Bumblebee Gave Transformers A Fresh Restart

Official Poster of "Bumblebee" starring Haille Steinfeld and John Cena. Photo Courtesy of imdb.com

While I have liked seeing the Autobots overcome the Decepticons, it recently hit me that the story had lost some of its spark. But, the "Transformers" franchise made a fresh restart in the form of "Bumblebee". With its numerous 1980s-era pop culture references, an emotional and invigorating performance by Hailee Steinfeld, and packs of action, "Bumblebee" may be the inventiveness to bring the Transformers films back to light.

Taking place in 1987, Autobot B-127 (voiced by Dylan O'Brien) crash lands on planet Earth after a war with the Decepticons consumes his home planet, Cybertron. Once he loses his memory and vocal processor, he befriends rebellious teenager Charlie Watson played by Hailee Steinfeld. But the friendship between human and machine is threatened by a paranoid government agent, Jack Burns, played by John Cena, and two Decepticons, Shatter and Dropkick, voiced by Angela Bassett and Justin Theroux, all bent on apprehending him. By allying with Charlie and her neighbor Memo (played by Jorge Lendeborg Jr.), B-127, renamed "Bumblebee" can prove he's not a hostile invader, save his new home, and ensure the survival of the Autobot race.

Bumbleee (right) is making first contact with Charlie Watson (left), played by Hailee Steinfeld. Photo courtesy of imdb.com

One way "Bumblebee" stood out was by having a more emotional story instead of one all about science fiction. Before he transformed into her life, Charlie was still traumatized by her father's death, withdrawn from her mother, brother, and stepfather, and ridiculed by shallow bullies from school. Bumblebee was struggling to figure out how to blend into society without causing destruction, recover his memory, and see if he has what it takes to be heroic to the misunderstood humans. But, they felt more alive through their daily interactions, knowing they were better than what bullies or mistrusting authority figures said. I loved seeing that; it reminded me of "The Iron Giant". This was probably the ultimate connection between human and robot established in the franchise.

Not only "The Iron Giant', but certain moments of the film remind me of "Star Wars" and "Man of Steel". Just as Darth Vader called Princess Leia a traitor to the Galactic Empire, Bumblebee is seen as a traitor by the Decepticons for not wanting to build a stronger Cybertron, probably where evil reigned supreme over inferior would-be heroes. When Superman chose to side with and protect the humans over making a newer Krypton, Zod vowed to annihilate him. That similarity goes with Bumblebee as he refused to be a part of his opponents' malevolent attitude, didn't see every innocent life as a criminal ready to attack him, and would fight Shatter and Dropkick to the end of the line.      In addition to Steinfeld and Bumblee, I appreciated the performances by Cena and Bassett, Cena's role as Agent Burns was similar to Kent Mansley from "The Iron Giant". But it was great that he overcome his distrustful focus on Bumblebee and saw him for the valiant protagonist he really is. It was hilarious when he was caught off-guard by Bumblebee's weapons.
From what I heard, Bassett's role of Shatter was made in a sarcastic tone and her character was shown in a charismatic manner. What was charismatic about Shatter was when she tried to present herself as an ally to the humans to arrest Bumblebee, when she was using them to get more Decepticons to wreak havoc on Earth. Regardless, Bassett's acting was interesting to hear.
I loved seeing the film's numerous 80s pop culture references. A very funny time came when Bumblebee raised his fist in victory like Judd Nelson at the end of "The Breakfast Club"(1985). A combination of her rebellious behavior, different hairstyle, and frequent T-shirts of bands like The Smiths made Steinfeld's character look like a punk rock kind-of teenager. 
After his first directing with Laika's "Kubo and the Two Strings", I think Travis Knight made a very lasting impression directing this film. By including touching chemistry between Steinfeld and O'Brien's characters, a great emotional story behind them, and a thrilling inclusion of action to tell it, "Bumblebee" may give Paramount and Transformers the jump start to move back up in the fast lane of filming. If you want a good fight and nonstop jokes, "Bumblebee" may be the film for you.