Another week, another IP release. It really does feel like we see a sequel, prequel, lega-sequel, or reboot of one franchise or another almost weekly. Surprisingly, no original films have cracked the top ten at the domestic box office thus far in 2024, and that doesn’t seem to be changing any time soon. This isn’t to say all of these films are bad, but it sure does feel like you need to do a lot of homework to be a modern regular moviegoer.
Thankfully, Transformers One is a breath of fresh air because it’s made for longtime fans and newcomers alike, no homework necessary! The film acts as an origin story for several beloved Transformers characters such as Optimus Prime (Chris Hemsworth), Megatron (Brian Tyree Henry), Elita One (Scarlett Johansson), and Bumblebee (Keegan-Michael Key) as they go from lowly miners to robots of importance. It goes without saying that the voice acting in this is amazing, with the core being star-studded and the rest of the supporting cast showing their talent throughout the film.
Led by Sentinel Prime (Jon Hamm), the last true leader of the Transformers, the rest of Cybertron’s inhabitants work to mine Energon, the power source that keeps everyone alive, as the planet’s supply no longer flows after the Matrix of Leadership was lost decades ago to war. I know what you’re thinking, this sentence alone makes the film seem inaccessible to inexperienced viewers, but the film does a fantastic job of laying everything out in an understandable way.
The best part of the film is that it doesn’t rely too much on the past and instead creates a wholly unique story that can introduce this world to a new generation of fans. There are no overt references to the Michael Bay live-action films, and only minimal callbacks to the animated series and animated feature film from back in the day, all of which allow the story to stand on its own.
The animation is illustrious and distinct, not just making a carbon copy of other animation styles used at Pixar, Dreamworks, or even the Sony Spider-Verse series. Color is its own story-telling device, as Cybertron is a muted, bleak metropolis. Bright colors signify power and importance, only seen prominently on the leaders and overseers of the city. This allows for some stunning animated moments when characters are suddenly bursting with life and color, as well as one particular character’s menacing red eyes with a small streak that lags behind their movements.
The film is thematically consistent with many other franchises, consisting of a questionable government or ruling body and the few that are attempting to right the wrongs imposed on the citizens. It’s always interesting that films want to instill this rebellious spirit into young viewers that is often ultimately beaten out of them as they grow older. There’s no argument about how inspiring it can be to see your heroes, fictional or not, stand up for what they believe in and try to do the right thing, but the system dismantling that occurs in these films would certainly be frowned upon if it were to happen to the studios and Hollywood powers that be.
The power dynamics on display in Transformers One are not too dissimilar from how a lot of life in the United States looks right now. Of course, there are somewhat different systems in place here but the goal of these systems remains the same: protect those in power so that others can’t have it. “Grown-up” films with similar messaging often get labeled as political, but why is that? There’s little discernable difference found in the themes of films like Transformers One and Judas and the Black Messiah (2021), yet critics and audiences deem the latter political. A group of people coming together against a corrupt government that’s out to get them is the core schematic of both films, the only difference is the intended audience and visual delivery.
Films made for young people are not taken as seriously, thus the ideas they put forth are not viewed as such. It’s important to show films with juicy ideas to children and young adults because it can be an entryway for them to start thinking critically about the world, even in small ways. Combine this with movies like Inside Out (2015) that teach us about emotions and relationships and kids have many insights and perspectives about the world as they grow up.
Transformers One is a powerful entry in the Transformers universe, with an exceptionally original story not rooted in nostalgia and an amazing voice cast to propel the film to the next level. Its strong animation and themes make for a brilliant starting point for new fans and provide longtime fans with a unique twist on the origins of the most prominent figures this world has to offer. As theaters get crowded with the fall slate, you’ll want to add this to your list of films to see on the big screen.
Review Courtesy of Cameron K. Ritter
Feature Image Credit to Paramount Pictures via Nerdist