We've come a long way since the Transformers franchise started, and there's no surprise we got another...Wait, is there the fact that this isn't directed by Michael Bay? And that it got a fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes? Finally, because taking a step back from the "Bayhem" with a prequel about a fan favorite Autobot results in being the Transformers movie we wanted.
We see a battle for their home planet Cybertron take place, and it's when Optimus Prime sends Bumblebee to earth for shelter. Of course what's only habitable is 1987 earth, (A nod to the era Transformers were first created) and they really put emphasis on the theme, the same kind of vibes you've seen in Stranger Things, Ready Player One, etc. like I get it already, the 80's were cool! The critic writing this right now wasn't even born yet.
Anyway, we get to teenager Charlie (Hailee Steinfeld), who feels outcast from the world until she receives a VW beetle who's more than meets the eye, bringing up themes similar to ET and The Iron Giant. (Though perhaps TOO similar.) What I liked though is that it plays more true to the human-robot bond without including any filler, Steinfeld has a believable character arc, even bots like Bumblebee transform more smoothly compared to the past films. In the end, the film was almost able to restore my faith in the Transformers series. Almost. B