Directed by Steve Hickner, Simon J. Smith Voices by Jerry Seinfeld, Matthew Broderick, Renée Zellweger Review by Eli Manning
SYNOPSIS:
Barry B. Benson, a bee who has just graduated from college, is disillusioned at his lone career choice: making honey. On a special trip outside the hive, Barry's life is saved by Vanessa, a florist in New York City. As their relationship blossoms, he discovers humans actually eat honey, and subsequently decides to sue us.
REVIEW:
I watched this film at a matinee show with over 300 kids aged 5-12 in the crowd. It was quite an experience and interesting to grasp the kids reaction to this film.
During the first 30 minutes everyone was really into it. Then during the next 40 minutes the kids were screaming and jumping in and out of their seats feeling antsy. It got so loud I couldn't hear all of the dialogue happening on the screen. They finally settled down in the final 15 minutes and cheered on the Bee and the girl as they attempted to save the world!
Yes, the plot of this film got to the point where the Bee needed to save the entire human existence from dying. This isn't exactly a bad thing but an interesting one.
What makes a good animation film these days is an entertaining story that grabs both the kids attention spans plus and the adults. It's funny so the kids laugh and so do the adults. And it has a great message to deliver to the audience that teaches the kids to be better people and the adults too.
That's a very hard goal to accomplish and no wonder most of these animation films takes years to make and have at least 4 credited screenwriters and probably dozens of other ghostwriters. These are probably the toughest movies to make in Hollywood today and if successful the most profitable.
Bee Movie is a good movie 80% of the time. There's a moment in the middle that just seemed to drift a tad too long and perhaps got a tad involved in the social commentary it was trying to say. That's why the kids shifted in their seats and that's why the adult (me) shifted as well.
But there are some terrific scenes in this film and quite a nice education too. Jerry Seinfeld's first real project after the Seinfeld fame will be a hit because it's clever, funny and has something to say to kids. And I guess they made it look cute too which seems to always do good.
And for adults, there is references to many pop-culture things which is very funny especially a nice bit from The Graduate movie.
So I have to say I think people should go watch this film and if you do, don't hesitate to take a bathroom break at the 45 minute mark because you won't be missing much.
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