Sometimes, the best movie experiences are the ones you don’t plan for. My friend and I recently headed to the theater, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” tickets in hand, ready for some spooky fun. But a wrong turn and a case of “can’t miss the opening scene” landed us in a screening of “Transformers One.” And you know what? I’m kinda glad we got lost.
Now, I’ll admit, I’m not the biggest Transformers fan. But with the promise of familiar voices like Chris Hemsworth (Orion Pax/Optimus Prime) and Scarlett Johansson (Elita-1) leading the charge, I was curious. What unfolded was a surprisingly engaging origin story, packed with action, heart, and some genuinely touching moments.
“Transformers One” throws us right into the heart of Cybertron, where we witness the early days of Optimus Prime and Megatron – before they were, well, Optimus Prime and Megatron. We see Orion Pax, a hardworking cog in the machine, yearning for something more. His mischievous spirit leads him and his best friend, D-16 (a scene-stealing Brian Tyree Henry), into a high-stakes race, where they discover their hidden potential and forge an unlikely friendship with the outcast B-127 (Keegan-Michael Key, bringing his signature comedic charm).
The animation is vibrant, the action sequences are thrilling, and the voice acting is top-notch. But what truly surprised me was the film’s emotional depth. We see the bonds of friendship tested, the allure of power corrupting, and the emergence of true heroism in the face of betrayal.
While the ending sets the stage for future installments (as expected with a franchise like this), “Transformers One” stands strong as a compelling story in its own right. It’s a film about finding your voice, fighting for what’s right, and the enduring power of friendship. And hey, it even managed to sneak in some valuable life lessons for families to ponder.
So, while I might have missed out on Beetlejuice’s latest antics (for now!), I stumbled upon a hidden gem in the world of Cybertron. Sometimes, a detour can lead to the most unexpected and rewarding destinations.
My rating: 7.0 Mainasty Masterpieces 
Rated: PG (USA)
Runtime: 104 minutes
Release Date September 20, 2024
| Screenplay by | Eric Pearson Andrew Barrer Gabriel Ferrari |
|---|---|
| Story by | Andrew Barrer Gabriel Ferrari |
| Based on | Hasbro‘s Transformers action figures |
| Produced by | Don Murphy Tom DeSanto Lorenzo di Bonaventura Michael Bay Mark VahradianAaron Dem |
| Starring | Chris Hemsworth Brian Tyree Henry Scarlett Johansson Keegan-Michael Key Steve Buscemi Laurence Fishburne Jon Hamm |
