Review of Bumblebee (2018) by Jin W — 04 Jan 2019

Transformers with story... and THRILLING Generation 1 references!

Michael Bay's descent to story-lessness in his Transformers movies as they progressed meant this non-Michael Bay movie, Bumblebee, shone all the more. Hailee Steinfeld projects carefree and angst-ridden 18 year old pretty well, and she is a pretty good actress in this show - showing a good range of emotions throughout the movie. In fact this was required, given that Bumblebee's "emotions" looked so human that if you put Shia LeBouf in this, Shia would look like a robot.

My most absolute favourite and most thrilling thing I got from this movie is the G1 (Generation 1 for non Transformers geeks) references to the original cartoons. I don't want to throw in a spoiler here but if you're a G1 fan, pay close attention to the beginning (Cybertron scene) and towards the end (notice what's next to Bumblebee as he drives across the bridge) of this movie and trust me, you'd be absolutely thrilled! This close link to the G1 Transformers really nailed it for me, and was never part of any of the 5 Michael Bay Transformers movies.

There's a lot more "heart" to Bumblebee that makes the story more sticky and memorable than much of Michael Bay's Transformers, especially 4 and 5. This also means that there are moments of slower paces when Bumblebee gets to know Hailee's character. I do think that it gets just a little long drawn at some parts, but it doesn't detract from the story much.

That said, this movie has some great action too! Right from the beginning, it explodes with action. And the action sequences are actually really good and "feels" real. And fans of Michael Bay's fantastic action sequences won't be disappointed because the action sequences in Bumblebee is just as visceral in many parts. So it's a movie well done in terms of balance between action and story - something Michael Bay really needs to get right with his next Transformers movie. The CGI is truly amazing and a spectacle to behold.

The one thing I'm not so happy about in Bumblebee are the male actors - or at least their scripts. Gee talk about weak, clueless and useless males. There are plenty of them. Jorge Lendeborg Jr. was a token male and really adds nothing of value or weight to the story. Hailee's onscreen stepfather is a jerk for a start. The army leads are also portrayed as pretty dumb. Even the strong John Cena, has weak lines (except the ending sequence). Just because there's a strong female lead (and Hailee is a very strong and convincing actress), it doesn't mean that we have to have all the males as weak and clueless!

It's ironic that upon replacing the increasingly annoying Shia LeBouf with the much more respectable Mark Wahlberg, Michael Bay decides to completely forget stories in Transformers 4 and 5. (as a note, my favourite Michael Bay movies were Transformers 1 and 2). Of all the actors in the recent 6 Transformers movies, I actually like Mark Wahlberg best. Mark Wahlberg is a "real man" in the Transformers movies, but unfortunately stifled by weak story.

All in all, it's actually a good movie. It's a good break from Michael Bay's story-lessness. Bumblebee has heart and action, and well worth the watch. Good yarn for the eyes. Watch it.