WARNING: FULL MOVIE SPOILERS
Optimus Prime and Megatron are iconic adversaries because the heroic and villainous leaders of the Transformers franchise. We’ve seen infinite iterations of them in animation, comics, movies, and extra, and now Transformers One gives an origin story concerning the two rivals once they had been better of mates. Going into the movie, I anticipated at most an honest if predictable work, solely to find a story that’s surprisingly political. Not solely does it give attention to a suppressed underclass throwing off their chains, however its portrayal of the variations in left- and right-wing considering is remarkably enlightening for what’s ostensibly a cartoon popcorn flick.
Transformers One facilities on Optimus and Megatron once they had been identified by their authentic names: Orion Pax and D-16. The 2 are denizens of Cybertron, the place they eke out a residing as non-transforming miners of energon, the important energy supply that runs their planet. Orion is brash and headstrong, whereas D-16 is extra cautious, however the two have one thing in widespread: They each look as much as Sentinel Prime, their world’s present chief and the final surviving member of the strongest Cybertronians, the Primes. When the 2 mates uncover a clue to the lacking Matrix of Management that may restore the as soon as free-flowing energon of Cybertron, they embark on a mission to assist Sentinel.
The Cybertronian Caste System
The category friction between the remodeling elite and the non-transforming laborers would in itself present loads to chew on, however in a serious plot twist, it’s revealed that Sentinel is definitely a traitor who betrayed the Primes and now sells off the planet’s energon to the very enemy that they had been warring in opposition to in order that he alone can exist on the prime. Even worse, Orion and D-16 be taught that every one are born with the flexibility to remodel, and Sentinel has been forcibly eradicating it. In different phrases, Cybertron is a world the place a lone robotic bought out his individuals in a coup, enslaves the vast majority of the individuals by robbing them of autonomy that’s their birthright, and reserves that energy for loyalists and people who promote this hegemony. Worse nonetheless, the chief has deceived his topics into believing he is a good and benevolent hero.
I actually, really didn’t anticipate this out of Transformers. Whereas it is a franchise with well-known traces like “Freedom is the fitting of all sentient beings” and “Till all are one,” it is a degree of overt political theming effectively past what’s typical.
Megatron’s True Driving Pressure
But it surely’s with D-16, notably the way in which he contrasts with Orion that impresses me most as a result of it reveals how Megatron’s personal right-wing authoritarian nature comes not from a spot of energy, however certainly one of worry. One would suppose him to be the rule breaker between the 2, however D-16 worries about shedding what little he has already gained. He sees Sentinel Prime as a frontrunner who can do no flawed till he discovers the reality, and when he does, he lashes out at Orion for shattering the comforting phantasm. Each time he positive aspects extra energy, he more and more sees himself as somebody who should exert his superiority over others as a result of they might do the identical to him. And when Orion takes a shot meant for D-16 and the latter sends the previous to his seeming loss of life, it’s not a premeditated backstab however an impromptu motion fueled by the truth that D-16 blames Orion for the lack of his secure world.
I felt that the 1986 animated film was very revealing by way of the inherent cowardice of Megatron. Whereas Starscream is often portrayed because the snake, it was clear that Megatron was minimize from the identical material when confronted by a vastly stronger being in Unicron. Transformers One enhances that picture by displaying how D-16 would have been happy residing as a lowly drone if he felt every little thing was as a substitute within the social hierarchy.
As for Orion, he clearly leans in direction of the liberal and left facet of the political spectrum. His self-sacrifice is what grants him entry to the Matrix of Management and direct contact with the god of the Transformers, Primus. He’s keen to combat to guard the lives and freedoms of all, however his willingness to let Megatron go on the finish of the brand new movie might be argued because the flawed selection, given what we all know of the Decepticon chief down the road.
Aspect word: I actually like how Orion’s conversion into Optimus Prime is lots like Megatron’s personal pressured develop into Galvatron by Unicron within the 1986 movie. In lore, Primus and Unicron are brothers who’re eternally opposed to one another.
Ultimate Ideas
Transformers One does a remarkably strong job of displaying how two people might be true mates at some extent of their lives once they have subsequent to nothing, after which have it collapse as soon as they’ve extra. The variations between Orion and D-16 go from small cracks simply ignored to large fissures that threaten to tear every little thing aside. And central to all of it is the query of what to do with energy within the face of injustice.
