Ever since the release of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse it appears the animation medium has become more and more experimental, creative and unique. Realistic animation from the likes of The Good Dinosaur and the How to Train Your Dragon series has been replaced with more vivid, comic-book like visuals as well as more distinctive animation features. Look at Puss in Boots: The Last Wish or Nimona for examples of this and it appears every animation studio is pushing the medium forward in new and interesting ways. Paramount Animation has decided to do the same with Transformers One, a film centred around Cybertron and the Transformers in the days before war ravaged the planet apart. The result is a film full of life and colour, alongside a mysterious story and compelling characters.
Josh Cooley is the person responsible for directing Transformers One and his past credits include working on storyboarding and other processes at Pixar for films like Ratatouille, Up, Inside Out and he even directed Toy Story 4, an emotional and sorrowful story about saying goodbye to friends. His talent is unmatched and his influence is all over Transformers One. The film starts off rather generic with two Transformers, Orion Pax and D-16, who are close friends and work in some mines on Cybertron but they wish for more. This is before they became Optimus Prime and Megatron, and the film explores their friendship as they end up learning more about their history and legacy which challenges them to confront the current ruler of Cybertron, Sentinel Prime.
Transformers One on the surface may look and feel like a film to promote toys to kids in time for the festive season. It definitely looked that way when it came to marketing the film and sadly the film was not pushed as much as it should have been because the final result is something completely different. What starts off with some lighthearted comedy soon turns into a dark tale of trust, going up against the people that you look up and questioning everything you thought you know about your culture. These themes are pretty hefty but the film balances them perfectly. The script, editing, cinematography all shine throughout the film. The transforming elements in particular are a highlight and the ending will surely give you goosebumps for those familiar with the characters and lore of these robotic extraterrestrials.
Transformers fans will gain a lot out of the experience but the film is also designed to introduce new audiences too, which is a great benefit for a film that acts as a prequel in a way. It has no ties with the live action films apart from a few character similarities and objects of power. Apart from that you can go in knowing the basics of these characters. Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry both do admirably with bringing this iconic characters to life and Jon Hamm, Scarlett Johannson and Laurence Fishburne all equally bringing some weight and levity to the film in fun and interesting ways.
Transformers One may start off in a way that makes you feel like you’re in for a very basic story and a by-the-books plot, but much like the characters that is just a disguise for a story that slowly opens up more and soon explodes with colour, style and pathos. The film looks visually stunning, unlike anything else I have seen and that works a lot in its favour too. The film is fun and charming and has an instant re-watchability to it too. It is a film with strong ambitions and it delivers on everything it promises.
★★★★☆
4/5
Final Verdict:
It is very surprising to say that a Transformers film like this exists. Transformers One on the surface seems like a cash-grab film to sell toys and milk the franchise. Instead we are treated to a deeply personal story about legacy and about culture. Each character has a story to tell, and even though there is a lot of comedy, there is equally a lot of seriousness too. Josh Cooley has managed to craft a film that has a spark to its heart and will undoubtedly win fans and newcomers alike to this franchise in a very fresh way.
Thanks for reading today’s blog!
Alex Murray, the Head of Eyesight Productions
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