“Transformers One”

Okay, that’s my point.

“Transformers One” is the first fully digitally animated “Transformers” film and the first animated feature in nearly four decades in the ongoing series about giant robots that transform into planes, trains, cars and the like.

Since then, we’ve been bombarded with a steady stream of live-action films from director Michael Bay and others — starting with Bay’s 2007 megahit Transformers — that, while technically impressive, are hardly cinematic gems.

Engaging in a way that live-action versions rarely are — and coherent in a way that they almost never are — “Transformers One” serves up a fast-paced, humorous, and untold story of future rivals Optimus Prime and Megatron.

Advanced footage from Paramount Animation’s release suggested that “Transformers; One” was aimed less at those who grew up playing with Hasbro toys and watching the original animated series — which led to the 1986 theatrical release of “The Transformers: The Movie” — and more at today’s kids. That’s certainly true, but since it’s done well, the film should be a great diversion for the old guard.

Directed by Josh Cooley, the director of “Toy Story 4,” “One” introduces us to a pair of robots, Orion Pax (Chris Hemsworth) and D-16 (Brian Tyree Henry), who work in the dangerous Energon mines on the planet Cybertron. Though destined to become powerful leaders of the Autobots and Decepticons, respectively, and fierce adversaries, these ordinary Joe-bots are best friends who live among many others in the underground Iacon City.

In a fun little twist, Orion is the rule-breaker of the two, always dragging D along on one daring endeavor or another to prove they’re “more than meets the eye.” In fact, we find Orion breaking into the city archives in his latest attempt to learn more about the Matrix of Leadership, a long-lost object that could help usher in a new era for the planet.

The Matrix is also said to be a priority for the city’s beloved leader, Sentinel Prime (Jon Hamm), who soon returns from one last mission to find it on a forbidden and supposedly too dangerous to visit planet surface.

The next day is the big Iacon 5000 street race, a day off for employees. Orion plans to make the most of it by enlisting his unwitting buddy D. to compete.

“If we survive this,” D screams, “I’ll kill you!”

“I accept these terms!” Orion responds effusively.

Later, Sentinel learns of the two bots and heaps praise on them. But they’re soon banished to Sublevel 50—yes, that’s deep down there—where they meet another lowly employee, the incredibly talkative B-127 (Keegan-Michael Key). (The future Bumblebee, trying to make sure the name “Badassatron”—spoken in an ominous voice—sticks here and throughout the adventure to come.)

Joining our three heroes on this adventure is a fourth, Elita-1 (Scarlett Johansson), who has a grudge against Orion. (He worked under her and got her fired. That’s the whole point.) Like many of Iacon City’s residents, they were born without the cogs that allow them to transform. (Or, grunt, that’s what they think.)

Four robots — Orion Pax, top left, voiced by Chris Hemsworth; D-16, voiced by Brian Tyree Henry; B-127, bottom left, voiced by Keegan-Michael Key; and Elita-1, voiced by Scarlett Johansson — embark on a dangerous quest in “Transformers One.” (Courtesy of Paramount Pictures)

As they reach the planet’s surface, they encounter dangers including the Quintessons, a ruthless and terrifying race that fought against Cyberton’s original leaders, the Primes.

Working from a script by Eric Pearson and Andrew Barrera and Gabriel Ferrari, with the story credited to the latter duo, Pixar Animation Studios veteran Cooley never loses sight of the all-important relationship between Orion and D as the story grows in depth and action.

Beyond that, joke after joke keeps coming, thanks in large part to the hilarious Key, but also to Hemsworth, who is a solid choice to play Orion if you’re not going to cast Peter Cullen, whose voice was synonymous with Optimus Prime in the old cartoons.

Brian Tyree voices D-16, the future Megatron, in Transformers One. (Courtesy of Paramount Pictures)

“One,” which was produced by Bay and Steven Spielberg, is technically impressive in its own right, and its scenes deliver some thrilling action.

“Transformers One” is filled with sci-fi violence, animated action, and profanity.

Chris Hemsworth voices Orion Pax, who eventually — spoiler alert — becomes Optimus Prime in Transformers One. (Courtesy of Paramount Pictures)

Rated PG. At Landmark Kendall Square Cinema, AMC Boston Common, South Bay Center, Causeway, Alamo Drafthouse Seaport and suburban cinemas

Grade: B+