‘Transformers One’ review: Dir. Josh Cooley (2024)

Many rolled their eyes at the announcement of yet another Transformers movie. And it’s not difficult to see why. After spending 40 years invading television sets, cinema screens, and parents’ wallets, these robots have not been short on exposure. While the live action series has ebbed and flowed in terms of its overall quality throughout the years, animation has always been more affectionate towards the robots in disguise. Despite the franchise’ origins in animation however, there was a time when it wasn’t taken as seriously. Fortunately, in an age of ‘Into the Spider-Verse’ and ‘Mutant Mayhem’ that’s all changed. Find out our verdict on Transformers One below!

Rather than competing with any complex continuity issues raised by the Michael Bay series, this film takes things back to basics. Transformers One tells the story of Orion Pax (Optimus Prime) and D-16 (Megatron). Two lowly miner bots on Cybertron, thousands of years ago, who aspire to be more than the roles they were assigned at birth. This journey, of course, eventually culminates in the two best friends becoming the sworn enemies we know and love.

Based on the marketing materials alone, viewers may be expecting quite a different movie than the one they will receive. Thankfully however, this is a very good thing. Despite its light approach, with plenty of laughs along the way, audiences may be surprised at the darker and weightier elements of the narrative at play. Themes of oppression, slavery, and the abuse of power are strong and delicately interwoven alongside all the ingredients we expect from a Transformers story. In fact, this is all blended together so effectively that this may be one of the best IP origin stories we’ve ever seen.

The film is also exceptional in introducing us to characters we’re incredibly familiar with, but with a new take. Given its position as a prequel set many centuries in the past, it’s easy to see the natural evolution these bots will take on the path to becoming the characters we know. A fantastic example of a film both giving us what we expect, but also with a new twist, in a way that doesn’t court controversy. Die-hard fans will also find the beautifully animated production chock full of Easter eggs relating to the larger mythology. The ending in particular does not fail to deliver on that front.

Non-Transformers fans will certainly find a lot to enjoy here, but won’t get the same level of excitement at certain moments. The villain of the piece is also relatively forgettable and by-the-books, but their role is more symbolic than anything else. A physical obstacle to overcome, that becomes a representation of two differences in opinion that ultimately results in the destruction of a brotherhood.

In terms of voice actors, it’s absolutely stacked with star-power. From Chris Hemsworth as Orion to Keegan-Michael Key as Bumblebee, and the delightfully perfect Steve Buscemi as Starscream, everyone is on top form here. The real scene-stealer though, is Brian Tyree Henry as D-16/Megatron. Bellowing speeches and emotionally-charged outbursts like it’s Shakespeare, Henry completely disappears into the role and takes it to a whole new level.

Overall, the reverence with which this material is treated is unlike anything we’ve previously seen from a Transormers film (live action or animated). Yes, it’s a simple story, but the heavy subject matter combined with some dark twists will be enough to keep most entertained. Gorgeously animated and brilliantly realised, this could give a solid argument for the best Transformers adaptation we’ve ever had. And that’s a high bar considering how beloved Bay’s original is. Indeed, there is more to Transformers One than meets the eye.