In 2024, the beloved Transformers franchise takes a bold new direction with “Transformers One”, the first fully CG-animated film that delves into the origins of its iconic characters. Directed by Josh Cooley, known for his work on “Toy Story 4”, this film explores the early days of Cybertron, focusing on the complex relationship between Orion Pax (voiced by Chris Hemsworth) and D-16 (Brian Tyree Henry), who would eventually become Optimus Prime and Megatron, respectively. Set against a backdrop of societal struggle and ambition, the story reveals how these once-close friends are drawn into a cataclysmic conflict that forever alters their destinies. With a star-studded voice cast including Scarlett Johansson and Keegan-Michael Key, “Transformers One” promises to blend humor, heart, and action, making it an accessible entry point for newcomers while satisfying long-time fans eager for deeper lore in this expansive universe.

On September 11, 2024, Transformers One made its world debut in Sydney, Australia. On September 20, Paramount Pictures released the film in the United States. Critics gave the movie largely excellent reviews, praising the voice acting, animation, and plot. The movie has made $100 million worldwide.

Release date:

September 20, 2024 (USA)

IMDb Ratings:

⭐7.8/10

Rotten Tomatoes:

🍅88%

The unknown beginning story of Megatron and Optimus Prime, the deadly competitors who once bonded as brothers but were friends, altered Cybertron’s destiny forever.

Synopsis:

A group of sentient robots powered by Energon are equipped with a device that allows them to change into cars roaming the planet Cybertron. A robot named Orion Pax sneaks away to see a documentary that the original Cybertrons had made in the city of Lacon. Regretfully, Orion is apprehended by the security robots and imprisoned; however, he is freed by his closest companion, D-16. As the two resume their work in the cave, they capture Jazz, another miner, and their commander Elita-1 is demoted and held accountable for the event.

Sentinel Prime, the commander of the Cybertrons, claims to have repelled the invasion of the aliens as he makes his way back home after a mission to the planet’s surface. To celebrate, he then sets up a race. Orion and D-16 enter the race equipped with jet packs in an attempt to show that they are more than merely mining robots, but they are ultimately defeated. Just when Sentinel is going to give them a prize for raising their spirits, the two are captured again and forced to work in trash removal and incineration. The two meet B-127 while working on the project, and they find a chip with a distress signal from Alpha Triton, one of the primes, among all the trash. D-16, B-127, and Elita are persuaded to accompany Orion to his location. The latter approached them after observing them taking a train ride.

After climbing to the surface, the four find themselves in a cave containing prime corpses and a deactivated Trion. When Trion is brought back to life, they discover that Sentinel had betrayed the Primes and was secretly working for the same aliens from before, providing them with Energon supplies in exchange for giving him control over Cybertron. It also comes to light that he was the one who took the miners’ cogs out. Trion gives them a chip to deliver the proof of Sentinel’s betrayal and gears to enable them to morph. He arrives shortly with his army, captures Trion, and deactivates it.

The High Guard captures the robots as they attempt to return to Lacon to provide the evidence. Warbots are rebelling against Sentinel in the interim. D-16 manages to vanquish Starscream, their leader, but after discovering the truth about Sentinel, Orion starts to worry about his companions’ increasing hostility. When Sentinel and his men locate them, they engage in combat. Unfortunately, during the struggle, the evidence chip is destroyed, and the army of Sentinels takes D-16, B-127, and half of the High Guard back to Lacon.

Orion is encouraged by Elita to gather the remaining members of the High Guard and the clan and return to Lafayette. While doing so, Elita subdues the lieutenant of the Sentinels and encourages the other citizens to aid in their defeat by broadcasting her memory records. Sentinel is defeated by Orion and D-16, but during their argument over whether or not to put him to death, D-16 accidentally shoots Orion, killing him. D-16 observes his companion collapsing to the floor. After renaming himself “Megatron,” D-16 murders Sentinel and orders the High Guard to destroy Lacon.

Orion is accompanied by the primus and prime spirits, who bestow upon him the “Matrix of Power,” so resurrecting him and giving him the new name “Optimus Prime.” After that, Optimus battles and vanquishes Megatron and the High Guard, banishing them both. Cybertrons are restored by the Matrix, which also dries out Energon rivers and all of the miner cogs. Following that, Optimus transforms his group of companions into Autobots and warns the Quintesson invaders to avoid Cybertron. The Decepticons and the High Guard are renamed by Megatron, and the two intend to avenge their loss on Optimus Prime.