As a long-time fan of the Transformers franchise, I must say that the first movie had some delightful Easter eggs that only deepen the lore for us dedicated followers. One such moment is when Black Widow, or rather Elita-1, squares off against Airachnid, a spider-like Decepticon. This fight scene is not just action-packed but also filled with intrigue and foreshadowing.
Contains spoilers for “Transformers One“
Transformers One” seems like the movie that fans of the series have been eagerly anticipating for a while. It’s the first animated “Transformers” film released in theaters since 1986’s “The Transformers: The Movie,” and it brings the franchise back to its roots. In this story, there are no human characters or Earth politics to distract from the epic saga of how Optimus Prime (played by Chris Hemsworth) and Megatron (Brian Tyree Henry) evolved from friends to adversaries.
In a turn of events, the two powerful Transformers, initially known as Orion Pax and D-16, discover a hidden truth that could lead them to the lost Matrix of Leadership. This artifact, if found, would enable them to trace the Energon source, sparing them from laborious mining. Their journey uncovers Sentinel Prime’s (portrayed by Jon Hamm) deceit as he orchestrated the demise of the other Primes. While Orion Pax advocates for every Transformer to have transformation keys and determine their own paths, D-16 seeks retribution against Sentinel Prime.
In “Transformers One,” the conclusion lays the groundwork for future developments within the series, as the freshly named Optimus Prime and Megatron gear up for a conflict. Yet, before the movie reaches its thrilling finale, there are numerous intricate details, Easter eggs, discreet hints, and smart references that could easily escape notice on a first viewing.
Transformers One has The Touch
There remains a significant amount of fondness and appreciation for the 1986 movie “The Transformers” among many fans, with some even ranking it as one of the greatest animated films ever made. Given that “Transformers One” is another fully-animated production, it’s only fitting to incorporate references or Easter eggs from “The Transformers: The Movie.” Fans of the ’80s film will remember that the song “The Touch” by Stan Bush plays a significant role in the movie. In “Transformers One,” when Orion Pax and D-16 are working in the mines, Orion brags to Elita-1 (Scarlett Johansson) about his ability to touch Sentinel Prime with all his strength. Elita-1 replies, “You don’t have the touch or the power,” a clever wink to “The Touch,” as the song includes lyrics such as “You got the touch / You got the power.
In an interesting move by director Josh Cooley, he aimed to incorporate a tribute to the movie “The Transformers: The Movie” into the film “Transformers One.” He shared with Gizmodo his desire to work the popular song “The Touch” into the movie somehow. Originally, characters D-16 and Orion were envisioned playing a video game together while an 8-bit version of “The Touch” played in the background, but this idea didn’t make it to the final cut. However, Cooley found a more subtle method to reference the song through Elita-1’s clever insult, as he explained: “That was one where I thought, ‘I really love that song and those lyrics, and that embodies Transformers for me, so I want to find a way to include it.’
Jazz and other Transformers get their moments
For a TV and movie franchise that basically exists to sell toys, there’s a ton of lore to keep track of when it comes to “Transformers.” Fortunately, “Transformers One” is easy to watch even if you’re completely unfamiliar with the story. The movie really hones in on a select few characters, mostly Orion Pax, D-16, Elita-1, and B-127 (Keegan-Michael Key), the last of which will become Bumblebee. However, there are still nods to plenty of other Transformers if you know where to look.
In the Transformers series, Evan Michael Lee’s character, Jazz, has consistently been Optimus Prime’s trusted companion. While he doesn’t play a leading role in “Transformers One,” he is significant during the mine collapse incident early on. Orion, another Transformer, decides to stay behind to rescue Jazz from the collapsing mine and succeeds in his mission. Later, Jazz backs Orion Pax when he mobilizes the miners to oppose Sentinel Prime. This portrayal of Jazz is more honorable compared to the first live-action “Transformers” film, where Megatron unceremoniously kills Jazz in a surprising scene that barely affects the overall plot.
The iconic Iacon 5000 race in Cybertron is not just about speed and competition, it’s also a celebration for fans. Familiar names on the leaderboard include Motormouth and Double Clutch, and the stands are full of cheering robots. If you look closely, you might even spot designs that longtime fans will recognize. Despite having fewer characters, “Transformers One” still delights veteran fans with hidden references they’ll appreciate.
