Bumblebee (2018)

Bumblebee has always been the most likeable Autobot after Transformer team leader Optimus Prime because he’s just so darn cute as a little yellow VW Beetle. 2018 sci-fi action movie Bumblebee breaks away from the Transformers franchise and the good news is that you don’t need to be a super-fan to follow – it’s a great standalone watch as a prequel.

Think back to before the first Transformers movie, before Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox. Bee has just arrived on earth in the year 1987 and he needs a new bestie – a human who can bridge the gap between Autobots and mankind. Step in Hailee Steinfeld as Charlie, an 18-year-old rough-around-the-edges tomboy who doesn’t want to be pushed around.

It’s not the easiest of friendships, but they quickly bond because the Deceptions and the government’s B-127 team are hunting them and they’re allowed to use excessive force.

Bumblebee is perfect whether you want to watch the entire Transformers Collection, or just want to watch this one on its own, and you’ll recognise most of the Autobot voices – there’s Angela Bassett, Justin Theroux from The Leftovers and many more. Plus WWE superstar John Cena is helping Charlie as Sector 7 boss Jack Burns.

“The talented, expressive Steinfeld and a nuanced script elevate this prequel from unnecessary to surprisingly poignant and entertaining,” writes Sandie Angulo Chen from review site commonsensemedia.org. And she’s not wrong!