Entertainment

Now Showing: Transformers One is a well-woven story of origin stories

Published

September 20, 2024

On the 40th year anniversary of the airing of the first ever Transformers series episode, it’s only fitting that the popular Hasbro creation has gone back to its roots. It’s not totally new for a film franchise to execute this, but at some point after decades, you just feel that some cycles have to restart anew.

I’ll be the one to admit that my prior knowledge about Transformers is quite limited. That’s even though I am a millennial. I’m no match for those who have absorbed the original series, comics, and more related content.

I am well aware of the general Autobots-versus-Decepticons narrative. I also the some of the biggest characters in the grand scheme of things. And yes, I’ve seen the previous big screen installments — including five Bayformers movies — which didn’t really do any good in expanding that knowledge database of mine.

So it’s refreshing to finally see a well-written, well-formulated origin story that solves all the loose ends (at least from my perspective) and kind of complements what I already know as a casual, while also getting me giddy excited for what’s about to come.

Yes, Josh Cooley and everyone behind Transformers One were able to be that impactful.

⚠️ Warning: Some spoilers ahead! ⚠️

A Transformers movie about… well, the Transformers

While we did get faint mentions of Cybertron’s origins in some of the previous Michael Bay movies, as well as the war that had transpired there in the 1980s (in the big screen continuity) before the Autobots sought refuge on earth, there were just so many loose ends.

The two Mark Wahlberg films, in particular, made it even more confusing for me even if it also mentioned something about the original 12 Primes.

We got a lot more information about Cybertron from the Bumblebee franchise reboot, but it was still limited to the war that had transpired in that world.

It’s just so great to see a Transformers film that revolved around the transformers themselves. No humans. No military (and intelligence) personnel. Not even unnecessary sexual elements. Just good plain transformable robots. It wasn’t even a few minutes into the film when we saw the first transformations to keep us engaged.

That said, it’s quite understandable why there were human-centric narratives in the films that preceded, simply because of the status quo wherein transformers have already been coexisting with humans on Earth.

But still. In Transformers One, we got to know Orion Pax, D-16, B-127, and Elita One in-depth and who they used to be before all the other films.

Well-woven story of origin stories

What’s great about Transformers One is that it also interlaced Megatron’s own villain origin story within the bigger plot of Cybertron’s dark secrets and the transformers’ more general origin story. In fact, it looked more of a web of origin stories rather than just one.

We saw how D-16 turned into the sinister, revenge-thirsty Megatron persona that he is after being lied to all these years by who he thought was a role model.

Meanwhile, Orion Pax’s transformation (pun intended) to Optimus Prime was also highlighted towards the end.

Sure, there was some exposition from Laurence Fishburne’s Alpha Trion, but the film’s creators made sure to limit that so that it didn’t take up too long of the screen time. It was forgivable and wasn’t too “explanatory”.

Can we talk about the voice cast for a moment?

Chris Hemsworth is no Peter Cullen, and never will be. But he was able to give Optimus Prime a distinctive voice that’s authoritative and commanding in a good way.

So much so that towards the end, when Prime was already giving his usual goosebumps-inducing speech, it didn’t even feel like it was the Thor actor providing the voice for the franchise protagonist. Instead, it was just Prime being Prime.

Ditto with Brian Henry’s Megatron. Of course, we’ve seen him do the last two Legendary films involving Godzilla and Kong as more of a funnier guy to complement the main actors.

His role in Transformers One was just as impressive. He gave life and personality to D-16/Megatron, especially after the heel turn once he found out he (and the whole of Iacon) was only betrayed by Sentinel Prime.

Keegan-Michael Key, of course, was his entertaining and goofy self as B-127, providing a balance to the chemistry. Naturally, Black Widow star Scarlett Johansson gave authority too to Elita One.

Detailed

Ultimately, the various movie elements were fused together with solid screenplay. I loved how detailed it got, with references to everything about the Hasbro line to the origin of the Autobots and Decepticons’ respective battle cries.

There was even that one specific dialogue that referenced Keegan-Michael Key’s “Substitute Teacher” skit from Key and Peele.

Quite frankly, I’m amazed how the puzzle pieces just fit nicely as the movie progressed. The film made sure to cover everything.

One by one, the masterpiece was able to touch on how the cogs were taken away from the residents of Iacon, to how talkative B-127 was while serving as a worker of the lowest possible class.

Honestly, I’d lose my mind too and just start talking a lot. But it also reminds us of the stark contrast between this B-127 and the Bumblebee that came to Earth who eventually became mute.

