The action-packed sci-fi adventure feature film Bumblee, directed by Travis Knight, is a magical and emotional rollercoaster ride. It is filled with surprising moments of sadness, a good mix of fun but also a heap of action and adventure that ultimately drives the story forward. The film stars Hailee Steinfeld as our main point of view and protagonist, and she plays a just-turned eighteen year old named Charlie who has a love of cars and fixing them.
As someone that isn’t the hands-down biggest Transformers fan, seeing this film has opened up the potential to what these films can do, the power they hold but most of all what Bumblebee in particular has to offer to a variety of audiences. One of the really good qualities to this film is that you need no prior knowledge of the Transformers franchise to get up to speed with and, most importantly, engage with the film. Sure it helps to have extensive background knowledge on the series and is particularly key in a scene at the end of the one hour and fifty-four minute feature, but not necessary by any means. As long as you can wrap the idea around your head that there are a set of good and evil robots that can transform, transform being the key word here, into any particular vehicle and this acts as a disguise, you’re on the right track.
The 2007 Transformers prequel is set predominantly on Earth in 1987 with a bit of back and forth between Cybertron, which nicely sets it all up. Whilst the audience follows Charlie and gets a look into her inner world, family and social dynamics, we also see a glimpse into B-127’s side of things and what life on Cybertron is like whilst facing a civil war against the Decepticons. The film also takes a moment for Charlie to name B-127, disguised as a 1967 Volkswagen Beetle, as Bumblebee. She notices the sound the Transformer makes is similar to that of a bumblebee and names it accordingly.
The film takes some time to establish itself, but does so in a captivating way without tiring out the audience but allowing them to learn more about the characters, the dynamics at play and what is to come. It all builds up and each scene adds to the story, and the characters without driving the audience insane from any kind of boredom. Bumblebee, without a doubt, delivers. Bumblebee bubbles with emotion and I found it surprising that I kept tearing up and becoming quite moved by particular scenes. This is due to the fact that while taking a little time to establish, Bumblebee grows strong roots that grow on you throughout the film and when the finale hits it makes for a climactic point where you really care for the characters at hand.
The relationship between young Charlie and B-127 is at the core of the story, and this is exactly where the focus should be. This is the element that makes Bumblebee so moving, because you are engaged with what is happening to Charlie and her beloved ‘67 Beetle. When discovering the Transformer herself, Charlie begins doing maintenance work on the Beetle and is surprised as the vehicle comes to life. This is where the story starts, where the core relationship between a young girl and a transforming robot is truly awakened. It goes to show that emotional aspects can sometimes be more important than over done action scenes or extensive robot fights.
The Bumblebee film has a heart of gold and will reach audiences far and wide. It will move, surprise and delight audiences of all ages and ranges. It is family friendly and also perfect for a date night. Bumblebee does what a lot of big films are struggling to do right now and that’s capture everyone in the palm of their hand. Bumblebee has the heart and humour to impress audiences across the globe and do so without driving the action element through the roof. The film delivers on the action front no trouble, however, it’s the emotional depth from Hailee Steinfeld that brings warmth and breathes life into the connection between Charlie and B-127.
It’s more than just impressive special effects but a truly convincing connection between a character who can’t move on from the loss of her father and a Transformer who has lost their voice. Charlie gives Bumblebee a voice whilst B-127 breathes life into Charlie’s character and gives her purpose. When driving with Bumblebee, Charlie discovers that he talks through radio channels and plays songs and snippets from programmes specifically to express what he feels and thinks in the current moment. This Transformers film is bursting with heart and is fun and action-packed. Bumblebee will make you feel far more than you thought was possible.
Australian Cinema Release Date December 20th, 2018
Joanna Letic