Transformers One premiered on September 20, 2024, to a middling office reception. However critics and fans have praised the movie for its mature tone and deep emotional center, as well as the faithful adaptation of some of the series most beloved characters. 

The film follows D-16, voiced by Brian Tyree Henry, and Orion Pax, voiced by Chris Hemsworth, as they attempt to recover the matrix of leadership and restore the planet of Cybertron. D-16 and Orion Pax become Megatron and Optimus Prime by the end of the movie respectively, their journey having led them to opposite views on how to proceed with creating a new Cybertron. While this origin story has played out in many Transformers media before it, Transformers One chooses to infuse an emotional depth into this relationship that has only been explored on a surface level before now.

The major difference between this movie and media prior is that Orion and D-16 are genuine friends. While the two have often been allies in the rebellion against the corrupt systems within Cybertronian society before, they very rarely have been anything more. By establishing upfront that two not only have a positive but extensive history, the viewer is able to invest themselves in their friendship. This creates a deeply engaging contrast between the onscreen relationship and the foregone conclusion of the two’s destinies. Thus, due to this investment, the film’s conclusion holds a new weight that propels its emotionality.

However, the film also handles returning elements very well. Characters such as BumbleBee and Elita-1 remain faithful to their original characterization, though this is one of the first movies in recent times that contains BumbleBee with an intact voice. This makes sense, as it is Megatron who damages his voice box, and the war between the Autobots and the Decepticons has not yet broken out. Details such as these also show a commitment to keeping with the general timeline, rather than going with what has been popular for the past few installments. Transformers One is an excellent film and will hopefully be the start of a larger series within the franchise. However, its poor box office may limit how long it will remain in theaters.