Transformers One (2024)

'Transformers One' is pretty cool. I found it really interesting to see the origin story of how Optimus Prime and Megatron became what they became. Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry are perfect for those aforementioned roles, Henry particularly impresses as the latter.
Keegan-Michael Key, Scarlett Johansson and Jon Hamm manage to standout too, I'd say this definitely has the best performing cast of the Michael Bay-involved flicks from this series (I'm aware this is not officially part of the live-action franchise, but with Bay attached it practically is).
The animation style is terrific, there are some gorgeous visuals in there; the backdrops, specifically. The score is also noteworthy, as is the humour actually; Key, though not exclusively, is naturally at the forefront of that department. I don't have complaints with this film, evidently.

After the original orgasmatron, we find ourselves back at the very start of the transformer's history with all of the "Prime" contraptions having been destroyed in a war and now only "Sentinel Prime" exists to lead the bots in a self-perpetuating existence of mining for the fuel that allows them to continue to mine for the fuel. You get the drift. Many of the robots don't have the cogs in their chests necessary to do any transforming, and that includes the lively "Orion Pax", his pal "D-16" and their feisty supervisor "Elita-1", but when a series of incidents occur that sees them escape from their mine onto the forbidden surface they discover an whole new truth that questions not just the history that's been drummed into them, but the very integrity of their leadership. Thing is, can they do anything to thwart a dastardly plan the could ensure the bots stay slaves for ever? As origin stories go, this is one of the better ones. Plenty of action throughout sets a story that doesn't rely (too heavily) on your knowledge of the Hasbro universe, it just allows you to root for the good guys as they battle the menacing and overwhelming forces lined up against them to ensure the new status quo endures and the dead stay exactly that. The story deals with the usual aspects of brotherhood, loyalty, ambition and though there's little actual jeopardy throughout - and, less face it, it's part of an ongoing franchise that's going to run, and run, and run - there's plenty to enjoy as it sets the scene for what's to come. It probably does need a cinema screening to get the best from the grand scale animation and visual effects, and the story and characterisations are not half bad, either.