Transformers One.
I don't. It.. But... I mean... what? What the fuck just happened here? How was this movie this good? Is it 1986 level? No. Look, forget about TFTM86 for the moment. Don't even include it in the equation here, there's no point.
The bar was set low by the Bayverse films. I mean fucking LOW. Now, that said- TFOne was actually pretty damn good not even considering that bar being so far underground.
I know somewhere in here I said that TF fans our age are not the intended demographic, and I have to say - I'm thinking I was wrong to say that. I will say the first trailer, maybe two trailers or so DO NOT reflect the tone of this movie. It does reflect the tone of the first maybe 15 or so minutes, what with Keegan Michael Key's B127 saying "BADASSATRONNNN" about 37 times too many. But truth be told, those first trailers focused on the "get little kid butts in seats" at the same time as "but make their parents say no thanks we'll get it on Tubi in 2 years" instead of focusing on TF boners that people our age have.
Going with that trailer(s) was a mistake. It really was. This movie has heart, it has loss, it has seriousness and it just does it well. Lots of references to 86 and G1, just about every bot you see is an established character - even background one-off bots are existing bots like Thrust, Sunstreaker, Sideswipe, Jazz, Prowl, and Ironhide/Ratchet. They didn't fuck around here, and they did their homework.
I dont know what opinion people here have of the Super Mario Brothers movie that came out a couple years ago but for the example, lets call that movie "good." Even if you didn't think it was - lets call it good just for now.
That movie was LEAGUES better than the 90s abortion Super Mario Bros movie we got.
That difference right there? That ocean of difference? That is the same ocean of difference between Bayverse films, and TF One. It's great. While Im not 100% sold on Hemsworth as Pax/Prime, he does well enough. Hes not Cullen, but literally no one can be, or ever will be. The dude they got for D-16/Megatron fucking nailed it. He didn't have Welker's rasp, but who does. I dont know the guy but he looks familiar, and his transformation (no pun intended) into Megatron is - while sorta quick - telegraphed pretty decently for those with a keen eye. Its not like Anakin to Vader in 2 minutes like Star Wars did it. And its not just "I wanna be the villain" mentality. He's got reason for his fall, and its done well.
I downloaded a rip of it, but I honestly think I might go get a ticket to watch it at the theater again. This movie needs a sequel. The set up for a sequel is right there, and evidently reviews are doing really great on it, but viewership is down and I'm thinking its because of that shitass trailer they used to market it instead of showing what the movie actually is. People need to give this movie some money so they can make a proper sequel.
Go watch it. If you like Transformers G1, go watch it. As a huge "GeeWunner" that isn't into Cyberverse/Prime/Animated trash, this movie does the property justice and is worthy of a watch from the likes of Kernow.