Transformers One shows the humble origins of two of the most iconic characters in the world Transformers franchise, Optimus Prime and Megatron, for the first time on the big screen. Transformers One has received rave reviews since its release, with much of the praise directed towards the excellent characters and writing that the film displays. Optimus Prime, being one of the main characters, is one of the best examples of how emotional and in-depth the film is, but the film also shows that Optimus is no slouch when it comes to his powers and abilities.
Despite its new cast, Transformers One is able to keep its characters close to their other incarnations. Optimus Prime has historically been a weapons powerhouse, with a ton of abilities that help him on the combat side. From the original drawing, to comics, to live-action films, he has always had an arsenal at his disposal, and Optimus in Transformers One is no different. Each version will obviously have small variations, and so the latest film has a mix of classic, iconic weapons and newer or lesser-known abilities that it introduces.
8
Enhanced strength
A true leader has to throw a very strong punch
Extra strength is a given for the main character in a film like this, but it’s worth highlighting here for Optimus Prime, as it’s one of the ways that helps show the character’s growth throughout the film. At first, a character like Darkwing is completely unbeatable for him, so he is completely at the mercy of the film’s strongest characters.
In the end, though, Optimus is fending off four Decepticons with nothing but raw strength and power, defeating Megatron, who is using Megatronus Prime’s gear, and then Starscream, Shockwave, and Soundwave, all some of Cybertron’s best fighters. Outside of his general fighting ability, His strength can be seen in some of the individual feats he performs. From catching a missile out of the air and throwing it at another person, to ripping Megatron’s cannon from his back, Optimus’ strength is one of his main powers.
7
Propulsion Jets
He still can’t fly
Optimus uses his booster jets a few times during the film, and surprisingly, he is able to use them in several unique ways. The most obvious use of these jets is when he is in his vehicle form and uses them to increase speed, both in and out of combat. However, he also uses them to glide when he is infiltrating the city of Iacon after Megatron and Bee are captured, as well as using them to improve his fists when punching, giving himself a little more power behind his fists.
However, a limitation of this capability appears to be that Optimus cannot fly with the jetsJust slide and make bigger jumps. During the fight at the High Guard base, he jumps on top of a different flying Transformer to get a better view from the air, and when he and the miners fight the Sentry soldiers attacking the train, he is using a jetpack, not using your own jets. The booster jets are clearly useful, but it looks like he can’t use them to fully fly, at least not yet.
6
Built-in Weapons
They are rarely used
While Megatron is certainly the more gun enthusiast of the duo, Optimus Prime is shown to have built-in weapons that he can use to defend himself and others. When the Sentry forces attack the High Guard base, there is a moment, after Bee jumps onto his back with a gun, where Optimus brings two small blasters in front of him to blast a handful of soldiers in his path. Optimus is in vehicle mode when using these weapons, and he only uses them briefly before transforming back.
It’s unclear whether or not Optimus can use these weapons in his normal form, but it’s likely given that every other ability he has can be used on any of them. However, he only uses these weapons once in a single fight, generally preferring hand-to-hand combat most of the time. This is probably because he often wants to avoid killing everyone in his pathgiving your opponents a chance to retreat and surrender, rather than just destroying all of your enemies.
5
Transformation
It’s obvious, but it has to be mentioned
Transformation is in the name of the entire series, so of course it’s one of the main abilities that Optimus Prime can utilize. However, although many of the above Transformers the media uses transformations simply as a tool, where a vehicle mode is for hiding or moving, and the regular form is for fighting, Transformers One shows Optimus Prime using his transformation powers all the time in combatwhether to retreat for better positioning or to gain an advantage in the middle of a fight.
Optimus’ transformations aren’t just for switching between combat and travel, but are an integral part of everything he does.
This is most shown in his battle with Megatron.where both are constantly switching between modes, sometimes even only transforming halfway through. Optimus lifts the wheels while Megatron is on top of him to get away, he retracts his head in a fun return to avoid being shot, and even uses his vehicle form to trip and push Megatron away. Optimus’ transformations aren’t just for switching between combat and travel, but are an integral part of everything he does.
4
Ion Blaster
But he doesn’t use his iconic model
Throughout the Transformers franchise, Optimus Prime tends to use an ion blaster as his signature weapon, which is seen in most other media, even live-action films. However, Transformers One once again, it does not show this weapon, as Optimus prefers to fight at close range most of the time. However, there are still many times that Optimus uses a gun in the filmeven if it doesn’t look the same as previous iterations.
He doesn’t have one, instead grabbing them from other soldiers, such as when he is defending the High Guard’s base, or when the group begins fighting Sentinel Prime during Transformers Oneof end. He never demonstrated formal training with any type of firearm like thiswhich is probably another reason why he doesn’t like using them as a primary weapon, in addition to any moral objections he has to killing first.
3
Flamethrower
They are simple but effective
Optimus Prime’s flamethrowers are another tool in his arsenal that is used sparingly but is quite powerful. They are another power that Optimus uses throughout the Transformers series, and in Transformers One he uses them in his final fight against Megatron. They don’t seem to cause much lasting damageas Megatron is very powerful and completely made of metal, but they clearly stun him for a moment.
Interestingly, the flamethrowers themselves are not unique weapons, but instead, Optimus produces the flame through his propulsion jets and then shoots it in front of him. It’s a smart way to show how Optimus uses all the tools at its disposaltaking the powers granted to him by his gear and matrix and remixing them to use for whatever purpose he needs at any time. However, Optimus only uses this ability once, likely because while it is an effective deterrent, it won’t do any real harm to someone as powerful as Megatron.
2
Leadership Matrix
The Matrix makes him the first
Transformers OneThe Leadership Matrix is ​​very similar to how it is displayed in other Transformers projects, where it has no capacity of its own, only when it is given to someone can they make use of its immense powers. The Matrix strengthens Optimus to an incredible degree, making him easily the strongest Transformer on Cybertron, as well as after succeeding, he is able to defeat Megatron and the newly formed Decepticons without much stress on his part.
The Matrix also has external powers just to make Optimus strongeras shown after the battle at the end of the film, where the Matrix releases the energon once again, allowing it to flow throughout the planet and giving everyone on Cybertron a transformation gear. The Matrix of Leadership is an extension of Primus, the god of Transformers universe and therefore, naturally, it is one of the strongest artifacts that can be found in the entire Transformers world.
1
Energon Ax
Optimus Prime’s most powerful tool
The energon ax is arguably Optimus Prime’s most iconic weapon, so it’s no surprise it was included in the Transformers One and given the fanfare it deserves. Appears during Optimus’ final battle with Megatron, arriving when Optimus is facing a lot of resistance, and allows him to finally and completely defeat the Decepticons. He is shown to not only be able to use it as a melee weapon, but is also able to throw copies of the ax to hit more distant targets.
The energon ax is a direct representation of the power of the Matrix of Leadership, and so naturally, it is one of the strongest tools in Optimus Prime’s arsenal. In the film’s best action scene, Optimus uses it to cut one of Megatron’s weapons completely in half, forcing him to surrender. Transformers One it shows Optimus with lots of weapons and powers, but thankfully it still gives his most iconic weapon time to shine in the spotlight.