As someone who grew up with these iconic Hasbro toys and the movies that followed, I can wholeheartedly say that the Transformers franchise has been a significant part of my childhood. From the initial thrill of the first movie to the cringe-worthy moments in later installments, I’ve seen it all. But when it comes to my favorite, there’s no contest – it’s Bumblebee (2018) that takes the cake.
I initially compiled this list back in 2018. Now, I’ve made an update to add Transformers: One, which is currently playing in cinemas.
I’ll admit it: I’m hooked on the Transformers movies. These blockbusters, sometimes messy, frequently brainless, but always visually captivating and occasionally tugging at my heartstrings, are like a forbidden treat you can’t resist devouring despite the guilt. They’re primarily designed to market toys and capitalize on Chinese box-office returns – and yet, I’ve watched every single one in theaters because they’re nearly always an entertaining ride.
But I am also an adult with self-awareness. To determine the below ranking, I had to consider an array of factors for each entry: How magnificent were the action sequences? Which Transformers look the coolest? Do you have to regret enjoying this movie because the director did creepy things? Are there racist caricatures disguised as robots? Would you risk it all for each film’s two central characters? How many times did you cry at the sympathetic robot eyes? Is there a John Cena or a Mark Wahlberg? Taking all these criteria into account, here is your indisputable hierarchy of Transformers movies.
9.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)
In certain aspects, “Revenge of the Fallen” appeared to be an underrated installment within the “Transformers” series. The characters Sam Witwicky (played by Shia LaBeouf) and Mikaela Banes (portrayed by Megan Fox) faced numerous challenges, yet their love surpassed any Decepticon scheme for universal conquest. Regrettably, that was the last time we saw Fox and LeBoeuf as the iconic “Transformers” couple, though in a more equitable universe, they would have continued to star together throughout the original trilogy, cherished as a duo of beloved robot-whispering sweethearts. We missed out on one more movie where we could hear Fox exclaim “Saaaaam!” with her distinctive, perfect flair.
In addition, “Fallen” showcased some of the most thrilling action scenes compared to other Transformers films. The initial Shanghai scene with the Demolisher robot, rampaging through an industrial facility on colossal truck wheels, remains a breathtaking sight, and the final Egypt battle, where the Devastator Decepticon and his enormous vacuum maw were involved, resembled a captivating dance of robotic violence. What’s astounding is that no one was harmed during the filming process while creating this intense action. Simply put, it was mind-blowing.
Despite its impressive aspects, there are several problematic elements in “Revenge of the Fallen” that should be consigned to the dustbin of cultural history. The characters Skids and Mudflap, portrayed as the essentially black members of the Autobot group, were a regrettable caricature, with exaggerated teeth and excessive use of slang. Even Michael Bay found them too offensive and they were not included in “Dark of the Moon” two years later. This marked the end of Megan Fox’s involvement with the franchise due to a strained relationship with Bay. She felt unsafe during filming and was mocked by him for these feelings, and she also disliked the way women were portrayed on set. A film intended to provide escapism should not be tainted by misogyny, potential mistreatment of actors, and blatant racism. While Mikaela, Sam, and Fox herself deserve better than being at the bottom of the list, “Revenge of the Fallen” requires significant apologies for its problematic legacy. It may not be the worst “Transformers” movie (that title goes to “The Last Knight”), but it does carry a troubling reputation.
8.
Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=rbrIQjVNl0E
The most intriguing aspect of the movie, “The Last Knight,” lies in delving into the historical background of the Order of the Witwiccans (the human group responsible for safeguarding Earth’s Transformers secret), revealing that Harriet Tubman was a member. In an alternate perspective, the most compelling part of the film could be described as unveiling that Harriet Tubman was hidden among us, working within an underground robot network. Unfortunately, the remainder of the movie offers little novelty or excitement, extending over two hours (or more) of repetitive scenes that lack the initial intrigue.
In essence, the movie “Last Knight” does have some noteworthy elements, such as the impeccable voice performance by Gemma Chan as the ominous Quintessa, and the quirky robot character Cogman, a sort of robotic British sociopath who often hassles Cade. Additionally, the collision of Cybertron with Earth is quite spectacular. However, the film as a whole feels devoid of emotion and resembles a video game more than a movie. It seems director Michael Bay was merely cashing his paycheck at this point, and the haphazard integration of various mythological elements – including the staff of Merlin, Stonehenge, a new super-villain named Unicron, and a connection to Harriet Tubman through Witwiccans – results in a bloated narrative that lacks enjoyment.
7.
