Over the last decade, there have been five Transformers movies which have raked in billions for Paramount Pictures despite terrible reviews.
The latest was last year’s Transformers The Last Knight which garnered 16% positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes.
However, making just over $600 million worldwide, it was the lowest grossing of the franchise and it now looks like Transformers 6 has been shelved.
Nevertheless, Bumblebee – a 1980s set prequel spin-off – has found favour with the critics, with many hailing it the best Transformers movie to date.
Empire
An impassioned ode to both the toys and their era, this, at last, is the Transformers movie we’ve been waiting for.
IGN
Bumblebee is the best live-action Transformers movie since the 2007 film, even though it doesn’t quite recapture the wow factor of seeing the robots in disguise come to life that very first time.
The Wrap
Bumblebee is, again and easily, the best Transformers movie. Heck, it’s probably the only genuinely good Transformers movie, with nary a caveat to be found. But it’s also a lively and earnest 1980s nostalgia trip, made with affection for the era and its characters and its soundtracks and its storytelling styles and, yes, even its toys. If this is where the new Transformers franchise is headed, then let the transformation continue.
Screen Junkies
Sixth time’s the charm. Bumblebee is easily the best Transformers film in the franchise. It’s what they should have been making from the very beginning. Wipe the slate clean and build from here – the Autobots finally have a solid foundation.
Hollywood Reporter
With Paramount’s planned Transformers 7 project shelved for now, Bumblebee could represent the studio’s next best chance to extend the franchise, if audiences throw their support behind the latest reimagining of the iconic entertainment property.
Telegraph
The result is derivative twice over – Epcot futurism meets Tears For Fears and Pop Tarts – but as a toy-advert movie full of artistry and heart, it’s as slyly progressive as it is shamelessly nostalgic.
Screen International
Bumblebee has such obvious fondness for its characters that those shortcomings can mostly be brushed aside. Who knew underneath the hood of this franchise there could be a little heart?
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Indie Wire
What Bumblebee does best is remember that this is a franchise for the young, and embrace that fact without any shame while also still delivering on the action. There’s no self-importance, no grafting of ultra-patriotism and too-dense mythology onto what should be a simple narrative. If you come to Bumblebee hoping for a heartwarming love story about a girl and an alien robot who can disguise himself as a VW Bug… well, that’s exactly what you’ll get.
Variety
Bumblebee shows that there’s room for a bit more nuance within the formula, but if you break it down, this relatively enjoyable film is made entirely from recycled parts.
Bumblebee will be released in UK cinemas on December 24, with previews on December 15 & 16.