Critics Have Seen Transformers One, And There’s No Disguising How They Feel About Chris Hemsworth And Brian Tyree Henry’s Animated Prequel

Critics Have Seen Transformers One, And There’s No Disguising How They Feel About Chris Hemsworth And Brian Tyree Henry’s Animated Prequel

As a lifelong fan of the Transformers franchise who grew up watching the animated series and collecting action figures, I must say that my excitement for the upcoming film, “Transformers One,” is palpable! The positive reviews from critics have only served to fuel my anticipation. Matt Zoller Seitz’s comparison to Toy Story 4 piqued my interest immediately, as I hold both franchises in high regard. The emphasis on the relationship between Orion Pax and D-16 sounds particularly intriguing, adding a layer of depth that has been missing from previous installments.


As Halloween approaches, an array of scary movies are slated for release in 2024, yet there’s no need for worry as numerous family-friendly films are also on the horizon. Intriguingly, it seems that we can anticipate some excellent choices coming up, such as “Transformers One,” set to debut in cinemas on September 20. Initial feedback on the animated action movie featuring Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry has been incredibly favorable, and now critics have had the opportunity to share their expanded thoughts.

According to what we’ve learned, the upcoming prequel of Transformers One is expected to depict the transformation of Chris Hemsworth’s character Orion Pax and Brian Tyree Henry’s character D-16 from being brothers into the fierce adversaries we recognize as Optimus Prime and Megatron.

According to Matt Zoller Seitz of RogerEbert.com, the film earns 3 out of 4 stars as director Josh Cooley manages to express novel ideas about long-standing characters in a way that feels fresh and innocent. Previously, these characters hadn’t been known for their depth, but this critic finds that the film brings new layers to them.

In this movie, the major scenes are skillfully designed and performed with a blend of rhythm and wit to avoid monotony or slipping into predictable fan service. While there are antagonists present, they don’t play a significant role. Instead, the film is primarily focused on the relationships, and the primary reason for watching it is how it unfolds the bond between Orion Pax and D-16.

According to Chris Bumbray from JoBlo, Transformers One is the franchise’s top-notch movie so far, with an impressive lead over its predecessors. He appreciates the exceptional voice acting, robust storyline, and stunning visuals that respectfully carry on the legacy of the original works. Bumbray awards it a commendable 8 out of 10 rating.

In this transformed version: Hemsworth and Tyree Henry’s voices significantly enhance the movie. Although some might miss Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime, Hemsworth cleverly references his previous portrayer, honoring Cullen’s iconic performance. Similarly, as Megatron, Tyree Henry’s voice acting evolves, and he adds a surprising layer of emotion to the character. To top it off, the movie is visually stunning with its unique animation style that manages to be modern while still paying respect to the classic cartoon series and 1986 film.

According to Kambole Campbell of Empire, he rates the production a 3 out of 5 stars. He mentions that the animation didn’t quite resonate with him personally, but acknowledges that Josh Cooley effectively injects humor into it and manages to create something fresh from a well-known IP (intellectual property). Campbell further adds:

Something unexpectedly intriguing unfolds within Transformers One. Although the artwork may initially seem unappealing at times, its concepts prove captivating enough to merit a respectable place within the series.

Jeff Spry from Space finds no problems with the animation and refers to the work by Industrial Light & Magic as “an outstanding feast of cutting-edge CGI.” Furthermore, he considers Transformers One to be one of the best films of the year. He anticipates that numerous fans will consider it their favorite Transformers movie ever. In his opinion:

Four years in development, this thrilling, all-age appropriate production takes you on an exhilarating journey, restoring the Transformers franchise to the summit of today’s top Hollywood intellectual properties. With a touching narrative, impressive voice acting, stunning visual effects, witty humor, a moving Brian Tyler soundtrack, and themes of friendship, trustworthiness, camaraderie, and remorse, this project promises an unforgettable experience.

Many critics find the prequel less than impressive. Tom Jorgensen from IGN, for instance, grades it a “Mediocre” 5 out of 10. Despite appreciating the dynamic between the main autobots and admiring Brian Tyree Henry’s performance, he finds the humor underwhelming and feels that the overall scope of the world doesn’t measure up, as expressed in his review:

The main characters Orion Pax and D-16 from the movie Transformers One, along with their strained friendship, occasionally create interesting moments. However, even with a talented voice cast led by Brian Tyree Henry, this animated backstory doesn’t offer much beyond what’s initially presented. The design of the characters is appealing in brief glimpses, but Transformers One struggles to keep track of its transforming robots during action scenes. The legendary conflict between Optimus Prime and Megatron could have been epic, but instead, the movie settles for weak jokes and unclear battles on Cybertron that needed more development before being released.

Most critics appear thrilled about “Transformers One,” earning an impressive 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Are you planning to catch the tale of these robots transitioning from friends to foes when it hits theaters starting September 20? If you’d like a sneak peek, there are plenty of previous Transformers projects available for streaming with a Paramount+ subscription.

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2024-09-19 19:09