Bumblebee (2018) - Honest Review

Read Time: 3 minutes

Year of release: 2018
Run time: 1 hr. 54 mins. | Rated: PG-13 | Genre: Action / Comedy / Fantasy / Sci-Fi | Language: English

On the run in the year 1987, Bumblebee finds refuge in a junkyard in a small California beach town. On the cusp of turning 18 and trying to find her place in the world.

Synopsis

On the run in the year 1987, Bumblebee the Autobot seeks refuge in a junkyard in a small California beach town. Charlie, on the brink of turning 18 years old and trying to find her place in the world, soon discovers the battle-scarred and broken Bumblebee. When Charlie revives him, she quickly learns that this is no ordinary yellow Volkswagen.

Introduction

This is the film that comes right after the animated film “Transformers One (2024)” timeline-wise. It is the direct prequel to the whole Bay-verse of Transformers live actions films. Directed by Travis Knight, who is known for making realistic stop-motion animated films such as “Kubo and the Two Strings (2016), ParaNorman (2012) and Missing Link (2019).” Quite puzzling how he got into making a film like this. But it was good to know that Michael Bay was still involved as a producer.

Honestly, I had low hopes for this one as its the sixth installment in the live action Transformers films, and its slowly dwindling down and was getting predictable. Surprisingly it exceeded my expectations, not by a lot, but it was an OK movie. Good watch with the family, specially with kids who loves Bumblebee and the franchise as a whole.

Characters

Hailee Steinfeld have always been a good actress, and she was as well here. Her character was emotionally broken and was still grieving the loss of her father while everyone around her seems to have moved on. Her meeting with Bumblebee gave her that closure she needed and was able to move on with her life. She displayed emotions of embarrassment, fear, and desperation throughout the film.
Memo, played by Jorge Lendeborg Jr., his character was unnecessary. He didn’t do anything monumental for the story. He was just there. Though he was the starting point for the try-hard jokes to come.
Agent Burns, played by John Cena, was a character who I felt like could’ve been played by someone whose name isn’t as well known in the industry and do it better. His script was short and so was his appearance. I wasn’t much of a fan whenever he tries to be funny, it was annoying and it takes away the tension of the moment.

[Bumblebee transforms into a 1977 Camaro] No way. Are you kidding me? You kidding me? Are you telling me you could’ve been a Camaro this whole time? Oh, my God.

— Charlie Watson

Effects in Bumblebee were great. Falling a bit short off of the level of Bay-verse, but it was still quite enjoyable.

Conclusion

Most of the elements of the film was good, but what it really lacked on was good screenwriting. The script was amateurish and mediocre at best. The squeezing in of jokes and supposed funny moments were annoying and it kills the mood of the scene.

All in all, Bumblebee was a good prequel to whole live actions. A fun flick for the whole family and a great film for Transformers fans.