Bee Movie (2007) User Reviews

This is a movie about nothing. Seinfeld's quick-paced and witty humor flies past the kids and stings the adults

[diac228 · 6/10 · 11 November 2007]

A professor in the University of Central Florida that taught me very well about cinema, submitted a wonderful script to different movie studios about two kids over the summer living with their father inside a boat, as they sail the western hemisphere for multiple reasons. But, despite the good script, had a major issue that did not allow for it to ever be filmed: it did not figure out its audience and failed to reach a demographic to aim for. The script was much too mature for kids to watch; yet the piece was about kids, which wouldn't interest the adults. It was a coming-of-age story that would have issues entertaining anybody, despite the rich material. This is the biggest issue of Bee Movie.

Bee Movie tries to entertain kids and adults yet has very little humor for the children, nevertheless a plethora of jokes for the adults—but the cutesy factor becomes a turn-off for the parents. As a matter of fact, Bee Movie could have definitely benefited from edgier material and aiming the film towards an older audience. Jerry Seinfeld has a wonderful story to tell, but the kids would definitely not be interested. Bee Movie involves a major lawsuit, celebrity cameos, hidden humor about actors, and the typical Seinfeld humor that made the comedian a household name back in the 90s. The movie does have its laughs, does indeed contain its moments, but it could have been much better if it didn't try so hard to appeal to the kids.

In this movie, we follow a recently graduated bee by the name of Barry B. Benson (Jerry Seinfeld) that decides to fly away from the hive to see the world prior to picking the one job he'll work for the rest of his life, whatever that may be. After an incident involving a tennis ball, a spunky florist Vanessa (Renee Zellweger) saves him. As his relationship with humans, especially Vanessa, improves, he learns that humans eat honey and decides to sue the entire human race. About a dozen of well-known actors and actresses are sprinkled in this movie, ranging from Oprah Winfrey to Ray Liotta to Chris Rock to even Sting (okay, so he doesn't act). The best vocal performances in this movie however come from Matthew Broderick (Ferris Bueller, adult Simba) and of course, Patrick Warburton (Kronk in Emperor's New Groove, The Tick, and Joe from Family Guy).

Unfortunately for Dreamworks, Pixar is once again raising the bar in animation with the incredible Ratatouille earlier this summer. So, with such competition, the animation department suffers a lot. Whenever the action slows down (the flying sequences, albeit not enough of them, were good) the lack of detail becomes obvious; the trees look the same, the buildings look the same, and some of the voices doesn't match the faces. For example, when Ken (Warburton again) screams and rants, his face does not match the explosion of rage. Even older flicks like Madagascar, Over the Hedge, and Ice Age looked better. Seinfeld's vision of the bee world was unveiled, but not with a rather lack of detail.

Where the movie scores its biggest points lies in the fast-paced, unpredictable humor of Jerry Seinfeld. This is a well-written story with an original plot and plenty of jokes to throw at everybody. The slapstick and physical humor rather misses more than hits, but the Seinfeld-humor (you whether understand this very well, or not at all) delivers most definitely. Whether it's the sidesplitting one-liners, subtle pop culture gags, or the hilarious cameos (Ray Liotta's scene was comic gold), the Master of Nothing still has the jokebug in his blood. The performances do indeed enhance the experience, but some are underused; best example is Chris Rock. The slow moments come whenever slapstick replaces dialogue, and it happens several times.

Bottom Line: Bee Movie is a decent flick for adults, but not that great for kids. Finding the balance between material for kids and material for adults is not easy yet in this film it becomes so one-sided, you wind up laughing a lot but feeling sorry for the kids watching at the same exact time. The story and dialogue are unique and refreshing, but at the same time it almost feels wasted because half the audience will get a kick out of it. Jerry Seinfeld once again delivers, but should probably try to stay away from making substance for kids, and remain with the witty adults. Animation isn't a big deal either, so the visuals will not astound you that much either. Instead, come in for the great dialogue and a potential step towards making more computer-animated flicks for just teenagers and adults---even though this genre is almost always marketed towards the "rugrats."

[ Insert "bee" pun here ]

[Derek237 · 6/10 · 1 December 2007]

Bee Movie has its moments of brilliance, but they are few and far between, and I think what weakens this movie the most is the fact that most other movies have already beaten it to its punches. There's nothing too original here. Most notably, it bears many similarities to the 1998 animated film, Antz, starring Woody Allen as the insect living in a perfectly functioning society who begins to question his importance in the greater scheme of things. And much like DreamWorks' previous animated film, Sharktale, featured many fish-themed puns, Bee Movie tries the same thing, except with bee puns, and you'll learn fairly quickly that there's not a lot to work with in that area. And, let's face it: Larry King has appeared as himself in so many movies that the gimmick itself has become an irritating cliché. Here he is, in complete bee form. I think they've taken him as far as he can go.

