Transformers One review – action-packed prequel adds brains to the metal monster smash-ups
Toy Story 4 director Josh Cooley brings a blast of energy, sharp wit and an all-star voice cast to this refreshingly different origin tale
Few franchises can match the Transformers movies for thunderous stupidity. It’s a series that tends to take a giant metal fist (with added bazooka attachments) to storytelling niceties such as plot coherence and character nuance. It delivers a frequently overwhelming and nonsensical viewing experience that feels like trying to cross the road during a monster truck rally. It’s loud, brash and aggressive. And that’s fine, I guess. Sometimes all you need from a movie is a bunch of self-aggrandising metal monsters bashing the rivets off each other.
With its tradition of dyed-in-the-wool dumb-assery and its loyal and defensive fans (the only time I ever received a death threat from a reader was after a one-star pan of Michael Bay’s 2007 picture), the Transformers franchise is not an obvious contender for reinvention. But the latest instalment, the slickly animated and sharply scripted Transformers One, which explores the previously untold origin story of Optimus Prime and rival Megatron, feels like a refreshingly new breed of Autobot adventure – one that has been notably souped-up in the brains department.
In UK and Irish cinemas
Continue reading...Date: |
Topics
-
Business - Financial Times
How a break-up of Google could transform tech
The Department of Justice’s proposal to shake up the company is a seminal moment for the industry. If it prevails in court, AI start-ups could benefitYesterday - Google -
Sports - CBS Sports
2024 Black Desert Championship scores: Stephan Jaeger takes one-stroke lead before Round 2 action suspended
Adam Svensson and Ben Kohles are among the players in pursuit with play resuming on SaturdayYesterday -
World - Yahoo News
13 memorable and metal Wildlife Photographer of the Year winners
21 hours ago -
World - The Guardian
Monster pickup trucks accelerate into Europe as sales rise despite safety fears
A Dodge Ram 1500 is bigger than a Panzer I tank and campaigners say heavy trucks are ‘lethal’ in collisions. The engines rev, the guitars thrum and a gruff narrator lays out why the vehicle ...Yesterday -
Business - MarketWatch
This is your brain on screens: Phones and computers are fueling a FOMO epidemic
The more we get lost in Big Tech’s digital world, the less satisfied and more isolated we become.21 hours ago -
Business - CNBC
WNBA to expand Finals to 7 games, add to regular season next year
The WNBA is changing its Finals series to seven games and adding four games to its regular season starting next year.Yesterday - WNBA -
Tech - VentureBeat
AI21 CEO says transformers not right for AI agents due to error perpetuation
Ori Goshen, CEO of enterprise AI company AI21, believes alternative model architectures will make AI agents work better.Yesterday -
Sports - ESPN
Review: QB Allen properly checked for concussion
A review by the NFL and the players association has concluded that Bills quarterback Josh Allen was properly evaluated for a concussion during last week's game against the Texans.20 hours ago - NFL
More from The Guardian
-
World - The Guardian
Israel orders more evacuations in Lebanon and threatens medics who treat Hezbollah members
Military spokesperson demands that medics ‘avoid dealing with Hezbollah operatives’ and claims ambulances used to transport weapons. Israel has ordered more evacuations in southern Lebanon and ...5 hours ago - Israel -
World - The Guardian
Russia and China accused of blocking Asean statement due to dispute over South China Sea
Russian foreign minister says final declaration not adopted because of attempts by US, Japan, South Korea, Australia and NZ ‘to turn it into a purely political statement’. Russia and China blocked ...5 hours ago - China -
World - The Guardian
Christopher Columbus was Spanish and Jewish, documentary reveals
Fifteenth century explorer’s true origins revealed after DNA analysis from samples buried in Seville Cathedral. The centuries-old mystery over Christopher Columbus’s nationality has been revealed ...3 hours ago -
World - The Guardian
Tool kit to make limb-saving devices set to transform treatment in crisis zones
British scientists have developed simple ways for those in danger areas to make complex medical equipment quickly. Two shattering events played a critical role in British scientists’ efforts to ...4 hours ago -
World - The Guardian
Scottish DJ Jack Revill AKA Jackmaster dies aged 38
Family announce DJ’s death in Ibiza after complications arising from accidental head injury. The Scottish DJ and producer Jack Revill, known to many as Jackmaster , has died aged 38, his family ...15 hours ago