A Storytelling Masterpiece
Fans were ecstatic when an animated installment of the Transformers franchise was announced. Animation, after all, opens up a whole new world of possibilities regarding what the Autobots could do, including transforming and a plethora of other effects, which would have been limited if it were live-action. The old-school CGI or effects from the original live-action Transformers films weren’t detrimental, but the creative choice to animate this prequel allows the planet of Cybertron to feel natural. More can be done, and that’s where the film truly shines. It’s upbeat, colorful, creative, fast-paced, and witty. But all the flashiness comes with a dark side. The character arc and transition of D-16 into the infamous Megatron fell flat and didn’t pack the punch it could have.
Transformers One was released in theaters globally on September 20, 2024, and raked in almost $27 million at the box office during its opening weekend. While this number hasn’t yet exceeded its $75 million budget, it’s receiving high praise and ratings for its fresh take on the franchise. Megatron and Optimus Prime will go down in history as one of the biggest rivalries in cinema history, but at one point, they were friends — brothers who always had each other’s back. Hard to believe, right? But Transformers One delves into that past, allowing fans to see how and when their lives diverge into good, Optimus Prime, and evil, Megatron. It’s a long overdue origin story between two infamous protagonists and antagonists.
Fast Pacing and Creative Animation
Transformers One is a quick movie with witty one-liners, flashy animation, and an intriguing plot. The film’s beat never lets up, gripping the viewer’s attention for the entire 111-minute run time. The movie jumps seamlessly from one scene to the next in rapid succession, and the animation is fluid. The movements of the Autobots are the perfect balance between static and lively, capturing the essence of living robots that can transform into different modes of transportation. The fight scenes and action are epic, with animated battles that pepper in the right amount of slow motion, dramatic moments, and jaw-dropping moves that satisfy one’s thirst for high-stakes brawls packed with meaning and the wielding of wills. It’s a different take on the Transformers franchise, focusing more on the plot and story than just Megan Fox’s looks, big explosions, and fast, talking cars — no offense to Michael Bay.
However, because the film was so fast-paced, it felt as though the moment when D-16 takes on the persona and lineage of Megatron wasn’t earned. During the first half of the film, the parts where we see D-16 and Orion Pax (soon to be Optimus Prime) are entirely focused on their friendship. Orion Pax, the more outspoken and bold of the two, often leaves D-16 to clean up after his friend’s mess by getting him out of trouble. Watching their relationship is fun, but D-16 is quiet, friendly, and pretty much exhibits no evil bolt in his body. When the plot twist unfolds in the middle of the film, the very scene that supposedly turns D-16 into Megatron, there seems to be a random switch. Now, all of a sudden, D-16 is angry and murderous. It wasn’t a slow transformation like these story arcs usually entail, but a sudden, reckless one that felt hollow and unearned. Perhaps his descent into evil might have been more realistic if the movie’s pacing slowed to allow a more realistic character arc.
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That’s not to say there weren’t quality moments in their character arcs. Transformers One is packed with them. For example, there is a sequence in which Orion Pax is falling somewhat lifelessly toward the center of Cybertron, ultimately meeting with the Primes, and a significant change happens, one that instigates his transition to Optimus Prime. These scenes are paired with ones in which D-16 is wreaking havoc on the city above, exacting his revenge and solidifying his descent into evil. It’s the point in the story where their arcs come to their highest emotional point. The result? A fascinating few minutes where we see the final moments in which D-16 transforms into Megatron and Orion Pax morphs into the Optimus Prime, their fates repositioned into that of enemies.
The Voice Actors Behind the Beloved Characters
Choosing the right voice actors for this film was crucial. The Transformers franchise is iconic for several reasons, but the voice actors for Optimus Prime, voiced by Peter Cullen, and Megatron, voiced by Frank Welker, in the live-action is one of the most infamous. These were big shoes to fill, but Chris Hemsworth as Orion Pax did an exceptional job, and Bryan Tyree Henry as D-16 was a great choice. They played off each other quite nicely, and their relationship felt genuine and authentic, thanks to the voice acting of these two Hollywood stars. Their voices carried emotional weight when it called for it but were witty and playful when fans needed a break from all the action. Along with Hemsworth and Henry, Transformers One stars Scarlett Johansson as Elita-1, Keegan-Micheal Key as Bumblebee, Jon Hamm as Sentinel Prime, Steve Buscemi as Starscream, and Laurence Fishburne as Alpha Trion. Everyone brought an element of voice acting that breathed life into the film and the origin story of Megatron and Optimus Prime.
However, the script felt too packed. Often, directors forget there is just as much power in silence as in words. The script was fun and full of good jokes that had moviegoers chuckling, but it felt as if there was too much that was said and not enough that was felt. It’s such a fine line to walk, and Transformers One had an engaging script, but there was not enough pause for dramatic effect, and not enough space was given to the moments that mattered the most.
Watch the Rise and Fall of Megatron
All in All, Transformers One is a highly entertaining film with brilliant animation, witty banter, and an exciting plot. Sadly, it falls flat regarding the nitty-gritty details of D-16’s arc, and the script sometimes feels too fast and too punchy. However, it’s still very much worth the watch, and while it takes on a different persona than the rest of the movies in the Transformers franchise, it’s an intriguing origin story of two of the most iconic characters in cinema history.
Transformers One is now playing in theaters.
Official Transformers One Trailer
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I am an aspiring author living and working out of Honolulu, Hawaii. I received my bachelor's degree in Art History at Westmont College and then pursued a master's in Museum Studies at the University of Hawaii. I am currently working on a few novels, and am thankful for the opportunity to expand my creative writing voice at Dead Talk Live.
