Movie Review: 'Transformers One' Delivers a Fresh Spin on a Weary Franchise
- Details
- Category: New Series and Movie Reviews
- Published: Saturday, 21 September 2024 12:12
- Written by Lupe R Haas
Before Megatron and Optimus Prime were sworn enemies, they were good friends in the origin story, TRANSFORMERS ONE. The animation pops off the screen on an IMAX projection, and Optimus Prime's birth will send chills down your spine.
In the first-ever fully CG-animated Transformers movie, TRANSFORMERSONE features the voice cast of Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi with Laurence Fishburne and Jon Hamm.
Orion Pax and D–16 are good friends on Cybertron, where they slave away in the mines, producing resources to power the planet. Orion Pax seeks a better life, aspiring to become a Prime. He drags along D-6, an unadventurous Cybertronian content with his status.
The gang includes future Autobots, Bumblebee (Key) and Elita-1 (Johansson) who embark on an adventure to the surface where they uncover a secret that would change their lives. Along the path, iconic Transformers make cameo appearances.
The star-studded voice cast impresses with their energetic performances as young Transformers. The standouts are Chris Hemsworth as Orion Pax who voices the character in his own manner rather than imitating Peter Cullen, the beloved voice behind Optimus Prime. Of course, the future Bumblebee, B-127 steals the scenes with humor and a cuddly nature under Keegan-Michael Key’s voice command. Jon Hamm also delivers the goods as Sentinel Prime.
The animation is striking and vibrant on an IMAX screen. The animation style fits a robot story that is devoid of human characters.
The fish-out-of-water storyline brings a refreshing change to the Transformers franchise, shifting the focus away from non-stop action and explosions.
The characters eventually become the familiar Autobots which is to be expected but Orion Pax’s transformation into Optimus Prime had the audience cheering. The scene is heavily influenced by anime and is glorious to watch.
TRANSFORMERS ONE is a family-friendly adventure that’s sure also to satisfy the hard-core Transformers fan.
TRANSFORMERS ONE is now playing in movie theaters.