acid reflects

Who knew that, after so many releases, the Transformers franchise could (still manage to) engage the audience emotionally? Totally didn’t expect to enjoy Transformers One. Did I just get more than what my eyes met?

I had low expectations, as many probably have. The typical movie going and pop culture audience should be reasonably familiar with the warring factions of Autobots and Decepticons on a metallic planet far, far away who somehow continued their war here on Earth. After all, we have been subjected to a long history of films, tv shows, video games and toys since the comics and original animated show first appeared in September 1984.

Transformers One returns to the planet Cybertron, before the rivalry began.

Orion Pax (Chris Hemsworth) and D-16 (Brian Tyree Henry) are two lowly mining bots among many non-transforming bots assigned to dig out precious energon crystals from deep inside their planet.

They discover a beacon that seems to lead to the Matrix, a legendary gem that has the power to restore the flow of energy on the planet. They agree to seek it out, recruiting the bubbly B-127 (Keegan-Michael Key) and the reluctant former security Elita-1 (Scarlett Johansson) along the way.

Above ground, the beacon leads the group to Alpha Trion (Lawrence Fishbourne) – one of the ancient original Prime defenders of Cybertron against the invading alien Quintessons. Alpha Trion reveals the truth about the death of the Primes and Sentinel, who has since lorded over their city of Iacon. He gifts the group with Transformation cogs, enabling them transformation power.

Also on the surface, the group meets the former High Guard of Cybertron led by Starscream (Steve Buscemi) who seek revenge against Sentinel. D-16, who has taken Sentinel’s deception personally, muscles his way against Starscream to gain leadership of the soldiers. But Sentinel’s guards surprise them, capturing many and defeating the rest.

Orion recruits the remaining to free the citizens from Sentinel’s slavery and bring Sentinel down. But D-16 would rather do things his way and use his new power to create a new society. Thus the rivalry begins.

How they literally become Optimus Prime and Megatron is the ultimate highlight of the film, grandiose in dramatization, enough to send the audience to rapt applause, with a few tears shed I’ve been told (not mine, but I was close.)

In terms of lore, I think the newest revelation is adding an heirarchal (or class) system in the city that places non-transformers at the bottom of the societal heap. This makes the last third of the story somewhat of a traditional workers’ revolt against the elite, except that the other leader of the revolt intends to take authoritarian control.

What makes this a big fun to watch is the humanizing of the robots, who speak in relatable, often humorous terms – their personalities leaping off the screen from the script to the voice acting, and expressive faces that are an improvement over the designs of previous Transformers. So much so that I think Hemsworth can now do more voice acting assignments and give the other Chris (Pratt) a challenging run for his voice money. Well, maybe.

Cybertron is a fully-realized alien metallic world from underground to surface – which I admit I couldn’t appreciate from the trailer. Let’s admit that the trailer looks like a mashup of all the film’s highlights (which it is) and doesn’t give off alien planet feels right away much like how trailers of Avatar did it.

But characters with heart and a story with a clear dramatic arch is what sets this apart from all previous Transformers editions. Kudos to well-oiled writing, and steady direction from Josh Cooley. Some shots look amazing in 3D.

There are many callbacks to old school 80s Transformers (from the design of the bots to their voices, to familiar phrases and items. Hello, GoBots!) but the story is enjoyable and easily digestible enough for newbies. Smart editing keeps this war movie safe viewing even for youngsters (with their guardians’ supervision.) Stay until after the end credits for additional scenes.

I have to shout out Brian Tyler’s amazing music here, not just weaving old themes with new notes to fit the scenes, but a movement that elevates the contrast between Orion and D-16 especially in the climax.

Transformers One is a surprisingly effective refurbishing of the brand, a heartfelt reworking of an old rivalry and positively the start of an exciting new way to enjoy this franchise.

Overall a badass origin movie for what will be an expected new universe of movies and Hasbro toys.

(Images and trailer link courtesy of Paramount Pictures International)