This ’80s-set action movie with “an abundance of heart” and 91% score is on TV tonight

Tonight, you can catch “Bumblebee,” the highly-acclaimed prequel within the “Transformers” series, on television.

At 6:35 PM tonight, the 2018 movie featuring Hailee Steinfeld, John Cena, Angela Bassett, Dylan O’Brien, and Justin Theroux will be broadcast on Film4.

Later on, you can stream it for free on Channel 4’s platform, complete with advertisements. Alternatively, there’s an option for an ad-free experience at £3.99 per month or £39.99 annually.

If you’ve got a Paramount+ subscription, it’s also available to watch any time.

The story unfolds in the ’80s, with our protagonist – the Bumblebee character – arriving on Earth and forging an alliance with a young human girl, after initially being an Autobot.

However, there’s more at stake than just playtime, as a team of Deceivers is actively searching for him and they’re skillfully persuading a military force to assist them.

According to Rotten Tomatoes, Bumblebee boasts a 91% favorable rating, making it the top-rated Transformers movie among critics on this platform. Previously, none of the films had come anywhere near its standing, until last year’s Transformers: One was released.

Here’s what some of the reviews have said:

NME

As a hardcore Transformers fan, I can confidently say this is the most phenomenal addition to the franchise yet! It perfectly encapsulates what a Transformers film ought to be – bursting with humor, packed with non-stop action, and neatly wrapped up in under two hours.

Vanity Fair

In the movie “Bumblebee“, it seems the most touching moments are intended to be those where a young woman and her robot alien companion form a heartwarming, ironically humorous bond. However, I found myself even more captivated by other aspects: such as the duo of Decepticon antagonists resembling Tweedledee and Tweedledum, who’ve come from Cybertron to track down Bumblebee, or Agent Burns (Cena), a military figure whose relentless pursuit of the endearing Autobot leads him into some laughably misguided situations.

BFI Sight and Sound

In simpler terms, “Christina Hodson’s script emphasizes the human characters and Bumblebee’s unique blend of human and canine traits, providing a clearer, less chaotic visual experience compared to the excessive action in earlier films from the franchise, often referred to as ‘Bayhem’.

The Guardian

If the Transformers cinematic universe had been more authentic from the start, Travis Knight would have been its lifelong director. For this sixth installment, which is a prequel or spin-off, the director takes control of Michael Bay’s massive blockbuster engine, and simplifies it to make it engaging, entertaining, and filled with a pleasant tone.

But Why Tho?

The success is largely attributed to a skilled director with a passion for the original content, a versatile group of actors, and an overflowing amount of emotion.

Tonight at 6:45 PM, you can catch the movie “Bumblebee” on Film4. Later, it will be streamable on Channel 4. Additionally, you can find it on Paramount+ as well.

Hey gamers, grab a peek at my latest find – the first print magazine from Digital Spy! It’s all about British Comedy Legends. You can pick it up at your local newsagents or get it online for only £3.99. Don’t miss out on this laugh riot!

Read More

2025-06-15 12:49