The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch
EntertainmentFilmThe Latest

Film Review: ‘Transformers One’

by Jake King September 13, 2024
by Jake King September 13, 2024 0 comments
1.9K

More than meets the eye, and more than the trailer alludes to.

It is time for yet another Transformers film, and this time, it returns to its roots of animation. It is the first animated Transformers film to have a theatrical release following the 1986 feature. Directed by Josh Cooley, this entry explores the early relationship between Optimus Prime and Megatron before becoming enemies. Does this film add another

Autobots Orion Pax and D-16 work as miners on their home planet, Cybertron, under the leadership of Sentinel Prime. D-16 commits to serving his home and leader, while Orion searches for the history of Cybertron. After Orion causes a situation that imprisons them both, they escape Cybertron, along with two other Autobots, Elita and Bumblebee. Together, they set off on a journey and come across something that will change the future of Cybertron forever.

Have you ever seen a film trailer that simply turns you off immediately? The trailer for Transformers One is not exactly one that will get audiences excited. While the film looks nicely animated and full of action, the story and humor appear stale and routine. It seemed like it would be another forgettable franchise film that would come and go. On the other hand, many films have bad trailers, and some of them are truly phenomenal films. Can one say the same thing for Transformers One? Well, yes and no.

Make no mistake, the weaker material featured in the trailer is in the final film. In fact, the first third of the film is strictly that, aside from an admittedly entertaining race sequence. The story and character traits feel standard and a byproduct of many modern Hollywood movies. The dialogue consists of many easter eggs alluding to famous quotes from the franchise. These lines feel out of place and can keep viewers from investing in any of the film’s events. Sadly, the film gives many of the weaker jokes to Bumblebee, which might make fans wish he was mute again.

However, when the true conflict of the story becomes visible, so do the film’s strengths. Suddenly the story “transforms,” if you will, into a mix between a Greek allegory and Shakespeare. The dialogue becomes more profound, the story begins to have stakes, and the dynamics between characters start feeling important. Even the humorous lines improve after this shift and start to feel more like levity than distraction. While the action was already admirable before, it starts to pack more of visceral, emotional punch. It’s almost as if the director took over from the studio and made the film more outstanding.

Surprisingly, for a cast filled with celebrities, the voice acting is not distracting. Any fans of the franchise will enjoy how complimentary the voice acting is to previous iterations of the characters. Not once does it feel like one is listening to the celebrity instead of the character, and this is consistent. Chris Hemsworth seems to be flexing his vocal chops this year, distancing from his Marvel Thor voice. He did so in Furiosa, and here, you can see how well his voice compliments that of Peter Cullen’s.

But the real star of the film, no shock, is the animation. The look of the film is drop-dead gorgeous and practically visceral. The art and set design stay true to the spirit of the franchise, and yet still feels novel. The character designs look unique and find a balance between that of the original cartoons and the Michael Bay films. The textures feel shiny, yet dwelled in, and almost feels like one can reach out and touch it. This is the kind of connective power that Hollywood thinks 3D possesses. Sometimes just meticulous, yet subtle, details can be enough to transcend audience members.

There is something else that this film also provides that feels absent in modern-day Hollywood films. It shows a hero’s journey that feels (mostly) epic and underlines the qualities of leadership. This is coming at a time when there seems to be more interest in deconstructing leaders than creating them. Tranformers One slowly over the course of its runtime adopts a classical sense of storytelling, showing a model hero’s journey. One truly sees a growth in these characters, or descent, depending upon the character, and the end results feel earned.

So, if you are looking for a good “hero’s journey” type of story, Transformers One will give you that. If you are looking for bright and colorful action, it will give you that too. It checks all the boxes that an origin story should provide and delivers on all the fronts it needs. You just must get through the relatively weak first third. In addition, Hollywood needs to truly reconsider how they market their films to attract audiences. In the meantime, roll out to the theater for this one!

Brian Tyree HenryChris HemsworthHasbroJon HammJosh CooleyKeegan-Michael KeyLaurence FIshburneParamountScarlett JohanssonSteve BuscemiTransformers
0 comments 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Jake King

previous post
On The Scene: Watch Women Win Fireside Chat at The Moxy Chelsea in NYC
next post
Kendra Scott Fall Collection Showcases Dynamic Designs

Related Posts

Kathy Hilton Unwraps Her Perfect Holiday Shopping List...

October 27, 2025

GrannyCart Giggle Hour hosts a Spooktacularly Sexy Halloween...

