Bee Movie (2007)

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 | Regret | Escape Attempt | Flying | Unlikely Hero

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 11 nominations

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

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:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

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

Company:

DreamWorks Animation

Trivia:

Both of Barry's nemesis are voiced by stars of films produced by Dreamworks nemesis, Pixar. John Goodman, the voice of the opposing council, had the lead role in Monsters, Inc. (2001). Patrick Warburton, the voice of the human who almost killed Barry, was the title character in Pixar's "Buzz Lightyear of Star Command" (2000).

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): It is mentioned that Ken's face puffs up when he's around bees during the beginning. But later when he's interacting with Barry, he shows no signs of any allergic reactions.

Quotes:

Barry B. Benson: Tivo. You can just freeze live TV? That's insane.
Vanessa: What, you don't have anything like that?
Barry B. Benson: We have "Hivo", But it's a disease. It's a horrible, horrible disease.

Movie Connections:

Spoofs "Larry King Live" (1985)

Soundtrack:

Here Comes the Sun

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