Review of Bumblebee (2018) by Edward P — 28 Dec 2018

I just got out of a preview, and while this is undoubtedly the best Transformers movie yet it is a long way from a good movie. There are zero stakes to the robot on robot action, as whatever the plot needs to happens will happen. This undermines the fresh and engaging elements where - and this is a franchise first - a well rounded character goes on a relatable emotional journey. But the artificial construction results in a very groan worthy climax, that just throws a giant robot shaped shadow of blah over the parts that were trying to shine.

As a collective there unfortunately remains a lot more to dislike or - at best endure -than there is to actually enjoy. I did not have to pay to see it (and was well provisioned with free popcorn, soda, and candy), but I regretted spending my evening on it.

The overwhelmingly positive response reads like a knee-jerk reaction to the miserable films of Michael Bay than an accurate reflection on the merits of this film. If it was the first one ever to have been released, if we didn't have the abusive relationship of the past to see this film through, it would be no more than 65% fresh. Flawed, but fun enough.