Mirage is at the top of the leader board
As a devoted fan, it’s hard not to notice the name Mirage, who currently leads the pack on the Iacon 5000 leaderboard. For those quick peeks we get of the standings, Mirage is in first place! In the 2023 blockbuster “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts,” Mirage was brought to life by none other than Pete Davidson, a fitting choice given his humorous character across the series. However, Mirage isn’t just about jokes; he’s lightning-fast and possesses skills for creating illusions. It seems plausible that this speed (or maybe some clever deception) is what earned him the top spot – perhaps he’s really ahead while we’re all left guessing!
It makes sense that Mirage was born with a transformation device, given his high-class status across the “Transformers” mythos. He’s born into wealth but later chooses to side with the Autobots when he recognizes that the struggle against the Decepticons affects him, too. In the story of “Transformers One”, it’s revealed that many citizens of Cybertron should have been given transformation devices. However, Sentinel Prime made sure they were removed, creating a lower class of miners who aren’t held in high regard.
In “Transformers One,” it’s clear that great attention was paid to every detail, making each scene feel meticulously designed. It wasn’t a random selection of names that ended up on the leaderboard; it seems like they all had their individual histories considered.
Paging Dr. Ratchet
During the Iacon 5000 race, Orion Pax and D-16 sustained significant damage. Since they pushed the limits of who was allowed to compete, they were probably anticipating a scolding afterwards. While they were waiting in the medical wing, a voice over the intercom announced a doctor named Dr. Ratchet.
In the Transformers series, Ratchet serves as a crucial medical officer. Although he doesn’t make a physical appearance in the first movie, his presence is strongly felt. He played a significant role in the live-action Transformers films until he was fatally struck down by Lockdown during Age of Extinction. In response to this act, Optimus Prime emerged from hiding and exacted revenge on Lockdown, mirroring the same fate that had befallen Ratchet.
It’s quite intriguing how he’s called “Dr. Ratchet” instead of simply Ratchet, which is his usual name. The title gives off a vibe reminiscent of Nurse Ratched from “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” portrayed excellently by Louise Fletcher. But rest assured, this Ratchet is not a ruthless authoritarian or a sadist; he’s actually a medically-trained Transformer.
A-A-Tron is a nod to a classic Key & Peele sketch
Orion Pax and D-16 are exiled to Sub-Level 50, where they encounter B-127, a chatty character who’s been there for quite some time. To keep himself sane, he created companions out of the scraps he received from above. He introduces these friends, both old and new, including one named A-A-Tron.
In the movie, it’s fitting that Keegan-Michael Key voices character B-127, given his exceptional comedic acting skills. Throughout the film, B-127 provides plenty of amusing moments, much like in a familiar sketch from “Key & Peele” titled “Substitute Teacher.” In this sketch, Key plays a teacher who humorously mispronounces names, such as “Jacqueline” as “Jay Quellin.” When he comes across a student named “Aaron,” he playfully calls him “A-A-Ron.” Therefore, it’s believed that the character “A-A-Tron” is a witty reference to this gag.
Among B-127’s companions, another humorous nod is present, as the latest one is merely called “Steve.” This humor stems from the fact that the first two had robot names, while Steve is an ordinary human name. Interestingly, in the Transformers universe, Steve is known – he’s a Vehicon who, having forgotten his original name, began using “Steve” after seeing it on a billboard.
Alpha Trion is the records keeper
In simpler terms, the role of the Primes in this context is mostly to serve as a reminder of the potential greatness that Cybertron could achieve. When Orion Pax and his companions venture to the surface in search of the Matrix of Leadership, it’s Alpha Trion (played by Laurence Fishburne) who remains, providing the voice Orion Pax heeds early in the movie when he infiltrates the archives and discovers a recording detailing the formation of the original Thirteen Primes.
One could suggest that Alpha Trion serves primarily to clarify the storyline and update viewers. In a similar vein, just as Mirage is recognized for winning races within the storyline, it seems fitting that Alpha Trion, who is known as Cybertron’s archivist and records keeper, is tasked with providing exposition. After all, he bears the title of “Archivist of Iacon.
In alignment with his character as portrayed across various “Transformers” media, Alpha Trion is recounting the archives at Iacon City and presenting evidence of Sentinel Prime’s betrayal. This tragic turn of events mirrors what we’ve come to expect from him in these stories, but the inclusion of Laurence Fishburne in delivering much of the backstory makes it more palatable. Unfortunately, his demise means he won’t get a chance to guide Optimus Prime through the impending war against the Decepticons.
