Transformers One is the story of a race of robots who are more than meets the eye. Orion Pax (Chris Hemsworth) is a simple mining robot who dreams of more. His work harvesting energy for the planet’s population is necessitated by the disappearance of the Matrix of Leadership. Without it, Cybertron—his home world—lacks enough resources to operate. But Pax dreams bigger. He envisions a path to glory where he and his friends locate the Matrix on their own. In doing so, Pax believes he’d prove himself worthy of a career far better than his current mundane existence. With that mindset, Pax ropes in his best friend D-16 (Bryan Tyree Henry) to embark on an adventure that will unwittingly change Cybertron’s future forever.
What works in Transformers One is its emphasis on playful creativity. After several iterations and permutations, director Josh Cooley (Inside Out, Toy Story 4) wisely goes back to basics with the franchise. Cooley makes the most of his animated sandbox with upgraded Transformer designs and fantastical action. The characters’ aesthetics have a perfect blend of nostalgic nods, practical modernizations, and cleanliness. When the adventure goes into high-octane mode, these design decisions allow for the audience to really become engaged and immersed without missing a frame. On that note, Cooley also knows tonal pacing. In the quieter moments, the fantastic script from Andrew Barrer, Gabriel Ferrari, and Eric Pearson (Thor: Ragnarok, Black Widow) balances dramatic character development and laugh-out-loud humor. Simply put, Transformers One is the complete package.
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People already familiar with the franchise may appreciate Transformers One more than others. While the film serves as the perfect introduction point to the series, there are likely references, homages, and sprinkles of foreshadowing that may not land with the uninitiated. Otherwise, entertainment levels are primarily dependent on interest in the premise. If the notion of robots that turn into vehicles, and then race and/or fight appeals to you, this is a film not to be missed. If that pitch doesn’t sound like your cup of bolts, you may want to give this one a pass.
Transformers One is an excellent family film. Within its lean runtime, this origin story packs in comedy, thrills, and plenty of stakes. By the closing, audiences will feel invested in these new versions of the characters and feel fully satisfied from the ride. Highly recommended that you roll out and see this one in theaters!
Recommended if you enjoyed: Guardians of the Galaxy, The Incredibles, The Sea Beast
Transformers One is available to see in theaters starting on September 20th.
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