I have some major gripes with Transformers One

Let me begin by saying: I completely understand why people call it a masterpiece. The things that are good are unbelievably good!

But there are two major, major things that pretty much ruined the movie for me.

My biggest gripe is Orion Pax, and second biggest is Elita One.

About Orion:

I know his personality as Orion Pax is a little different from Optimus Prime. I know a character needs flaws, and I know the main hero needs to be as far from their goal as possible when the story begins. But I'm sorry, I still think he's too pathetic and goofy. And it might even be intentional. Why do I think so? There's an interview with Christopher Nolan about The Odyssey where the interviewer says "We live in a time that demands apology from greatness". I couldn't help but feel this applies to our main character here.

That brings me to my issue with Elita One:

I'm already sick in general of this rhetoric that "attitude=strong", but in this story it feels especially intentional. It's as if the writers were painfully aware they had a female character who would have to end up subservient to the male lead - so they compensated by giving her plenty of opportunities her shit on him. Hell, even when she praises him there has to be some backhandedness to it. And when Optimus later offers her the position of second in command, he does it in a way that reminds the audience that "she's still more badass than him, tho".