Bee Movie (2007)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Directors:

Steve Hickner
Simon J. Smith

Writers:

Jerry Seinfeld (written by) and
Spike Feresten (written by) ...

Release Date:

2 November 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Family

Tagline:

On November 2 Hold on to your honey

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Bee | Computer Animation | Sunrise | Lying | Scatological Humor

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 11 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Tue. Nov. 17	1:00 PM	HBO
Fri. Nov. 20	4:15 PM	HBO

Cast

Jerry Seinfeld	...	Barry B. Benson (voice)
Renée Zellweger	...	Vanessa Bloome (voice)
Matthew Broderick	...	Adam Flayman (voice)
Patrick Warburton	...	Ken (voice)
John Goodman	...	Layton T. Montgomery (voice)
Chris Rock	...	Mooseblood (voice)
Kathy Bates	...	Janet Benson (voice)
Barry Levinson	...	Martin Benson (voice)
Larry King	...	Bee Larry King (voice)
Ray Liotta	...	Ray Liotta (voice)
Sting	...	Sting (voice)
Oprah Winfrey	...	Judge Bumbleton (voice)
Larry Miller	...	Buzzwell (voice)
Megan Mullally	...	Trudy (voice)
Rip Torn	...	Lou Lo Duca (voice)

MPAA:

Rated PG for mild suggestive humor, and a brief depiction of smoking.

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

Netherlands:AL | USA:PG | Singapore:PG | South Africa:A | Sweden:Btl | Canada:G (all jurisdictions) | Australia:G | Malaysia:U | Finland:K-7 | South Korea:All | Ireland:G | Germany:o.Al. | UK:U (cut) | Switzerland:0 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:0 (canton of Geneva) | Argentina:Atp | Taiwan:GP | New Zealand:G | Brazil:Livre | Philippines:G | Italy:T | Portugal:M/6 (Qualidade)

Company:

DreamWorks Animation

Trivia:

The actual address of the fictitious Vanessa's Flower Shop is at the corner of 67th W and Columbus, New York, New York.

Goofs:

Continuity: At one point all the trees and plants have withered because of a lack of pollination. But when all the bees fly out to help guide in the plane, the tree in front of the hive is sporting big green leaves.

Quotes:

Barry B. Benson: What in the name of mighty Hercules is this? How did this get here? Cute Bee? Golden Blossom? Ray Liotta Private Select?
Vanessa: What is he, an actor?
Barry B. Benson: I've never heard of him. What is this doing here?
Vanessa: For people. We eat it.
Barry B. Benson: You eat it? You don't have enough food of your own? Where did you get this?
Vanessa: From bees. Bees make it...
Barry B. Benson: I know who makes it! And it's hard to make it! There's heating, and stirring, and there's this big krelman thing.
Vanessa: It's organic.
Barry B. Benson: It's *our* ganic!
Vanessa: It's just honey, Barry.
[...]

Movie Connections:

References Over the Hedge (2006)

Soundtrack:

Sugar Sugar

Patchy children's animation

As with many computer-animated films this is a sharply observed visual comedy grafted over hilarious voice-over. For about ten minutes. Then, amazingly, they run out of ideas. All the bee jokes are front-loaded and the film can't survive either on it's script - which has been left quite open for improvising - or on Seinfeld/Zellweger riffing - because that's a bit weak too.

I was waiting (along with 40 easily bored children, who didn't get the Pomp & Circumstance joke when I did, to my embarrassment) for some drama to cut in, rather like the revenge or rescue plots of the Toy Stories. The writing team are keen not to get in too deep and stick to the surface gags. Though these revive every so often, it's not particularly satisfying over 90 mins. 4/10