Early reviews make a strong case for Transformers One as one of the franchise’s best films, but “the best” remains a matter of taste. Critics especially praised its expressive animation, voice performances and the emotional story of Orion Pax and D-16; reservations centered on uneven comedy, crowded pacing and whether D-16’s transformation is fully earned.
What is Transformers One about?
Directed by Josh Cooley, Transformers One is a fully CG-animated prequel about the origins of Optimus Prime and Megatron. Before they became enemies, Orion Pax and D-16 were allies. Their friendship and eventual rupture give the origin story its central dramatic thread.
The film stars Chris Hemsworth as Orion Pax and Brian Tyree Henry as D-16. Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi, Laurence Fishburne and Jon Hamm are also among the cast. Paramount described it as the first fully CG-animated Transformers film in its official announcement.
What did early reviewers praise?
Expressive animation
Critics often singled out the colorful CG animation and clear visual staging. In Rotten Tomatoes’ early-review roundup, Variety’s Todd Gilchrist argued that the film makes a case against assuming photorealism is the best way to bring the robots to the screen. The visual approach gives the characters room for readable expressions and keeps transformation-heavy action legible.
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Voice performances and the central friendship
Reviewers highlighted Henry and Hemsworth’s performances and the chemistry between their characters. That relationship helps the story register as more than a sequence of battles: viewers see the bond that makes the eventual conflict consequential.
Action and franchise lore
The action drew praise for imaginative transformations and energetic set pieces. Critics also noted recognizable elements of Transformers mythology, giving longtime fans details to catch without making the film’s origin premise inaccessible to newcomers.
Rank #2
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Emotional stakes
Several critics found the friendship-turned-rivalry affecting. The film’s emotional appeal comes from watching two allies change in different ways, rather than from spectacle alone.
What were the main criticisms?
The positive response was not unanimous. Some reviewers found the jokes or slapstick uneven, while others thought the plot was crowded or shifted awkwardly between worldbuilding and action. The most pointed character concern was D-16’s progression toward Megatron: some critics wanted more development to make that turn feel convincing.
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Those reservations matter because the story depends on the friendship’s breakdown. If the comic passages interrupt the drama, or D-16’s change feels too abrupt, the central conflict may have less impact than the film intends.
How did critics compare it with other Transformers movies?
Some critics made unambiguous superlative claims. Rafael Motamayor of Slashfilm called it “the best movie in the Transformers franchise since the 1986 original,” while Jonathan Sim of ComingSoon.net wrote, “Transformers One is the best Transformers movie ever made.” Those are individual verdicts, not an objective ranking shared by every reviewer.
Rank #4
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Other reactions show why the comparison depends on what a viewer values. Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter called it “a franchise revitalized,” while Leigh Monson of the AV Club cautioned that “there’s still that nagging feeling that we’ve been there, done that.” In Collider, Jeff Ewing identified “the evolution of D-16” as the film’s biggest issue.
| What you value | What the early reviews suggest |
|---|---|
| Distinctive animation | A major strength; critics praised its color, expressiveness and readable action. |
| Character-driven story | The Orion–D-16 relationship gives the origin story emotional weight, though some critics wanted D-16’s turn to develop further. |
| Action and lore | Transformation-filled set pieces and familiar mythology offer appeal for franchise fans. |
| Comedy and pacing | More divisive; some reviewers found the humor uneven or the plot crowded. |
Paramount’s November 14, 2024 announcement reported an 89% critics score and a CinemaScore A at that time. These are dated figures from the studio’s announcement, not current review-tracker results. They add context to the favorable early reception but do not settle whether the film is the franchise’s best.
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Is it a good starting point for new viewers?
Reviewers differed on how well its younger-audience tone fits the franchise, but some considered it an accessible entry point. The film starts with Orion Pax and D-16 before they become the familiar rivals, so viewers do not need to know every earlier installment to understand the core relationship. Longtime fans may get more from the mythology and references.
For a viewer choosing among the franchise’s films, the practical test is whether an animated origin story with character-driven conflict sounds appealing. If so, early critics offer plenty of reasons to try it. If comedy, pacing or a gradual character turn is a deciding factor, the reservations are worth keeping in mind.
Where to watch
Paramount announced that the film would begin streaming exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S. and Canada on November 15, 2024. That announcement records a past launch date, not current availability. Check the Paramount+ catalog for your country before planning to watch.
Quick Recap
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