Steven Moran
Multimedia Journalist
“Optimus Prime: Awakening” is a 12-minute short film that was screened alongside the 40th anniversary theatrical re-release of “The Transformers: The Movie.”
Released in 1986 after the first two seasons of the animated series, “The Transformers: The Movie” returned to theaters in 2026 as part of Hasbro’s yearlong “Apology Tour.” The marketing campaign celebrated the film’s 40th anniversary while acknowledging its controversial decision to kill off many of the series’ original characters to introduce a new cast.
The short was especially bittersweet for fans because it featured voice actor Peter Cullen’s final performance as Optimus Prime. It was announced shortly after Cullen’s death on Aug. 26, 2026.
Cullen was best known for voicing Optimus Prime in the 1980s animated series “The Transformers,” commonly referred to as “Generation 1” or “G1” by fans. He later reprised the role in the live-action films, as well as in the animated series and video games set in the franchise’s “Aligned Continuity” of the 2010s.
*Spoilers ahead for “The Transformers: The Movie” and “Optimus Prime: Awakening.”
“Optimus Prime: Awakening” opens at the darkest possible moment, with the iconic leader of the Autobots on his deathbed after his final battle with Megatron in “The Transformers: The Movie.”
Soon enough, Optimus Prime is awakened by The One, a mysterious, all-knowing multiversal entity who informs him that he has died and that it is time for him to enter the afterlife. In typical Optimus Prime fashion, the Autobot leader refuses and demands to be sent back to the mortal coil.
The One commends Optimus for sticking to his ideals, but asks him whether continuing to fight in a battle that never ends is truly the right decision. Before long, the Prime finds himself on a strange moon, where he is quickly discovered and attacked by a group of Decepticons, including his scout Bumblebee, who has mysteriously changed sides.
After nearly being crushed by the Decepticons, Optimus finds himself once again before The One, who reveals that the nightmare is a warning of future events. Optimus asks The One whether the events can be prevented, but instead of giving him a direct answer, the entity sends him into another vision of the future.
This time, Optimus is on Earth as Unicron, planet-eating antagonist of “The Transformers: The Movie,” looms above. Optimus can only watch in horror as Earth meets its doom, begging The One to send him back to save the planet from potential oblivion.
As Optimus is pulled back from the vision by The One, he asks why this is happening and learns that he is expected to break the cycle of fighting that The One has witnessed across the multiverse. Optimus refuses, and in retaliation, The One thrusts him into another nightmare.
This time, he is sent back to the war on Cybertron, where he witnesses Megatron threatening to kill a wounded Bumblebee. After an intense battle with the Decepticon Leader, Optimus gains the upper hand against Megatron and preapres to strike the final blow, with Bumblebee encouraging him to finish the job.
However, before he can do so, The One reminds Optimus that deep down, he knows killing Megatron is not truly justice. This forces the Autobot leader to realize that if the war is ever going to end, he must be the first one willing to lay down his arms.
With a heavy heart, Optimus relinquishes the Matrix, leaving an angry and confused Bumblebee behind. He hopes that one day his scout will understand as he abandons the battle, saying, “To Light our darkest hour.”
“Optimus Prime: Awakening” offers a compelling look into Optimus Prime’s character, with nonstop action and excellent animation.
Cullen’s final performance as Optimus Prime is arguably one of his best as the character, making the Prime’s struggle to accept his demise all the more emotional.
The animation is done in a style similar to “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse,” which fits surprisingly well with the G1 character designs used in the film.
However, despite implicitly taking place in the mostly lighthearted and campy G1 continuity of the 1980s cartoon and movie, the dark and philosophical story of “Optimus Prime: Awakening” does not fit particularly well into that universe.
The short film is only 12 minutes long and has an incredibly complex story that can leave viewers confused about exactly what is happening. This is compounded by the cryptic nature of the story and an unnecessary post-credits scene that immediately contradicts the short film’s ending.
The short film’s runtime also does not allow for much elaboration, leaving viewers with many unanswered questions, especially if they have not seen “The Transformers: The Movie” or are unfamiliar with Transformers lore.
In addition, while Cullen and Frank Welker reprise their respective roles as Optimus Prime and Megatron, not every character received the same treatment. Dan Gilvezan, the original series’ voice for Bumblebee, was not contacted to reprise his role.
Despite this, it is doubtful Gilvezan would have been a good fit for either of the two versions of Bumblebee featured in the short film, as the Autobot scout acts significantly out of character when compared with his cartoon counterpart.
Overall, “Optimus Prime: Awakening” is a seven out of 10, with excellent animation, action, vocal performances and a thought-provoking, but incredibly confusing story. Cullen delivers an emotional final performance, but the short’s rushed pacing and complicated narrative prevent it from reaching its full potential.
“Optimus Prime: Awakening” does not yet have a confirmed streaming release, but it will be included with the limited-edition 40th anniversary Blu-ray Steelbook of “The Transformers: The Movie,” which is available for preorder on Amazon.
