Returning to theatrical animation for the first time since 1986, “Transformers One” is an animated epic that takes fans back to the very beginning of Cybertronian mythology. It follows Orion Pax and D-16 on an incredible and heartbreaking journey as they become the bitter and iconic rivals we know as Optimus Prime and Megatron. Directed by Josh Cooley from a screenplay by Eric Pearson, Andrew Barrer, and Gabriel Ferrari, the film stars Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key and Jon Hamm. It is currently playing exclusively in theaters.
The film’s narrative stands apart from previous iterations of the franchise and uses familiar iconography to tell a new story, the heart of which is the friendship between Orion Pax, voiced by Hemsworth, and D-16, voiced by Henry. Their status as low-ranked Energon miners in the beginning gives audiences a new avenue to connect and relate to these larger-than-life characters. Orion is brave but reckless, while D-16 balances him out with a cautious approach to situations that occasionally let slip a simmering resentment at his friend’s antics. Though the script could have benefited by opening the story with their first meeting, it succeeds in getting viewers invested enough in this bond that it is all the more heartbreaking when it inevitably falls apart.
Cooley’s directorial style proves well-suited to the “Transformers” franchise. The CGI animation, while not at the same creative caliber as films like the “Spider-Verse” series, is still a delight to watch and enables some of the best action the franchise has seen. The fight scenes are kinetically creative and brutally impactful, thanks in no small part to composer Brian Tyler’s score.
The lineup of actors boasts some big names, but hearing their performances will quell any fears of stunt-casting. Hemsworth may not be the most seasoned voice actor, but he believably embodies a younger, less experienced version of Optimus Prime. Key is as funny as ever as B-127, while Johansson’s Elita-1 provides an anchor of stability for her troublesome comrades. Henry is the standout, imbuing the fledgling Megatron with pathos and vulnerability that soon gives way to vengeful rage, even if his story is somewhat rushed.
Overall, “Transformers One” is a superb installment and provides an outstanding foundation for the franchise to build on.