Altogether, though, Bee Movie is not without its charms. It does eventually find itself in some odd, uncharted territories (could a bee really fall in love with a human?), there are plenty of funny moments, and yes, even some of those puns work. Jerry Seinfeld, who has taken a lot of pride in writing, producing, acting in, and promoting the movie, does do a very good job voicing the main character. You sometimes feel like these actors doing voices for cartoons are just phoning it in, but Seinfeld gives a surprisingly energetic performance. I could picture him mimicking Barry B. Benson's movements in a recording booth as I heard his voice; it's obvious he was passionate about every aspect to the movie. The rest of the cast does a good job, too: Renee Zellwegger, Matthew Broderick, Patrick Warburton, as well as John Goodman in a brief role, who once again proves what an amazingly talented voice actor he is. Whenever there's a need for a big, burly character, John Goodman is the go-to guy, because, well, he IS a big, burly character. Ray Liotta's cameo was also a highlight, and much more inspired than King's cameo.

It may not be a perfect movie, or the most original, and for a 90-minute run-time, it kind of drags on a bit, but for all that it is, I can't say that it wasn't entertaining. It won't go down in the history of greatest animated films, but it may be a decent way to spend a rainy day, when you can't go out and fly.

My rating: 6/10

P.S.

If you're knowledgeable about your animated films, you may remember the slight controversy surrounding Finding Nemo, which inspired a few children to flush their fishes down the toilet so they could "free" them into the ocean. Bee Movie just may plant some worse ideas in kids' heads. Keep an eye out for news stories about children getting stung by bees after trying to make friends with them once they see the movie. Maybe Larry King could do a special about it.

Colourful, with some sassy and smart moments, but it peters out in the last half

[TheLittleSongbird · 6/10 · 1 January 2011]

This is far from the worst movie ever(Disaster Movie) or the worst animated animated movie ever(Titanic:The Animated Movie), but despite its neat concept Bee Movie doesn't completely hold together consequently it is one of Dreamworks' weaker movies, Shark Tale being their worst.

Granted, there are things to like. The animation is gorgeous. The character designs are good enough, but the colours and backgrounds are the real revelations, as well as some of the visual gags. The music is a nice touch as well, the orchestral music is bright and breezy and the song in the end scene was lovely. I also loved the concept, and in the first half the film did work really well with it. It was original and well-written up to a certain point. The script in general is sassy and smart with the odd amusing pun, the pace to start with is brisk and the voice acting is solid with Jerry Seinfeld energetic, Renee Zellwegger warm and endearing and an assortment of effective cameos especially Ray Liotta's.

However, the film's problems come in the second half, and the start of those problems are with the courtroom scene which came across as forced and only slightly funny. Storywise, the last half hour feels like a different movie, first it is all warm, smart and infectious then it is close to serious and heavy-handed, and it also seemed as though the writers had run out of ideas. While there are some good jokes, others aren't so funny as it is the sort of humour that goes over the audience's heads, and the pace sags quite badly towards the end.

All in all, it isn't bad but it could have been better with a tighter second half and a more consistent set of ideas. 6/10 Bethany Cox

enjoyable as can bee

[Special-K88 · 24 December 2007]

Sharp, funny animated feature about a beemused young bee and recent college graduate who learns that he's destined to work a routine colony job for the rest of his life. Although his natural instinct is to beeware of humans, his life takes a turn for the better when he meets a saintly florist who not only beefriends him, but helps him quickly file a lawsuit beefore humans can take all the credit for mass production of honey! Occasionally too silly for words, probably by intention, but lots to take in with superb animation, good gags, and quirky, memorable characters. Comedy is uneven at times, but still serves as acceptable entertainment for kids and adults alike. ***

Mildly Amusting Animated Effort

[ccthemovieman-1 · 6/10 · 22 March 2008]

"Mildly amusing" is probably the best description of this recently-released (on DVD) animated feature. My reviews on animated movies are what I thought of it as an adult, and how adults would relate to it. For this one, I'd say this is not a film adults will run out and buy: rent - yes/maybe; purchase - no.

The animation and story might be something kids will still enjoy but most of the gags fall flat for adults, although it does have a few clever things in it. It just isn't up to some of the truly funny animated films of the past few years. That said, it was still fun to watch with some humorous drawings in the background that you have to watch for quickly.

As for the story, for a film with a lot of politically-correct messages, stereotypical characters, Liberal icons plugged, etc., it was surprising to see a commonsense "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" conclusion. Kudos for that, but there are just too many dumb parts in this story. The connection of a talking bee with a human girlfriend was too ludicrous to be entertaining, as were the courtroom scenes.

