Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Transformers OneThanks to Transformers One, the franchise has just created the means for a far better team of Decepticons than has ever been seen before on the big screen. As seen in the new animated feature depicting the origins of both Optimus Prime and Megatron and the formation of their classic factions on their home planet of Cybertron, the formation of the Decepticons is very well done. It also sets up a perfect continuation for key characters who will serve Megatron going forward.
By the end of Transformers One, the bot formerly known as D-16 motivates an entire group of disenfranchised Cybertronians to rise against the lies they'd long been told by Cybertron's previous and corrupt leadership. Under Megatron's leadership, these bots refuse to ever be deceived or manipulated again, hence their new names as Decepticons. To that end, it's a far cry from the Decepticon depictions provided in the live-action Transformers films, and a sequel to the animated feature could go even further.
The Live-Action Transformers Movies Repeatedly Failed The Decepticons
Very Little Character Dimension Beyond "Evil Robots"
Transformers is one of the most popular franchises of all time, and a lot of that has to do with the live-action movies that began in 2007 by Michael Bay. Brought to life with an impressive mix of CGI and practical effects, there's no denying that both the live-action Autobots and their Decepticon rivals are very cool to look at as they continually battle it out on planet Earth. That said, character depth and dimension for these bots are not nearly as strong when compared to human characters like Shia LaBeouf's Sam Witwicky or Mark Wahlberg's Cade Yeager (and the Decepticons definitely had it the worst).
The live-action Decepticons have very little personality or dimension beyond being "the evil robots". While there were some attempts made by Starscream to usurp Megatron's command as he does elsewhere in Transformers lore, the dynamics of their relationship were never explored in any meaningful way. While Starscream was also shown to be a coward and Megatron gradually became more unhinged, the rest of the Decepticons only really served to look cool and be "evil" as they sought to conquer Earth. Hardly any characterization is given to any of them, especially when compared to depictions seen outside the big screen.
Transformers One Is A Great Start For Megatron & The Decepticon Army
Rising Up With Far More Depth and Dimension
Comparatively, the animated Transformers One is a very good start when it comes to depicting the Decepticons. On the whole, Transformers One is very much focused on D-16 and how he became Megatron. That said, the reveal that the majority of the bots who become his Decepticons were once the exiled Cybertronain High Guard is genius, giving them a dynamic motivation to reclaim Cybertron after stamping out the corruption and lies of the past, albeit by brute force and coercion.
Transformers One features several classic Autobots and Decepticons, though there are some notable absences we'd like to see in the future.
The rift that grows between Megatron and Optimus Prime is developed incredibly well, having once been brothers who became rivals due to Megatron's unyielding hate and refusal to let anyone else lead Cybertron following the lies of the past. As such, Megatron comes to see that power and force are the only things that gain respect, which he indeed uses to claim command of the High Guard from Starscream. To that end, this initial movie has become the perfect launchpad for a truly captivating team of Decepticons on-screen, with the faction officially being born and rising up in Transformers One's post-credits scene.
A Transformers One Sequel Can Flesh Out The Decepticons Better Than The Live-Action Films Ever Did
A Sequel Should Have Much More Starscream, Shockwave, and Soundwave
What's truly exciting is that Starscream, Soundwave, and Shockwave are the three most predominant Decepticons seen in Transformers One. Visually looking like their first-generation depictions, the hope is each of these commanders would be given a spotlight going forward in a Transformers One sequel. After all, the foundations have already been set as to why Steve Buscemi's Starscream would be bitter towards Megatron, as it was originally his command that was taken.
"There's great potential for
Transformers One's
canon and the future of the Decepticons, as much more can be done for the Autbots' rivals compared to the live-action movies..."
Likewise, Soundwave can be further developed as a bot with enduring loyalty to Megatron as a leading communications officer and spymaster with his legion of cassette minions. Shockwave could be the Decepticons' dark science officer, conducting disturbing experiments while also driven by pure logic alone, so much so that he's been driven in past continuities to usurp Megatron as a far more legitimate threat to his rule than Starscream ever could hope to be. At any rate, there's great potential for Transformers One's canon and the future of the Decepticons, as much more can be done for the Autbots' rivals compared to the live-action movies.
Transformers One is now playing in theaters.
Transformers One is an animated action-adventure movie that marks the first animated feature-length film for the series in decades. The film will be a prequel to the franchise, and will tell the story of Optimus Prime and Megatron in their early years, how they met, and a closer look at the war on their home planet, Cybertron.
Director Josh Cooley
Release Date September 20, 2024
Studio(s) Entertainment One , Hasbro , Nickelodeon Movies
Distributor(s) Paramount Pictures
Writers Andrew Barrer , Steve Desmond , Gabriel Ferrari
Custom Image by Kevin Erdmann
English (US) ·