While this latest installment of the franchise is seemingly for kids, “Transformers One” has a lot to offer for parents (and other adults), too, especially if you’re a “Transformers” fan.

While I definitely would be OK forgetting the Michael Bay live-action “Transformers” films of the last 20 years exist (with the exception of “Bumblebee”), I loved the animated TV show and movie from the ’80s as a kid. (Check out my ranking of “Transformers” movies on Letterboxd.)

“Transformers One” feels like a return to form while still bringing something new to the franchise. The film serves as the origin story for legendary characters Optimus Prime and Megatron, and while most people will know that going in, it is still fun to see the journey this movie takes to get there.

The story revolves around best friends Orion Pax (voiced by Chris Hemsworth) and D-16 (voiced by Brian Tyree Henry), two mining cog bots. Orion always likes to stir the pot and reach for more, while D reluctantly goes along with his schemes.

My biggest criticism of the film is that when it comes time for Megatron to reveal himself, it felt a bit abrupt, going from compassionate normal guy to vengeful assassin way too quickly.

“Transformers One” has plenty of moments for the long-time fans like me but also stands on its own as a story of a ragtag group of bots trying to make their world better.

Come for the “Transformers” origin story, stay for Keegan-Michael Key hamming it up as the voice of B-127, a.k.a. Badassatron.

Rating: 3.5/5