Transformers One tells the origin story of both Optimus Prime and Megatron. Although they become enemies, they start out as friends, miners named Orion Pax and D-16. Orion is a bit of a dreamer, and always looking for a way to prove he’s more than just a miner. Conversely, D-16 is more content in his role, but gets caught up in Orion’s schemes. After one of Orion’s plans backfires, they make a discovery that leads them on a journey that will expose long hidden secrets and may be the key to saving their world.
It is interesting to go back and see the beginning of the Optimus Prime and Megatron relationship, but it’s not a very inventive story. You can make a guess at how the story will play out almost right away. But as an attempt to reboot the franchise, it’s not bad. And this is definitely aimed at a younger audience, so perhaps the story will seem fresh to someone not quite as jaded as I am. Still, I was hoping for something more.
Although I thought the story predictable, the underlying theme of change and transformation was interesting. Neither Orion nor D-16 (and many others) are able to transform at the start of the movie. They receive the ability to transform by taking chances and seeking to help their planet. And of course, there is their final transformations into the leaders Transformer fans know. They eventually take different paths (one wanting to bring hope, the other looking for vengeance), but both are on a journey to be more than meets the eye.
Like most Hollywood animated movies these days, Transformers One goes for a recognizable cast instead of voice actors. Chris Hemsworth and Scarlett Johansson are the two most recognizable (I think), but it has a stacked cast, and that’s kind of the problem. None of them are bad, but they’re too recognizable, and that kept taking me out of the movie. And while both are good as Orion Pax and D-16, neither Hemsworth nor Brian Tyree Henry generates the gravitas needed when they become Optimus Prime and Megatron. I think it would have been better with good voice actors, maybe even some of the originals, that could vocally shape the characters instead of just sounding like themselves.
The area where Transformers One truly shines is with the animation. I loved how the movie looked. Cybertron itself is brought to life. The main city is vibrant and colourful, while the mines have a darker, dingier look to them. The Transformers themselves are very detailed, and even when there are dozens in the same scene, it never feels like just carbon copies of each other. Each one has its own identity. And the way the look of both Orion and D-16 changes as they progress from miners to transformers to leaders is nicely done.
After so many ‘live-action’ Transformers movies, it is nice to see it go back to animation for this reboot. Everything just works better for this franchise in animated form. I had gotten tired of the CGI mess that the ‘live-action’ movies had become. And for any complaints I have about Transformers One’s story, at least it is something different. The last few entries had all been the same basic story just with some different Transformers each time. I am at least interested in where this reboot goes from here.
While better than many of the ‘live-action’ Transformer movies, Transformers One never fully engaged me. Truth be told, I’ve never been a big Transformers fan so maybe that played a role. It’s not a bad movie, and I did like it for the most part. I like the idea of going back and exploring the origins of the conflict, but the story was too predictable. But again, this movie isn’t really aimed at me, and I think a younger audience will enjoy it more. And I can even see where older fans would like this as well. It may not have been more than meets the eye, but it ain’t half bad. If you’re a Transformers fan, I think this is worth watching.
Have you seen Transformers One? Are you planning to? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.