I Finally Saw "ONE" In The Theater Again But for the First Time

It has been many years (thirteen to be exact) since I managed to catch a Transformers film on the big screen.

Luckily, I picked the best one to come along in quite a while. Transformers One served as an excellent introduction to the franchise, and was also chock full of references and call backs to make it feel like a more detailed version of the origin tale we got way back my cartoon watching teen afternoons in the Generation 1 episode "War Dawn." (Aired Christmas 1985)

And one of the absolute best things about this movie?

NO FREAKIN' PEOPLE!

Look, there were fine storyline and emotional beats with the human characters in the cartoons and the "live action" films.

However, I am here for the giant robots beating the crap out of each other. Therefore, I am much happier seeing those giant robots being the ones having character development arcs and being passionate about tragic, or uplifting life experiences.

The cast all nailed both their "younger," less powered selves and the known Transformers characters they eventually become.

Bringing in female main characters from day one is also an excellent decision...

Considering in original continuity we got a couple of one offs almost three quarters of the way through season two and then one (ONE, out of over 180!) main character, Arcee, in the Movie and season three.

Having Megatron and Optimus both come from the same, lower caste, manual labor group was key to some of the important points of the story. The determination of being a hero or villain was tied to decisions, choices and which emotions were relied on, not their station in life. Yet, they were conscious enough of continuity to have most of the pre-Autobots be laborers and most of the Decepticons come from the "military." 

Overall they did a fantastic job respecting the forty year history of the franchise but still making some tweaks here and there, for both updating and clarity purposes. I particularly liked the updates made for the naming of the groups. 

Autobot has always been a contraction of "Autonomous Robot" because that's what they were.  However, by making a slight adjustment to the Optimums Primes quote- "Freedom is the right of all sentient beings," to "Freedom and autonomy are the rights of all sentient beings." The name selection after they won that freedom became more powerful.

Decepticon was originally an insulting name given to Megatron's eventual troops as part of the early Cybertron days. They kept the name for...

reasons.

Here, obtaining freedom came from uncovering a huge number of deceptions by the previous rulers. Therefore, Megatron chose the name as a stand against that.

Basically - "Decepti-con." Or to quote The Who- "We wont' get fooled again."

They kept the Quintessons as definitely a power to be feared. However, most of the details were kept hidden so whether they conquered Cybertron, or created the Transformers can be up in the air for later, allowing focus on the story being told. 

The CGI animation looks fantastic, they respected the four decade history while blazing new and exciting trails, and the voice cast was exceptional. 

And lest I forget, Bumblebee is awesome and hilarious in every continuity, whatever he calls himself. (Especially when he marks this franchises return to the George Awards.)

Bring on Transformers Two...

and

Three

and

Four... and so on.

How do I know it was a great tribute to the originals?

It inspired a rewatch of the entire US G1 cartoon cannon.

Of course I'm taking notes.

Reflections to come...