Awe. That’s the word that best describes the emotion I felt when Optimus Prime first transformed in front of Sam Witwicky and Mikaela Banes back in 2007. It was a stunning CGI achievement that would stand out for its technical prowess for over a decade’s worth of Transformers movies.

As impressive as that scene was, no one was pretending that Transformers was any good overall. But expectations were managed considering the source material was a toy line from the 1980’s. Despite this, several sequels later the franchise would move from awe inspiring to offensive and everything in between. Transformers had lost its spark, with every sequel proving repetitive, cumbersome, and borderline idiotic.

Some moments did hold their own (Anthony Hopkins going absolutely ham in The Last Knight is one example), but the franchise desperately needed a facelift. Bumblebee skirted around The Iron Giant‘s influence to deliver the franchise’s most substantive film to date. However, Rise of the Beasts threatened to divert the franchise back to its ridiculous direction.

One year after its beastly attempt, Paramount has wiped the slate clean. Josh Cooley has been brought on to direct this new vision that has abandoned live action in favor of animation. Writers Andrew Barrer, Gabriel Ferrari, and Eric Pearson have been tasked with exploring the origins of Optimus Prime and Megatron’s relationship. While a brand-new cast of actors have been employed to give everyone’s rock ‘em sock’ em robots their voice. The result is a visually striking, heartfelt, and exhilarating entry that quickly places itself as the franchise’s best.

After more than 40 years of existence, the toys and movies did little to add any emotional depth to the characters. In fairness, alien-transforming robots are not exactly the subject that merits deep psychological exploration. Yet Transformers One ensures there is emotion at the center of all the raucous action.

Years before arriving on Earth as sworn enemies, Optimus Prime and Megatron, then known as Orion Pax (Chris Hemsworth) and D-16 (Brian Tyree Henry), were coworkers and buddies at an Energon mining facility on planet Cybertron. Cybertron used to be a prosperous place where energon would flow freely, providing the planet with its life source. However, after a war against the Quintessons, the Energon supply would be severely depleted, leaving Cybertron struggling to survive.

Orion Pax is tired of the status quo that keeps him and his friends perpetually mining day and night for the precious element. His exasperation leads him to delve further into the planet’s history, eventually leading him and D-16 on a mission to save Cybertron and prove themselves as more than simple miners.

Along with their friends Elita-1 (Scarlett Johansson) and B-127 (Keegan-Michael Key), the robot quartet set out to retrieve The Matrix of Leadership (an ancient artifact of great power once wielded by the ancient primes) and deliver it to their leader, Sentinel Prime (Jon Hamm). Doing so would prove that there is “more than meets the eye” to the robots while saving Cybertron.

This trek allows Cooley to delve into Pax and D-16’s friendship and what eventually brings them apart. It is a more layered and in-depth approach than any Transformers film has offered to date. Cooley plays with the idea of how similar situations can drive different beings to vastly different conclusions. Pax and D-16’s struggle is parallel, yet their approach becomes increasingly at odds.

Transformers One does an excellent job charting D-16’s arc by carefully and methodically laying out the circumstances that would eventually pivot him toward becoming Megatron. Orion Pax’s nobility is unwavering throughout, yet the more powerful he becomes, the more he struggles to make the right yet difficult decisions to ensure Cybertron’s preservation. The results are surprisingly emotionally resonant, something that was severely lacking from the franchise.

Along with this breakdown, Transformers One offers commentary on class warfare and social injustice. In a not-so-subtle manner, the film also delivers dialogue directed in response to current sociopolitical affairs. Gone are the days of problematic stereotypes and robot balls. Thank goodness. Transformers One proves to be surprisingly thought-provoking for older audiences and provides ample teaching moments for little ones, too. But to ensure those first exposed to the robots don’t get bored, there is plenty of metal clanking action.

Animators went out of their way to make sure every action sequence looks unabashedly cool. Even though the furious pace sometimes makes it challenging to keep up and make out what’s happening, it’s just a great excuse to go back and watch Transformers One a second time. Minus the cartoony faces (needed to effectively portray emotion), the details on the robots are astounding. Every piece comprising the robots’ metal frames – including their withered and scratched qualities – is tactile. When they acquire new powers, they appropriately look like exciting, shiny new toys. Furthermore, animation allows for a convincing Cybertron to be created, making the case that animation is the best vehicle for the franchise going forward.

The new voices also bring their unique sound to the characters. Peter Cullen and Frank Welker hand the All Spark to Hemsworth and Henry. The duo brings affable chemistry to the Pax and D-16 kinship, making the result of their partnership more devastating. Hamm and his well-known charm make Sentinel Prime a convincing leader. Johannson injects the straightforward Elita with resolve while Key hilariously nails every beat as B-127.

A conversation was had between friends and me after having watched Transformers: Age of Extinction. Disappointment was the sentiment as an idea was discussed. What if the Transformers franchise abandoned Earth and focused on a story about their struggle on Cybertron? Would it be more emotionally resonant? Would it delve deeper into the lore of the characters? And if so, what would be the result? Will there ever be a Transformers movie to tackle those subjects? As I left the Transformers One screening, I pulled out my phone and texted those friends: this is the result, and it is exceptional. Transformers One is the one we’ve been waiting for.

Borja’s rating 8.5/10Watch Transformers One in theaters on September 20, 2024. Paramount Animation distributes the Hasbro property. Please check out other Sunshine State Cineplex reviews here!The post Review: TRANSFORMERS ONE – The Energon is Finally Flowing appeared first on Sunshine State Cineplex.