GoBots gets a shoutout
In the 80s, a new type of transforming robot toy emerged – GoBots. Contrary to popular belief, these robots were not just cheap imitations of Transformers but actually came before them. GoBots, produced by Tonka, hit the market in 1983, preceding Hasbro’s Transformers which debuted in 1984. Although Transformers eventually overshadowed GoBots in popularity (there’s no movie about GoBots coming out this year), it’s interesting to note that they are now under the same ownership as Hasbro acquired Tonka in 1991, thus gaining control of all associated intellectual property.
In “Transformers One,” Elita-1 calls D-16 and B-127 “two idiot GoBots.” This suggests that the term “GoBot” is not a respectable one on Cybertron at this point, possibly because it’s a type of Transformer or merely an insult used for Vehicons. This playful nod to the origins of Transformers likely brought smiles to longtime fans in the audience, reminding them of the franchise’s early days.
Starscream’s throne is inspired by his crown
In “Transformers One,” some references are blatant while others require a keen eye to spot, especially for devoted fans who scrutinize every aspect. This is true when Orion Pax and his team encounter Starscream (portrayed by Steve Buscemi) and the Cybertronian High Guard. Starscream is undeniably one of the most notorious and wicked Decepticons, having been part of some of the darkest deeds any Transformer has ever committed.
In designing Starscream’s throne for the latest Transformers film, special care was taken to resemble the crown he wore in “The Transformers: The Movie” from 1986. Under specific lighting conditions within the movie scene, it appears golden, much like the original crown. It wasn’t until Josh Cooley discussed the project with production designer Jason Scheier that he discovered this clever Easter egg. Given that many passionate Transformers fans were involved in the film, Cooley was more than happy to allow them to include such details.
Our principal animator, Stephen King from ILM, is an ardent Transformers enthusiast,” Cooley explained. “Essentially, I asked him to decorate this specific area with crowds, but feel free to highlight any characters you prefer in terms of color or other features. So he gets to choose the characters that will be prominently displayed. This way, his passion shines through.” It’s intriguing to see what hidden references (Easter eggs) viewers may continue to uncover as the movie becomes more widely viewed over time.
Black Widow fights a black widow
In the final scene of “Transformers One,” a significant conflict erupts, pitting Elita-1 against Airachnid (Vanessa Liguori), who serves under Sentinel Prime. It’s almost as if one could have foreseen that Sentinel was malicious given his ominous associate. Airachnid plays a crucial role in the storyline, as it becomes necessary for Orion Pax and their allies to retrieve video evidence from her memory storage devices to expose Sentinel’s actions. The fight is rich with captivating subtleties that warrant exploration.
Initially, Airachnid is modeled after a black widow spider, not your ordinary arachnid, but the infamous one known for its deadly venom. Coincidentally, Elita-1 shares a connection with Black Widow as she’s voiced by Scarlett Johansson, who portrayed this character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Thus, you could say they are both associated with the black widow. Intriguingly, Elita-1 transforms into a character named Blackarachnia in “Transformers: Animated.” As Elita-1, she worked alongside Optimus Prime and the Autobots. However, after being stranded on an alien planet, she undergoes a mutation with a spider theme and becomes Blackarachnia. Subsequently, she turns against the Autobots’ ideals and joins the Decepticons.
In the original Transformers movie, we witness the transformation of D-16 from Orion Pax’s ally to Megatron’s foe. Could a possible sequel present a similar journey for Elita-1, ending up on Megatron’s side? At this point, it’s merely speculation, but it sure is intriguing to ponder the possibilities of the future.
The villains have the cog of the Fallen
Character D-16 is absolutely smitten by Megatronus, his preferred Prime. However, people familiar with the lore know Megatronus is also known as The Fallen. He’s often depicted as a deity of disorder and is the antagonist for whom “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” is named. We don’t witness much of Megatronus directly, but we do learn that D-16 admires him greatly, with Megatronus inspiring the origin of D-16’s new name: Megatron.
In the movie, it’s intriguing to note that each of the villains possess a transformation device similar to Megatronus’, known as his transformation cog. Interestingly, Sentinel Prime adopts this cog as his own, and later, D-16 rips Sentinel apart in front of other Transformers, then integrates Megatronus’ cog into himself. It’s plausible that the cog might have some form of corrupting influence, even though both Sentinel and D-16 exhibited malevolent traits before acquiring it.
It seems clear that Transformers whose sparks contain darkness are somehow attracted to Megatronus, whether positively or negatively. Since Sentinel managed to acquire Megatronus’ cog, it’s probable he is deceased, along with the other Primes, making him unavailable for future conflicts. However, his essence persists in Megatron, who now poses a threat to the peace of Cybertron.
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2024-09-20 19:30