On Oct. 1, the world stopped in its tracks to celebrate National Taco Day, which is fittingly honored on the first Tuesday of each October. Tacos have quickly seized the top spot on my food rankings. They stand tall as potent flavor vessels, combining a medley of savory components in a beautiful symphony for the taste buds.
Instead of fixating on just one taco, I want to share the love with two taco spots across Western Massachusetts.
La Taqueria Del Pueblo, 77 Boylston St., Springfield
Some restaurants feature an endless menu, while others specialize in a select few items. La Taqueria Del Pueblo offers an eclectic taste of Mexican fare. The restaurant’s birria tacos resonate as a landmark item. The birria meat exudes alluring spice within every bite, while the hearty helping of fresh herbs enriches the authentic flavors. Once you start eating these birria tacos, it will be hard to put them down.
Tito’s Taqueria, 145 Federal St., Greenfield
A small chain located in Franklin County and Vermont, Tito’s Taqueria presents a fascinating infusion of flavors. Traditional Mexican staples, like grilled chicken and beef barbacoa, are featured throughout their menu. However, Tito’s is also the purveyor of some unique creations. The restaurant’s chipotle lime pork radiates complex yet complementary sensations. The queso, crafted with Vermont cheese, is also a sinful delight.
Now Playing in Theaters: “Transformers One”
The age-old rivalry between Optimus Prime and Megatron receives the origin story treatment in “Transformers One.” I can say with confidence as a proud nerd that the Transformers mythology is dense nonsense. Sure, the sight of robots transforming into lavish vehicles radiates exhilarating energy, but the actual narrative motivation for these larger-than-life creations is typically superfluous. Just look at the slate of Transformers films that preceded “Transformers One.” The Michael Bay-directed features are all remarkably loud and visually busy, although they define no substantive reasons for viewers to care about what is on screen.
Thankfully, “Transformers One” takes a more pragmatic approach, and the results culminate with the best Transformers feature to date. While aimed at adolescent audiences, “One” achieves an impressive milestone for the franchise — providing its mechanical characters with purpose and an ever-beating heart.
I am floored by the attentiveness screenwriters Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari imbue into this project. They exhibit a great understanding of the world they are adapting by contextualizing the universe’s morass of mythological MacGuffin nonsense into more human terms. Viewers will still hear constant references to Cybertron and the AllSpark (despite countless monologues about it, I still have no clue what the AllSpark is or why it is essential). However, these plot elements become window dressing rather than the driving force behind the story.
The true engine propelling “Transformers One” is the relationship between the brand’s signature rivals, Optimus Prime and Megatron. Capturing the famed foes as best friends in their youth is truly ingenious; it allows the viewers to foster an instant connection to the duo as we gradually see their friendship erode due to dissident ideologies. Voice actors Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry are excellent at illustrating the characters’ peaks and valleys. Henry is especially a scene-stealer, exuding gravitas and complexion as the actor unpeels the layers behind the villainous Megatron.
Do not be fooled by the animation; “Transformers One” actually reckons with deeper connotations. Optimus and Megatron’s friendship is upended by Sentinel Prime, a charismatic leader who conceals his sinister intentions by propagating an unjust society riddled with oppressive propaganda. In discovering Sentinel’s nefarious schemes, Optimus is driven by a sense of justice, while a burning desire for revenge enraptures Megatron’s once-good nature. I am impressed by Barrer and Ferrari for showcasing some thematic fearlessness in their storytelling approach. The duo spin an admittedly familiar yet impactful narrative yarn that does not condescend to younger viewers.
Ironically enough, “Transformers One’s” Achilles heel is the singular strength of its predecessors — the visual aesthetics. Moving to animation from live-action is an excellent idea on paper, and there are action setpieces that take advantage of the art form’s free-wheeling creativity. Still, the movie’s imagery pales compared to many of its animated peers. There is a lack of texture and expressiveness to the world and its characters, making the film look more like a straight-to-streaming TV pilot rather than the blockbuster beginning of a new franchise.
What “Transformers One” lacks in visual prowess, the movie more than makes up for in its earnest reimagining of the vast Transformers universe. I hope this prequel serves as the genesis of a fun new franchise.
