Transformers One
Release Date: 11th September 2024 - Australia (Sydney)
Production Companies
Hasbro Entertainment (presents)
New Republic Pictures (in association with)
Di Bonaventura Pictures
Tom DeSanto/Don Murphy Production
Bay Films
Distribution
Paramount Pictures Australia
Genre: Animation/Family/
Sci-Fi/Action
Rating: PG
Runtime: 104 minutes
Budget: $147,000,000
Box Office Gross: $119,034,862 (Worldwide - figure subject to change)
Plot Summary
In this untold origin story,
archenemies, Optimus
Prime and Megatron were
once known as Orion Pax
and D-16, who were best
friends and bonded like
brothers. Ultimately, their
relationship will forever
change the future of
Cybertron.
Voice Cast
Chris Hemsworth - Orion Pax/Optimus Prime
Brian Tyree Henry - D-16/
Megatron
Scarlet Johansson - Elita-1
Keegan-Michael Key - B-127
Steve Buscemi - Starscream
Laurence Fishburne - Alpha Trion
Jon Hamm - Sentinel Prime
Isaac C. Singleton Jr. - Darkwing
Vanessa Liguori - Airachnid
Jon Bailey - Soundwave
Evan Michael Lee - Jazz
James Remar - Zeta Prime
Steve Blum - Announcer Bot/Guard 1
Jinny Chung - Chromia/Arcee
Josh Cooley - Control Room Guys/PA System/Skywarp
Dillon Bryan - Injured Racer
Director - Josh Cooley
Story/Screenplay - Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari
Screenplay - Eric Pearson
Executive Producers - Olivier Dumont, B.J. Farmer, Bradley J. Fischer, Zev Foreman, Greg Mooradian, Matt Quigg and Steven Spielberg
Producers - Michael Bay,
Murphy, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Aaron Dem and Tom DeSanto
Co-Producer - Cyrus Shaki-Khan
Head of Story - Bobby Rubio
Production Designer - Jason William Scheier
Art Director - Gerald de Jesus
Character Designers - Amy Beth Christenson,
Evan Whitefield and Chris Voy
Head of Cinematography - Christopher Batty
Visual Effects Supervisors: ILM -
Frazier Churchill and Alex Prichard
Visual Effects Producers: ILM - Fiona Chilton,
Corinne Tong, Dan Cortez and Rosalind Stratton
Animation Supervisors: ILM - Stephen King,
Kim Odi, Rob Coleman and Rick O'Connor
Layout Leads: ILM - Joshua Cordes
and Marcus Bain
Creature Supervisors: ILM - Evan Jacobson,
Zehn Yang Lee and Eric Wong
Editor - Lynn Hobson
Sound Design & Supervision - Scott Martin Gershin
Re-Recording Mixers - Juan Peralta
and Michael Semanick
Music/Score Mixer - Brian Tyler
Review
Hello, everyone. Since I returned from Fremantle, WA, I have not written a single critique in the past few months, opting instead to post some obituaries, update my reviews, etc. I haven't spent as much time reviewing as I used to, mainly because I've run out of ideas and couldn't concentrate. Fortunately, I watched the latest release of TRANSFORMERS ONE in cinemas near the end of September and a few others before, so I resumed blogging for this special occasion.
Forty years have passed since the beginning of Transformers, which started as a Hasbro toy line, a comic book and a cartoon series before it morphed into a global franchise. The live-action Michael Bay movies (minus a few, like 2007's Transformers and the prequel/reboot Bumblebee) are a mixed bag among audiences and fans, with each entry making more profit at the box office. Unfortunately, the series rusted throughout the decades, beginning with 2017's Transformers: The Last Knight and ending with 2023's Rise of the Beasts, in which the latter became its lowest-grossing feature.
In the wake of the animated Spider-Man movies and the recent animated TMNT movie, Paramount and Hasbro saw a golden opportunity to reinvigorate the Transformers film franchise and take it to where it all began in its animation roots. The franchise has not had an animated feature for decades, not since the original in 1986. However, TRANSFORMERS ONE has a Pixar-like 3D animation style that takes it to the next level and immerses you back into the world of Cybertron as you've never seen it before. Mind you, it was in the early concept stage back in 2015. Almost a decade later, the movie came out, which was phenomenal and honestly, I liked it. It's a welcome change from the live-action movies, which didn't have the core that makes a good Transformers movie, which is precisely why it needed it in the first place.
What makes TRANSFORMERS ONE so much better than the live-action Transformers movies is that there are no humans in this story, as it focuses on the iconic robots, which is part of its back-to-basics approach. The storyline is clever and engaging as the writers become familiar with the world of Transformers and incorporate it into a character-driven narrative with resonant themes of friendship, trust, loyalty and regret. It explores the origins of what life once was in Cybertron before the war and the early friendship between Optimus Prime and Megatron (known as Orion Pax and D-16 in this movie) before they became lifelong adversaries, which is what the relationship between Anakin and Obi-Wan should have showed as much in the Star Wars prequel trilogy. You can't help feeling choked up by how this relationship between the pair ends in this movie because it is tragic.
I liked all the easter eggs they sprinkled into the film. Other than the main characters, I recognise several Transformers names. There are plenty of references that older Transformers fans remember, including a hint of Stan Bush from the original film and a little nod to the GoBots in TRANSFORMERS ONE. Director Josh Cooley is no stranger to toys, as his experience of helming Toy Story 4 for Pixar has taught him anything and proved he can do nothing wrong with this animated origin story as he knows how to treat a franchise with respect.
The voice cast is incredible. Chris Hemsworth is a surprisingly good casting choice as a young Optimus Prime. However, many fans were apprehensive about Hemsworth taking over the role from the legendary Peter Cullen, considering that the Australian actor has an unrecognisable voice that doesn't match the distinctive guttural delivery that Cullen has. Fortunately, Hemsworth pours his roguish charm into the younger version of his character and makes it his own before developing into the authoritative baritone that people love to hear in Optimus Prime's dialogue. Brian Tyree Henry was terrific as D-16/Megatron but shines on the fury and rage we come to expect from the evil Decepticon leader. Keegan Michael-Key had a lot of comic energy when playing B-127, a.k.a. Bumblebee. Unlike the previous films where he barely spoke, it's nice to see him given more personality and dialogue. Scarlett Johansson delivers serious spunk in Elita-1, capturing her stern, exasperated mannerisms and driven emotions. Jon Hamm is excellent as Sentinel Prime.
The character designs are a throwback to the original G1 figures, with just enough facial detail added to prevent them from falling into the uncanny valley. Cybertron's surface is familiar, with shimmering formations that change over time and creatures that are fascinating. The 3D animation is sleek, stunning, and imaginative, courtesy of Industrial Light & Magic, the same visual effects house that worked on the Michael Bay live-action movies. The action sequences were exciting and fast-paced, which kept me enthralled. Brian Tyler's score is superb, which is ironic since he is familiar with the franchise as he co-composed the music for the Transformers: Prime animated TV series.
Action-packed, beautifully animated, humorous and heartfelt, TRANSFORMERS ONE reignites the spark that the live-action Transformers movies have been missing and is the best film in the franchise. While it doesn't feel like it's pandering to young kids despite being marketed as such, it's suitable for Transformers fans of all ages. The best way to celebrate the legacy of the Transformers, this film is more than meets the eye. So, roll out in theatres before you miss it, until then, till all are one.
Star rating: (10/10) Best Movie Ever
