Bumblebee Teaser, My Thoughts

Bumblebee. One of the most popular characters in the Transformers franchise. In case you didn't know, Bumblebee was a small yellow heroic Autobot who was a very capable spy and scout. The most iconic incarnation of the character came from the original 1980s Transformer cartoon and toy line, in which his alternate mode was based on a Volkswagen Beetle and was portrayed as sort of a "little brother"-type who admired the Autobot leader Optimus Prime.

Much like many other popular Transformers characters, Bumblebee would appear or be homaged in various incarnations of the franchise. Most notably, he's a character in the Michael Bay-helmed live-action Transformers movies. Notably, his vehicular form was switched from the Volkswagen Beetle to a Chevrolet Camaro (According to Michael Bay himself, the change was made because he felt Bumblebee's classic vehicle form made him seem too much like Herbie the Love Bug). He played a major role in the first movie, being among the first Autobots to make contact with humans. At least, until the other films went crazy.

Considering the popularity of the character, it's no surprise that he would get a spinoff film focused on him. This film is said to be a prequel to the first Transformers movie, set in the 1980s. Eh, why not? These films played fast and loose with history. So, for my first blog entry back from my Vegas vacation, let's take a look at the teaser trailer!

Trying to make Bumblebee look a bit angelic, I see.

Say hello to our protagonist, Charley Watson. She's the Spike Witwicky of this movie. Transformers fans will get this joke.

I like the nod to the first film with the usage of Bernie Mac's voice and lines from the first movie. Helps establish a connection. And the little beehive is probably how she names the car "Bumblebee".

Yup, Bee has seen better days if parts are falling off him.

I wonder if one could tell a horror story with the Transformers.

I have to admit, I like Bumblebee's look here.

This part with Bumblebee cowering is actually pretty good. Bumblebee has been portrayed as the "kid brother", so this sells the idea that as freaked out Charley is, he himself is just as scared. He's a young Autobot presumably alone on a strange planet.

JOHN CENA. *cue "The Time is Now"* He plays one of the film's antagonists, a Sector 7 agent named Burns. Guessing this is his way of turning heel.

HOLY COW, STARSCREAM!

Bumblebee's face armor makes him look insect-like. Sticking to the theme. Clever.

I take it he's no fan of Rick Astley. I have heard this was set in the 80s, but it doesn't seem that way to me. Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" was from 1987, and Bumblebee's altmode is the classic-style Beetle (finally), and Charlie gives him a cassette tape, but otherwise that, it seems like ti could be set today. Maybe it's just me.

I have heard people say this film has Iron Giant vibes, and I can believe it. Kid befriends an alien robot. You can get a great story out of that. However, I feel this film is a bit of a missed opportunity. This would have been a great reboot of the Transformers film franchise. Considering the response to the last few Transformers movies, a reboot would have been a great way to jolt some new life into it. But despite that, this film sounds fun. I'll give it a looksee when it comes out.