SYNOPSIS: “Transformers One” is the origin story of the two Transformers titans, Optimus Prime and Megatron, and how they altered the fate of Cybertron forever.
CAST: Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi, Laurence Fishburne, Jon Hamm. Directed by Josh Cooley.
REVIEW: “Transformers One” is the story of an ideological split that drives a wedge between two lifelong friends. Nope, it’s not the story of you and your college pal who has decided to vote for Trump, it’s the animated origin story of the leaders of the Autobots and the Decepticons, the twins towers of the “Transformers” series.
When we first meet them, Orion Pax (Chris Hemsworth) and D-16 (Brian Tyree Henry) are
Cybertronian workers who can’t shapeshift into cars, guns or anything else. They are designed for work, nothing more. Under the rule of Sentinel Prime (Jon Hamm), who they view as a kind and benevolent leader, the pair work in the mines harvesting valuable commodities.
Before they become frenemies they have a great vibe, and the film is a fast-paced blast, filled with humor and heart. It’s a buddy movie, complete with good natured ribbing between the two, some slapstick shenanigans and a bit of playful competition before D-16 allows feelings of betrayal to colour his view of the world.
As their relationship sours, the film becomes darker, but that transformation brings with it an emotional element that while inevitable, also feels bittersweet.
Hemsworth, alongside Keegan-Michael Key as B-127 (ie: Bumblebee) and Scarlett Johansson as Elita-1, deliver solid voicework, but Henry is the MVP. On his way to becoming antagonist Megatron, D-16 has the biggest character arc, and Henry gives this bucket of bolts real personality and effectively conveys the sense of disillusionment that was the catalyst for his trip to the dark side.
The animation is slick and imaginative, although the battle scenes are often so frenetic it’s hard to discern who is fighting who. Still, the visuals sparkle, especially the inventive sci fi landscapes in the background of the above ground scenes.
“Transformers One” is a standalone movie, one that offers up copious Easter Eggs for longtime fans, and a top-notch, entertaining entryway for new fans.
I’ll be reviewing three movies this week, everything from transforming robots to the fountain of youth and bad guys who fix problems.
“Transformers One” is the origin story of the two Transformers titans, Optimus Prime and Megatron, and how they altered the fate of Cybertron forever.
In “The Substance,” a new splatter film starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, and now playing in theatres, Hollywood actress Elisabeth Sparkle is willing to do anything to be younger, more beautiful, more perfect, including using a new, black-market drug that promises to create “the best version” of herself. The cell-replicating substance does indeed create a new, younger version of Elisabeth, but youth comes with a price and some potentially horrifying side-effects.
In “Wolfs,” a new crime comedy now on Apple TV+, George Clooney plays a fixer hired to cover up a high-profile crime. His night spirals out of control when he’s forced to work with an unexpected counterpart played by Brad Pitt.
I’ll be reviewing three movies this week, everything from transforming robots to a nasty critic and a deadly vacation.
In “His Three Daughters,” a new family drama now playing on select theatres before moving to Netflix on September 20, three estranged sisters—Carrie Coon, Elizabeth Olsen and Natasha Lyonne—come together to look after their ailing father. As his health declines past issues are confronted as they attempt to put their past demons behind them.
“The Critic,” a new, melodramatic thriller starring Sir Ian McKellen, Gemma Arterton and Mark Strong, and now playing in theatres, sees a powerful London theater critic lure a struggling actress into a blackmail scheme.
In “Speak No Evil,” a new psychological horror thriller movie starring James McAvoy and now playing in theatres, a dream holiday turns into a living nightmare when an American couple and their daughter spend the weekend at a British family’s idyllic country estate.
SYNOPSIS: “Transformers One” is the origin story of the two Transformers titans, Optimus Prime and Megatron, and how they altered the fate of Cybertron forever.
