BUMBLEBEE review - Bumblebragging
(Reviewed by Melody Werner)
Bumblebee is a 2018 prequel that is part of the Transformers franchise. Directed by Kubo mastermind Travis Knight (with newcomer Christina Hodson as its screenwriter), it stars Hailee Steinfeld, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., John Cena, Angela Bassett, and Justin Theroux. Released by Paramount, it was a resounding critical success but thanks to December competition from Aquaman, Mary Poppins Returns, Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse, and Mortal Engines, it was nowhere near as successful as previous TF films commercially. Now, in the past I've made it crystal clear that I'm that one weirdo who admits to enjoying most of those other ones (hated 3, have yet to see 5), though I understand how many others find 'em repellent. That said, I gotta say this is easily the best TF installment thus far in my book and a film with the potential to skirt its way to becoming a classic some day.
Bumblebee boasts impressive visual effects as Transformers films do, but I could see those who may be believe CGI to be overused in those films (giving them a "fake" look) going easier on the ones here. Predominantly because the character designs are much more expressive, with the titular Autobot being the definitive standout. He's just so adorable and cartoonish, and this suits what they're going for perfectly. One of the few drawbacks in this film, to my mind, is that the action scenes can be hit and miss. And it's generally the earlier fights between the Cybertronians which are the dead weight--with the camera more interested in showing us how shiny the metal on a random bot's ass is up close--leading to it being difficult to make sense of the fracas. Thankfully, once it finds its footing after the second major action scene, we get some rather inventive and spectacular chase and battle scenes, before a climactic battle which is a touch on the underwhelming side when it comes to the brawlin', though it makes up for that in other ways I will natch' get to when I get to 'em. Which brings me to the musical score, which trades out the mega-talented Steve Jablonsky for Dario Marianelli, who in spite of having to follow such a tough act holds his own handily. The music is at times subdued, but when it really wants to elevate the emotional moments, it does so in phenomenal fashion while effectively evoking the sort of grandiose score one might've heard in a blockbuster of the 80's that's as fondly remembered now as Bumblebee will be within ~30 years.
Now, I won't pretend that Bumblebee has this really innovative, transcendent narrative to it that looks at Citizen Kane and says "Imma eat your lunch, fool." But what lots of folks in criticism seem to forget is that not every film (or piece of media for that matter) needs to meet such watermarks, because if every movie was an arthouse critical darling then we'd all get profoundly bored of such releases. Bumblebee is something you don't see often, something I would term as rarer than those kinds of films; it's a modern big studio production that is a) startlingly good, b) bafflingly well written, and c) never feels as though it was cobbled together as part of some conveyor belt. This isn't to say that highly manufactured films cannot have their charms (I say this, again, as that traitor who enjoys the other TF films sans 3), but they don't have nearly as much heart--something Bumblebee has in spades. By the time it was striding triumphantly to the finish line, I couldn't help but feel a little saddened that it was ending, even though it's almost two hours long and immensely satisfying, because it was just such a fun ride. As they say, "Leave them wanting more."
This is a flick that knows the value of creating a satisfying viewing experience. Seeds are planted early on and the fruit reaped of this harvest is--sorry, that metaphor is bound to get tortured the moment I finish it, so I'm just not gonna, but you get my point. It's also one that was born to be a tremendous crowd pleaser, thanks to its excellent humor which brings the best of witty dialogue ("Unsuccessfully!") and Paddington-esque slapstick together for some real gut-busters. Then again, I've got a weird as fuck sense of humor and that's something that varies more wildly from person to person than just about anything, so your mileage may... y'know. But you also have lots of heartwarming moments which keep you from caring that you know how things are going to turn out in the end if you've seen TF1 because it does such a good job of making you care about this smaller story.
But Bumblebee would not be nearly as successful as it is (artistically), were it not for the characters and performances. I could see Steinfeld's character being grating to some, but personally she really resonated with me even though I've never gone through similar things to what she has. I guess that's what to expect from a luminary like Steinfeld who's been tearing up cinema since her role in 2010's True Grit. This woman's less than two years older than me and she was acting in two December movies that were competing with each other--which oughta tell you how in demand she is, and will continue to be. For good reason; she shreds. Lendeborg Jr. does a great job as the main comedic relief and love interest for Steinfeld, and Hodson's fun dialogue gives him plenty to work with. Cena strangely does an unironically brilliant job as a soldier caught between the Autobots and Decepticons, neither of whom he particularly trusts or wants around. The villains, portrayed by Bassett and Thereoux, are not the greatest due to them being a bit underdeveloped, but their performances eat up enough of the scene to forgive it, plus Thereoux's character is a riot and Bassett's forms a good comedic foil. Bumblebee at the start has some very wonky voice acting by The Maze Runner/Teen Wolf's Dylan O'Brien, who is usually fairly charismatic but feels awkward, out of place, here. But that's fixed after a nice stab in the neck and a sort of spartan kick, so I can't complain too much.
Bumblebee is, on tilt, not just a pretty good movie, but a seriously brilliant one you'll see people continually talking about for years, and years, and years. It's like The Iron Giant meets Paddington by way of Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots. A class act that does what it does with a sincerity often lost on Hollywood productions--and with a quality others of its type almost unilaterally fail to grasp. It may not be the best movie evar, but it certainly is a hallmark for those of its type to be weighed against. And that's why I'm giving Bumblebee a 10/10 (also because I kinda backed myself into a corner, where I gave the first one a 10 a few years ago too and I started this review of saying BB is the best yet :p I am without shame).
Master-class
Summary:
Kicks ass. Lots of fun, lots of soul, lots of big robots destroying things.