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=itnqEauWQZM
The seventh installment of “Transformers,” titled “Rise of the Beasts,” unfortunately disappoints. Coming after the success of “Bumblebee” in 2018, which was filled with heart and action, this film feels lackluster in comparison. Despite being watchable, it fails to recapture the excitement that “Bumblebee” brought to the series. Unlike its predecessors like “Fallen” and “Last Knight,” “Rise of the Beasts” is not as entertaining or as engaging, lacking the unique action style of Michael Bay or a compelling script from talented writers such as Cristina Hodson. Essentially, it’s just robots fighting.
Instead of reintroducing Optimus Prime and the original crew, which feels like a shortcut, we’d prefer to see more of the animal-like Maximals as the main characters in this film. While Anthony Ramos delivers a heartwarming performance as Noah Diaz, and Dominique Fishback gains more visibility through this blockbuster, the storyline and action sequences seem overly familiar. A Transformers movie should offer unique robot combat scenes to keep viewers engaged, but Beastsparts fall short in that regard compared to its predecessors. Despite its attempts to rise above a simple cash grab, Beastslands in the fifth spot due to a lack of excitement in the robot action. To maintain interest in the Transformers series, Michael Bay needs to inject some fresh adrenaline into the storyline and action sequences.
6.
Transformers: The Movie (1986)
The initial full-length Transformers script remains quite captivating. The narrative plunges us into the conflict between Autobots and Decepticons, making it chronologically situated after the events of Transformers: The Movie (One) and before other sequels. Rewatching it following numerous live-action movies, The Movie serves a similar function as One in emphasizing the Transformers themselves. There are only a few human characters in the 1986 version, primarily one young boy, who is the heir of the Witwicky lineage, later portrayed by Shia LaBeouf. It’s refreshing not to see Transformers engaged in human tasks or saving humanity and our world. The action on Cybertron with all the bots leading their lives and grappling with a civil war is more than enough. Humans are merely a diversion. The main plot revolves around the colossal villain Unicron (voiced by Orson Welles) aiming to devour Cybertron, prompting Optimus Prime and Megatron to form an unstable alliance to safeguard their world. This robot adventure features dinosaic Transformers (Dinobots), a readiness to sacrifice Prime for some character development, and overall, it’s a strong entry with well-crafted robots.
5.
Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)
The first film in the Transformers timeline following Fox significantly convinced me. Initially, my loyalty to Fox had me questioning if Rosie Huntington-Whiteley as Sam’s love interest would seem like a strikebreaker on duty. It did somewhat, but being an ardent fan of Huntington-Whiteley, I managed to let down my guard enough to embrace the affection for Dark of the Moon. This was largely due to LeBeouf, who transformed franchise paychecks into work he could be proud of. Sam Witwicky is a commendable hero, and his final act in Dark of the Moon was a fitting farewell for the character that truly established him as a household name. (And also left him tanner than he ever naturally would be again.)
Essentially, you’re not attending these Transformers movies for the complex narratives. They tend to falter when they overload themselves with too much plot. Instead, what makes them enjoyable are characters like Patrick Dempsey, who should appear in more roles like this, and the human-Decepticon dynamic. The presence of John Turturro as Agent Simmons and Josh Duhamel as Colonel Lennox continues, and some visual effects that border on unbelievable are also noteworthy. The highway fight is impressive, but the creation of the colossal, wavy beast, Shockwave, in Dark of the Moon is a standout visual effect worthy of the Hall of Fame. With Shia LaBeouf leaving and Megan Fox gone, and an uncertain future for the series, this third Transformers film could have been a routine movie made solely to sell toys (like the last one, Last Knight). However, it turned out to be incredibly entertaining and a great bridge between the original franchise and its upcoming transition.
4.
Transformers One
Following the disappointing release of “Rise of the Beasts”, “Transformers One” serves as a refreshing revival for the franchise, rekindling excitement and making it feel welcoming once more. This film retains the simplicity of “Bumblebee” without being burdened by trying to replicate other “Transformers” movies. While origin-story films can sometimes appear forced, “One” effectively introduces character depth to robots we’ve grown accustomed to seeing exchange quick wit or motivational phrases. The story revolves around the bots who would later become central figures in the Autobot/Decepticon war, but in “One”, we encounter them as loyal friends working together in the mines of Cybertron. Their planet is now depleted of its once-abundant Energon supply, forcing a group of worker bots to labor in the depths of Cybertron to extract this vital energy from its rocky foundations.
Among the robot characters, Orion Pax yearns for something greater than his current existence. On the other hand, D-16 prioritizes adhering to protocols and maintaining a hassle-free life. However, when Orion Pax unearths a map with vital information about Transformers history, they both disregard the rules to ascend to the surface of Cybertron in search of this artifact that could revitalize their planet. Along the way, they encounter unexpected villains and allies, finding themselves in precarious situations. Their primary goal is to rescue their fellow Transformers from laborious conditions, free them from bondage, and guide them into the light. In the course of this mission, they aim to restore their planet’s former grandeur and bring about positive change for their brethren.