Even how Starscream got his distorted voice from a Megatron chokehold was something I didn’t know prior. He also apparently led his bandit group as a third side in the film, before becoming subordinates to Megatron in future stories along with Soundwave and Shockwave.

Well-written

But what’s great about all these is that they weren’t just introduced in random spurts throughout the film. There was an appropriate order, and they were all still glued to the main plot. Considering how much details were incorporated; I was impressed as it didn’t need to get too expository.

Towards the end, Orion Pax became Optimus Prime, being handed the Matrix of Leadership by the original Primes for his sacrifice. Optimus and his group renamed themselves as the Autobots, having the power not only to transform but to also be autonomous and make their own decisions.

On the other hand, Megatron was banished from society. That’s in spite of what he felt was a heroic deed by standing up against Sentinel Prime. These events irked him even more. Eventually, the Decepticons were born, with the mission to “rise up” against what they felt was a deceptive brand of leadership from Optimus.

Now, a revolt-against-the-tyrant narrative isn’t something we haven’t seen before from other franchises, but aids in telling the characters’ individual origin stories.

No Linkin Park song, sadly

As expected, this movie also didn’t have a Linkin Park song unlike the distinctive credit scenes from the previous Michael Bay offerings.

However, this element from those movies was something I would have wanted retained here. Linkin Park’s new song, “The Emptiness Machine” actually encapsulates the betrayal. Just peep this excerpt from the lyrics:

Let you cut me open just to watch me bleed
Gave up who I am for who you wanted me to be
Don’t know why I’m hopin’ for what I won’t receive
Fallin’ for the promise of the emptiness machine
The emptiness machine (I only wanted to be part of something)

Of course, Sentinel Prime misled Iacon, especially the miners, into thinking he was a role model. Yet in the end, the “leader” turned out to be a fake, only spewing false promises while being a sellout for the Quintessons.

And Megatron was among those who fell for that scheme and took it to heart. It’s unfortunate, because if you think about it, he did just want to be part of something.

But I know the movie was already in production prior to the release of this song. It would have been difficult to have it added in the last minute.

Hopefully, if there is a next installment, it can complement the dejected Megatron’s vengeful quest. Because we all know that’s where we’re headed, right?

Prequel trilogy in the making?

It’s exciting times for the Transformers franchise as far as its big screen presence is concerned. Transformers One could well set up a prequel trilogy in the making.

The movie itself already revealed hints. None of which was bigger than the end-credits scene where Megatron is staging a revolt of his own against the now leader of Cybertron.

There could be a transition film as well that may focus on Elita One as well. The resolution also showed Scarlett Johansson’s character becoming Optimus’ deputy. But from what I’ve read, she’s also his love interest.

Neither did she have prior big screen presence. So, it would be interesting to see if the next film would revolve around her, before the imminent war on Cybertron.

Your Cinematch?

Let’s just pull up our managing editor’s Watch scale:

Watch ASAP
Watch at your convenience
Wait for crowd/ hype to trickle down
Wait on streaming
Skip

Transformers One isn’t just a prequel about Cybertron’s pre-war state. What we saw on the trailers before the film came out was just the tip of the iceberg. I’m saying it’s at least a Watch at your convenience movie for casuals and Watch ASAP for those who are really into Hasbro’s iconic toys.

The movie took us for a ride — from the depths of Iacon to the surface. It truly walks the “more than meets the eye” talk. There’s Optimus Prime and how always viewed things from a larger scale. There’s also the dark origin to Megatron’s villain story. And there’s everyone else around them who played a part.

I left the cinema knowing more about the entire saga than when I entered, and despite all the prior films I’ve watched.

And yet, Transformers One isn’t just about the two ex-best friends’ story either. In its entirety, the film gives us what we need to know and keeps us glued for what’s about to come.

Entertainment

X-Men ’97 returns to Disney+ for second season

Emmy-nominated series to continue mutant team’s story

Published

May 30, 2026

GadgetMatch

Marvel Animation’s Emmy-nominated X-Men ’97 is returning to Disney+ for a second season, starting July 1.

Along with this announcement, a trailer and poster have been made available. The first season of the animated series was one of the most-watched Disney+ originals, and a hit with fans and critics alike.

Season 2 continues with the heroic mutant team of X-Men, divided and thrown across different eras in time as they struggle to navigate their return home.

Meanwhile, back in the 1990s, suspicious foes and new strains of mutant intolerance are on the rise in the wake of the protagonists’ absence.

