Movie Review: Bumblebee

Howdy all and Happy 2019! It's a new year and a fresh set of things to look forward to, and along with that mindset comes new movies, games, and just about anything in the world of popular culture I can write about. As this is the first post of this personal opinion/ reviews blog, I want to start things off with a review of the first film I thoroughly enjoyed seeing in theaters - the Transformers movie spin-off/ prequel "Bumblebee".

As many of you already know or have experienced, the Michael Bay directed Transformers movies are somewhat of a divisive topic among the fanbase - especially to older fans who grew up with the original 1987 animated series created by Takara and Hasbro. I especially am an old school "Generation 1" fan, so with the exception of the first film released in 2007 - I wasn't so happy with the turnout of the "Bayformers" line of movies - and "Transformers: The Last Knight" in 2017 pretty much killed all hopes of the franchise salvaging itself from too much explosions and an incomprehensible plot.

Bumblebee | Official Trailer
Fortunately for fans, that all changes with "Bumblebee" - what is being called "The BEST Transformers live-action movie" ever made. That claim doesn't come easily, and it took a viewing to really cement my own opinion on whether or not that was the truth. I can safely say IT IS, and thanks to an impressive story, cast that includes singer Hailee Steinfeld and pro-wrestler John Cena, and director Travis Knight - it is literally a Bayformers film that sets a new course for the film universe and pays homage to its roots in the original Transformers show by setting itself in the era it began - where cassette tapes were the in thing and all the stuff that powered the 80's was alive and rolling!

Set in the year 1987, Bumblebee is a prequel that focuses on the titular Transformer as he is sent to Earth by his leader Optimus Prime in an effort to establish a rendezvous point the Heroic Autobots can regroup in following the major loses incurred in Cybertron caused by their mortal enemies, the Decepticons. Landing on the planet successfully, the young Autobot is quickly put at a disadvantage when the first humans he meets misunderstand him and Decepticon forces who followed him injure him gravely. Forced to disguise himself, a chance meeting with a young headstrong girl named Charlie will lead to an adventure that will change their lives and how the tide of war between two factions will be decided on our planet.

Thanks to UIP Philippines, I got to see the film and it was so full of nostalgia and awesomeness that it simply cannot be described in detail. The pacing of Bumblebee was A LOT BETTER than any of the previous Transformer sequels I have seen. Focusing on just the titular Autobot makes it so much simpler, and Hailee Steinfeld is by far the most likeable and relatable protagonist the live-action movies have got - bonding well with the Volkswagon changing Autobot with her role as Charlie Watson. John Cena on the otherhand plays the relentless Jack Burns - who chases Bumblebee through this movie with a group of soldiers. Director Travis Knight plays these elements well, and it is fortunate we get such a stellar soundtrack to backup this throwback to the 80's too. Good stuff and the CGI elements look GREAT in the big screen - especially on IMAX!

Bumblebee is now playing in theaters c/o UIP Philippines.

Rating - 5/5