“Transformers One” Review: This Genesis Has Got The Touch, It’s Got The Power!

“Transformers One” brings the legends of Cybertron’s past to life in this new animated film, telling the tragic story of sworn enemies Optimus Prime and Megatron. Indeed, this tale has been a long-awaited tale that we fans have been waiting for. It’s one for the books, just a story about the Robots In Disguise, no humans in sight, and a good focus on fleshing out these characters’ pasts.

“Fate rarely calls upon us at the moment of our choosing…”

Directed by Josh Cooley (“Toy Story 4”), the film comes in hot on the wheels of last year’s “Rise of The Beasts”. Indeed, this entry aims to fill in the gaps that viewers of the prior films might have been asking. What happened back on Cybertron? Was war all that they knew? Why were Megatron and Optimus Prime always at odds with each other?

The film begins, well… inverted in a sense, telling us to forget everything we know about what’s about to unfold. The cityscape of Cybertron’s capital, Iacon City drapes downward to the ground. On one of these hanging structures, we spot a bot, recognisable in all his red and blue glory, climbing toward an entry point. He’s desperate, as his gears tick, but eventually, he finds a way in.

Yes, we are introduced to our hero, Orion Pax (Chris Hemsworth) – the bot who eventually becomes Optimus Prime – but what’s he looking for in these Cybertronian Archives? He’s searching for the whereabouts of the legendary Matrix of Leadership, a symbol of great power that the primes used to wield. However, with their disappearance, lost, the artefact has become.

All seemed well until Orion was spotted by a security drone, alerting nearby guards who gave chase atop the plunging heights of the city. And boy what a chase it was. Dizzying, vivid, and whiplash-inducing, it set a tone for how the rest of the film would play out. And yes, it’s paced quickly, with events constantly in motion, and gears always clicking.

Orion eventually escapes with the help of his friend, D-16 (Brian Tyree Henry), and the rapport between the two is evident. seeing them jive and roll over the other is a little jarring. Orion is the more playful brother among the two, a little rebellious. D-16, on the other hand, tends to favour the conservative approach to dealing with problems.

“One Shall Stand…”

The brotherhood angle between these two would-be leaders is not a new concept. While mostly glossed over in the original series when the brand was being built, other recent media have delved deeper into this relationship and fleshed out these characters on their home turf.

Indeed, we can say that Paramount initially deceived all of us with the marketing for this film (it fits thematically too). When the first trailer was released in April, many were perplexed by the comedy-centric tone – which in hindsight was a move to get the kids, we guess. Nevertheless, the tone here is more balanced; serious, fun, hilarious, and a tad violent all at different times.

While we do think that the younglings will have a fun time due to the colours and wonders of Cybertron’s geography, there’s also a ton of mature goods and even social commentary used to paint the plot. It’s still simple but the way it’s executed is well done.

Well, you see, there are two classes of Cybertronians: the ones with ‘transformation cogs’ – the organ that allows a Cybertronian bot to convert – and those without, thus invoking certain societal classism. Those without the ability were relegated to getting their hands in the sludge and carrying out dangerous work in the sub-levels of Iacon, getting their tailpipes roasted now and then with the constant threat of unstable Energon.

So, that’s the way it was. D-16, Orion, B-127 (Keegan-Michael Key), Elita-1 (Scarlett Johansson) and a myriad of other bots lived their lives, without ever realising that there is more to them than meets the eye! It’s only when they get pushed out onto the Cybertronian surface, that they discover the layers of lies that their society has been built upon.

The film does well in maintaining this as part of the conflict which shapes the two leads into what they will eventually become. Orion’s ‘optimistic’ nature lets him see the good in situations and the bots surrounding him. Even though he may be facing a devastating revelation, Orion chooses to be the shining light whereas D-16 walks the darker path. Due to them having a huge camaraderie throughout, the final blow in their division becomes heartbreaking.

The idea of Chris Hemsworth voicing Optimus Prime proved divisive among fans as he was seen as replacing Peter Cullen, who has voiced the character since 1984, and still is. However, this is a new portrayal, a younger version, brash at times, and we think that Hemsworth does well with it. There’s a little Odinson cockiness that he imbues into Orion, and it helps build a character that has to mature and see himself as a leader at some point in time.