The second season will be comprised of nine episodes. The voice cast includes:

Ross Marquand as Professor X
Matthew Waterson as Magneto
Ray Chase as Cyclops
Jennifer Hale as Jean Grey
Alison Sealy-Smith as Storm
Cal Dodd as Wolverine
Lenore Zann as Rogue
George Buza as Beast

The series is executive produced by Brad Winderbaum, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt, Julia Lewald, Eric Lewald, Larry Houston, and Beau DeMayo.

Jake Castorena serves as the supervising producer. Episodes were written by JB Ballard, Beau DeMayo, Bailey Moore, Antony Sellitti, Brian Ford Sullivan, and Mariah Wilson.

The episodic directors are Emmett Yonemura and Chase Conley.

Entertainment

Now Playing: The Mandalorian and Grogu

This is the way

Published

May 19, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles and Dawn Pangilinan

Image from StarWars.com

It’s been a while since a Star Wars movie made me walk out of a cinema feeling genuinely pumped. Not necessarily emotional nor mind-blown. And not even scrambling to re-evaluate the entire franchise. Just… pumped.

The Mandalorian and Grogu feels like a proper Star Wars blockbuster again. The kind built for crowded cinemas, loud reactions, and collective gasps during action sequences. More importantly, it feels approachable in a way the franchise hasn’t always managed to be lately.

As someone whose interest in Star Wars slowly waned after The Rise of Skywalker, this movie felt oddly refreshing.

I watched the film alongside occasional GadgetMatch contributor Dawn, whose relationship with Star Wars sits somewhere adjacent to mine. Familiar with the Skywalker Saga and select spin-offs, but not necessarily deep into every corner of the lore either. Not because it reinvented the wheel. Quite the opposite, actually. It understood exactly what kind of movie it wanted to be.

I came into the film fairly blind. No rewatches, just a little prep work, and no “required viewing” marathons beforehand. And somehow, none of that really mattered.

Even without context from multiple seasons of Disney+ shows, Din Djarin and Grogu’s bond clicks almost immediately. You don’t need a detailed explanation for why these two care deeply about each other. The movie trusts viewers enough to simply accept their connection and move forward.

Grogu also remains ABSOLUTELY THE CUTEST. No further notes.

Well, maybe one more note.

That little guy carries an absurd amount of emotional weight throughout the movie. Whether he’s unintentionally causing chaos, silently reacting to situations, or simply existing onscreen, he consistently draws laughs and reactions from the audience.

There’s one sequence in particular where Grogu takes care of Din that managed to get a few giggles. It’s a small moment, but one that perfectly captures why this duo works. They don’t feel manufactured. They just feel natural.

Safe storytelling done right

One thing we kept coming back to after the screening was how easy the movie was to watch. Not “easy” in a dismissive way. More accessible and comfortable.

It’s the kind of blockbuster that lets you settle into the experience without requiring homework beforehand.

One observation that stood out during our post-movie discussion was describing the film as a “palate cleanser spin-off.” Despite growing up with the Skywalker Saga and several Star Wars spin-offs herself, she appreciated how welcoming the film felt.

“It’s interesting enough to lure you back into the lore and fall back into love with the franchise,” she said.

That really captures the movie’s biggest strength.

The Mandalorian and Grogu doesn’t spend its runtime obsessing over lore density or trying to prove how important it is within the larger Star Wars timeline. Instead, it focuses on delivering a straightforward adventure with familiar emotional beats.

Sometimes, that traditional recipe is enough.

There are definitely moments where the story feels predictable. We found ourselves correctly guessing certain developments well before they happened. But surprisingly, that never hurt the experience.

If anything, the predictability made the movie feel oddly comforting.

The film knows when to slow down for tender scenes, when to ramp things up with explosive action, and when to simply let viewers breathe inside its world. There’s also very little visual fatigue throughout the runtime. The pacing stays clean and the movie rarely overstays its welcome.

One of my favorite sequences involved Rotta the Hutt in a gladiator-like setting that weirdly reminded me of Thor: Ragnarok. It was chaotic, funny, and surprisingly entertaining.

Also, I need it on record that I identified with Rotta look-wise.

That comparison was apparently questionable according to my companion for the screening.

A low-friction way back into Star Wars

More than anything else, The Mandalorian and Grogu reminded me why people fell in love with Star Wars in the first place.

Not through endless callbacks or franchise homework. But through companionship, adventure, and a healthy helping of heart.

Underneath all the sci-fi spectacle and action sequences is a story about choosing to care for people even when it might not be the smartest thing to do in the moment. Din and Grogu’s relationship may often get described online as father-and-son, but honestly, they felt more like disproportionately-sized bros constantly looking out for each other.