Bumblebee is a 2018 prequel that is part of the Transformers franchise. Directed by Kubo mastermind Travis Knight (with newcomer Christina Hodson as its screenwriter), it stars Hailee Steinfeld, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., John Cena, Angela Bassett, and Justin Theroux. Released by Paramount, it was a resounding critical success but thanks to December competition from Aquaman, Mary Poppins Returns, Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse, and Mortal Engines, it was nowhere near as successful as previous TF films commercially. Now, in the past I've made it crystal clear that I'm that one weirdo who admits to enjoying most of those other ones (hated 3, have yet to see 5), though I understand how many others find 'em repellent. That said, I gotta say this is easily the best TF installment thus far in my book and a film with the potential to skirt its way to becoming a classic some day.
Bumblebee boasts impressive visual effects as Transformers films do, but I could see those who may be believe CGI to be overused in those films (giving them a "fake" look) going easier on the ones here. Predominantly because the character designs are much more expressive, with the titular Autobot being the definitive standout. He's just so adorable and cartoonish, and this suits what they're going for perfectly. One of the few drawbacks in this film, to my mind, is that the action scenes can be hit and miss. And it's generally the earlier fights between the Cybertronians which are the dead weight--with the camera more interested in showing us how shiny the metal on a random bot's ass is up close--leading to it being difficult to make sense of the fracas. Thankfully, once it finds its footing after the second major action scene, we get some rather inventive and spectacular chase and battle scenes, before a climactic battle which is a touch on the underwhelming side when it comes to the brawlin', though it makes up for that in other ways I will natch' get to when I get to 'em. Which brings me to the musical score, which trades out the mega-talented Steve Jablonsky for Dario Marianelli, who in spite of having to follow such a tough act holds his own handily. The music is at times subdued, but when it really wants to elevate the emotional moments, it does so in phenomenal fashion while effectively evoking the sort of grandiose score one might've heard in a blockbuster of the 80's that's as fondly remembered now as Bumblebee will be within ~30 years.
Now, I won't pretend that Bumblebee has this really innovative, transcendent narrative to it that looks at Citizen Kane and says "Imma eat your lunch, fool." But what lots of folks in criticism seem to forget is that not every film (or piece of media for that matter) needs to meet such watermarks, because if every movie was an arthouse critical darling then we'd all get profoundly bored of such releases. Bumblebee is something you don't see often, something I would term as rarer than those kinds of films; it's a modern big studio production that is a) startlingly good, b) bafflingly well written, and c) never feels as though it was cobbled together as part of some conveyor belt. This isn't to say that highly manufactured films cannot have their charms (I say this, again, as that traitor who enjoys the other TF films sans 3), but they don't have nearly as much heart--something Bumblebee has in spades. By the time it was striding triumphantly to the finish line, I couldn't help but feel a little saddened that it was ending, even though it's almost two hours long and immensely satisfying, because it was just such a fun ride. As they say, "Leave them wanting more."
This is a flick that knows the value of creating a satisfying viewing experience. Seeds are planted early on and the fruit reaped of this harvest is--sorry, that metaphor is bound to get tortured the moment I finish it, so I'm just not gonna, but you get my point. It's also one that was born to be a tremendous crowd pleaser, thanks to its excellent humor which brings the best of witty dialogue ("Unsuccessfully!") and Paddington-esque slapstick together for some real gut-busters. Then again, I've got a weird as fuck sense of humor and that's something that varies more wildly from person to person than just about anything, so your mileage may... y'know. But you also have lots of heartwarming moments which keep you from caring that you know how things are going to turn out in the end if you've seen TF1 because it does such a good job of making you care about this smaller story.
But Bumblebee would not be nearly as successful as it is (artistically), were it not for the characters and performances. I could see Steinfeld's character being grating to some, but personally she really resonated with me even though I've never gone through similar things to what she has. I guess that's what to expect from a luminary like Steinfeld who's been tearing up cinema since her role in 2010's True Grit. This woman's less than two years older than me and she was acting in two December movies that were competing with each other--which oughta tell you how in demand she is, and will continue to be. For good reason; she shreds. Lendeborg Jr. does a great job as the main comedic relief and love interest for Steinfeld, and Hodson's fun dialogue gives him plenty to work with. Cena strangely does an unironically brilliant job as a soldier caught between the Autobots and Decepticons, neither of whom he particularly trusts or wants around. The villains, portrayed by Bassett and Thereoux, are not the greatest due to them being a bit underdeveloped, but their performances eat up enough of the scene to forgive it, plus Thereoux's character is a riot and Bassett's forms a good comedic foil. Bumblebee at the start has some very wonky voice acting by The Maze Runner/Teen Wolf's Dylan O'Brien, who is usually fairly charismatic but feels awkward, out of place, here. But that's fixed after a nice stab in the neck and a sort of spartan kick, so I can't complain too much.
Bumblebee is, on tilt, not just a pretty good movie, but a seriously brilliant one you'll see people continually talking about for years, and years, and years. It's like The Iron Giant meets Paddington by way of Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots. A class act that does what it does with a sincerity often lost on Hollywood productions--and with a quality others of its type almost unilaterally fail to grasp. It may not be the best movie evar, but it certainly is a hallmark for those of its type to be weighed against. And that's why I'm giving Bumblebee a 10/10 (also because I kinda backed myself into a corner, where I gave the first one a 10 a few years ago too and I started this review of saying BB is the best yet :p I am without shame).
Master-class
Summary:
Kicks ass. Lots of fun, lots of soul, lots of big robots destroying things.
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