Transformers One

Director: Josh Cooley

Writers: Eric Pearson, Andrew Barrer
Gabriel Ferrari.

Set as a prequel to the other cinematic Transformers adventures, this film is set on a desperate Cybertron. After a surface battle that claimed not only the lives of the Primes but also the Matrix of Leadership, a device that ensures the planet’s life source, Energon, flows freely. Without it the Transformers live under the planet’s surface. Here Sentinel Prime (Jon Hamm) needs to mine the planet for Energon. A team of miner bots, Transformers who cannot transform,  dig endlessly to support Sentinel Prime as he scours the surface looking for the Matrix. But when two bots Orion Pax (Chris Hemsworth) and D-16 (Brian Tyree Henry) want to prove their worth to Sentinel Prime, they head to the surface. However, it’s here they make a discovery that will change the future of Cybertron forever.

This is the first animated Transformers film since 1986 and what a lot of fun it is. As a prequel the film gives us the background story of characters that are a staple of the franchise. And importantly it, unlike the increasingly dull live action films, does so with a sense of fun and adventure.

Its voice cast is spot on, alongside Hemsworth, Henry and Hamm there’s also Scarlet Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi and Laurence Fishburne all turning in enjoyable performances. The script barrels along well and has a light touch with plenty of moments of humour.

The action is fast and furious and the animation is colourful and, while computer generated, it reflects its 80’s film and TV adaptations. And delivers a really enjoyable animated adventure.

Transformers One is an entertaining origins film. The script bounds along nicely with a good mix of action set pieces and humour. The animation is eye catching and the voice performances spot on. It’s an enjoyable animated adventure, that’s more fun than many of its live action predecessors. A strong addition to The Transformers film series.