As a lifelong fan of Transformers who’s grown up watching cartoons and playing with toys, I have to say that this new movie, “Transformers One,” has left me utterly spellbound! It’s like they took everything I loved about the franchise and amplified it tenfold. The action is exhilarating, the storyline is deep and engaging, and for the first time ever, the Transformers feel more real than some of the human characters in the live-action movies!
Born in 1983 but more a product of the ’90s, one might assume that I’d be a big enthusiast of Transformers. However, that’s not entirely accurate.
Absolutely! For Thundercats, you’ve got it right. As for G.I. Joe, you’re spot on too. And let me tell you, when it comes to Ninja Turtles, I’ve penned down more about them than any other topic on this platform. However, when it comes to Transformers, I haven’t been a die-hard fan, not even after watching every single Transformers movie (which now that I reflect, could be the reason for my lack of fandom, given the varying quality of those films).
Following my recent viewing of the movie “Transformers One”, it has managed to win me over completely, and here are my thoughts as to why.
Oh, and minor spoilers up ahead for Transformers One.
The Idea Of Transformers Not Being Able To Transform Strangely Humanized Them For Me
The Movie” explores what happens when they can’t transform, which was a surprising twist for many viewers when they first saw the film.
That’s what sets the entire story into motion. The bots dwell beneath the surface of Cybertron, and they’re being fed deceitful information about their heroes. Not just that, but some of these bots have the ability to transform, whereas those who labor in the mines for Energon do not. This weaves a tale of class struggles, which I didn’t anticipate from a Transformers narrative.
As a fan, I can’t help but marvel at how captivating this film proves to be for both kids and adults alike. The intriguing exploration of the social divide between the haves and have-nots, portrayed in part of the movie, leaves me utterly spellbound.
To be honest, I’ve always found the Transformers series to appear more like a franchise primarily aimed at toy sales rather than quality storytelling. Granted, many ’80s cartoons were conceived for that singular purpose; however, it seems to me that Transformers was the epitome of this trend.
Yet, the notion that some among them were intentionally prevented from changing really made them seem more human to me. Consequently, when Orion Pax ultimately transforms into Optimus Prime, and D-16 becomes Megatron, it struck a chord in an exceptional manner this time, and in a most favorable fashion!
Also, Making This A Story About A Friendship Falling Apart Was The Right Call
I’d like to clarify something if it’s not already well-known – did Megatron and Optimus Prime ever have a friendship? In the narrative of this tale, they are presented as friends, which I find quite intriguing and fitting, in my opinion.
I find the narrative of foes turning allies more captivating compared to friends becoming adversaries, and it’s fascinating how Megatron was initially a loyal ally to Optimus Prime before discovering that he had been deceived by someone he once respected deeply.
I have a strong affection for this film, especially since it brought back fond memories of the intense Transformers series, specifically the captivating “Beast Wars” animated show. This series inspired the recent movie, “Rise of the Beasts,” which our colleague Mike Reyes praised highly. In this cartoon, Optimus Primal and Megatron were sworn adversaries, and there was no suggestion of friendship between them.
Indeed, my understanding of these characters is quite clear – Megatron harbors strong dislike for Optimus Prime, while Optimus Prime stands as the leader of the Autobots.
It’s not until nearly the last 30 minutes that we truly understand the storyline. The majority of the movie, however, focuses on the deterioration of Megatron’s relationship with Optimus Prime and the events leading up to their respective character developments.
The tale is incredibly engaging, and I must admit, it was unexpected, given my 41-year-old perspective, having been acquainted with Transformers since virtually the beginning of my life.
I Also Like That There Wasn’t A Single Human In The Entire Story
Frankly speaking, I’d prefer if no human characters were present in future films. That could be why I found “Beast Wars” appealing as it only featured the Transformers.
1986’s “The Transformers: The Movie” serves as another illustrative case. While it did feature some human characters, its main focus was on the titular beings (neither Megan Fox nor Shia LaBeouf were among them).
I strongly enjoyed the first Transformers movie because I feel that human characters tend to drain the excitement from the other films. What makes it great is that throughout its 1 hour and 44 minutes, not a single human character appears on screen, which is fantastic.
Instead of feeling real when humans are part of the narrative, it’s been a paradox for me. However, with a story solely about Transformers, I find myself more engaged with these characters that, to be honest, seem more developed than many human characters we’ve seen in the live-action films so far.
The Action Was Way More Exciting Than I’ve Ever Seen In A Transformers Story
What I’ve found somewhat bothersome about Transformers is their fighting style. Given their colossal size, they appear quite awkward in combat to my eyes.
I have a fondness for gigantic creatures and robots battling it out, and Godzilla, Power Rangers’ Megazord, and Voltron are among my favorites. However, the Transformers engaging in combat doesn’t hold the same appeal for me – it just hasn’t been very fulfilling.
In other movies, they may not be as dynamic and thrilling, but in “Transformers One”, the action is indeed intense and captivating. I believe a significant reason for this could be the way these characters move; unlike being cumbersome, they appear streamlined and agile instead.
In contrast to the bulky metal giants portrayed in the live-action films, you might find this different representation of Transformers surprising. However, I’ve never been a fan of their static portrayal, and I’m delighted that they can move and engage in combat effectively in this movie, which greatly enhances the epic feel. If only every fight scene was like this!
Lastly, It Makes Me Re-Evaluate Everything That I’ve Ever Known About The Transformers
It’s quite peculiar, really. I seem to have been on the outskirts of being well-versed in Transformers for most of my life. While I’ve caught mentions of Energon or their planet of origin, Cybertron, and even recognized characters like Starscream, Jazz, and Soundwave, it’s all been peripheral knowledge.
It wasn’t until I watched “Transformers One” that I realized how little I actually knew. That movie was when I discovered that Cybertron, the home planet of the Transformers, is also the physical form of their deity, Primus. Additionally, I had no idea about the backstory of these characters or the Matrix of Leadership until I saw this film.
Back in 1986, people in the movie kept mentioning “The Matrix,” but at that time, I didn’t have a clue what they were referring to (considering my age then, it’s understandable). Now, however, I find the whole concept much more captivating due to the way the characters in this film react to these mysterious elements.
I must admit, “Transformers One” has made me see this world in a completely new light, which I find astonishing since I feel like I’ve been following these characters for what seems like my entire life, and it’s only now that I’m truly grasping their depth. Remarkably, it took a film from 2024 to get me there.
Because I’ve grown quite fond of the Transformers, have you had a chance to watch the movie? If you’re somewhat interested in the franchise, I highly recommend giving it a watch. I think you’ll find it worth your time.
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2024-12-15 04:07