Before Michael Bay’s live-action Transformers films and the myriad of spin-offs, the Transformers Generation One cartoon aired in 1984. The creators designed the show solely to sell the toy line that Hasbro and Takara jointly developed before The Transformers: The Movie told an epic story that eliminated the characters (toys) to make way for a new cast of Transformers (and new toys to sell). Needless to say, the IP is no stranger to changing its narrative focus and shifting stories in service of profits— something that’s become all too prevalent in today’s Hollywood blockbusters. So, it feels almost ironic that Transformers One, the new prequel from Paramount & Hasbro, is filled with artistic integrity and a dedication to the lore of the series like no other Transformers film before it.

Director Josh Cooley (Toy Story 4) and his team of incredibly talented animators have one goal in mind: to fully expand on the deep mythos of The Transformers. They accomplish this through a compelling and tragic story that leads into where we find the most popular characters of the franchise at the start of the 1984 television show. However, Transformers One isn’t a film that gatekeeps or discourages those unfamiliar with the origins of the autonomous robots. Instead, the film strikes a perfect balance, welcoming both new and old fans, and serving as a touching tribute to the original series that started it all.

Transformers One tells the story of Orion Pax (Chris Hemsworth) and D-16 (Brian Tyree Henry), two miner bots who tirelessly work to extract energon from Cybertron, their slowly decaying planet. Right from the start, the movie changes the perspective on Transformers; instead of making them larger-than-life robotic lifeforms who tower over humans, they are just regular beings trying to get by on their planet. It’s this critical aspect that helps make the movie so engaging. Optimus Prime and Megatron have always been mythic figures in the great struggle between Autobots and Decepticons, but how this divide between the species even came into existence is what is at the heart of this story, with a more intimate look at the motivation of Optimus and Megatron before the weight of leadership was thrust on their respective shoulders.

Hemsworth and Henry’s voice performances as Orion and D-16 are incredibly convincing, as they are younger versions of the voice actors we have heard in previous iterations of the two iconic Transformers. Henry’s D-16 is more subdued, vulnerable, and hopeful, whereas Hemsworth’s Orion is a reckless and intense character whose longing for purpose leads him to make dangerous choices. The dichotomy makes the friendship feel genuine, which makes the inevitable heartbreak hit that much harder. The characters’ designs also exude a sense of youth, with the literal empty holes in their chests signifying an innate need for autonomy and a sense of self. 

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Cooley and his production team have crafted a fully realized Cybertron, a rarity in Transformers media. Unlike the typical portrayal of Cybertron as a dark, grungy, metallic, and lifeless planet, Transformers One depicts it as a vibrant world with its own society, jobs, and way of living. The film smartly delves into the history of those in power on Cybertron, exploring class division and the corruption that stems from a lack of change in authority. It’s remarkable that an animated film, primarily aimed at younger viewers, would tackle such intense political themes.

Orion and D-16, in an attempt to impress the current leader of Cybertron Sentinel Prime (Jon Hamm), uncover the Primes’ dark history and the need to expose corruption to free the planet from tyranny. Aided by Elita-1 (Scarlett Johansson) and B-127 (Keegan-Michael Key), Orion and D-16 find the purpose they’ve longed for, but at the cost of their friendship. Transformers One conveys all the emotions our characters go through during Cybertron’s tumultuous power struggle with impressive animation. The 3D animated film is nowhere near as revelatory as something like the Spider-Verse films. However, there are moments on Cybertron’s surface when the characters and the world come to life in truly stunning moments. There’s an inconsistency in the look of the Transformers. Sometimes their surfaces read as metallic, other times they read as plastic. Still, the animation team does an overall superb job humanizing the robots in disguise. 

For longtime fans, Transformers One feels like a dream come true. The series’ lore is ever present, with subtle touches in story beats and character and object designs that echo the look and feel of the show, handled with reverence and respect previously unseen. From Starscream’s (Steve Buscemi) whiny voice to the energon cubes that give life to the planet and the characters, consistency in aesthetics and worldbuilding is one of the best aspects of the movie.

Moreover, while the animation isn’t revolutionary, the action sequences are. Transformers One is about our favorite characters growing as leaders and fighters, including learning how to transform together. While Michael Bay’s efforts in the early films were impressive, the transformation scenes in the later years would become lazy and incomprehensible. Thankfully, the animation in this film beautifully details every mechanism and body part that transforms into a vehicle. The fight choreography also incorporates all the forms between robot and vehicle, resulting in some of the most thrilling and captivating fight scenes in a Transformers film yet.

Unfortunately, the film stumbles through its ending, almost rushing to where we find the characters at the start of the Transformers story, with the Autobots and Decepticons, led by Optimus Prime and Megatron, going to war. Regarding the character’s developed aggression, D-16’s fade into becoming the Decepticon leader feels overly rushed and forced in some aspects. However, the motivations behind his wanting to do away with the existing power structures feel entirely justified and almost have you rooting for him to succeed. On the other hand, Orion Pax’s rise to leadership, thanks to his unwavering commitment to freedom and hope, results in some of the best character moments for the Autobot leader. Hearing Hemsworth and Henry slowly morph their voices into the classic versions of the characters is a chill-inducing story beat, thanks to the talented cast.

Transformers One’s respect for the mythos and its phenomenal voice cast result in a heartbreaking story that viewers of any age can enjoy. While it rushes through some character development – characters like B-127 and Elita-1 feel a bit one-note – the world of Cybertron feels more engaging than ever before. The search for purpose and the opposing ideals to achieve a sense of self-worth drive the narrative more than toy sales. While it’s clear this film is set for a potential sequel and a new franchise, it’s still a step in the right direction, making Transformers One more than meets the eye.

Rating: 8/10

Transformers One is Playing in Theaters on September 19