As much praise as we have for Orion, there is even more praise for Brian Tyree Henry’s turn as D-16. It’s a different type of voice role for him – having played Miles’ dad in the “Spider-Verse” films. To see him change his voice, from a buddy-like figure to the main villain is just a testament to Brian’s range as a vocal performer.

D-16 is the type who wants to follow, no, he believes in the rules set by society. A big part of his personality longs for his peers to get in line because insubordination or rebellion causes bad things to happen to him. As such, when the set rules are eventually to be built on lies, his rage becomes more apparent. To him, it’s the utmost betrayal.

“One Shall Fall…”

There’s no doubt that he will embrace the darkness. There’s no question that the iron-clad tyranny of Megatron would eventually come out in full force. However, it’s not something that happens in a flash, and this gradual bend is what makes it more tragic, and poignant.

Moving on to a certain yellow bot, this version goes back to the basics, unbound from the muted chains that Michael Bay strung around the character. B-127, as he would be called throughout – you can’t fault Cybertron for not having any Bumblebees on it – is definitely the comedic highlight here. While his inability to speak made him even more of a household name, this time, Key takes a 180-degree spin, utilising the verbose aspect of himself.

It’s a breath of fresh air, though a little annoying at times, but it works in getting the most laughs out of the cast. He talks wayyy too much and likes calling himself “Badassatron” as again, he does not have a valid moniker. And Key does sprinkle some nods to his jokes from the “Key and Peele” shorts in there. Trust us, it’s hilarious.

Elita-One is one of the characters who is thrown into the mix by accident. The superior to both D-16 and Orion in the mines, she’s an ambitious fembot who dreams of getting promoted. She’s in constant need to achieve and prove herself. So, when she has to tag along for the ride, she begrudgingly helps the trio in the hopes of getting home.

Scarlett Johansson isn’t a newbie to voice roles so she fits into Elita seamlessly imbuing her strong personality into the pink bot. While she doesn’t do much to help with the dynamics early on, she does come to be the advisor to Orion, adding some heart to the plot, and aiding him in his journey to become the leader of the Autobots. And she does have some sweet action scenes to go with that, so go Elita!

One of the elements we love is how colour and scale were used as visual cues to portray the development of the main leads as they progress across the film. It’s extremely apparent how the animators wanted to show that D-16 and Orion were opposite sides of the same coin. As they grew in stature, it showcased how they were able to overcome their obstacles, opposing those in power. It’s just that how they did it was very different.

In the case of Megatron, it’s even more apparent with the flashes of darkness that lash out from time to time, during which his optics flash a bright shade of red, foretelling his corruption. As the rage grows, so does the tint, until there is nothing left but the blood-red hatred in his eyes.

Action-wise, they were slick with it. It’s got a chrome shine to its fireball sequences. As we mentioned earlier, it’s a little dizzying as they chase and battle at great heights. One of the more fun sequences comes during a race that Orion and D-16 enter, requiring them to use their wits and resources as opposed to those with vehicle forms.

As for the lore, oohh, as Transformers fans, we ascended and went to heaven! It’s not often we see mentions of the larger universe, harkening back to the Cybertron of years past. It’s taken very seriously as part of the plot and we appreciate Cooley and the entire team behind this project for putting so much effort into getting this aspect right!

Yes, we are gushing about “Transformers One”! It’s got a Spark and soul and it’s such a delight to see our favourite heroes get their due. There were so many strong qualities in them which was sadly not the strongest aspect of Bay’s films. The best one out of those was the soft reboot of “Bumblebee”, but even then, the main character was still a human. So, you can’t blame us for having so much joy, in witnessing our favourite characters get their due screen time.

And for once, these designs or names have not been butchered.

Now, we know that the filmmakers have not used all their cards to the fullest in hopes of making a trilogy for this continuity. After seeing “One”, we’re all here for it! It’s a good dawn, and they can expand upon the geography and lore of Cybertron as there are so many unique places and characters that we have not seen yet. As of now, this is a solid 8. If they can up the stakes, break it down even more and build upon this one, we will have something to be elated about in the future!

Regardless, most of all, the relationship between Prime and Megs has merit now. It’s a tragic, poignant one, and we want more. We are here. We are waiting… Cue the Linkin Park song.

“Transformers One” is currently rolling out in cinemas nationwide!