Transformers One rolls into theaters on September 20.
By Elazar Abrahams
Let’s get this out of the way—I’m not a die-hard Transformers fan. I’ve never seen the live-action films except for last summer’s Rise of the Beasts, but, like any guy, I know enough about the Autobots and Decepticons to get by. So, going into the new prequel flick Transformers One, I didn’t expect much. I was half correct; at best, the film is a serviceable origin story, competent but, much like the heroes’ home planet of Cybertron, lacks the spark to be something truly great.
Before the movie even starts, audiences are hit with the Hasbro studio logo, featuring every one of the toy company’s properties. A sure sign of late-stage capitalism? Seeing the Monopoly man grace the silver screen. Undeniably hilarious, and I’ll be waiting on an Operation movie announcement any day now.
As for the plot, Transformers One takes us way back to the origins of the Autobot and Decepticon conflict, setting up the classic showdown between Optimus Prime and Megatron. Optimus, once known as Orion Pax, starts the film as an idealistic rookie struggling to lead Cybertron’s peaceful society. Meanwhile, his best friend D-16 (soon to be Megatron) sees things differently. The Cybertronian government is failing its people, and his solution is more violent than Orion’s.
The film walks us through the rising tensions as both characters find their paths toward becoming the leaders of opposing factions. It’s pretty straightforward — spoiler, Orion becomes Optimus Prime, driven by his sense of duty to protect the innocent, and Megatron’s descent into power-hungry rebellion is inevitable. As you might expect from a prequel, it’s a familiar arc, but it’s well executed enough to keep you engaged, even if the pacing stumbles in the beginning.
The movie starts slowly. It’s clearly designed with families in mind, and the first act is full of the kind of safe, predictable storytelling that feels more like it’s aimed at holding younger viewers’ attention. Familiar tropes abound, and while it’s not bad, it doesn’t feel fresh either. Keegan Michael Key’s Bumblebee adds some comedic relief, earning a few chuckles, but even his quips start to wear thin as the film progresses.
The third act is where the film finally picks up steam. Once the conflict between Optimus and Megatron comes to a head, the action intensifies, and we get some truly engaging set pieces. Watching these two characters transform—literally and metaphorically—into the iconic leaders of their factions is satisfying. But even here, the chaotic fight choreography detracts from the excitement. There are so many rapid cuts and frenzied slashes that it’s often hard to follow what’s happening. The animation doesn’t do the action sequences any favors, making many of the fights feel more disorienting than dynamic. A little coherence goes a long way in a giant robot brawl.
On the plus side, the voice acting is consistently strong. Chris Hemsworth brings a sense of hope and earnestness to Optimus, while Brian Tyree Henry’s Megatron is a compelling mix of charm and menace. Their relationship as former friends turned enemies is the most compelling aspect of the film, even if it never fully capitalizes on it. The supporting cast, featuring talent like Laurence Fishburne and Scarlett Johansson, also turns in solid performances, elevating the material beyond what it might otherwise have been.
What I did appreciate was the dynamic between Optimus and Megatron. Their journey from best friends to bitter enemies gave the movie some emotional heft. It reminded me of other iconic rivalries like Elphaba and Glinda from Wicked, The Doctor and The Master from Doctor Who, and, of course, Professor X and Magneto from X-Men. It’s a tale as old as time: two characters with shared history finding themselves on opposite sides of a war.
In the end, Transformers One does its job—it delivers an origin story with just enough there to keep both newcomers and longtime fans satisfied. But pacing issues and disorienting action sequences hold it back from being the best version of itself.
I give Transformers One a C+.
TV and City 