Movies

Transformers One: The One Change That Could Have Made It Perfect!

BBG News

In a refreshing twist to the Transformers series, “Transformers One” is a fantastic extension, coming very near to excellence with just one significant adjustment in its soundtrack. Set on their home planet Cybertron before they ever reached Earth, “Transformers One” undeniably stands as the finest Transformers movie produced, at least since the 1986 film titled “Transformers: The Movie.” However, that movie had a crucial ingredient that “Transformers One” lacks – the unique song specially composed for its soundtrack, Stan Bush’s “The Touch.

Following its release in The Transformers: The Movie – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, “The Touch” has been a significant element that contributes to the lasting impact of the film. The song is strategically employed in pivotal combat scenes, with a particularly poignant use during Optimus Prime’s solitary fight against the Decepticons in Autobot City before his self-sacrifice, an event that left a deep impression on young Transformers fans for decades. Later, the song is played again when Hot Rod unlocks the Matrix of Leadership, symbolically assuming the role once held by Optimus Prime and transforming into Rodimus Prime.

Transformers One Needed “The Touch” By Stan Bush

One Song Would Have Exponentially Improved The Entire Story

In essence, omitting “The Touch” from the soundtrack of Transformers One might be considered one of its biggest oversights. Firstly, it would have been a clever nod to the initial film that kick-started Transformers’ cinematic journey, given that Transformers One was only the second significant theatrical release of an animated Transformers movie after a long hiatus. However, the primary reason for its exclusion would have been that “The Touch” would have seamlessly blended with the narrative and aesthetic of Transformers One, making it a perfect fit thematically and stylistically within the film’s action scenes.

In a fitting title, Transformers One revolves around change and development, demonstrating how two friends bonded tighter than brothers drift apart into adversaries due to their ideological clash. As they gain control over the mighty Transformation Engines, they also choose to employ this newfound power in diametrically opposed ways as a reaction to Sentinel’s corruption. The movie also features Orion Pax’s transformation into Optimus Prime through the Matrix of Leadership, much like the ’80s film portrayed Hot Rod’s transition.

In conclusion, the events in Transformers One would have harmoniously matched with the powerful rock anthem The Touch. Using this song during the final battle seems almost prophetic, as it seems like the animators designed the climactic fight around the rhythm of The Touch before deciding on the final soundtrack. This is suggested by the way the strikes of the Cybertronian combatants align perfectly with the song’s beat, making it seem plausible that the scene was initially created to be synchronized with The Touch. Interestingly, this battle resembles the original ’80s film, as it depicts Optimus and Megatron’s first encounter instead of their final showdown, and features Optimus battling countless Decepticons alone, much like in the original storyline.

“The Touch” Has Been Used Many Times Since The 1986 Movie

The Cultural Impact Of “The Touch” Goes Beyond Transformers

As a cinephile who’s deeply rooted in the Transformers universe, I can’t help but notice the recurring theme of “The Touch” across multiple cartoons and films since the 1986 debut. In the original animated series, Optimus Prime, before his departure, would exclaim, “I entrust ‘The Touch’ to you!” This phrase often led to a transition into the music video for the song. In Transformers: Prime, one human character even hums the tune, and in Transformers: Earthspark, the melody subtly echoes when a character says, “You’ve got the touch,” alluding to the opening lyrics.

Stan Bush has revised his song various times throughout the years to match the timeline of the live-action movies, with one distinct version influenced by Linkin Park, filled with early 2000s angst and a rap segment, being created for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Interestingly, The Touch was played in Bumblebee, where the Autobot hero briefly broadcasted it from the radio to motivate his new human companion. Even in Transformers One, Elita-1 referenced the song’s lyrics when she told Orion he lacked “the touch” or “the power” during their initial encounter.

The impact of “The Touch” on pop culture goes beyond just the Transformers series. As early as 1997 in the film “Boogie Nights,” Mark Wahlberg performed a karaoke version of the song, years before he became part of the Transformers movies. Additionally, shows and games like “Regular Show” and “Guitar Hero: World Tour” have also incorporated the song as a symbol of ’80s nostalgia. To an extent, the popularity of “The Touch” has come close to outshining that of the Transformers franchise itself.

Why Transformers One Is Transformers’ Best Movie In 20 Years

Even If It Was Failed By Its Marketing

Without the need for The Touch, Transformers One stands out as an exceptional piece of Transformers content that’s been a long time coming. The heart-wrenching tale of Orion Pax and D-16, their paths diverging and the heartbreaking dissolution of their genuine bond, is made even more poignant by the excellent voice acting of Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry. The animation, fight choreography, and set design are all impressive, creating a world like Cybertron that feels remarkably alive and authentic despite being devoid of organic life, rivaling many science fiction planets in realism.

Regrettably, the first Transformers film underperformed significantly at the box office, managing just $129.4 million in revenue despite a production budget ranging from $75 to $147 million, not including advertising costs. It’s worth noting that the marketing strategy for this movie was questionable, with an emphasis on humorous one-liners that seemed out of place and awkward when viewed independently. This approach failed to capture the film’s deeper emotional elements, instead presenting it as a lighthearted blockbuster capitalizing on its star-studded cast. Few films have suffered as much from misguided advertising as Transformers did, which likely contributed to its financial struggles.

Given the circumstances, the prospect of a follow-up to “Transformers One” seems uncertain, as Paramount might hesitate to invest in another animated Transformers movie, despite its favorable critical reception. Including “The Touch” could potentially boost the film’s charm for fans who cherish nostalgic references and the original animated series. Since Elita-1 subtly hinted at the song’s impact in the first movie, if there is a sequel to “Transformers One”, it should definitely incorporate “The Touch”.

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2025-05-23 12:57

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