Transformers One, directed by Josh Cooley and stars Chris Hemsworth as Orion Pax, Brian Tyree Henry as D 16, and Scarlett Johanssen as Elita-1, brings the iconic brand back to its animation roots offering a fresh take on the mega-franchise.
As a huge fan of animation, I wanted to see if this film could capture the essence of what made Transformers fun for a new generation – one that doesn’t share my nostalgic connection to the franchise.
On top of that, I was hoping this wouldn’t be just another cash grab like the previous movies, which often felt repetitive and soulless.
While the animation itself wasn’t ground-breaking, with the wide angles of Cybertron providing some nice visuals, it was never about the visuals for me.
The charm of this film lies in its character development and storytelling. Orion Pax and D-16 had a compelling dynamic, their back-and-forth filled with humour and meaning.
Their internal struggles, especially their evolving identities, added depth and created tension that gave weight to their journey.
I do love the hero’s journey, who doesn’t?
This felt palpable because the voice acting was great, and they had a superb script to work with.
These weren’t the Optimus Prime, Megatron, and Bumblebee we were used to, this was the origins story.
Though the plot felt predictable at times, with certain twists easily spotted from a mile away, it didn’t detract too much from the overall enjoyment – though it does raise a broader question about Hollywood’s tendency to stick to familiar tropes.
They weren’t as daring as they could have been, and I can understand the reluctance to break too many conventions with such a beloved franchise.
Still, I wish they had taken more creative risks.
However, this was my only nitpick from an otherwise fantastic viewing.
So, where does that leave us?
Most importantly, is it worth your time and hard-earned money? Absolutely.
I had lots of fun with my kids watching this.
Both old and new fans will be pleasantly surprised by how much it gets away from the stale previous installments.
So, bring your kids and enjoy it on the big screen.
Instil in them a love for going to the movies – something that’s becoming a dying pastime, but one of my favourite memories growing up.
Let’s keep the tradition going and give praise where it’s truly deserved.
