Origin Story 'Transformers: One' Scores Big with Critics and Audiences
Paramount and Hasbro's animated origin story, featuring voices of Chris Hemsworth and Scarlett Johansson, captivates audiences with a fresh take on the franchise's beloved characters. Learn more below.
"Transformers: One," the latest addition to Paramount and Hasbro's blockbuster franchise, has stormed the box office with a $39 million global debut, including $25 million domestically. The animated prequel, the first of its kind for the franchise in nearly four decades, has claimed the top spot among new releases this weekend.
Directed by Josh Cooley, the PG-rated film has not only performed well financially but has also garnered critical acclaim. It currently holds an 88 percent Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, while audiences have awarded it a 98 percent Verified Hot Popcornmeter score and an A CinemaScore.
"Transformers: One" delves into the origin story of Orion Pax and D-16, exploring their journey from brothers-in-arms to sworn enemies, ultimately becoming the iconic Optimus Prime and Megatron. Set on the technological utopia of Cybertron, the 103-minute film balances action-packed sequences with themes of friendship, loyalty, resilience, optimism and freedom.
The star-studded voice cast includes Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Brian Tyree Henry, Steve Buscemi, Laurence Fishburne, Jon Hamm and Keegan-Michael Key. Written by Eric Pearson, Andrew Barrer, and Gabriel Ferrari, the film offers a fresh perspective on the franchise's beloved characters.
“The best ‘Transformers’ movie ever made.” Comingsoon.net
Critics have praised the film's storytelling and visual appeal. Nerd Reactor hails it as "the origin story we've been waiting for," while The Hollywood Handle describes it as "an unforgettable heartfelt story," and TheWrap calls it "a surprising hugely satisfying blast."
Screen Rant recommends the film as "perfect for the whole family," highlighting its broad appeal. Slant Magazine offers a more nuanced take, noting, "’Transformers: One’ manages to remember all the elements that got it to this point, and pulls off an impressively deft balancing act between the moral complexity of the story, the good humor that endeared us to the characters, and the sheer visceral charge of how undeniably cool the Transformers get to be here."
As "Transformers: One" continues its theatrical run, it stands as a testament to the enduring popularity of the franchise and its ability to reinvent itself for new generations of fans.
“Transformers: One” is playing in theaters now and will be available for licensing from Swank soon.