From the very first ten minutes, Transformers One delivers a jolt of fresh energy that surpasses all the live-action Transformers films by Michael Bay. Josh Cooley’s animated take on the beloved franchise is nothing short of a visual and narrative delight. With animation that dazzles and a voice cast packed with Hollywood heavyweights like Chris Hemsworth (Optimus Prime), Scarlett Johansson (Elita), Bryan Tyree Henry (Megatron), and Keegan Michael Key (Bumblebee), this film has everything a Transformers fan could ask for.
Optimus Prime and Megatron, as former friends, bonded like brothers. Their relationship ultimately changes Cybertron’s fate forever.
The film succeeds in balancing action-packed sequences with comedic moments that land perfectly. The humor feels organic, with some standout jokes—particularly a Go-Bots reference that’s a real crowd-pleaser. The voice performances are stellar, with Hemsworth bringing a refreshing, younger vibe to Optimus Prime, and Bryan Tyree Henry offering a deeply layered portrayal of Megatron. Their dynamic, as former friends on the verge of a tragic fallout, adds emotional depth to the film, propelling the story forward with more gravitas than the typical Transformers fare.
Josh Cooley, best known for his work on Toy Story 4, proves to be the right fit for bringing the Transformers universe into animated form. His signature touch is evident in the perfectly timed comedic beats and the heartfelt character interactions. The bond between Optimus Prime and Megatron is central to the story, and Cooley does a fantastic job of showing their brotherhood unraveling in a way that feels compelling and emotionally resonant.
The film also takes full advantage of its animated medium, presenting breathtaking battle sequences on Cybertron that would be nearly impossible to capture in live-action. The visual splendor is complemented by a sharp and witty script, which includes some of the franchise’s most memorable lines. One of the movie’s most memorable moments is when Optimus tells Megatron, “You don’t have the Touch, you don’t have the power,” a cheeky nod to The Transformers: The Movie (1986) that fans will love.
While it may not completely reinvent the wheel, Transformers One is a breath of fresh air for a franchise that desperately needed it. This is a must-see for fans of the series, both old and new, and sets a high bar for any future entries in the animated Transformers universe.
Transformers One is in cinemas from 11 October 2024
