The film adaptations of the Transformers franchise have had quite the mixed reputation, with a consistently middling critical reception despite acclaimed visual effects and consistent box-office success. After a history of mediocre live-action films (with more explosions than well-written characters), the series is just reduced to bloated and forgettable entertainment. However, this doesn’t apply to Transformers One, an animated feature that, thanks to outstanding performances and a plot with a surprising amount of poignance, soared beyond both fans and audiences’ wildest expectations in theaters on September 20th.
The film serves as the origin story of the friendship between Transformers Optimus Prime and Megatron before becoming sworn enemies after their falling out. This relationship is explored in detail and acts as the heart of the movie. Chris Hemsworth does a faithful job portraying the young Optimus, but it’s Brian Tyree Henry’s performance that emotionally captures the motivations behind Megatron’s actions. The rest of the star-studded cast nails their roles, and the brilliant character design and animation suit the emotions of the voices perfectly.
The visuals of the film are striking, especially in comparison to more recent CGI-based film releases. Additionally, Brian Tyler’s musical score accentuates the film’s pacing, the humor is consistently on point, and the entire film takes the franchise back to its roots, with a complex plot despite the constraints of the film’s PG rating. Transformers One is perfect for audiences looking for a movie that uses a 90-minute runtime to the fullest extent for a fleshed-out and character-driven adventure.