Bumblebee provides a sweet sting
Bumblebee (PG, 114 mins) Directed by Travis Knight Reviewed by James Croot ★★★★1⁄2
Ashining symbol for the bombastic excess and creative bankruptcy of the modern blockbuster, the Transformers series lost me somewhere in the middle of 2009’s first sequel, Revenge of the Fallen.
Whether it was that film’s culturally offensive stereotypes, weird ‘‘adult’’ humour, or the general Michael Bay-hem the director employed to tell his tired tale, I’m not sure, but it was incredibly hard to muster any kind of enthusiasm for the three sequels that followed.
However, I’m delighted to report that with Bay confined to producing duties, this remodelled spin-off/prequel is the Transformers movie that fans of the original cartoon have always wanted.
Director Travis Knight (who helmed the superb 2016 animated feature Kubo and the Two Strings), has stripped back the story, rewound the clock and installed a charismatic presence in the driver’s seat to create a family movie that one of the series’ executive producers – Steven Spielberg – would be proud of.
Set in 1987, one can’t help but be reminded of E.T. and Gremlins as ‘‘Stranger Things’’ begin to happen to troubled teen Charlie Watson (Hailee Steinfeld) and the small Californian town of Brighton Falls.
Still traumatised by the death of her father, the former diving champion is desperate for the independence and freedom that her own car would give her. When she’s not a reluctant worker at Hot Dog on a Stick, Charlie can be found hanging out at her Uncle Hank’s (Len Cariou) garage, sorting through spare parts for something to take her mind off her boring life.
And it’s there that she uncovers a dusty old Volkswagen Beetle in vital need of some tender loving care. Convincing her uncle to let her have it, Charlie is delighted when it turns over and sputters into life, first time. However, even she is unprepared for what’s under the bonnet once she gets the yellowand-black vehicle home.
A rousing, crowd-pleasing rollercoaster, from the opening Cybertron-set battle scene to the emotional epilogue, Bumblebee delivers more tears, fear and Tears for Fears than any child of the 1980s might have dared hope for.
This is the first Transformers movie you can really feel emotionally invested in – and the payoff is exhilarating and electrifying. Yes, there are still plenty of rock ’em, sock ’em robot moments, but they are tempered by the buddy chemistry and entertaining antics of Steinfeld (The Edge of Seventeen, Pitch Perfect 2) and her ‘‘motormouthed’’ companion (although the fact he rarely ‘‘speaks’’ is definitely another bonus).
Christina Hodson’s (regrettable Katherine Heigl thriller
Unforgettable) script finds the right balance between propelling the story forward and developing character, while John Cena
(Blockers) does well as the human villain of the piece.
Throw in an eclectic period soundtrack that juxtaposes
The Smiths with Duran Duran and Steve Winwood and the result is a glorious hit of 1980s nostalgia and summer fun.
Move over Herbie: Fully Loaded, there’s a new champion in the girland-her-VW movie genre.