Transformers One Parent Guide

On the planet of Cybertron, the Transformers live underground in Iacon City, where most robots toil in the energon mines – work necessary to power the community. Orion Pax (Chris Hemsworth) and D-16 (Brian Tyree Henry) are best friends who dream of being more than poor miners. When an opportunity to go to the surface in service of their leader, Sentinel Prime (Jon Hamm), arises, the two jump at the chance. But on the surface Orion and D discover a secret that could change both Cybertron and their friendship forever.

After years as live-action PG-13 flicks in the Michael Bay universe, Transformers One returns the franchise to its origins - animated children’s media. As someone who has staunchly refused to watch most of the live action films and wasn’t a fan of the toys or shows as a kid, I went into Transformers One with very little knowledge of the universe and its vast lore. I imagine most audiences are in a similar boat (especially the young ones) and one of the writers’ chief accomplishments is guiding the audience through this new world and its complicated history in a way that is easy to follow.

The story touches on complicated themes of corruption, exploitation, power, and worker empowerment, but primarily focuses on the relationship between Orion and D, and how their attitudes define their characters and choices. This focus stops the story from getting too bloated and unwieldly, which is essential in such a complex world. This focus from the writers is what makes this film so successful, in tandem with the performances from Hemsworth and Henry.

Overall, I enjoyed Transformers One. It’s fast paced, action-packed, and has some good laughs. Although not distinctive enough to rise to the highest ranks of children’s media, it is well above average. Parents should be aware that this film is on the slightly more violent side of a PG rating; I think it scraped in at this level because the violence occurs among animated robots, not biological beings, which makes the carnage seem milder. I wouldn’t recommend this animated film for very young or easily scared children, but most other audiences are sure to enjoy this return to form from a franchise that was in dire need of a transformation.