Bee Movie
Reviewer: Lee Griffiths
Issue 103 May 2008
(2 votes, average: 8.5 out of 10)
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A bug’s life.
The Lowdown: Barry B. Benson is a bee college graduate who flees the humdrum life of a honey-maker to pursue bigger things in Manhattan. Breaking the bee rules and befriending a human, Benson soon learns the ways of the world, but is appalled by the corporate producers of honey and decides to sue for bee’s lib.
Review: At first glance, Bee Movie looks like a winner. Co-written and starring Jerry Seinfeld (as well as ‘Seinfeld’ scribes, Andy Robin and Spike Feresten), boasting a brilliant cast including John Goodman, Chris Rock, Rip Torn and Ray Liotta, and sporting some terrific animation and a catchy music score, Bee Movie should have been a genuine Ratatouille contender. Unfortunately, DreamWorks’ latest is a fairly underwhelming experience.
When the special features are funnier than the main event, you know you have problems. Indeed, the DVD package provides plenty of interactive entertainment for the younger viewers while laying on the laughs thick and fast with some hilarious ‘TV Juniors’ featurettes, a series of mock ‘behind the scenes’ segments/sketches featuring the comedy talents of Seinfeld and a maniacal Ray Liotta, among others. Unfortunately, the dry and often surreal humour from these adult-orientated skits doesn’t spill over into the main feature.
It’s a shame and a missed opportunity, and while there are a fair few solid gags and some wonderful voiceover work on offer (Patrick Warburton provides plenty of auditory gold), the 90-minute running time feels like a long old slog thanks to the rather flimsy story and entrée’ of bee puns. There are a few smile-inducing pop culture references to the likes of The Graduate (1967) and WarGames (1983) that should keep adult members of the audience entertained and on their toes, though this is neither smart enough for adults nor vibrant and fun enough for kids, kind of leaving Bee Movie in demographic limbo.
FILM: 6 EXTRAS: 7
DVD Info:
US Certificate: PG
Starring: (Voices) Jerry Seinfeld, Renee Zellweger, Matthew Broderick
Directed By: Steve Hickner, Simon J. Smith, 2007
Distributor: DreamWorks
Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0, Dolby Digital 5.1
Visuals: 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen
Running Time: 90 mins
Price: £17.99
Film ordered through: USDirect.co.uk – 01484 325 605
Special Features:
Audio Commentary With Actor Jerry Seinfeld And Filmmakers
Lost Scenes
Alternate Endings
‘TV Juniors’ Featurettes
Live-Action Trailers
Trailers
‘Jerry’s Flight Over Cannes’ Featurette
‘Inside The Hive: The Cast Of Bee Movie’ Featurette
‘Dreamworks Kids’ Featurettes And Interactive Games
‘Tech Of Bee Movie’ Featurette
‘Meet Barry B. Benson’ Interactive Game
‘We’ve Got The Be’ Music Video
‘DreamWorks Animated Video Jukebox’
Scene Selection
May 27th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Call me simple but, my boys and I liked this movie