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

Movie Review: Transformers: The Last Knight

If there's one truth that's certainly consistent about Michael Bay and his vision of Hasbro's popular "Transformers" line, it's that fans and viewers should already separate what is depicted in the filmmakers movies and the ones featured in other forms of media - most especially the iconic "Generation 1" characters that brought the entire franchise to life in the 80's. So it comes as no surprise that Bay's fifth and supposed final entry into the series, "Transformers: The Last Knight", is supposed to cap things and bring answers to the saga that began in 2007 which starred Shia LaBeouf as Sam Witwicky. However after the events of 2014's "Transformers: Age of Extinction", Mark Wahlberg is now the lead and plays the Autobots new ally Cade Yeager, and he leads a resistance to defend his robotic friends who are now labeled outlaws alongside their immortal enemies the Decepticons by the adopted planet they call home. Optimus Prime has gone missing since leaving to find the Transformers' creators and why they keep coming to Earth to invade... And thus this film is supposed to answer that question and the "Secret History of Transformers" and their ties to Earth.

Transformers: The Last Knight – Trailer
What follows however is a film that puts too much into the plot and leaves a lot less of Prime out of the equation. Long story short, the Transformers have played a part in Earth's history since the medieval ages - tying into King Arthur's reign as king of Camelot alongside the Knights of the Round Table. That along with the knowledge provided by Anthony Hopkins' character Sir Edmund Button puts Cade on a journey where he must save the world from a devastating force that threatens to end mankind. Prime meanwhile is swayed under the influence of the creator known as Quintessa - who created the Cybertronians and puts the planet on a collision course with Earth. Megatron reemerges and plans to see that he and his fellow Decepticons return home, while the Autobots remain steadfast to defend their new home and their allies. The final battle sees the line between hero and villain blurred as two worlds collide and one hangs in the balance.

Truth be told, Transformers: The Last Knight was alright but is a complete mess plot wise. It was something that had a lot of potential story wise, yet has too much going inside of it to give any catharsis or satisfaction to its target audience. It definitely continues what Bay started and has all the CGI action and explosions one can expect from the franchise, but as his supposed final bow as director it leaves a lot to be desired and could have been better. The fact that there was less Optimus Prime to see and more on the human aspect was something that everyone has seen already in the past four movies, and leaving things open ended means that there are plans to continue with no end on sight. Hopefully a course correction happens in the next sequel Paramount Pictures and Hasbro plan as they expand their Bayformers series towards future follow-ups and spin-offs.

Transformers: The Last Knight was released last June 21 and is currently playing in theaters.

Rating - 2/5