TRANSFORMERS ONE - OVERLOOKED & EXCEPTIONAL

Transformers is a franchise that has seen a great variety of projects and adaptations in movie form throughout the years, ranging from Michael Bay's "Transformers" (2007) to Steven Caple Jr.'s "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" (2023). If you're like me, and have little knowledge about the expansive lore and storytelling of the Transformers universe, you might have been uninterested when Paramount Pictures announced "Transformers: One" (2024), a pseudo-prequel to the films, animations and comics centering around the growing rivalry between Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots, and Megatron, leader of the Decepticons. After a pretty underwhelming trailer, in which the film was criticized for seeming too child-like and appearing to be too insistent on repeated gags and humor, the film's critical appraisal in its release shocked fans and newcomers alike, and in turn created one of the best Transformers movies in the franchise's history.

THE STORY

Transformers: One is set entirely on the planet Cybertron, in which all the Transformers currently reside. The first Transformers, known as the Primes, were revered as heroes and protectors from the planet's civilians, ceasing the growing threat of the Quintessons (a rivalling alien race) through the power of the mysterious Matrix of Leadership. The Matrix allowed Cybertron's main source of energy, fittingly called energon, to flow in abundance, powering the great city of Iacon and granting strength to the Primes. However, on a mysterious crusade against the Quintessons, the Primes were suddenly murdered, and the Matrix of Leadership became lost with their bodies. Now that the energon in Iacon grows more and more scarce, the last remaining Prime, Sentinel Prime (Jon Hamm), set out on various patrols to find his fallen allies and slaughter any Quintesson he sees.

It's here that we jump to the Present day, and are introduced to our protagonist, Orion Pax (Chris Hemsworth). Pax is Iacon's notorious troublemaker, who can't even transform due to his lack of a transformation cog in his chest. Along with his best friend, a transformer named D-16 (Brian Tyree Henry), he searches for any clues that could lead to the location of the Matrix of Leadership. Orion and D-16 both work as energon miners, and although the work is enough to make a living, Orion years for a chance to prove himself as something more than he is now. D-16, however, is a lot more of a "realist" than Orion, besides his fanboy adoration over Sentinel Prime and the long-lost Megatronus Prime. The search for the Matrix of Leadership eventually leaves them marooned on Cybertron's surface with some other allies, in which they discover secrets that lead to agony, betrayal and sacrifice.

THE PERFORMANCES

One of Transformers: One's greatest strengths is in its powerful performances from each of the cast. Without diving into any spoilers, both Chris Hemsworth's and Brian Tyree Henry's phenomenal voice acting work carries the film's entire narrative, The two are able to seamlessly cross from genuinely funny humor to tragic, heartfelt monologues, effectively immersing the audiences in the film's unfolding story. Scarlett Johansson and Keegan-Michael Key also deliver great performances for Elita-1 and Bumblebee, even if the latter's jokes tend to drag on at times.

THE ANIMATION

Although initially releasing to criticism for how the Transformers' faces looked, Transformers: One's animation is consistently breathtaking and magnetic, somehow managing to top the Bay films in terms of action sequences and overall visuals. The characters' creative usage of their transformation abilities lead to some of 2024's most captivating action sequences, including (but not limited to) the Iacon race and a particular final battle towards the third act... Whether it be through engaging setpieces or wide, open shots, there isn't a moment in Transformers: One where the film seems dull or the animation isn't gorgeous.

THE THIRD ACT

Fans familar with the Transformers movies and lore will likely already guess where Orion Pax and D-16 end up by the end of the film, but whether you're a newcomer to the franchise like me or a long-time fan of the franchise, the film's stellar third act will leave you with your mouth agape the whole time. Not only does Brian Tyree Henry deliver one of the greatest performances of his career, but there's a particular story culmination that rivals Into The Spider-Verse's "Leap of Faith" sequence as one of the most exciting and chilling moments in animation history. If you haven't received any spoilers for the film thus far, do yourself a favor and watch it while you still can.

VERDICT

Although Transformers: One is only slightly held back by a few too many jokes and a slightly predictable story structure, those issues still pale in comparison to what the film does right. It's a perfect entryway to newcomers of the franchise that will leave them excited and yearning for more, especially by the film's ending. Although its marketing hardly did it any justice, make sure to buy yourself a ticket for Transformers: One if you're looking for an enjoyable and equally devastating film to watch in theaters, as it surely won't leave you disappointed.

8.5/10