TRANSFORMERS ONE Is a Surprisingly Dark Animated Adventure

by

As a long-time fan of the Transformers franchise who has seen more than his fair share of Autobots and Decepticons in action, I have to admit that “Transformers One” took me by surprise. After being underwhelmed by some of the recent live-action films and feeling like the series had lost its spark, this animated prequel breathed new life into the franchise for me.

I’m not at all surprised by the enduring appeal of the Transformers franchise given its concept of giant robots that transform into vehicles and aircraft. Brilliant idea, if you ask me! However, I must admit that the success of the film series took me by surprise. The first movie in 2007 was a delightful exception, but the following four films didn’t fare well. There was excitement about Bumblebee, but then came Rise of the Beasts last year, which I reviewed, and it was simply a cacophony of visual noise. Now, we have Transformers One, an animated prequel, and surprisingly, it’s quite good!

One reason I didn’t find Rise of the Beasts very engaging was that they emphasized the rise of the Maximals but spent a lot of the movie focusing on Bumblebee, Optimus, and the rest of the car-based Transformers, which had grown tiresome for me. However, what makes Transformers One appealing is its innovative portrayal of those classic G1 characters. It was exciting to witness their origins unfold in the lively, bustling environment of Cybertron. I still believe, even after 40 years, that the Transformers are simply more effective when animated.

The narrative unfolds in ancient times on the planet Cybertron. Once bustling with energon streams, the colossal city of Iacon is now experiencing a severe shortage due to their drying up. Eons ago, the Prime Council of Transformers, who governed them, waged war against an extraterrestrial danger and suffered defeat. The sacred Matrix of Leadership went missing in that conflict. Now, only Sentinel Prime (played by Jon Hamm) stands guard to safeguard Iacon and its inhabitants from imminent devastation.

Focus on a duo of unfortunate mining robots, companions Orion Pax (portrayed by Chris Hemsworth) and D-16 (Brian Tyree Henry). They delve deeper and deeper into the heart of Cybertron in search of energon, tirelessly working day after day. Orion is an optimist with a knack for mischief, while D-16 is meticulous about adhering to rules. Despite their humble existence, Orion maintains hope that their unity can bring change.

Unexpectedly finding something significant amidst debris and waste, they embark on a journey to the surface in search of the Matrix of Leadership. During their travels, they enlist Elita-1 (Scarlett Johansson), a mining supervisor, and B-127 (Keegan-Michael Key), a chatty trash sorter, and uncover shocking realities about themselves along the way. As these bots face challenges and grow, they develop into the Transformers we’re familiar with from any Transformers media.

It’s not a surprise that we can guess who these characters will eventually become, as they share some similarities with their iconic counterparts. The excitement of the film lies in witnessing their transformations and understanding why certain characters take specific paths. While prequels or origin movies can sometimes feel predictable due to knowing the end result, this one manages to keep you engaged thanks to its dark and intriguing journey.

One of the best aspects of this movie lies in its stunning, tangible animation that feels alive and vivid to the eye. The cityscape of Iacon resembles a gigantic, bustling version of 1997’s The Fifth Element‘s New York, but with an astounding 40 times more detail and lifelike graphics. The opening race through the city, reminiscent of F-Zero, left me in awe, as did the high-speed train chase that followed later on. Overall, it’s a thrilling experience just to let the stunning visuals and sound immerse you. While Transformers One may not strive for the artistic excellence found in films like the Spider-Verse series or even TMNT: Mutant Mayhem, it undeniably achieves its goals brilliantly.

Moving on to some less favorable aspects, the film’s tone seems inconsistent throughout. Initially, there are playful antics between Orion and D-16, along with humorous dialogue from B-127 that gives a lighthearted, child-friendly vibe. This is perfectly acceptable, as I appreciate children’s films. However, as the plot unfolds, the tone becomes progressively somber and distressing as the distinction between good and evil becomes more pronounced. This isn’t problematic in itself, given the magnitude of the stakes. The issue arises when we encounter occasional jokes or slapstick elements during the latter half, which seem out of place compared to the film’s overall mood.

As a 40-year-old fan, I found myself drawn to the more mature and Transformers-esque elements in the latter half of the film. The action was thrilling and intense, with alliances shifting as friends turned foes and vice versa. However, I felt that the early portions of the movie were geared towards a younger audience, which, while not bad per se, gave the movie a somewhat confused tone, like it was struggling to find its true identity.

To put it simply, “Transformers One” offers a delightful revisit to the charm of the transforming robots that were greater than they appeared initially. Although it doesn’t reach the artistic blend of universes achieved in films like “Spider-Verse” or “Mutant Mayhem”, it is still incredibly enjoyable. The voice actors do a commendable job portraying younger, less polished versions of familiar characters. The development of Orion and D-16 exceeds expectations more than it should. Overall, the movie is strong, and aside from “Bumblebee”, it stands as the best big-screen Transformers film to date. Admittedly, the bar may be low, but it effortlessly clears it.

Transformers One ⭐ (3.5 of 5)

Transformers One hits theaters on September 14.

Kyle Anderson serves as the Senior Editor at TopMob, where he also manages the popular weekly pop culture discussion podcast titled “Laser Focus.” To catch his insights on movies and TV shows, check out his reviews right here. Don’t forget to keep up with him on Instagram and Letterboxd!

Read More

2024-09-12 16:32