A QUINN REVIEW: BUMBLEBEE

BUMBLEBEE

(2018)

AGE: 11+

80% SWEET

So What’s the Story?

Cybertron has fallen to a brutal war, and Optimus has sent the remaining autobots in the resistance scattered across the universe. Bumblebee is sent to Earth in order to start building an Autobot base. Soon he loses his memory in a fight against StarScream a Decepticon. Bumblebee is forced to go into hiding as he disguises himself as a car (a yellow beetle). Soon 18 year old Charlie Watson, a girl struggling with the recent death of her dad discovers Bumblebee. Together they go on a journey of adventure in which they will discover their inner self.

Is It Worth Your While?

Who knew that a Transformers movie would turn out sweet. I mean not in a million years would I think another Transformers installment would be good, but I had faith in this one, and that faith paid off. Now here are my reasons. First off, the directing. I thought that Travis Knight, director of Kubo and the Two Strings did a phenomenal job of bringing the fun, and imagination to a bloated blockbuster franchise. He creates coherent, and fun action sequences, filled with eye popping special effects. He also directs it in a style of the 80’s that’s accurate, and funny at the same time. Next I thought that the special effects were mixed with brilliantly done action sequences. However I did only see it on a small screen, I’m sure that it’s even cooler on a big screen. Third I thought that the story was fun, and had some funny 80’s references throughout. It also had a good message of finding out who you truly are even when there are challenges that once prevented you from doing so. Fourth I thought that the script was funny, and overall good, although at times it did feel contained, and repeated sometimes. My main problem was the first scene of the battle of Cybertron, felt rushed, and did not hook me into the movie like I felt it should have. Overall Bumblebee had a clumsy opening, but good directing, great special effects, and a good, but flawed script, and story.

How Was the Cast?

The cast in Bumblebee all did a very good job in the film. First we have Hailee Steinfeld as Charlie Watson. I thought that she brought a package of emotion, laughter, and a great, realistic Iron Giant like connection with Bumblebee. Overall she proves herself to be a great actress. Next we have Jorge Lendeborg Jr. as Memo. I thought that he brought the most laughs into the movie, and worked well with the script in a ridiculously fun way. He was realistic, fun to watch, and overall a light in the movie. Third we have John Cena as Agent Burns. He just gets better, and better with every film that he does, and in this he pushed himself to be as serious, and funny as he was in this movie. I loved the scene in the beginning where he sarcastically, and repeatedly shoots his partner with a fake gun. Overall i thought that the cast in Bumblebee did a great job.

Aging ‘Cybertron’

Bumblebee has some scenes of violence including gun shots, explosions, missiles, lasers the usual. It can sometimes get emotional, but also teaches a good message. Overall though, it will satisfy viewers from the age of eleven and up.

Buy Bumblebee on Amazon for $12.99