Transformers One Movie Review: Better Than Expected

Show-stopping action and mature handling of key characters make Transformers One a worthwhile entry in a wobbly blockbuster franchise.

That sequence features Orion Pax (Chris Hemsworth, of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga) and D-16 (Bryan Tyree Henry, of Bullet Train) taking part in the Iacon 5000 race, with an ever-shifting racetrack that feels worthy of the Wachowskis’ Speed Racer. Even if the overall narrative of that scene is incredibly predictable, there isn’t a single moment where the emotional stakes between the two mining robots don’t feel tangible. The visuals are surprisingly detailed and look vibrant on IMAX 3D, while the striking animation moves in fluid, hyperkinetic ways.

Of course, it doesn’t reach Bay’s poetry, but it’s still impressive to watch nonetheless, especially when the two use their quick-witted skills to prove to all citizens of Cybertron that there is more than meets the eye. It’s playful and often jaw-dropping, something I never expected to see realized on screen after the awful trailers made it look like the tamest kiddie cartoon imaginable. It felt like a total regression from what Bay established in his wobbly and increasingly galaxy-brained five installments, and a betrayal of what made these movies so special. I won’t say I liked most of what Bay did in these movies. However, I respect his commitment to cinematic exhilaration so much that any image I would see from Transformers One’s trailer genuinely made me miss him deeply, especially with how listless the previous two installments, Bumblebee and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, looked.

But this is far from the actual finished product in Transformers One. Barring a few egregiously unfunny scenes that all involve B-127 (Keegan Michael-Key, of Wonka), the film’s actual story is surprisingly mature and smart, showcasing how the aforementioned miners became the autobots we know and love, with the exception of D-16, who eventually becomes Megatron. This is the movie’s most fascinating arc, and the reason why it shocked me with how good this is. In the Bay films, Megatron is your no-nonsense despicable Decepticon leader. Very little development, angry and evil all the time. The motivations are paper-thin, because the only thing that matters in Bay’s world are explosions.

Cooley’s take on Megatron is way more intriguing and profoundly human, giving purpose to a character that has often been mistreated on film and television. It’s why when he eventually shifts into a darker path after Alpha Trion (Laurence Fishburne, of Slingshot) tells him the truth of the miners’ upbringing within Cybertron that we deeply feel – and understand – his plight. His vision is twisted, of course, but we understand why someone would react this way after they learn that their entire existence, from their birth to now, has been nothing but a lie.

Cooley and screenwriters Eric Pearson, Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari smartly draw a friendship between Pax and D-16 that’s so compelling that it’s hard not to fall in love with their goofy, death-defying antics in its opening scenes. It’s also what makes the rise of Megatron equally gut-wrenching to watch (a great parallel cut occurs near the end, after Megatron’s transformation is complete, where we see how the two robots meet. It almost puts a lump in our throat). It truly feels like seeing a best friend you grew up with go down a rabbit hole, where you’re completely helpless in trying to get him out of. We know Megatron will never come out of it, and one pivotal moment during its show-stopping climax confirms his fate.

It’s also the scene where we observe the birth of Optimus Prime – a thrilling moment for any Transformers fans, both new and old. Hemsworth doesn’t have the same gravitas as Peter Cullen (frankly, no one will), but he’s much better than I imagined he would be. He plays him with a younger, more optimistic personality that drastically changes when he obtains the Matrix of Leadership and realizes what’s at stake.

The same is said for Tyree Henry, who imbues D-16 with so much pain and anger that it’s hard to look away at his psychological transformation, even when he reaches past the point of no return. Unfortunately, they’re joined by weakly developed supporting characters, such as the never-ending punchline B-127 who’s never funny, and becomes even more grating by its end, and Elita-1 (Scarlett Johansson, of Her), who has nothing of interest to do, even when the characters eventually ‘transform’ and become the respective characters we know and love.

But Cooley has more than one trick in his arsenal and more than makes up for its lack of inspiration in its screenplay (the villain plot twist hits like a thud, because it’s a telegraphed bad guy from the minute he appears friendly to Orion and D-16) with enough jaw-dropping action to keep us engaged. And since the story is handled in a universal way, where kids will enjoy the more cartoonish aspects of the movie while adults will marvel at its technical proficiency and wrestle with its darker themes, there’s little doubt few will dislike Transformers One. Hell, I was the biggest skeptic of them all. While I wasn’t entirely sold on the full package, I’d gladly see another one of them made with Cooley at the helm, who has now made his mark in the world of animation in a meaningful way. Though if the Transformers/G.I. Joe crossover is not directed by Michael Benjamin Bay, I will be the first to riot. 

Transformers One is out now in US theaters and will be released in UK & Irish cinemas on October 11, 2024.