As a gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I’ve seen my fair share of transformations, both virtual and real-life. The latest addition to the Transformers franchise, “Transformers One,” has truly taken me by surprise. Coming from someone who’s not exactly a Transfan, this film is a delightful blend of action, humor, and emotion that even the uninitiated can appreciate.
Anyone who has watched a Transformers movie is familiar with the numerous creative robot transformations that the films are known for. However, except for the 2018 film Bumblebee, they’ve often been lengthy, heavy-handed spectacles that don’t offer much to those not deeply invested in the Hasbro toys. Yet, it’s delightful to share that the series’ first animated big-screen story in nearly four decades is a highly enjoyable origin tale that even those unfamiliar with the franchise can appreciate. The film is packed with laughter, both from its clever dialogue and visual gags, as well as unexpected emotions. This could be seen as a sign of new life breathed into the franchise.
The origins of stories can be a hit or miss (like Mad Max: Fury Road, for instance), but this one, similar to the latest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film, appears to have been enchanted by animation. It’s not entirely surprising given that the human characters in past Transformers movies often felt unnecessary.
If you’ve ever pondered the origin of the rivalry between Optimus Prime and Megatron, this movie provides the answer. Directed skillfully by Josh Cooley (known for Toy Story 4), it presents these characters in their early days as unassuming bots and miners on their home planet Cybertron. It’s important to note that I’m not a Transfan, so any details might differ from the canon. At this point, they haven’t taken on their well-known names yet; instead, we meet them as Orion Pax (portrayed by Chris Hemsworth, stepping into Peter Cullen’s impressive shoes) and D-16 (played by Brian Tyree Henry). As the narrative unfolds, a quick camaraderie forms between these two, driven by their mutual dislike for the ruling Transformers.
Orion Pax, who’s full of ambition, decides to venture onto the prohibited surface on a daring quest to recover the missing Matrix of Leadership. This artifact could potentially restore the vital Energon flow essential for their existence. He’s joined by D-16, initially unwilling, as well as Elita-1 (voiced by Scarlett Johansson, whose voice continues to be highly sought after) and B-127 (Keegan-Michael Key), a character who loves to joke and never stops talking. For now, he calls himself “Badassatron,” though later in the story he becomes known as Bumblebee.
As a gamer, I’d say it goes like this: “In my game, I stumbled upon a twist that revealed Sentinel Prime, the guy who seems so pompous and in charge, isn’t everything he claims. This revelation sparked an intense internal struggle. Along the way, I met some interesting characters, like Alpha Trion, the wise elder, and Starscream, the Decepticon with a uniquely quirky voice, reminiscent of Steve Buscemi.
Screenwriters Eric Pearson, Andrew Barrer, and Gabriel Ferrari skillfully blend humor and drama as they unfold their swiftly paced narrative. This tale, featuring the developing discord between its main characters, is reminiscent of classic storytelling. Throughout the journey, there are numerous opportunities for laughter, as the film shuns the popular trend of incorporating pop culture references in favor of subtle, humorous one-liners delivered in a dry manner. For instance, when one miner awakens following an accident during a racing competition, he queries, “Did I win?” He is then informed, “You participated.
The gorgeous 3D-style computer animation is a wonder to behold throughout, from the character designs (these seem the most expressive Transformers yet) to the elaborate action sequences (the race is a highlight) to the varied settings that make the environments seem fully lived-in. There’s so much visual imagination on display that multiple viewings seem essential to take it all in.
However, the stunning visuals alone wouldn’t be enough if Transformers On didn’t also boast a thoughtfully written plot, complex characters, and clever dialogue reminiscent of Pixar at its peak. Frankly, I never imagined I’d praise such qualities in a Transformers film.
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2024-09-12 16:24