Bumblebee Movie Reviews

Discussion in 'Transformers Movie Discussion' started by StarscreamtheMovie, Dec 8, 2018.

  1. Jonathan

    Jonathan Wait til u c my alt mode

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2002
    Posts:
    139
    Trophy Points:
    187
    Likes:
    +100
    I gave up on live action Transformers after bay film 2 came out. It hurt my heart when Bay did all that sexist and racist and intelligence-insulting stuff with transformers. I went to see Bumblebee and took two friends because I wanted to give the support towards taking the franchise in a new direction. I give the film a 8/10. I actually cried at some of Hailee's acting. She's amazing and I hope she has a great film/music career. They took a lot of the good elements of the first Bay film and added a heaping dollop of 80s G1 nostalgia. Which went down really smooth. I was really hoping for a Pixar level tightness to the story, and it got tantalizingly close to achieving that. Overall I am pleased with the film and I hope people give this film some love so we can get more in this vein. Transformers is a cool idea. I REALLY want to see a full feature film of Optimus in his Big Red G1 Truck form.
     
    • Like Like x 3
  2. Deadlock234

    Deadlock234 Duly Appointed Enforcer of the Tyrest Accords

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2014
    Posts:
    61
    Trophy Points:
    62
    Location:
    Indianapolis, IN
    Likes:
    +42
    For being a movie that was originally going to be more of a bayverse movie, that then turned into a soft-reboot, It's fantastic. I loved the way it made Cybertron seem like a real planet instead of the weird hexagon thing we got from Bay. As soon as I saw the battle scenes I immediately became invested in the movie, even though at this point I was only a few minutes in. The transition from Cybertron to Earth made sense, it wasn't like the previous films where they more or less just happened to show up. I didn't know how I was going to feel about the Charlie/Bee relationship, but I really enjoyed it and thought it was super sweet. I wasn't a big fan of Bee being, basically, a giant puppy, but it made sense to the story, and was eventually resolved which actually made it make sense and allowed it to be a necessary point to the story, so I can forgive it. Even though he only had a very small part in the story, I thought that Blitzwing was the best of the on-Earth Decepticon's. In his few minutes of screen time, that was the first time seeing a Transformers movie, where I was actually afraid of a Decepticon (Honorable mention to Megatron in the first movie). It would have been nice to see how Bee went from a camp ground (?) to a junk yard, but at the same time, It didn't matter that much it's just something I would've liked to see. Now... enter Shatter and Dropkick. I about pissed myself when they first came on screen with Cliffjumper on his knees, being interrogated. That's how I like seeing the Decepticon's. They're not some dimwitted minions, they're ruthless killers. I was sad to see that they killed Cliff, however, I thought that killing him put a very good message out there that these were two Decepticon's that you did not want to mess with. I thought that all of the scenes they were present in made sense for them to be there and the fact that they were hunting Bumblebee made sense for them to be on the planet which, again, didn't make it look like they just happened the come to Earth. The whole Charlie's father passing away, which stopped her from being a diver, I felt wasn't necessary to the story. Yes it shows that she had a life and problems before Bee came, but I don't think that it was relevant. Also memo's character didn't make a lot of sense. That now being said, I enjoyed the performances of the human characters, and gave me some 07 nostalgia. The thing I liked especially was that they flipped their roles. In the Bay movies it always seemed as if the bots were the background characters to Sam, but in this film the humans are less of the focus than Bee himself. The scene were bumblebee is driving next to G1 style Prime almost made me cry, and I wasn't even around during G1. That leading into Optimus talking to Bee as the rest of the Autobot's being to crash down to the planet was amazing. The thing I also enjoyed was how he wasn't always Bumblebee, I liked how he started as B-127 then became BumbleBee on Earth, then at the end when he tells Prime that's his new name was cute.
    All in all I give this movie a 7/10, only because it would've been much better as a true reboot rather than a soft reboot
     
    • Like Like x 3
  3. transformervic1

    transformervic1 HI!

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2011
    Posts:
    4,679
    News Credits:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    257
    Likes:
    +1,197
    Just got out of it: 9/10

    AMAZING movie. Nothing more said, honestly. The fact that I can tell who each character was in the beginning made me geek out hard in the theater.

    Personally, given the mid-credits scene, I'd say they just need to keep it going from here. Hell, keep it in the established time period as well I mean you already have optimus on earth.
     
