Rated PG for mild suggestive humor, and a brief depiction of smoking.
Directed by Steve Hickner (Prince of Egypt) and Simon J. Smith
Starring Jerry Seinfeld, Renée Zellweger, Matthew Broderick, Patrick Warburton and Chris Rock
Jonathan and Todd both gave this film the same score… but Todd seemed to like the film a little less.
TODD'S WORD: Bee Movie has Jonathan and I divided again. Somehow we both managed to score it as a “rental”, but it's obvious that he liked it more than I did.
JONATHAN'S WORD: Maybe it's because I had low expectations. Or maybe it was because I watched it with my kids and saw how much they enjoyed it. Either way, I really thought it was a funny movie.
TODD'S WORD: Bee Movie has some really funny moments, but unfortunately it is an average, forgettable movie.
The story centers on Barry B. Benson (Jerry Seinfeld), a bee who has just graduated from college and is looking for more than just the one career option: making honey. Normally reserved for Pollen Jocks, Barry gets a special trip outside the hive and into New York City. While out on the adventure of a lifetime, Barry gets into trouble and has his life saved by florist Vanessa (Renée Zellweger). As weird as it sounds, their relationship blossoms, and he discovers that humans harvest, sell and actually eat honey. So he does what any bee would do…he decides to sue the human race.
JONATHAN'S WORD: You lost me at “average.” This movie was really funny. Now, I admit. It had a dry spell near the end when it seemed to attempt to make a point or moral of some kind. That ten minute section was a little dry. But that's what lowered the score to a “rental” to me. Otherwise I would have given it a “Theatre Worthy.” The dialogue was creative, the story interesting… and the cameos were hilarious. Especially Sting.
TODD'S WORD: I agree about the good performances. Seinfeld is a funny guy. The Seinfeld show was, without a doubt, the funniest show in television history. The promos for Bee Movie with Jerry dressed as a giant bee…hilarious. The coming attractions promised a huge movie. But it was the disappointment that was huge.
JONATHAN'S WORD: Maybe that's the difference. I came in with low expectations because I thought the previews looked pretty average.
TODD'S WORD: O.K., I’m willing to admit my expectations were way too high and I’m probably being a little harsh, but it was dreadfully average.
JONATHAN'S WORD: There's that word again. Sigh
TODD'S WORD: I went to see Bee Movie with my wife and two kids (9 and 6). My kids are amused pretty easily; I mean they think I’m hilarious, and judging from their response it was O.K. I love movies that we as a family can watch together; I’m just not crazy about spending over $40 to do it.
JONATHAN'S WORD: Maybe the humor was for a little bit older kids. My kids are older… they were rolling. But then again… they are used to good humor. They have me!
TODD'S WORD: My turn. Sigh
In summary, it seemed that Jerry Seinfeld wrote down some of his classic observations (this time about bees), strung them together, and had some really talented people animate the whole thing. The result is a weak story with some really funny moments that look amazing. The funny moments are really funny, like when Barry gets stuck to the tennis ball or pretty much any scene with Patrick Warbuton.
JONATHAN'S WORD: Finally we agree. Warbuton's character was side-splitting!
Just kill that 10 minute dull spot and the movie was great.
TODD'S WORD: And that's why we both scored it “Rental.” Bee Movie is a fun family movie that is worth checking out, but feel free to wait for the DVD release.
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Yeah, there’s nothing real offensive and they might even learn a few things about bees.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
- What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
- How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
- How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