The animation was fair. Yes, a story with flowers as a key ingredient is going to be colorful, so there is plenty of color but it looked kind of washed out and blah to what it could have been (i.e. "Cars," "Polar Express," etc.). I expected more out of a Dreamworks film.

Overall, for adults: skip it. It just isn't funny enough to invest your time. For the little kids, sure - they'll like it. They like almost almost any animated movie.

To Bee or not to Bee

[kosmasp · 7/10 · 19 September 2021]

I'm kind of surprised that not every single review has this as a summary line ... then again maybe it's better that way - I can use it with less guilt and it has probably a better effect.

Bees ... for the longest time they had a bad rep. And I reckon they still have - especially when you are eating (outside) and they come and you sort of panic. Though I'm not sure if it's bees every time. They (wasps) have similar traits and looks. They also are useful to nature, in a different way then bees, but still.

So taking a bit of the fear(s) many have of those insects is not a bad thing. You may have issues with how they are being humanized (with these movies they all talk and do other human stuff that is not in their actual nature), but you have to sell a movie to kids and their parents, so just suspend your disbelief.

Voice talent at hand is really good and the story flows (or flies?) along nicely. If you are a fan of Seinfeld even better - but I think even those who may not be too aware of him, will have lots of fun.

Surprisingly good

[tlyqmyl · 7/10 · 17 July 2021]

I hated this movie as a kid. I thought the story was lame & the jokes aren't funny. But now I think it's pretty good. Not the best DreamWorks movie. But I like it for what it is.

Plot: 6/10 Animation: 7/10 Jokes: 8/10 Characters: 7/10 Overall: 7/10.

Silly with an Absurd Storyline

[claudio_carvalho · 5/10 · 25 July 2008]

When the bee Barry B. Benson graduates from college, he finds that will have only one job for his entire life, and absolutely disappointed, he joins the team responsible for bringing the honey and pollination of the flowers to visit the world outside the hive. Once in Manhattan, he is saved by the florist Vanessa and he breaks the bee law to thank Vanessa. The become friends and Barry discovers that humans explore bees to sell the honey they produce. Barry decides to sue the human race, with destructive consequences to nature.

"Bee Movie" has a great animation, but unfortunately is silly with an absurd storyline. I do not understand what the writer might have in his mind with such lack of message; maybe a child could have written a better and more intelligent plot. The lead character in funny but has an annoying voice. I love animations, especially those with good messages. However, is so inaccurate and stupid that even for children I believe this movie does not work well. My vote is five.

Title (Brazil): "Bee Movie – A História de Uma Abelha" ("Bee Movie – The Story of a Bee")

Un-Bee-Lievable

[StGabriel97 · 9/10 · 11 February 2019]

The "Citizen Kane" of bug movies. My only regret in life is that I cant see this movie for the first time again and yet upon each re-viewing I find myself peeling back more and more of the metaphysical layers to this enthralling epic of tragedy and redemption.

Jerry Seinfeld delivers an Oscar worthy performance as Barry B. Benson, local hive schlub and opportunistic apis mellifera, he aims to please both his personal needs for love, passion and adventure as well as his parents wishes for stability and success. The results can bee bittersweet and downright hilarious at times, and ultimately enriches the audience with its tantalizing charm and wit.

As far as political agendas go "Bee Movie" dares to not shy away from allusions of eco-fascism and the socialist working class struggle, and faces the globalist honey collecting hordes head on through judicious and peaceful means. The political influence derived, serves as a peek into a Beewellian realm governed by a beenevolent dictator aiming to seize the rights of honey distribution worldwide, yet maintains a clear social hierarchy both in hive and out. Fascinating audiences worldwide "Bee Movie" is nothing less of a manifesto, and a warning of what to bee prepared for in a hypothetical future. As far as I'm concerned I welcome the thousand year hive with open arms, and think we'd all bee better off sticking one to big honey.

Black and Yellow! Hello! I give this instant classic two antennas up.

Lighthearted Humor - Fun Movie

[andrew-153 · 7/10 · 4 November 2007]

This is a silly movie. It's goal is to make you laugh, and little beyond that. Indeed I laughed for most of the movie. It is hard for me to find much fault when I am laughing that much. That the last act had fewer jokes was a minor misstep. The characters were cute and the story didn't get in the way of the humor. And I kind of enjoyed the story, it was a little odd and funny.

It is unusual among animated movies in that its focus is jokes, kind of like a stand-up act. There are a lot of these jokes and they are quite funny! Does anything feel better than laughing? (OK, well very few things.) The story is mainly there as a vehicle for the jokes. So perhaps slightly different expectations will serve you well with this movie.

Don't go to this for a serious story! It is light humor, and at that game a great success. If you recognize that that is what the filmmakers are going for, then you will enjoy it. If you are expecting an incredible story or thrilling action or amazing animated beauty, then you might be disappointed.

