On Cybertron in Icon, a miner robot named Orion Pax breaks into an archive and watches a recording about the planet’s creation before being interrupted by the security bot Darkwing. His friend D-16 helps him escape, while Sentinel Prime broadcasts his quest to find the Matrix of Leadership, which is needed to restore Cybertron’s Energon. After a volatile Energon explosion traps fellow miner Jazz, Alita-1 is blamed for the incident and fired. Sentinel invites everyone to the Ikon 5000 race, and Orion and D-16, eager to prove themselves, enter using jetpacks but lose. Although they face punishment, Sentinel seems impressed, while Darkwing tasks them with smelting them without any contact. There, they find a chip containing a message from Alpha Trion, asking for help against the Quintessons and providing a map of its location. Determined to recover the Matrix, the bots follow the map to the surface, inadvertently bringing Aelita along with them. After the train derails, they continue on foot and eventually escape the Quintesson ship, and locate Alpha Trion in a cave. The old chief informs them of new secrets. These findings lead them on the path to realizing their true nature.
Transformers One explores how Orion Pax, a spirited young bot, transforms into the serious leader we know as Optimus Prime. He is also accompanied by his best friend, D-16, who would become the formidable Megatron. The narrative charts their friendship through light-hearted misadventures, showcasing a dynamic that changes as the burden of their destinies increases.
As the story unfolds, their harmony faces challenges which gradually gives rise to their tragic rivalry. This transformation is underpinned by deep themes of friendship, ambition, and the cost of their choices, setting the stage for the epic conflict that will define their destinies. With a rich blend of humor and emotional depth, the film promises to wow both old fans and new audiences alike, as it re-imagines the origins of two of the most beloved characters in the Transformers universe.
The voice casting is nothing short of extraordinary. Chris Hemsworth as Orion Pax and Brian Tyree Henry as D-16 create a dynamic that feels like two college friends who struggle to fit in and treat everything like a game . It’s refreshing to see Optimus portrayed as a playful and optimistic character even in hopeless circumstances. Brian Tyree Henry effectively portrays the bitterness of a believer disillusioned with a false idol. Comedian Keegan-Michael Key shines as the motormouth Bumblebee, while Scarlett Johansson delivers some great lines as supervisor robot Alita. Jon Hamm also makes a strong impression as the double vigilante sheriff.
The 3D animation is spot on. This is probably the first time that we have got a chance to see the planet Cybertron so clearly. The director has added nice touches, like the deer herd’s ears turning red when they sense danger, the robots being reduced to common miners duped by the corrupt government and being able to learn by exercising and even sleeping. Even though they behave almost like humans.
In short, the film has something to offer for first-timers and dedicated fans alike. It gives the perfect introduction to the world of Transformers. And thankfully he avoids the bombastic approach of Michael Bay’s films, even if produced by him. Watch it for its layered original story and strong voice acting from the cast.