So One is a story of slave rebellion, a story of friendship, and a story about the danger of celebrity worship and exalting false idols. It also brings the heart back to the franchise that Bumblebee put in it before Beasts. The Bayhem of Extinction might still edge it out on this list, but One makes the prospect of more Transformers movies like this feel like a little treat instead of a chore.
3.
Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=dYDGqmxMZFI
Shia LaBeouf’s exceptional portrayal as franchise protagonist Sam Witwicky left many wondering how the series could continue without him, particularly given his iconic line “NONONOnononoNONONO!” However, director Michael Bay had a couple of surprise cards up his sleeve: Mark Wahlberg and Dinobots! Despite transforming Wahlberg into a humble inventor and family man named Cade Yeager, who reactivates Optimus Prime in his workshop, and dealing with a rebellious teenage daughter played by Nicola Peltz, who appears to be dating someone older than herself, Bay successfully managed to keep the story going.
Following the occurrences depicted in “Dark of the Moon”, Congress outlawed human-robot partnerships, rendering Cade and his daughter as lawbreakers for housing one in their barn. However, a malicious corporation is exploiting Transformer components to create deadly technology, while a Decepticon named Galvatron intends to annihilate mankind. Therefore, Cade must bring down a global corporation and an evil robot overlord if he wishes to prevent Earth’s destruction – all the while rebuilding his bond with his daughter. “Age of Extinction” stood out due to its refreshing sense of fun. As is customary, there was an extraordinary battle on a bustling highway that resulted in one of the most breathtaking visuals in the series, as Lockdown emerged from a cloud of smoke, accompanied by a colossal Decepticon ship. Optimus Prime mounted a team of Dinobots for battle, using his giant arm sword to spur a metal T-rex replica faster before dismounting and annihilating a team of Decepticons. The epic conflict across all of Hong Kong didn’t feel prolonged because it was simply so impressive. “Age of Extinction” made a compelling argument for the survival of this profit-driven, merchandise-peddling franchise, leaving this fan eager to exclaim, “Yes, Paramount, you may continue to take my money.
2.
Transformers (2007)
Ranking Transformers 2 second feels a tad uncomfortable for me because the initial Transformers movie is my top pick in the series. I could be enticed on social media discussions about how it showcases the most astounding visual effects ever shown on screen. (The only real challenge to the CGI dominance of Transformers lies in the fact that no post-production work was done, as the Transformers are just genuine, mechanical robots that Michael Bay discovered for his film. Consequently, there were no special effects needed.) The chemistry among the actors is also remarkable. Kevin Dunn and Julie White perfectly portrayed Sam’s eccentric parents, Mr. and Mrs. Witwicky. John Turturro delivered a Coen brothers-esque performance as the paranoid Agent Simmons. Josh Duhamel solidified himself as the enigmatic franchise fixture, the charismatic yet bland Captain Lennox, a military man whose jaw could shatter a sledgehammer. Despite their impressive performances, these actors are overshadowed by one of the greatest love stories in recent memory: Mikaela Banes and Sam Witwicky.
Among fictional couples, only three have stirred such a deep emotional connection within me that I’ve felt compelled to ‘ship’ them wholeheartedly – Ryan and Marissa, Eve and Villanelle, and Sam and Mikaela. Even as I grow older, I can’t help but aspire to emulate Mikaela Banes, while Sam embodied the perfect portrayal of the unassuming nerd who wins the girl. Their relationship enriched the ‘Transformers’ series with a depth that Michael Bay could scarcely achieve through his intellect alone, and when paired with what remains the best visual effects ever produced, it resulted in one of the most thrilling action-romances from the 21st century.
1.
Bumblebee (2018)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=lcwmDAYt22k
After more than a decade and numerous attempts, the Transformers series has at last delivered a film that one can wholeheartedly enjoy without any reservations (and I speak from experience as a fan of these movies). Initially, the thought of a standalone Bumblebee movie seemed like a mere money-grabbing scheme. With four Transformers films already released, another on the horizon, and considering the lackluster reception of The Last Knight, the notion of a spinoff felt more like being compelled to eat an overly sweet pie against your will. However, it was discovered that Bumblebee was indeed a smart move, not only making an expansive Transformers universe feasible, but even generating genuine excitement for it.
Hailee Steinfeld, an outstanding young actress from America, portrays Charlie Watson, a 18-year-old car enthusiast who yearns for her own vehicle and deeply mourns her deceased father. She stumbles upon Bumblebee hidden as a dilapidated VW Bug in a scrapyard, and after restoring him and bringing him home, she is astonished when he transforms in her garage.
In this rephrased version, let’s call it Version B:
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2024-09-25 22:55