Today’s quick review: Bumblebee. Bumblebee, an Autobot warrior from the planet Cybertron, flees to Earth after the Autobots are routed by their enemies the Decepticons. Damaged in battle, Bumblebee disguises himself as a VW Beetle and lies dormant until he’s bought by Charlie (Hailee Steinfeld), a teenage girl coping with the death of her father. But when a pair of Decepticon hunters find him on Earth, Bumblebee is dragged back into the fight.
Bumblebee is a sci-fi action adventure based on the Transformers toy line. A loose prequel to the Transformers movies, Bumblebee scales down the scope of the series by focusing on a single Autobot and his friendship with a misfit teenager. The movie benefits from polished CGI, exciting action, a likable protagonist, and consistent humor. However, a predictable story and a misused supporting cast keep it from living up to its full potential.
Bumblebee hits a sweet spot between sci-fi action and coming-of-age story. The relationship between Charlie and Bumblebee holds few surprises, but it’s handled well and gives the movie some heart and a steady source of humor. The personal side of the story is scaffolded by its sci-fi plot. Bumblebee doesn’t attempt to chronicle a whole war, but instead slices off a manageable piece of it, a struggle suited for a lone robot and his human allies.
Bumblebee does make a few missteps that keep it from going further. The movie doesn’t make much of its supporting cast. Jack Burns (John Cena), a soldier hunting for Bumblebee, doesn’t get much screen time, while Charlie’s dorky friend Memo (Jorge Lendeborg, Jr.) makes for a lukewarm love interest. The action scenes are fun while they’re happening, but the movie has a tendency to abandon them for long periods of time to focus on Charlie.
Watch Bumblebee when you’re in the mood for a popcorn action flick that sticks to the basics but executes them well. Bumblebee’s premise and story will seem familiar to anyone who’s seen films like Transformers or The Iron Giant, but its solid execution makes it a fun watch regardless. Skip it if you’re looking for a film with more depth, a more unpredictable plot, or a heavier dose of action.
For another take on the same premise with rougher edges and a larger scale, try the original Transformers. For a similar sci-fi adventure that skews younger, try The Iron Giant. For one with a hostile alien and an even greater focus on character, try Super 8.
7.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for a fun mixture of action, comedy, and heart.