Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (2020) on Netflix is a series worth seeing if you’re a Transformers fan. In the war between the Autobots and Decepticons, Cybertron has become the center of warfare and casualties. Chapter One – Siege begins during the final battle of civil war on Cybertron. As both factions are reaching their breaking point, an ancient relic known as the Allspark creates a hope that it could change the tide of the raging war. Megatron plans to utilize the Allspark to reprogram all Autobot resistance into loyal Decepticons on the planet, which would acknowledge him as the sole ruler. Optimus Prime plans to use the Allspark for good and liberate all Autobots from tyranny. The question is: who will reach it first?
For starters, I do not have the utmost fondness for the animation style of the series. However, that opinion aside, I do like the design of the characters. I am usually accustomed to the two-dimensional counterpart of the ’80s TV show. Considering, I still gave Netflix’s series a chance to show me what they had in store. I cannot deny the fact of how I feel about the animation style, but there is still something that I have come to like about its storytelling atmosphere.
Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy brought back something that I thought would have forever stayed in the old Hasbro cartoon. Sorry, this does not include the Michael Bay films. That something that resides in the Netflix series is the essence of its predecessor. This means that the series not only takes you back to what Transformers is about, but it also sucks you into their world. It provokes you to see what the Autobots will do next to halt Megatron’s plots to defeat them. I like where the story drops the audience, because the imagery displays a sense of hopelessness, curiosity, and turmoil. Additionally, it makes for a great origin story to unfold, which it turns out it is.
On the bright side, the acting and directing do the series some authentic justice. It differentiates slightly from other series, which also includes the live-action films. Those that came before capture a full team of Autobots, including Bumblebee, already backing up Optimus Prime. This is not the case in War for Cybertron, because picking sides in a war is a pretty hefty choice to make. Audiences (those that are familiar with Transformers) all know that the Autobots and Decepticons do not feel as humans do, but the quality of acting and directing changes that assumption. Their emotions shift, turn, and flip upside down through developments unforeseen that both sides are challenged with.
Whereas machines lack a human heart, the actors bring Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and many others’ characteristic traits forefront to the screen for us to see. For example: Megatron depicts a human emotion of greed or lust for the Allspark and will achieve it by any means necessary. They feel like real people in real situations. Although they may be from a different planet, war is war. The decisions they make, the hardships they have to overcome, and their expression of emotions is thanks to the actors behind the voices. I cannot wait to see what happens in Chapter Two, because Chapter One left off with an interesting cliffhanger.
If you are looking for a fresh story with a new origin story or want an homage to the original Transformers, then this is the series for you. I know I was not hooked right away, but I have a feeling that you will. Furthermore, I do recommend that you allow yourself to watch the pilot episode before you make your decision to continue. In the next chapter, I hope the series will be just as adventurous and entertaining as the first. So, what are you waiting for? Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy on Netflix is just one click away.
Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy
Credits
- Starring: Jason Marnocha, Jake Foushee, Lindsay Rousseau, etc.
- Writers: F.J. DeSanto, Brandon Easton, Gavin Hignight, George Krstic
- Director: Philip Bache
- Studios: Rooster Teeth, Allspark Animation, Polygon Pictures
