Heartwarming / Transformers (2023)

• The first meeting between Optimus and Spike in this continuity. Despite being in the middle of a battle and confused by their presence, Optimus still tells Spike and Carly to take shelter behind him for their protection.
  • Spike quickly returns the favor by pushing Optimus' ion blaster to him when Starscream pins him down.
• After Optimus accidentally crushes a poor doe, Spike quickly assures him that it was an accident. The two then connect as they share information about Earth and Cybertron.
  • In general, the speed at which Optimus devotes himself to Earth. He is fascinated by its incredible beauty, and struck by the sapience and fragility of it's life.
  Optimus: This world… what… beauty.
  • Spike is attempting to explain Earth life, and quickly confuses Optimus with the concept of "Mom," but Optimus is quickly able to understand the concept of "family." A little later, Spike comforts Optimus over Bumblebee's death, with the two being able to bond over lost family.
• Optimus springing into action to engage the Decepticons and protect the humans at the power plant. The affection he already has for Earth and for humanity is made clear:
  Optimus: "I brought our war to this beautiful place… even by accident. It is my duty to now defend it."
  • Spike being immediately willing to come help, at the power plant, with Optimus allowing him to come after seeing his devotion to his family.
    • Similarly Carly stands in between a downed Cliffjumper and Skywarp who is about to kill him. Willing to risk her life to protect Cliffjumper.
• Thanks to Starscream, a hospital is left without power, endangering the lives of multiple patients, including Spike. Optimus doesn't hesitate to use the Matrix, powering the hospital long enough for Ratchet to repair the generator.
  Ratchet: Optimus, no!
  Optimus Prime: No more death Ratchet. Even if it comes at a price… No more death!
  • And keep in mind the Matrix uses energy from Prime's spark which means Optimus did this knowing full well he could die and still had no hesitation because to him any human life loss is a loss he can't allow.
• While waiting outside the hospital, Optimus meets a child with cancer, who heard he could change into a truck and wanted to see it. Despite his injuries, Optimus is happy to do so, to the clear delight of the child.
• Later when Ratchet angrily chastises Optimus for his using of the Matrix of Leadership arguing that humanity may not even worth saving Optimus shuts him down with this single dialogue which reminds us just why Optimus is the hero
  Optimus: They are worth saving Ratchet. Everything is.
• Sparkplug is wrought with grief after Spike's injury, sitting by his bedside and wondering what he will ever do without his son, even asking how he could ever see the good in the world if Spike is gone. Just then, we see the aforementioned scene with Optimus and the young patient. Sparkplug goes out to talk to Optimus, asking him if he could use the power of the Matrix again to heal Spike. Optimus says he used up the Power of the Matrix, and it is in the hands of the Great Spark. Sparkplug is taken aback, saying that to him Optimus is essentially a God given his size and power. Optimus laughs it off. To him, humans are godlike, not due to their stature, but their might.
• After defeating Devastator and routing the Decepticons, Optimus offers Soundwave a chance for peace. The best part however is that Soundwave briefly looks at Ravage's body and seems to consider it. He does end up trying to punch Optimus, but the fact that Soundwave nearly switched sides due to his adoration for his minions is something worth considering.