The first watchable live-action Transformers movie to date. It's far from perfect but it has several things going for it compared to its predecessors:
- You can actually see what's happening during the action sequences.
- The plot wasn't idiotically convoluted.
- There's no Shia LeBeauf, the goofy parents or the "genius inventahh" Mark Wahlberg.
- Fewer closeups on asses, tits and American flags.
- Some of the humour is actually funny.
- The Decepticons don't all look and talk the same
It's not perfect. The love interest was pointless. The last 15 minutes turned into the usual silly blockbuster smash-em-up with beams in the sky and it was littered with too many corny cringe inducing moments. But then, it's Transformers you have to expect some silliness.
Would be great if the studio just pretended all of those godawful Michael Bay movies never happened and instead make the series from scratch, with Bumblebee acting as a prelude into the main series.
Everyone who told you Bumblebee is E.T. with a robot is right. Set in 1987, it can tap into the Amblin vibe, no problem. The decade that GAVE us the Transformers is actually a pretty good setting for this story, which cleverly casts John Cena as an '80s action hero who becomes comic relief as he loses control of the situation to unlikely heroine Hailee Steinfeld, and the movie has some fun with '80s references and its '80s soundtrack, which has an important and pleasant diagetic function. Bumblebee won't revolutionize genre cinema, but it does refresh the Transformers franchise (which I always skipped before) with real heart, characters you can are about (including a romance that doesn't take the cliched route), and actually recognizable Transformers. The lead robot is a real sweetheart, though some of the content was a little violent for a film that best performed when it staged clumsy robot slapstick. On the whole, a fun time at the movies, at least once Steinfeld meets the kind 'bot that will help her work her issues out in a roundabout way. Hm, kind of makes sense that the director of the origami-like Kubo would get how to make vehicles unfold into robots as well as they do.
This is how the previous movies should have been: non-blurry fight scenes that don't go on forever, and more importantly a female lead who isn't just a glorified sexbot. Her mom was a bit of a stereotype, but overall the movie was nicely done.
On paper it's probably the best in the series, but I still enjoyed the first one the best probably because it was fresh back then. Michel Bay's explosive fingerprints are noticeably absent from this one but that doesn't mean that Travis Knight didn't borrow a bit from his predecessor. It certainly diverges from the other movie's formulas in key ways but frustratingly clings to silly decisions like a romantic subplot that ultimately goes nowhere. Did we really need that included like it was a box that needed to be checked? It was entertaining, but I think could have been much more.
7/10
I do not agree that it is the best in the series just because it is a little more teenage drama and emotions á la Spielberg and the 80s, but it is GOOD for the sci-fi fans.
All kinds of awesome! that's the live action transformers look and feel we G1 kids wanted to see.... the absence of Bay is palpable and very welcome. Am I the only person who would have liked a ton more cybertron though!?!
Family movie mainly for audience a couple of years younger than previous Transformer movies. Bumblebee was made too pet-like.
I didn't believe I say this - but I most liked those badass Decepticons.
Still recommended to watch – better to understand how this human and Transformer relationship begins.
Although full of cliches, it is better than the 2 previous Transformers movies. I enjoyed it. Hailee is great!
Also, The Breaking off bumblebee’s sword mid fight snd stabbing him with his own sword is directly copied from Infinity war...
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Comments 1 - 13 of 13
MrDoog
The first watchable live-action Transformers movie to date. It's far from perfect but it has several things going for it compared to its predecessors:- You can actually see what's happening during the action sequences.
- The plot wasn't idiotically convoluted.
- There's no Shia LeBeauf, the goofy parents or the "genius inventahh" Mark Wahlberg.
- Fewer closeups on asses, tits and American flags.
- Some of the humour is actually funny.
- The Decepticons don't all look and talk the same
It's not perfect. The love interest was pointless. The last 15 minutes turned into the usual silly blockbuster smash-em-up with beams in the sky and it was littered with too many corny cringe inducing moments. But then, it's Transformers you have to expect some silliness.
Would be great if the studio just pretended all of those godawful Michael Bay movies never happened and instead make the series from scratch, with Bumblebee acting as a prelude into the main series.
FireFox1
Not perfect, but thank God Michael Bay isn't around anymore.Siskoid
Everyone who told you Bumblebee is E.T. with a robot is right. Set in 1987, it can tap into the Amblin vibe, no problem. The decade that GAVE us the Transformers is actually a pretty good setting for this story, which cleverly casts John Cena as an '80s action hero who becomes comic relief as he loses control of the situation to unlikely heroine Hailee Steinfeld, and the movie has some fun with '80s references and its '80s soundtrack, which has an important and pleasant diagetic function. Bumblebee won't revolutionize genre cinema, but it does refresh the Transformers franchise (which I always skipped before) with real heart, characters you can are about (including a romance that doesn't take the cliched route), and actually recognizable Transformers. The lead robot is a real sweetheart, though some of the content was a little violent for a film that best performed when it staged clumsy robot slapstick. On the whole, a fun time at the movies, at least once Steinfeld meets the kind 'bot that will help her work her issues out in a roundabout way. Hm, kind of makes sense that the director of the origami-like Kubo would get how to make vehicles unfold into robots as well as they do.jgazmom
This is how the previous movies should have been: non-blurry fight scenes that don't go on forever, and more importantly a female lead who isn't just a glorified sexbot. Her mom was a bit of a stereotype, but overall the movie was nicely done.samoan
Pretty good, not great but I think it is the best of all the transformer live action movies so far. Definitely worth a watch.DisneyStitch
On paper it's probably the best in the series, but I still enjoyed the first one the best probably because it was fresh back then. Michel Bay's explosive fingerprints are noticeably absent from this one but that doesn't mean that Travis Knight didn't borrow a bit from his predecessor. It certainly diverges from the other movie's formulas in key ways but frustratingly clings to silly decisions like a romantic subplot that ultimately goes nowhere. Did we really need that included like it was a box that needed to be checked? It was entertaining, but I think could have been much more.filmyjo
Can watch for Hailee Steinfeld.... +1 for her energy and performance in this movie!Emiam
7/10I do not agree that it is the best in the series just because it is a little more teenage drama and emotions á la Spielberg and the 80s, but it is GOOD for the sci-fi fans.
royalspikey77
All kinds of awesome! that's the live action transformers look and feel we G1 kids wanted to see.... the absence of Bay is palpable and very welcome. Am I the only person who would have liked a ton more cybertron though!?!CodeV
Family movie mainly for audience a couple of years younger than previous Transformer movies. Bumblebee was made too pet-like.I didn't believe I say this - but I most liked those badass Decepticons.
Still recommended to watch – better to understand how this human and Transformer relationship begins.
Sk1337
Although full of cliches, it is better than the 2 previous Transformers movies. I enjoyed it. Hailee is great!Also, The Breaking off bumblebee’s sword mid fight snd stabbing him with his own sword is directly copied from Infinity war...
xianjiro
SBU = Shit Blows Uppetriuc
The sleeper hit of 2018 . Might be the millennials version of E.T.