Transformers One

With its live-action franchise deserving to be sold for scrap, Transformers One provides a new cinematic path forward for the venerable “robots in disguise.”

This animated adventure for the venerable action-figure toys is more for kids, with its feisty underdog saga trying to connect with the target demographic on a more aspirational level.

However, combining a lively pace, striking visuals, scattered big laughs, and resilient and resourceful heroes, it offers a nostalgic kick for an older generation, too.

Designed as an origin story for eventual antagonists Optimus Prime and Megatron — and thus the Autobots and Decepticons — the film works as either a suitable introduction or a delightful reboot, depending upon your level of fandom.

The story begins with impulsive Orion Pax (voiced by Chris Hemsworth) and his more level-headed sidekick D-16 (Brian Tyree Henry) working as blue-collar miner droids on the planet Cybertron.

Dreaming of something bigger, Orion enters the duo in a competition to seek recognition from influential leader Sentinel Prime (Jon Hamm). “It’s time to show we’re more than meets the eye,” he says with a wink.

However, the scheme winds up plunging them further down the ladder as they dream of a path to the surface, and in search of a cog that will give them transformational powers. They team with fellow outcasts Elita (Scarlett Johansson) and B-127 (Keegan-Michael Key) for a mission that puts them face-to-face with a decaying warrior bot (Laurence Fishburne) who offers words of wisdom and caution.

Soon they’re coping with the remnants of a bitter war that decimated Cybertron and learning the truth about its power structure, determined to fight for a better future.

As directed by Josh Cooley (Toy Story 4), the film’s crisp and richly detailed animation includes imaginative world-building and dynamic character designs. It’s helpful to have some advanced familiarity with the mythology in order to the be versed in the terminology and narrative context.

The screenplay becomes too convoluted and suffers from some typical narrative pitfalls that come with a designated franchise launchpad.

As it goes along, the story takes on more of a video-game mentality, emphasizing large-scale set pieces and gladiatorial confrontations over narrative logic and coherence. At least it doesn’t belabor the inevitable final showdown.

Still, Transformers One is consistently amusing and exciting enough to yield anticipation for how future installments, well, transform.

Rated PG, 104 minutes.