Review
JAMIE EAST AT THE MOVIES
Transformers prequel Bumblebee has heart and genuine emotion
Taking a nod from 2018’s favourite decades (the 80s FYI), this is a film steeped in nostalgia and with more than a subtle nod to Spielberg
This Transformers prequel, directed by Travis Knight (an inspired choice given his propensity for the Laika anime studio beauties such as Kubo and the Two Strings) is the sixth offering in what could only be described as an ever decreasing franchise, pretty much makes up for that which has gone before - namely hours and hours of churning metal, colossal and mindless destruction, borderline racist speaking cars and some god-awful performances.
The first 5 minutes of ‘Bumblebee’ will do nothing to allay fears though. We’re on Cybertron watching some mental battle between the Autobots and Decepticons.
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It’s clangy, full of exposition and a right rabble. Through the nonsense we learn that the Decpticons are close to winning the civil war, so Optimus Prime sends B-127, a plucky young robot, to Earth with the brief of paving the way and set up a base for the Autobots to regroup.
We then meet Charlie Watson (Hailee Stienfeld), a girl staring 18 in the face, with all the emotional nonsense that goes with that, saddled on top of the death of her father and the resentment felt at her mother remarrying. A canny mechanic, she takes a knackered old VW Beetle on as a personal project - and obviously gets far more than she bargained for.
Naturally the Decepticons get wind of plans and come to spoil the party and the third when in this is Colonel Jack Burns, played by John Cena (as an actual grumpy bad guy for once) who just wants to blow the lot of ‘em up.
Taking a nod from 2018’s favourite decades (the 80s FYI) this is a film steeped innostalgia and with more than a subtle nod to Spielberg - but do you know what? Despite being at the tail end of a tired franchise and in spite of it’s influences being worn on it’s sleeve - this is an absolutely brilliant film.
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It’s a Kwik Fit ET - an old fashioned buddy movie with the relationship between Bumblebee and Charlie as the centrepiece. It has all the ingredients we’ve come to expect from this genre - a difficult transition from teenager to adult, authority and friendships - but Bumblebee does it all with heart and genuine emotion - Travis Knight harking to his Kubo roots no doubt - which deals with similar issues.
Hailee Stienfeld is brill - cementing her as not just a child protege (getting an Oscar nod for her movie debut at 13 could have gone either way) but as proper good talent, elevating herself with some real comic timing and giving Charlie a depth and character kids will really be able to relate to and want to see doing well.
In true Dennis Waterman style manages to knock out a half decent theme tune too! Infact can we just doff our cap to any Blockbuster that opens with a Smiths song and continues to pepper some absolute gems in throughout (Elvis Costello. Tears for Fears and even Rick Astley crop up).
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Cena also does himself a lot of favours. After appearing in one of my favourite comedies of the year (Blockers - well worth a revisit) he continues his ascent to action hero - Watch out The Rock! Look behind you Statham!
Normally this week is a shambles for films, especially after a fortnight that has seen Aquaman and Mary Poppins Returns steamroller their way through the box-office, so it’s refreshing to find one more delight before the year ends.
If you thought you were sick of robots blowing stuff up (and after the last bunch of Transformers along with things like Pacific Rim you’d be more than forgiven) give this one a shot - it might just be the genre’s salvation. I didn’t even make any Bee puns! That sting a bit to be hon... DAMN.
Bumblebee 114mins (PG)
★★★★☆
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