    • Like Like x 3
  4. Chainlink

    Chainlink No real than you are

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2013
    Posts:
    3,717
    Trophy Points:
    262
    Likes:
    +5,726
    Twitter:
    Instagram:
    Tumblr:
    Saw it today, and now that I've had time to ruminate on what I saw, I'm... Unimpressed.
    And it really makes me sad to say that. I was looking forward to seeing it and enjoying it, but it didn't really do much for me. Maybe it's just me, though. I do think it was a good movie, but I feel it could've been a lot better.

    I think my main problem was that everything felt so... Inconsequential. It was definitely a stand-alone movie and I think that did more harm than good. I get it; if it were a prequel, we can't have it futzing with the "lore" of the Bayverse. But on the other hand, if it's a reboot, then nothing really mattered in the end.
    Especially with Charlie, since Bee leaves her behind (I guess if it is a reboot she could come back? Maybe???). Like, we spend so much time with these characters just to get rid of them.

    Which brings me to my other issue: Charlie's the main character. Not Bee. We learn all about Charlie, her family, her friends, her life. Meanwhile, Bee's just kinda there. As a mute amnesiac. So we really don't get any development from him outside of his relationship with Charlie... Which, again, doesn't matter since Bee leaves at the end.
    I was expecting a movie about Bumblebee, but he just feels like a plot tool to help Charlie get through life. I know more about her than I do Bee. Folks always complain that the robots should be the main characters. This movie doesn't resolve that problem.


    Those are my main biggest issues. Other gripes: They're really playing the "It's the 80s, guys!" card hard here. I wasn't alive during the 80s, I admit, but it just felt like they were trying to shove every bit of 80s-related pop culture into the film. From the visuals, to the dialogue, to the soundtrack. Oh, speaking of the music: Steve Jablonsky is sorely missed. His scores were amazing and memorable (mainly in the first 3 films), but Bumblebee's score was a run-of-the-mill film score. Meh.

    ---

    Okay, so the good? The Decepticons were great. That, at least, was a welcome change. Bayverse Cons are little more than slobbering monsters. Shatter and Dropkick (heck, even Blitzwing for what little screentime he had) were just fun characters. Shatter, a cunning adversary, and Dropkick... Dropkick was such a lovable goon. They had a nice "Brains and Brawn" thing going on. Definitely the highlight for me. While I was less than impressed with Bee and Charlie's story, I was hooked every time the Con's came on screen.
    Too bad they had to die...

    Oh, and the way they handled Transformation. Like, actually utilizing it. I loved seeing Bee "half-transform" and stick out his arms while still in vehicle mode. And the whole car chase with the cop was such fun. But moreover, the Bee vs Dropkick fight. Like, one would get thrown back, turn into vehicle mode, and make a recovery. That's what I've always wanted to see in Transformers. Using the vehicle modes in creative ways.

    And the Cybertron bits. That's it. The Cybertron scenes were great.

    ---

    Other notes: They played The Touch. I was dreading it. I'm sick to death of that song. Luckily it wasn't used in any huge capacity. It was mainly a cameo if you can consider it that, playing through Bee's radio voice.
    I'm also not too bothered by the G1 designs. But I still hope in future installments they rework the designs so they don't adhere so closely to G1. Show some creativity, please.
    And... Poor Cliffjumper.

    ---

    I think that covers everything. So... I'd give it a solid... 7/10. Maybe sliiiiightly less. Like, 6.75/10. Definitely good, but not anything amazing. If anything, I do hope this spurs more films in sequel to Bee. The movie felt like a first chapter to a larger story, and having more of that story would allow me to be more forgiving with the issues I had. As it stands, though... Can't say I was impressed.
     
    • Like Like x 6
  5. Tenebrouser

    Tenebrouser Craft...or is it crap?

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2005
    Posts:
    7,018
    Trophy Points:
    337
    Likes:
    +569
    Bumblebee was definitely a needed breath of air for the franchise. I loathe the Bayverse, so took a chance upon hearing the positive buzz this week. The movie definitely follows a formula that we’ve seen of many movies before, but it still works. Love the G1 stuff...this was what was missing since 2007. Steinfeld was excellent and helped carry the plot forward. Didn’t have any annoyance with the actors, even Cena.

    Im down for a sequel. Good job, Travis.
     
