Bumblebee (2018)

Directed by: Travis Knight | 114 minutes | action, adventure | Actors: Hailee Steinfeld, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., John Cena, Jason Drucker, Pamela Adlon, Stephen Schneider, Ricardo Hoyos, John Ortiz, Glynn Turman, Len Cariou, Kollin Holtz, Gracie Dzienny, Fred Dryer

A Transformers film that refers nostalgically back to the cartoon series from the eighties, with an ‘intimate’ and clear story and without Michael Bay (in the director’s chair). That will sound like music to the ears of many and for a while ‘Bumblebee’ certainly lives up to those expectations. The film is a lot better than the previous Transformers film – ‘The Last Knight’ – although it doesn’t take much. But in the end, unfortunately, the film turns out to be too docile and predictable and some of the initially positive points backfire. ‘Bumblebee’ has indeed taken the right path and is hopeful for a successful reboot; this is just not quite it yet.

The opening on planet Cybertron – where the Autobots are about to be defeated by the Decepticons – is smashing and the transformers here have a pleasantly refreshing design. Or rather: a refreshingly old-fashioned design. Modern gadgets and intricate movements have been kept to a minimum and the Transformers – including Autobot leader Optimus Prime – are now much more reminiscent of their original appearance, as seen in the cartoons and toys.

But it’s not for nothing that the film is called ‘Bumblebee’ and the attention quickly turns to this robot, which is hiding on earth in the form of a yellow Volkswagen Beetle. When he’s found by lonely, misunderstood teen – and mechanic – Charlie (Hailee Steinfeld), the fun can begin.

From that moment on, the film is charming and familiar, but a bit too familiar. Charlie is delighted with the Beetle that is seen for a barrel and gets the shock of her life when it turns out to be a robot. But also a good scare, because she soon notices that Bumblebee – as she soon calls him – means no harm and builds a bond with him. Of course, the robot is not understood by the environment and the army even tries to destroy it, although this is not only because of its appearance but also because of the deception of a few Decepticons.

The film borrows elements from, among others, ‘ET’, ‘The Iron Giant’, ‘Herbie’ and previous Transformer films. This in itself does not have to be a problem, but here it is a pity that hardly an original has been added. Charlie has lost her father and finds a handy surrogate in Bumblebee. She was a diving champion but doesn’t dare anymore; it would be nice if this trauma could be processed by making another nice dive at a crucial moment. guess what?

Also, Bumblebee’s voice module is damaged in the beginning of the film. Fortunately, he can communicate later. How? Indeed, by using lyrics from the radio or the built-in cassette deck: we saw it already in the first Michael Bay-Transformers with Shia LaBeouf. But for the clearly younger target audience of this film, who (hopefully) haven’t seen this film yet, it’s bound to be amusing.

At the same time, the references to eighties culture are of no use to that target group at all. Which is nice and nostalgic for the millennials. Even if it’s just for a while. Because the legion of references to the eighties quickly get lost. We meet Charlie, lying on her bed, with a classic yellow Sony Sport Walkman next to her (which, because of its color, matches nicely with Bumblebee, which is well found). This is nice and recognizable, but if it’s too thick on top, it’s not charming anymore, but annoying.

One eighties song after another, every bedroom has an iconic eighties poster hanging in the bedroom (from a pop star or movie), there is a flashy reference to television series ‘Alf’, the movie ‘The Breakfast Club’ , the Russians who are going to attack, and much more. We get it: this is different from the Bay-Transformers; this is the loving retro movie we’ve all been waiting for. This is what the real fans want. Basically yes, maybe, but not in this way.

Fortunately, the film also does a lot of good. For starters, ‘Bumblebee’ really does have a heart, in the warm relationship between ‘Bee’ and Charlie. The yellow robot never lets Charlie down, disarming in its clumsy demeanor and attempts to fit in and please Charlie, and he also just looks very cuddly, with his curvy shapes and cute ‘feelers’. But the biggest reason this relationship works is Hailee Steinfeld. She manages to give her character a depth and feel beyond the script (which is quite superficial).

In addition, the action is well-organized and the human characters are not overwhelmed by robot battles. In short, the human dimension – or the danger Charlie faces in the midst of the chaos around her – is never forgotten. Which usually can’t be said of the Bay movies.

Another welcome surprise is that the comic scenes with Bumblebee are not childishly designed from a film perspective. The trailer briefly suggested that the cringe-inducing scene from the 2007 ‘Transformers’ movie in which the Transformers hide in the main character’s garden would be re-do, but it strikes just the right note here. When ‘Bumblebee’ is home alone trying to explore the house but keeps stumbling and destroying objects, he is clearly embarrassed and the visual humor is well timed slapstick. It also helps that at that moment there are no people around that he has to hide from in an unbelievable way.

The focus on Charlie and Bumblebee gives ‘Bumblebee’ a very different atmosphere than the bombastic Transformers movies that came before it. Which is very welcome. And yet – who would have thought – the film could have used a pinch of Michael Bay (or two). Because apart from the opening and closing of the film, there is little ‘larger than life’ action in it. Those opening scenes on Cybertron and the constant hinting at the arrival of Optimus Prime make ‘Bumblebee’ in part feel like a teaser that will never be followed up. Moreover, we are talking about incredibly powerful robots here and not about ‘just’ a talking car. That creates certain expectations.

An unqualified success would have been nice, but the balance has tipped too far to the other side for that. But a good attempt at reviving the Transformers saga can certainly be called ‘Bumblebee’. While maintaining that human dimension, the heart in the right place, clear action and an appropriate amount of respect for the roots of the series, beautiful things can still happen.