Movie Reviews 4/5 Stars: Bumblebee

Transformers Action-Packed Prequel *spoilers after ads*

Summary:

Bee barely escapes his homeplanet. He’s part of the rebel group of transformers. Bad guys (Decepti-somethings or others) are after him. His escape pod lands him on Earth where he tries to blend in as a yellow VW bug.

Additional Comments:

• While the action scenes worked out very well, the in between sections felt kind of long. We’re invited to feel for Charlie and the young man who’d like to start dating her, but since they’re just kind of passing through, they felt superfluous.
• This is my first and probably last Transformers movie, unless they bring out more standalone type prequels.
• One of the best soundtracks I’ve heard in a while, and that’s saying something because I don’t even like soundtracks with lyrics. Music ends up playing a huge role in the movie and they did that very, very well.
• Pretty sure they worked hard to make Bumblebee look cute and unthreatening here.
• The evil ones were sort of forgettable, but they had some great lines.

Conclusion:

Whether you’re a fan of the Transformer movies or new to it like I am, you can find something to like in here. It’s entertaining overall, even with the few slow points.

 Additional Comments:

• I probably would have enjoyed this more if I didn’t think the two kids were idiots 99% of the book.
• The characterization is like oh, she’s such a smart, sweet girl. Repeatedly.
• Narrator’s performance was good. She put great emotion into all the right places.
• I liked the older couple more. There were a few side characters who were interesting but they blended together. One was a neonatal nurse or something.
• Characters 2/5: The younger couple is so dumb it hurts. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing because it’s accurate to some people or a bad thing. They’re not even likable for most of the book. The last chapter where everything comes together is great. I even like the characters then when they started making semi-sensible decisions.
• Subtitle of Escape from Reality doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me.
• Plot 3/5: Nothing earth-shattering.
• End 4/5: 100% predictable yet satisfying.
• Content Warnings: some cursing, including one f-bomb. Some talk about sex.

Conclusion:

There’s definite improvement as the book continues. I liked the end. I just don’t know if the rest of the book was worth wading through to get there.

Associate links to follow…

(If you click through and buy something, there’s the chance I’ll earn like $0.04 ….)

Amazon Prime

The Collins Case – 2 FBI agents track down a kidnapped family. Kid friendly.

If fantasy’s more your thing, go Redeemer Chronicles. The first, Awakening, is available as an audiobook.

Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts – a kid deals with her parents’ divorce, bullies, and the wonder of discovery.

Try The Dark Side of Science – Genetically altered kids fight for the right to live.

Scratched Off – Mystery/ Thriller – an FBI agent tackles the tough case of a serial killer.

OR

Spoiler Section

• Bee getting used to hiding (alluded to in the trailer) was amusing. The short stint into vandalism moreso.
• I feel like they worked too hard to involve Charlie’s family in the drama.
• Not sure why the government people were hellbent on painting Charlie in a certain light.
• Favorite line: “I like how they pop.”