Sep 21, 2024

'Transformers One' Review Roundup: Critics Praise Storytelling, But Not So Enthusiastic About Visuals

This weekend, Paramount will release its first fully animated film in nearly 40 years, Transformers One. The Paramount Animation production is directed by Pixar veteran Josh Cooley, who last helmed the Academy Award-winning “Toy Story 4.”

Critics have responded favorably to the film, which is relatively rare for the “Transformers” franchise, with 88% supporting the film on Rotten Tomatoes (as of publication). Many critics say that this Optimus Prime and Megatron origin story, aimed at a younger audience, is dramatically satisfying even for those unfamiliar with the franchise's lore. However, it may be difficult to convince audiences to give it a chance, especially in the visually claustrophobic and uncomfortable universe depicted in the trailer, and many reviewers offered various negative critiques of the film's aesthetic.

Here are a select sentence or two about the film from various critics:

“Cooley has accomplished the unlikely feat of finding something new to say about a very familiar franchise character in Toy Story 4. He has accomplished the same thing here, inventing elaborate backstories for characters who, despite their great appeal, were not known for their rich sense of history or psychological depth.” - Matt Zoller Seitz, RogerEbert.com

“But what grounds the story in a mountain of science fiction terminology and lore is the compelling and strong bond these male protagonists have developed. There is a gravitas to their relationship that makes the heartbreak of their eventual separation feel self-inflicted.” - Carlos Aguilar, LA Times

“In the origin story, the actual transformations are fairly limited, but Cooley keeps trying and eventually reaches a final act that incorporates all of the Transformers, sometimes sold on an operatic scale, which is a welcome It is.” - Brian Orndorff, Blu-ray.com

“Gorgeous 3D-style computer animation is a delight, from the character designs (which look like the most expressive Transformers ever) to the elaborate action scenes (the races are stunning), the environments fully brought to life The whole thing is a marvel to behold, from the character designs (which look like the most expressive Transformers ever), to the elaborate action scenes (the races are spectacular), to the varied settings where the environments seem to have come to life completely.” - Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter

“The camera constantly swivels, and the violence - assault weapon lasers, booming cannons, mild torture, martial-arts barrage, beating rivals with his own severed limbs, constant pounding - is nauseating.” - Mark Kennedy, AP News

“That philosophy may explain the film's confusing CG style - one that can have a rich Cybertronian universe but also revert to what feels like a B-grade children's TV spin-off. The result is a blockbuster animated film that somehow manages to be both very expensive and inexplicably cheap. - Brandon Yu, New York Times

“At a time when many CG animated films are boldly experimenting, the odd mix of natural lighting and realistic textures here often feels uncanny. Glossy realism collides with deliberately blocky, toy-like character designs.” - Kambole Campbell, Empire

“While delivering the fun and excitement expected from Hasbro's transforming robots, Transformers One presents the most sophisticated on-screen portrayal to date of well-known characters, with nuance and complexity ( In some cases, even a violent final resolution) in its approach.” - Todd Gilchrist, Variety [21].