    • Like Like x 3
  6. inturnmike

    inturnmike Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2006
    Posts:
    3,030
    Trophy Points:
    312
    Likes:
    +947
    Wow.. Saw the movie this morning with my wife. I actually have been telling friends and family that I predicted THIS would be the best of all the live action TF movies to date. I have said on here that THIS movie should have been the first movie we got back in 2007. I kept away from all the spoilers, and loved the trailer for it. So.. this is gonna sting... I though Bumblebee was EXTREMELY.... meh... John Cena's acting is so wooden. He DID have one of my favorite 1-liners though. They REALLY wanted you to know this takes place in the 80's. So much some it felt super forced.

    I have seen a lot of headlines that this movie has so much more heart than the Bay movies. I DO agree with that, mostly. It TRIES to have a lot more heart. There are no "Bay-isms" that an earlier member pointed out. The crude humor, the 'splosions, the jerky camera, the parts explosions. I actually enjoyed ALL of the transformations. There was too much Charlie and not enough Transformers, as usual. I get they had a smaller budget, but still... The G1-ish versions of the TFs on Cybertron...Hoo Boy.. They just look so fake. None of them looked real, except for Bumblebee. Every scene showing them looked like cutscenes straight out of the 3rd War For Cybertron video game that we never ended up getting. They still looked cool, and I prefer THOSE designs to any of the Bay designs. If the Bay movies never existed, and we got a full movie with those designs, with better CGI, and less humans... THAT would have been the best live-action TF movie. Instead, this movie felt like a regression in CGI from the previous movies.

    And none of this movie made any sense, whatsoever. 1) Alien life is found on Earth.. we send a welcoming committee of like 8 Humvees and a few choppa's to greet them? We then, do not even consult the President, we just quickly decide, what the hell, let us give them access to all of out tech? Even after Cena points out "They call THEMSELVES Decepticons!!!"? 2) Why in the world to the Decepticons NEED to build a tower to send their signal? Clearly, Bee sends a signal (inadvertently) to Cybertron when Cliffjumper gets it and is interrogated. 3) Also, the Decepticons ALREADY knew where Bee was! Starscream (or Blitzwing?) immediately came to Earth and almost killed him in the very beginning of the movie. 4) WAS that Starscream? Was it "Blitzwing"? The jet who tracks Bee down on Earth and fights him.. is never named, that I heard. So, why did the director go out of his way to tell everyone it was Blitzwing and NOT Starscream, if he is never referred to by name in the movie at all? 5) Why does Bee have a Bay face/half-design on Cybertron and the rest of the movie, when all the other bots at the beginning have all G1? Even at the end, when Prime comes to visit Earth (in 1987), he retains his G1 look from Cybertron as well as scans his 80's truck. Which brings me to my next point.. 6) Is this a reboot? A Prequel? A Prequel Reboot? This is supposed to tie into the start of the 2007 movie, and how the Bayformers came to Earth, right? So.. Why did it show the Autobots come to Earth at the end.. IN 1987??? In 2007 they first show up, responding to Bumblebee's call...in protoforms, NOT escape "pods". Why is Prime shown with CAMARO Bee? If anything, a more nostalgic move would have been to have them driving along together as Bee is still a beetle. THAT would have been neat to see.

    Anyway, through it all, I felt that Bumblebee was portrayed in a cute, fun way. I enjoyed the scenes he was in. HE looked real and very detailed. His eyes showed a lot of emotion. There are a lot more points I could make about the movie that left me disappointed. But, I DO feel it was closer to what I think many fans wanted to see from a TF movie than we have been given in years. I feel like we will never get a full on G1 movie, which is sad. That is what so many older fans of the TFs would have loved to see. I feel like Hasbro and the movie makers feel they have this established look for the live action movies and they have to keep following it now. It really makes me wonder if Joss Whedon or even James Gunn started off this franchise, how different would it be? I would give this movie about a 7/10 or so.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  7. Sixshot

    Sixshot Jeff Goldbluman Group

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2002
    Posts:
    3,395
    News Credits:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    312
    Likes:
    +368
    I really enjoyed it. Much more focused. The pacing I thought was terrific and the movie seemed to be over fast.

    Better than the first Bay film I thought. I would give it an 8/10.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  8. inturnmike

    inturnmike Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2006
    Posts:
    3,030
    Trophy Points:
    312
    Likes:
    +947
    Why did Bee drive her to the overlook of the GG Bridge, and then leave her there? Now poor Charlie needs a ride home....Sad.. :( 
     
    • Like Like x 3
  9. Music

    Music Primetimus Prime

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2014
    Posts:
    6,729
    News Credits:
    38
    Trophy Points:
    247
    Likes:
    +25,269
    YouTube (Legacy):
    Bee never sent a signal to Cybertron. He sent it out to one of Saturn's moons. We can presume Cybertron is too far for them to be able to send out a signal out normally.

