Movie Review: Bumblebee (2018) – heartfelt, nostalgic, and still fresh after all these years

By Preston C.

With the box office bomb that was the newest Transformers One movie, talk about the Transformers franchise has reached its peak around the halls of Airport High, and not necessarily in the best light.. However, in an effort to keep people hooked to the Transformers universe, let’s revisit one of the better films in the franchise. I’d like to take a look at a more positive film in the Transformers cinematic universe: 2018’s Bumblebee.

When Bumblebee finally hit theaters in December 2018, it didn't just offer fans a new chapter in the Transformers saga but so much more. The film was a  vitally essential return to what made the franchise so beloved in the first place. 

From the mind of Travis Knight, Bumblebee is an electrifying mix of heart, humor, and heroism, one that strikes a perfect balance between nodding its head in respect to established lore and forging ahead on its own. What really stands out, however, is how the film brings the Transformers universe to life with warmth and depth, from its character design to standout performances, all while creating a refreshing new continuity.

A New Lease on Life for Bumblebee

First and foremost, Bumblebee works because it manages to redefine the titular Bumblebee into a character with whom one can easily empathize, yet at the same time ring completely true. Played with just the right amount of charm and vulnerability by Hailee Steinfeld, the film tells the story of Charlie Watson, a teen girl trying to find her place in this world following the passing of her dad. Her path collides with Bumblebee, a battle-weary Autobot who, without his memory, becomes a fugitive from both the Decepticons and the government. Lying at the heart of the movie is the unlikely yet deep emotional bond that develops between Charlie and Bumblebee. Steinfeld brings a surprising profundity to her performance as Charlie, equal measures rawly sincere and admirably strong. That chemistry between her and Bumblebee makes this film deeply personal and incredibly moving, a central achievement for a film that could easily have coasted on special effects alone.

A Fresh Take on Autobots

Among the biggest achievements of Bumblebee must be some of the most impressive character designs, more so in the Autobots. Apart from the somewhat chaotic and over-designed robots from Michael Bay's Transformers movies, the Autobots in Bumblebee are impressively well-done, carrying better-conceived and purposeful designs taken directly from their classic 1980s counterparts. Bumblebee himself is sleek and stylish, taking the best elements of the original cartoon and reworking them for a modern audience. But it's not just Bumblebee who shines-the Autobots are afforded distinctive personalities that mirror their individual character traits in a way that's never felt so human. The designs, too, have taken a leap forward in clarity and purpose. Gone are those overly busy, mechanical shapes that too often made distinguishing the robots on-screen during previous entries an impossible task. Each Autobot in this film has an instantly recognizable design, simple enough to carry their personality clearly yet still retaining enough visual complexity to sell them as mechanical beings. Optimus Prime, for instance, carries this unmistakable presence-a design befittingly capturing his imposing stature and noble demeanor well enough that his periodic appearances come across as truly impactful.

A Film That Carves Its Own Path

What works for Bumblebee more than anything else about the previous Transformers movies is how the film manages to carve its continuity while still capturing the spirit of the Bayverse movies. It is a tightrope balancing act, but Bumblebee navigates it with finesse. It's set in 1987, long before the events of the first Transformers movie, and it has a much more intimate, down-to-earth tone far removed from the chaotic spectacle of its predecessors. While still part of the Bayverse-with nods to the previous films and characters like Optimus Prime and Starscream-the movie wisely eschews the loud, brain-shaking destruction that made the later entries in this series so insufferable, instead telling its story on a far more character-driven level.

When many critics had to write on the movie they made good mention of its more lightheartedness towards lots of action. Eddie Harrison said ¨Bumblebee is a cute film , not as loud or bombastic as the other Transformers movies ,and actually kind of small and charming in comparison.¨ and Keith Garlin stating ¨Bumblebee is a good spin-off that easily stands on its own unique merits¨ At the same time, it never feels as though Bumblebee is betraying what has come before it. The Decepticons are still bad to the bone, and the dynamics between the Autobots and the Decepticons are just as thrilling. However, the stakes herein are rather personal, thus giving the film an air of intimacy and authenticity that is oft times bereft from the franchise. He does so by saluting the franchise's rich history while treading a new path that future Transformer stories could emulate, laying the groundwork for a new trajectory that would allow for new tales to be told without entirely discarding existing mythology.

A Nostalgic, Yet Timeless Tale

The 1980s setting is not just a prop; it forms an integral part of the movie's charm. Weaved right into this film is a lot of nostalgia, in loving homage to an age of big hair, boomboxes, and synth-pop music. Everything from the color palette to pop-cultural references towards E.T. and The Goonies makes Bumblebee feel very much like a love letter to '80s adventure films. But even with all of its nods to the past, it never feels like it's pandering to the audience. The emotional core of the story, the connection between Charlie and Bumblebee, resonates with a timeless quality that transcends its setting.

Not to be outdone, the action sequences in the movie are a whole different ball game. There's a decent number of explosive instances in Bumblebee, but they're just so much more earned and satisfying rather than frenetic battles from previous Transformers movies. The action is well-placed; each sequence serves the story rather than overwhelming it. The stakes are high, but the focus is on character rather than spectacle, which is refreshing for long-time fans.

When asking a few of my friends about their thoughts and opinions on the BumbleBee movie here's what they had to say on the topic:

What do you think about the Bumblebee movie being its own continuity?

¨I think it's what the franchise needed the bayverse was going on its own path for too long and we needed something original for once¨ - Joseph C.

What are your thoughts on the Bumblebee movie as a whole

¨I really like it it's a great movie and is , in  my opinion ; better than the Micheal Bay movies , it's very simple and down to earth , i feel like you don't have to know everything about the transformers to watch and enjoy it.¨ - Demitruis J. 

Conclusion: A New Hope for the Transformers Franchise

Bumblebee is a success not only in restoring the Transformer franchise to its former glory but also within the greater landscape of modern blockbuster filmmaking. Strong performances, thoughtful character design, and heartfelt narrative make it feel like a return to form for a franchise that had lost its way. More importantly, it ushers in a whole new continuity that offers so much more promise for the future without being impious to the source material which made the Autobots and the Decepticons icons in the first place. To fans of the Transformers franchise, Bumblebee is a breath of fresh air: a film that salutes the past while pointing toward a bright new future. It's the perfect mix of nostalgia and novelty, which makes it not only the best Transformers film in years but a truly heartwarming and visual feast for viewers of all ages.