Transformers One movie review

 

Transformers One movie review

When watching Transformers One, the latest addition to the alien robot saga, you might find yourself reminiscing about the chaotic charm of Michael Bay’s 2007 Transformers.

At the time, Transformers felt like a wild, over-the-top blockbuster—Bay’s signature action style blended with Hasbro toys. Over the years, the series has evolved into a cornerstone of franchise filmmaking, thriving in an era where intellectual property reigns supreme. Say what you will about Bay’s take, but in its early days, it had its own identity. Fast forward 17 years, and now we’re diving into an animated prequel aimed at a younger audience.

That might be the cynical view going into Transformers One, but by the time it wraps up, the film taps into a different sense of nostalgia—one that harks back to the excitement that ’80s kids experienced watching the original animated series and smashing their toy robots together.

This new installment, directed by Josh Cooley, ditches much of what we know from previous films and rewinds the clock, offering a well-constructed origin story for the Transformers universe.

Before Optimus Prime (voiced by Chris Hemsworth) and Megatron (Brian Tyree Henry) became arch-enemies, they were close friends—two miners from the lower classes, working to sustain their home planet, Cybertron. However, when they stumble upon a lead to the long-lost Matrix of Leadership—a vital source of energy—the duo, along with Elita-1 (Scarlett Johansson) and a young Bumblebee (Keegan-Michael Key), embark on a mission that not only changes the fate of Cybertron but also their friendship.

This film dives deep into Transformers lore, and while it’s solidly crafted, some of the dialogue feels a bit stiff. Hemsworth and Johansson don’t add much depth to their characters, though Henry delivers a convincing turn toward villainy, and Key provides lighthearted comic relief. These flaws, however, feel almost fitting as the movie reveals its true intention: to craft an engaging mythos with an element of playful fun.

This approach may explain the film’s unusual animation style—a mix of a vibrant, detailed Cybertron and visuals that sometimes feel reminiscent of a lower-budget children’s series. The result is a high-stakes animated feature that paradoxically appears both polished and slightly underwhelming.

Will fans be bothered? Probably not. The love for the Transformers universe shines through in every frame, and when the robot battles kick into high gear toward the finale, the action is punchy and exciting. Cooley’s film shows that a good spinoff doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, all it takes is an epic battle between heroes and villains, a story of loyalty and betrayal, and plenty of smashing robots.

Director: Josh Cooley

Writers: Eric Pearson, Andrew Barrer, Gabriel Ferrari

Stars: Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi

Rating: PG

Running Time: 1h 44m

Genres: Animation, Action, Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

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