    No, only Blitzwing knew where Bee was. He was a random Seeker who followed Bee to Earth and we know that as he showed up immediately after Bee landed.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  10. inturnmike

    inturnmike Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2006
    Posts:
    3,030
    Trophy Points:
    312
    Likes:
    +947
    We do not know where Cybertron is. That is quite a presumption. I do now recall Saturn in the background of that scene, though. And yet, in the Bay movies, Prime is able to call out to any remaining Autobots and summon them to Earth. Maybe that is because they are floating around in space, and not on Cyberton too, I suppose, though? Wait.. HOW do you you know that was "Blitzwing"? ;) 
     
  11. Autobot Burnout

    Autobot Burnout ...and I'll whisper "No."

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2008
    Posts:
    45,102
    News Credits:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    467
    Location:
    [REDACTED]
    Likes:
    +40,126
    Because it's the same dude from the trailers...who Knight straight up said was Blitzwing at SDCC earlier in the year.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  12. Music

    Music Primetimus Prime

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2014
    Posts:
    6,729
    News Credits:
    38
    Trophy Points:
    247
    Likes:
    +25,269
    YouTube (Legacy):
    Considering Saturn is much much much much closer than to Earth than the next closest star system (746000000 vs 24808000000000 miles), it's a pretty good assumption. And yes, I would say you're right about the second part since, in this film, Optimus mentions there are other Autobots scattered across the galaxy.
     
    • Like Like x 3
  13. inturnmike

    inturnmike Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2006
    Posts:
    3,030
    Trophy Points:
    312
    Likes:
    +947
    Buuuut, that is NEVER mentioned in the MOVIE... So.. again.. how do you know?
     
    • Like Like x 1
  14. Autobot Burnout

    Autobot Burnout ...and I'll whisper "No."

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2008
    Posts:
    45,102
    News Credits:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    467
    Location:
    [REDACTED]
    Likes:
    +40,126
    I haven't seen Bumblebee yet but I suspect there are these things called 'credits' in the back that probably would indicate as much.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  15. inturnmike

    inturnmike Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2006
    Posts:
    3,030
    Trophy Points:
    312
    Likes:
    +947
    Yes, but you should never have to wait for the credits to figure out who a character was. I get that most of the G1 guys in the movie aren't called out by name. But, the majority of those the fans know the names. THIS character has had some debate.. and then his name is never said in the movie.

    To quote another member in a different thread:

     
    Last edited: Dec 23, 2018
  16. Rumblestorm

    Rumblestorm Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2013
    Posts:
    4,754
    News Credits:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    262
    Likes:
    +7,184
    What are these credits you speak of?
     
    • Like Like x 1
  17. Galvatron2000

    Galvatron2000 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 23, 2018
    Posts:
    454
    Trophy Points:
    157
    Likes:
    +932
    Facebook:
    i saw the movie in a early screening yesterday,in my country it be will release this 27...and obviously i'm will watch again.

    I just gonna say...''thank you'' Travis Knight! you give me hope for the future of this franchise.
     
    • Like Like x 3
  18. AzT

    AzT Moderator News Staff TFW2005 Supporter

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2013
    Posts:
    15,707
    News Credits:
    91
    Trophy Points:
    362
    Likes:
    +11,249
    David Mariotte on Twitter
     
    • Like Like x 3
  19. Laserhead4

    Laserhead4 Master Builder and Filmmaker

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2018
    Posts:
    146
    Trophy Points:
    122
    Likes:
    +389
    YouTube (Legacy):
    "According to all known laws of (bad franchises), there is no way (Travis Knight's Bumblebee) would have been able to fly. (The expectations of the overall franchise) are too small to get its fat little body off the ground. The (Bumblebee movie), of course, flies anyway, because (Travis Knight (and literally every other good movie reboot)) don't care what (critics) think is impossible."

    I'd give a full review, but there's been enough said by others to count for it. The above quote really is all that needs to be affirmed.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  20. xolta

    xolta Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2017
    Posts:
    175
    Trophy Points:
    82
    Likes:
    +203
    Bumble bee is a 7/10 making it the best tf movie so far.
     
    • Like Like x 2