October 27, 2025

Inside Ligaw: The New Lower East Side Bar...

October 27, 2025

Celebrating Storytellers: The Dramatists Guild Foundation Gala

October 26, 2025

She Rocks: Women Redefining Power and Purpose in...

October 26, 2025

Andy Cohen Toasts a Decade of Radio with...

October 26, 2025

Sulfur Bottom: A Haunting Exploration of Pollution, Poverty,...

October 26, 2025

Dom Pérignon Unveils the Murakami Flower Studio in...

October 25, 2025

Brooklyn Gets a Glow-Up with Desolas Mezcal’s Reposado...

October 24, 2025

Emerald Dreams: Celebrating Wicked in New York

October 24, 2025

Digital Cover No. 19

The Knockturnal Merch

Follow Us On The Gram

theknockturnal

Lifestyle. Music. Entertainment.
Info@theknockturnal.com
New Cover Out Now ⬇️

Step inside the chaotic world of The Chair Company Step inside the chaotic world of The Chair Company, where office life meets absurd comedy. 🪑 
Stream it now on @HBO. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/la-premiere-hbos-the-chair-company/

✍️: Katherine Wright
-
#TheChairCompany #HBO #HBOOriginal #HBOShow #BingeWorthy #MustWatch #StreamingNow
@justinbieber led @skylrk to a standout win at The @justinbieber led @skylrk to a standout win at The Leag, one of LA’s most talked-about underground sports events. With celebrities, athletes, and creators filling the sidelines, the night captured the energy of competition and culture colliding under the lights. 🏀

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/justin-bieber-leads-skylrk-to-victory-at-las-underground-sports-phenomenon-the-league/

✍️: Parris Rose

-
#JustinBieber #SKYLRK #TheLeag #LosAngeles #SportsCulture #Basketball #UndergroundSports
@nmixx_official spoke with The Knockturnal about t @nmixx_official spoke with The Knockturnal about their journey as six members, a long, inspiring adventure that’s led them to a major milestone: their first-ever full-length album, Blue Valentine. 💙

The project dives deep into the complexity of human emotions, wrapped in NMIXX’s signature MIXX-pop sound. 🎶

“The story of NMIXX is still unfolding.” 

Full Article 🔗 https://theknockturnal.com/nmixx-blue-valentine/

By @EmmaSalehi 

#NMIXX #BlueValentine #NMIXXBlueValentine #MIXXPOP #NMIXXComeback #KpopInterview #TheKnockturnal #Kpop #KpopNews #KpopGirlGroup #NMIXX_BlueValentine #HAEWON #LILY #BAE #JIWOO #KYUJIN #SULLYOON #엔믹스
Want to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of Want to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of @beetlejuicebway? Now you can! From now until Halloween, @tempotimessquare hosting an unforgettable Beetlejuice Suite experience where every corner is bursting with spooky charm, strange surprises, and a whole lot of Netherworld flair. 💀✨ 

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just a little strange and unusual, this is your chance to step into the world of the ghost with the most. 👻 #BeetlejuiceBroadway #TempoTimesSquare #BeetlejuiceSuite
#ParkChanWook new film might make you laugh when y #ParkChanWook new film might make you laugh when you least expect it — and flinch when you do. 👀💥

Full review out now.

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/park-chan-wooks-no-other-choice-is-dark-gripping-and-bitingly-funny/

✍️: Ishan Wankavala 

-
#NoOtherChoice #KoreanCinema #Cinephile #FilmReview #NewRelease #MustWatch
📸 WOODZ (@woodz_dnwm) — the artist redefining 📸 WOODZ (@woodz_dnwm) — the artist redefining boundaries with each track, image, and evolution. Dive into our exclusive to uncover the artistry behind the name. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/woodz/

✍️: Emma Salehi

-
#Woodz #Kpop #ArtistSpotlight #Editorial
EXCLUSIVE: STAYC take the Stay Tuned tour to elect EXCLUSIVE: STAYC take the Stay Tuned tour to electrifying new heights, bringing “I WANT IT” to life with unmatched energy, confidence, and flair. Every beat, every move, every note is a reminder that STAYC don’t just perform—they command the stage. 🌈💥

From their glowing visuals to powerhouse vocals, @stayc_highup deliver a night that’s equal parts spectacle and soul.

