I grew up with Transformers, I have seen at least most of the hit or miss Michael Bay movies, and I am always eager to see where the franchise goes next. I was not expecting Transfomers One to not just be the best piece of Transformers content ever released, but genuinely one of the best movies of 2024, animated, kid-focused or otherwise.
Transformers One tells the origin story of Megatron and Optimus Prime, a rarely explored topic in Transformers canon, and anything that may seem like that may not bear much fruit given that we know who the two characters are. But you wouldn’t be more wrong if you had that idea, because this is an emotional, story-rich, action-packed movie that will please both one and both fans, and even if you’re not a Big Transformers fan, I think. It’s available enough to enjoy a cool robot movie. Maybe even as a starting point for young people towards a new generation entering the franchise.
However, as I watched I was thinking is this a kids movie? It’s rated PG but it’s probably the most R-coded PG movie I’ve ever seen. Not really, of course. No swearing, blood or nudity. But these fights are brutal at times, despite being metal-only carnage, and the entire tone is just way more intense than anything we see at this rating level. I’m definitely not saying not to show it to kids, but just understand that you’re getting into something that is not as goofy or lighthearted as you may be picturing.
Transformers One relies not only on the most productive animation in the industry, but also on a stellar voice with Chris Hemsworth perfectly fulfilling the role of the iconic, now more youthful Optimus, although the immortal Peter Cullen will continue to be the “real” one. “voice of the character. There’s also Scarlett Johansson, Brian Tyree Henry, Jon Hamm, Keegan-Michael Key, Laurence Fishburne and even Steve Buscemi. An absolute list for that.
The film is available to rent now on paid streaming services, and there is a refrain among fans that it did not earn as much money at the box office as it deserved, just $124 million worldwide, maybe profitable on a pre-marketing $75 million budget, but it’s unclear. Yes, it deserved more though. Fellow robot-based kids movie, The Wild Robot, earned double that, and though great, I’d argue Transformers One is the better film.
When I say it’s one of the most productive videos of 2024, I’m not exaggerating. Yes, it can help to have a connection to the franchise, but millions of people have it, and if they do, it’s not to love. this film. Check.
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Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.
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