And somehow, that dynamic works incredibly well.

By the end of the movie, we arrived at almost the same conclusion. We wanted more.

Not necessarily because this was the greatest Star Wars story ever told. It isn’t trying to be. But it successfully reignited interest in a franchise that can sometimes feel daunting from the outside looking in.

One immediate effect of the movie was successfully convincing my co-viewer to finally start The Mandalorian Season 1 once schedules calm down a bit. In the meantime, Grogu doomscrolling on Instagram will apparently suffice.

Meanwhile, I’m suddenly considering diving back into Star Wars shows I skipped over the years. I might check out The Acolyte. Maybe Obi-Wan Kenobi. Maybe even tap into gaming with the adventures of Cal Kestis if time and workload permit.

That’s probably the biggest compliment I can give this movie. It made me want to care again.

For longtime fans, The Mandalorian and Grogu delivers good, clean Star Wars fun with heart and hype.

For newcomers, it offers a surprisingly low-friction entry point into a universe that can otherwise feel overwhelming.

That might be exactly what Star Wars needed right now.

Entertainment

This Is the Way to the Theater: What to Know Before ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’

Din Djarin and Grogu Primer

Published

May 12, 2026

Pio Garcia

The Mandalorian and Grogu Final Trailer Screenshot

Strap your Beskar tight and warm up the N-1 Starfighter. The galaxy’s favorite father-son duo is finally hitting the big screen! “The Mandalorian and Grogu” will officially trade the small screen for the cinema this coming May 22. The hype is stronger than a Jedi’s grip on a lightsaber. There’s plenty of ground to cover before the opening crawl starts, whether you’re a hardcore dweller of the Outer Rim or just someone who thinks Grogu is the cutest thing since Ewoks.

This isn’t just another mission; it’s a full-on cinematic event directed by Jon Favreau himself. We’ve rounded up five essential things you need to know before you head to the theater to make sure you aren’t more confused than a Stormtrooper in a hallway. From political shifts in the New Republic to some very surprising new faces, here is your ultimate primer for the next chapter of the Star Wars saga.

1. Brush Up on the “Mando-Verse” (Seasons 1–3)

Now is the time to binge if you haven’t seen the Disney+ series. The film is a direct continuation of Din Djarin’s journey from bounty hunter to adoptive father. You’ll want to remember that Season 3 ended with Din officially adopting Grogu and settling into a quiet life on Nevarro—at least until the New Republic came knocking. Think of this movie as “Season 4,” but with a massive theatrical budget and even shinier Beskar.

2. Don’t Skip “The Book of Boba Fett”

It’s the “homework” no one expected, but Episodes 5 and 6 of The Book of Boba Fett are essentially The Mandalorian Season 2.5. This is where Grogu makes the massive choice to leave Luke Skywalker’s training and return to his “Dad-alorian.” You’ll be very confused about why the little green guy is back in the cockpit instead of lifting rocks at a Jedi temple if you skip these episodes. Unfortunately, this is not a Jedi mind trick.

3. Meet the New Boss: Sigourney Weaver

Sci-fi royalty is officially entering the Star Wars universe! Sigourney Weaver joins the cast as Colonel Ward, a leader of the New Republic’s Adelphi Rangers. Since Din Djarin is now working as a “freelance” operative for the New Republic, she’s basically his high-stakes boss. Seeing the woman who faced down Xenomorphs take on the Imperial Remnant is the crossover we didn’t know we needed.

4. There’s a New Hutt in Town

Move over, Jabba! The Bear star Jeremy Allen White is voicing Rotta the Hutt, Jabba’s son (yes, the “Punky Muffin” from The Clone Wars movie). But don’t expect a cute baby slug; Rotta is now a gladiatorial threat who fights in the pits. If the rumors of him twirling twin hand-axes are true, Din and Grogu are going to have their hands full with this “Hutt-onis Creed.”

5. The Return of Fan Favorites

Keep your eyes peeled for Zeb Orrelios! The Lasat hero from Star Wars Rebels (voiced by Steve Blum) is making his big-screen debut after that brief live-action cameo in the series. With Dave Filoni co-writing, the film is packed with deep-cut references for “Filoni-verse” fans. Plus, rumors of a Martin Scorsese cameo as an Ardennian cook might just make this the most legendary Star Wars cast to date.

The Way is clear: catch up on your streaming, grab your popcorn (and maybe some blue milk), and get ready for a cinematic jump to lightspeed. “The Mandalorian and Grogu” is about to prove that while the galaxy is big, family is the greatest adventure of all. May the Force be with you!