarlett Johansson lends her distinct voice to Elita-1, though it’s instantly recognizable and somewhat distracting.
The standout, however, is Keegan-Michael Key as B-127. His comic timing adds much-needed humor and energy to the film. Laurence Fishburne, with his powerful baritone, leaves a lasting impression as Alpha Trion. Meanwhile, Jon Hamm (Sentinel Prime), Isaac C Singleton Jr (Darkwing), and Vanessa Liguori (Airachni) deliver reliable supporting performances.
Music and Technical Brilliance
The technical side of Transformers One deserves high praise. Brian Tyler’s background score enhances the epic scale of the story with a classic Hollywood blockbuster vibe. Cinematographer Christopher Batty brings Cybertron to life with breathtaking visuals, while Jason William Scheier’s production design creates a vibrant, futuristic setting.
The animation stands out as top-tier, successfully differentiating itself from earlier Transformers films. Still, its overwhelming detail at times makes the action harder to digest. Editor Lynn Hobson keeps the film sharp and well-paced, ensuring it never drags.
Final Verdict
Transformers One is a mixed bag. On one hand, it delivers a visually stunning origin story with a thrilling climax and fast-paced narrative. On the other, it falls short on humor, struggles with certain character transitions, and overwhelms with overly busy animation during key action sequences.
For die-hard Transformers fans, this film offers a nostalgic and engaging backstory of Optimus Prime and Megatron’s friendship-turned-rivalry. Casual viewers, however, may find it less compelling. Still, its release coincides with National Cinema Day, where reduced ticket prices may boost its performance at the box office.
MyAxom Reviews Rating: ⭐⭐½ (2.5/5)
Should You Watch It?
If you’ve followed the Transformers franchise for years and want to witness the beginnings of Optimus Prime and Megatron, Transformers One is worth a watch. But if you’re looking for a fun, light-hearted animated adventure with lots of laughs, this one might not hit the spot.