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/stayc/

✍️: Emma Salehi

-
#STAYC #StayTunedTour #IWANTIT #STAYCgirls #STAYChighup #Kpop #ConcertHighlights #ExclusiveFeature
Park Chan-wook shares how The Ax inspired his new Park Chan-wook shares how The Ax inspired his new film, exploring its unique darkness. 🌟

#ParkChanWook #NoOtherChoice #TheAx #KoreanFilm #KDrama #NYFF #NYFF26
Big sci-fi dreams ahead 🔥🤖Park Chan-wook tea Big sci-fi dreams ahead 🔥🤖Park Chan-wook teases his probable upcoming project Genocidal Organ! 

#ParkChanWook #GenocidalOrgan #NYFF #NYFF26
Dark humor and deep tragedy with @byunghun0712 in Dark humor and deep tragedy with @byunghun0712 in his latest film @nootherchoicefilm. 🖤🎬

#LeeByungHun #NoOtherChoice #KDrama #NYFF #NYFF26
Two worlds, one screen 🌏🎥 Lee Byung-hun refl Two worlds, one screen 🌏🎥 Lee Byung-hun reflects on 20 years of film, from South Korea to Hollywood! 

#LeeByungHun #Hollywood #KoreanCinema #Film #NoOtherChoice #NYFF26 #NYFF
Brighter days ahead 🌞 @cix.official share what Brighter days ahead 🌞 @cix.official share what it means to move forward together in their latest comeback. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/cix/

✍️: Emma Salehi

Photo Credits: C9 Entertainment 
-
#CIX #GOChapter1 #GOTogether #TheKnockturnal #KpopInterview #KpopNews #CIXComeback #CIX2025 #KpopFeature #CIXFans
It’s going down! @stayc_highup is in North Ameri It’s going down! @stayc_highup is in North America on their ‘Stay Tuned’ tour! 💖

Watch their energetic and fun filled show near you 👀🌟

#stayc #kpop #kpopconcert #iwantit #staycstaytuned #staytuned
Who runs the world? Girls! 🩷 We had the most a Who runs the world? Girls! 🩷

We had the most amazing day of inspiring panels, activations and networking at @femalefounderworld, with @eyebuydirect! 👓
Eskil Vogt reunites with longtime collaborator Joa Eskil Vogt reunites with longtime collaborator Joachim Trier for their sixth cinematic journey, co-writing Sentimental Value, a poignant exploration of family, memory, and reconciliation. 

-
#Screenwriting #Storytelling #WritingForFilm #FilmWriting #NYFF2025 #NewYorkFilmFestival #IndieFilm
At @thenyff , @renatereinsve brings Nora Borg to l At @thenyff , @renatereinsve brings Nora Borg to life in Sentimental Value, portraying a character whose journey through family complexities and personal discovery resonates deeply. 

-
#RenateReinsve #NYFF #SentimentalValue #NoraBorg #FilmFestival #Actress
@nobledanceroslo at @thenyff shares his vision as @nobledanceroslo at @thenyff shares his vision as a director, bringing his story to life with precision, collaboration, and attention to every frame. 

The film reflects his dedication to emotion, storytelling, and cinematic craft. 🎥

-
#JoachimTrimmer #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #Director #Filmmaking
We spoke with @ingalilleaas at @thenyff about the We spoke with @ingalilleaas at @thenyff about the emotional process behind her latest film. ✨

-
#IngaIbsdotterLilleaas #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #Cinema
Poised, perceptive, and endlessly compelling — @ Poised, perceptive, and endlessly compelling — @ellefanning in conversation at this year’s @thenyff.

-
#ElleFanning #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #RedCarpet #Cinema
✨ From powerful panels to unforgettable performa ✨ From powerful panels to unforgettable performances, the 2025 #TeenVogueSummit brought together voices shaping fashion, culture, and activism today. 💬🎶

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/2025-teen-vogue-summit-recap-full-of-fun-fashion-and-connection/

✍️: Zipporah Pruitt

-
#TeenVogue #TeenVogueSummit2025 #TeenVogueEvents
#TeenVogueCommunity #TeenVogueStyle
Follow on Instagram

About The Site

We are a collective of creative tastemakers made up of fashion, music and entertainment industry insiders. It’s all about access. You want it. We have it.

Terms Of Use

Privacy Policy

Meet The Team

CONTACT US

For general inquiries and more info on The Knockturnal, please contact our staff at:
info@theknockturnal.com
fashion@theknockturnal.com
advertising@theknockturnal.com
editorial@theknockturnal.com
beauty@theknockturnal.com

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube

© Copyright - The Knockturnal | Developed by CI Design + Media

The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch