The director of Kubo and the Two Strings has given us the 80s-set Transformers prequel we never knew we needed. So what???s new, and what???s not?
This is the first time a new director has been allowed to handle a Transformers film since Michael Bay launched the series in 2007. The new action-shouter is Travis Knight, who is the man behind the Oscar-nominated Kubo and the Two Strings (an animation up there with the best of Pixar and Studio Ghibli). So you can imagine that Bumblebee might be a tiny bit more on the tender side.
It???s brimming with action and heart
Bumblebee is a coming-of-age story about a teenage girl and her sweet robot friend - it???s still a Transformers film though, so don???t worry, there???ll be plenty of Action-with-a-capital-A. It???s just that this time, it???ll be nestled between genuinely heartfelt stories of a lonely teen and her battle-scarred VW Beetle that turns into a robot.
What???s new?
It has a very credible new directorThis is the first time a new director has been allowed to handle a Transformers film since Michael Bay launched the series in 2007. The new action-shouter is Travis Knight, who is the man behind the Oscar-nominated Kubo and the Two Strings (an animation up there with the best of Pixar and Studio Ghibli). So you can imagine that Bumblebee might be a tiny bit more on the tender side.
It???s brimming with action and heart
Bumblebee is a coming-of-age story about a teenage girl and her sweet robot friend - it???s still a Transformers film though, so don???t worry, there???ll be plenty of Action-with-a-capital-A. It???s just that this time, it???ll be nestled between genuinely heartfelt stories of a lonely teen and her battle-scarred VW Beetle that turns into a robot.
The cast are young and super cool
Hailee Steinfeld - who you may remember from Pitch Perfect and also from Being An Actual Popstar - takes the lead as 18-year-old Charlie Watson, while co-star Jorge Lendeborg Jr is one of Hollywood’s most hotly tipped rising stars. You might have spotted him earlier this year in Love, Simon or last year in Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Hailee Steinfeld - who you may remember from Pitch Perfect and also from Being An Actual Popstar - takes the lead as 18-year-old Charlie Watson, while co-star Jorge Lendeborg Jr is one of Hollywood’s most hotly tipped rising stars. You might have spotted him earlier this year in Love, Simon or last year in Spider-Man: Homecoming.
What’s not?
Well, Bumblebee obviouslyBut not as you know him. This is a prequel so we get to learn a bit more about his past. Here, he’s softer and brighter than the metallic CGI ‘bee you might be picturing. Basically: he’s adorable.
Retro stylings
As a prequel, it’s set in the late 80s - 1987, to be precise, 20 years before the first Transformers film. The film harks back to the original toys and comics in its retro look and feel, and in its tone. Plus, there’s the music: expect an incredible soundtrack featuring 80s-era classics from the likes of The Smiths.
Classic Transformers
Any 80s kids who were big into Transformers will be pleased to hear that Travis Knight was too - he grew up playing with the toys and watching the cartoons and has promised that the film will be full of Easter eggs. What’s more, Optimus Prime, Soundwave and Shockwave have all been given classic Generation One designs. He wanted to hark back to the originals, but has also said there will be plenty of surprises... better get those tickets now!
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