Review of Bumblebee (2018) by Markhreviews — 28 Dec 2018

Compared to the other installments in the Transformer series, “Bumblebee” is “Macbeth.” This movie is good enough that we won’t even be diverted by the multitude of opportunities for bad puns – the early buzz about the show – it’s just an embarrassment of riches.

The first five Transformer films, all directed by Michael Bay, seemed to focus on two primary target audiences: post-adolescent males who wanted to drool over Megan Fox or her interchangeable replacement female while living in their parents’ basements, or viewers who would later beg their parents to buy them the action figures.

In this movie, Director Travis Knight (son of Nike founder Phil Knight; previously directed “Kubo and the Two Strings”) decided to inject two previously missing elements: artful dialogue and humanity. All that’s good about this film, and there’s a lot, revolves around Hailee Steinfeld, who plays Charlie. Steinfeld first came to prominence in the remake of “True Grit,” (2010) for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. You may also have seen her in the last two segments of the “Pitch Perfect” trilogy as well as “The Edge of Seventeen” (2016). Steinfeld infuses this film with heart and humor, all wrapped into an attractive package of adolescent angst. Along the way, she receives able support from Pamela Adlon (so excellent in the “Californication” Showtime series) as her mother, Jorge Lendeborg, Jr. as Memo, her awkward love interest and John Cena who represents the military-industrial complex with all the dramatic range one has come to expect from the alumni of WWE. The story is forgettable. Bumblebee is an Autobot. After losing a key battle to the Decepticons (subtlety is not a strong point here), the remaining Autobots must disperse. Bumblebee hides out on the West Coast in 1987 disguised as a VW Beetle. Mayhem ensues. Earth saved. Roll credits. Fortunately, this film has much more in common with “ET” than with its predecessors. There are priceless moments, such as when Bumblebee adapts to the loss of his voice synthesizer by rapidly changing the channels on the radio to “talk” with Charlie. Along the way, there are a few life lessons thrown in about dealing with loss, adolescent peer pressure and a few other emotional odds and ends.

The late 80’s soundtrack is an extra bonus. We get a sampling of Bon Jovi, Duran, Tears for Fears, Steve Winwood, Simple Minds and others, plus an extra portion of The Smiths. These tunes are an excellent introduction for a majority of the audience, a pleasant, memorable undertone for the six mature adults who have chosen to attend.

“Bumblebee” offers a surprisingly fulfilling mix of humor, action and kindness. Don’t be put off by the mechanical acting in the previous installments. This is an affirmation for people with a full range of human emotions and a cautionary tale for Decepticons everywhere.