Despite being the ninthTransformersfilm, it is not necessary to watch all the previous franchise installments before seeingTransformers One, but some can certainly enhance the experience. Between the Transformers toy line, the 1980s animated series and accompanying film, Michael Bay’s live-actionTransformers, and the live-action spinoffs that followed, the franchise has undertaken many iterations. The latest iteration is thestory ofTransformers One, which serves as an origin tale for Orion Pax/Optimus Prime (Chris Hemsworth) and D-16/Megatron (Brian Tyree Henry).
The animated prequel takes place 3 billion years before the live-action films, making it the earliest story set inTransformers' chronological timeline. At this time, the planet Cybertron is still flourishing and has not yet become a world ravaged by war and destruction.Transformers Oneis directed byToy Story 4’s Josh Cooley, with its story also exploring the pasts of B-127/Bumblebee (Keegan-Michael Key), Starscream (Steve Buscemi), Elita (Scarlett Johansson), and Sentinel Prime (Jon Hamm).
Transformers One Review: Thrilling Transformers Animation Is The Boost Of Energy The Franchise Needs
There’s a lot to love here — from the character dynamics to the thrilling action and gorgeous animation. It makes for an exciting origin story.
Transformers: The Movie Shows The Franchise’s Animated Roots Before Transformers One
Transformers One Brings The Franchise Full-Circle
TheTransformersfilms have all been live-action since 2007, even though the franchise’s first theatrical offering,The Transformers: The Movie, was animated.The 1986 film takes place after the events ofThe Transformersseason2, acting as part of the animated series continuity and setting up season 3. It can still be enjoyed on its own, though, and is the perfect film to watch beforeTransformers Oneas it marks the franchise’s return to its animated beginnings.
The tone of the 1980s film is more important to experience as it is closer to the tone ofTransformers Onethan any of the live-action installments.
WhileThe Transformers: The Movie’s story does involve the conflict between Optimus Prime and Megatron, the specific plot details will not have any bearing onTransformers One. The tone of the 1980s film is more important to experience as it is closer to the tone ofTransformers Onethan any of the live-action installments.The Transformers: The Movieis a reminder of how much fun the franchise can be in an animated formand that it does not need to take itself as seriously as some of the live-action films did.
Transformers (2007) Provides A Glimpse At Megatron & Optimus Prime’s Rivalry
Essential Backstory Is Featured As Well
Of all the live-action films, the 2007Transformersis the one most worth watching beforeTransformers One.Megatron is the primary antagonist of this story, as the Decepticons seek the AllSpark for nefarious purposes and work to release their leader from his longtime stasis. When Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) and Mikaela Banes (Megan Fox) learn about the existence of the Transformers, they are told a brief backstory about Cybertron, the ancient war between the Autobots and Decepticons, and the rivalry between Optimus Prime and Megatron.
The live-action Optimus Prime is voiced by Peter Cullen, who also voiced the Autobot leader in the 1980s animated series and film.
This context can add more weight toTransformers One’s story, as viewers know that despite their friendship, Optimus Prime and Megatron are destined to become enemies, with their conflict forever changing the world of Cybertron and the trajectory of their fellow Transformers. While Optimus Prime and Megatron appear in most of the other live-action films, their conflict is more straightforward in 2007’sTransformers, and is not overcomplicated by groups other than the Autobots or Decepticons who are introduced later in the series. This is the best taste of who Optimus Prime and Megatron will become due to their origin stories.
No Transformers Movie Is A Must-Watch Before Transformers One
It Works As A Standalone Story
Seeing otherTransformersfilms may enhance the experience of seeingTransformers One, but none are essential to watch before the animated prequel. With it being set 3 billion years before the live-action films and before Optimus Prime and Megatron have become their iconic selves, the prequel is mostly disconnected from other installments. This is further emphasized byTransformers One’s all-new voice castand a new animation style for the franchise.
Transformers Onecan serve as a perfect entry point to the universe of Autobots and Decepticons while also being rewarding for longtime fans. This makes it more accessible than many of the pastTransformersfilms, as does the PG rating, a sign that it is far more family-friendly than Bay’sTransformersstories. None of the previous films are necessary to watch beforeTransformers Onedue to the largely standalone nature of the story and of the project as a whole.
Transformers One
Cast
Transformers One is an animated action-adventure movie that marks the first animated feature-length film for the series in decades. The film will be a prequel to the franchise, and will tell the story of Optimus Prime and Megatron in their early years, how they met, and a closer look at the war on their home planet, Cybertron.
