Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dazzling animation in entertaining, explosive origin story.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Transformers One
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 40 parent reviews
Parents say the film presents a mixed experience, with some enjoying its action and animation while others criticize its dark themes and violence unsuitable for young children. Several reviews highlight the lack of a satisfying conclusion and the confusion in the plot, suggesting it's an entertaining yet incomplete story that may leave viewers with more questions than answers.
- mixed reactions
- dark themes
- confusing plot
- not for young kids
- entertaining animation
- action and humor
Summarized with AI
Based on 20 kid reviews
Kids say this movie is an epic origin story featuring beloved characters and intense action, praised for its engaging plot and humor, though it includes notable violence and mild language. Many recommend it for older children, highlighting positive themes like teamwork and sacrifice, while some feel it may be too intense for younger viewers.
- origin story
- intense action
- engaging plot
- positive themes
- recommended for older kids
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
TRANSFORMERS ONE is the animated origin story of Hasbro's famous "robots in disguise." Set on the planet Cybertron, it follows low-level miner bots Orion Pax (voiced by Chris Hemsworth) and his kind, by-the-book best friend, D-16 (Brian Tyree Henry), as they work in Iacon City to find the important substance known as energon. Impetuous and brave Orion believes that they're capable of more than the higher-ups give them credit for, even though they can't transform. After he enters them both in a high-stakes race, the friends end up getting sent down to waste management, where they meet funny, lonely garbage worker B-127 (Keegan-Michael Key) and unearth a clue to what could be the coordinates of the location of the Matrix of Leadership (the source of the now defunct Primes' power). With the help of their former supervisor, the brilliant and ambitious Elita-1 (Scarlett Johansson), Orion, D-16, and B-127 hatch a plan to search for the Matrix. Along the way, they discover that not everything on Cybertron is as it seems, and it might be up to them to save the planet.
Is It Any Good?
This effective, entertaining origin story is ideal for nostalgic fans of the original animated series. With top-notch production values, A-list voice actors, and a character-building story arc, Transformers One is occasionally predictable but still so much fun—even for those who aren't typically interested in the franchise. The animation is excellent and really brings Iacon City and Cybertron to life, from the surface wasteland to the cityscapes to the Transformers' bodies and expressions. The plot is easy to follow, and even though most viewers will know who the main characters will eventually become, it's compelling to see the somewhat "humanizing" reason a villain breaks bad.
Hemsworth, Henry, and Johansson are all well cast, with Henry's voice in particular possessing the gravitas that's necessary for Megatron. Hemsworth's easy breezy voice matches Orion Pax's "act first, think later" approach to life and eventually gets deeper and more confident when he transforms into Optimus. Jon Hamm also stands out as Cybertron's somewhat smarmy leader, Sentinel Prime. The movie is likely to have especial appeal both for nostalgic Gen Xers and for younger fans who aren't ready for the often over-mature and underwhelming live-action movies.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Transformers One. How does the fact that the movie is animated affect the impact of the violence on-screen?
What does this movie add to the Transformers series? Which version of the Transformers characters do you like best, and why?
Talk about the way that resentment can lead to anger and vengefulness. How can that cause even best friends to be at odds?
How do the characters demonstrate courage, perseverance, and teamwork? Why are those important character strengths?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 20, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : October 22, 2024
- Cast : Chris Hemsworth , Brian Tyree Henry , Scarlett Johansson
- Director : Josh Cooley
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Friendship , Robots
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 104 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sci-fi violence and animated action throughout, and language
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : January 1, 2026
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