As lighthearted humor with playful animation, and a great ending song, the film is a success.

Forget the Death Penalty: Introduce the Bee Movie Penalty

[RiffRaffMcKinley · 1/10 · 11 April 2008]

It's been a while since I acquired a headache from a movie. For that, I thank "Bee Movie," a dreadfully mindless excursion into the worlds of both copycat kiddie fantasy and shameless commercial promotion (for a show that's been off the air for years).

This was a movie I never even wanted to watch. So the disc was inserted without my blessing into a DVD player that should be praised for its patience at showing such garbage, and I was subjected to all 90 or whatever minutes of this trash festival. I was told I wouldn't even notice the nasal, whiny, someone-please-strike-him-mute voice of hack comedian Jerry Seinfeld (that's right, I said it, Seinfeld *and* his show are two of the most cruel things that can be unleashed upon mankind). Naturally, that was wrong.

Basically, that meant that the movie was basically a rehash of movies like "A Bug's Life" and "Antz," both of which were very good movies in which insects dreamed of a better life and had the fortitude to make it happen. That sentence should be its own genre by now! Even the actors I had genuine respect for (Matthew Broderick, John Goodman, and Larry Miller, the hilarious voice of the pointy-haired boss in "Dilbert") were unimaginably uninspiring. They had absolutely no shame, wasting what seemed like hours on jokes about rock star Sting. They even sank so low as to feature a character called "Bee Larry King." Next time, can we please get Dugong Dr. Phil a role in a "Madagascar" sequel?

When a bee stings, it dies. It's a fact of biology. And this putrid bug corpse starts stinging the moment the disc drawer is closed.

saved my life

[jdreibelbis-19266 · 10/10 · 30 November 2017]

Before watching the Bee Movie, I had clinical depression. My therapist recommended this movie to help through tough times. I said "Yeah right, how will a movie about bees help me?" Oh, I was sooo wrong. Ever since watching this movie, it has made me appreciate living more. I have spent more time with friends and family. I now am so confident in my life that I have a job. Thank you Jerry Seinfeld.

Insert Bee Movie Script Here

[svivschenk · 7/10 · 15 July 2019]

It is the kind of movie to enjoy ironically. Just sit down, grab a buddy, maybe even two buddies, and just rip this movie apart, while having a laugh in the process. Oh yeah, and the funniest thing in this movie is Patrick Warburton, who is the villian, because his girlfriend is friends with a bee. MCHWAAH ⛪⛪⛪

Bee Flat

[villard · 2/10 · 11 November 2007]

This is a mediocre and uninspired script packaged in cutesy computer animated figures (soon headed for your nearest toy store shelves). This film is an easily forgettable loser in trying to entertain children.

It doesn't entertain adults much either because it lacks the playfully devilish double entendre humor you find in animated cartoons like "Shrek" or "The Simspons Movie."

The only side-splitting humor is in a mosquito character voiced by Chris Rock - and that lasts just a few precious screen minutes. He would have made a great sidekick to the Seinfeld bee character, but alas, I guess Jerry didn't want to be upstaged by another comedian.

Instead, Bee Movie is low-calorie on energy, excitement, slapstick and the tickle-your-funnybone fun-loving momentum that propelled classic animated cartoons like "Cars," "Toy Story," "Robots," and "Over the Hedge."

The laughs are few and far between. I watched this in a theater with lots of families and I can count on one hand the number of times children giggled with delight.

So, this movie met my worst apprehension: a television sitcom comic tries to make a children's cartoon with a lot of clever dialog but little action.

For example, the parody on using outside personalities like CNN's Larry King,the rock star Sting, and Ray Liotta is completely lost on young viewers (but it did guarantee a promotional spot for Jerry Seinfeld on the real Larry King Live broadcast).

Also, I can't think of anything more boring in a children's film than having courtroom scenes, of all things. The worst and scariest bad guy the cartoon has to offer is a lawyer in a three-piece suit. Nyuk! nyuk! yet *another* lawyer caricature.

Bee Movie tries to work in a gratuitous environmentalism statement in the final 15 minutes. But by the time that rolls in you've already looked at your watch a few times wondering where you parked the car.

There's nothing honey sweet about this film, it's purely Saccharine: no nutritional value and bad aftertaste.

Heart warming and fun

[Gordon-11 · 9 February 2008]

This film is about a bee breaking the traditions by not following the footsteps of all the other bees in the past 27 million years. He sets out to sue humans for stealing honey, with disastrous results.

I was very entertained by "Bee Movie", and I was surprised by all the negativity in the comments. I thought the animation was fantastic. The bees are cute and lovely, and the way Barry got ready to go out in the beginning is a joy to watch. I particularly liked the introduction around the hive. The colours were uplifting, and the mechanical machines in the hive. I felt as if I was really flying from a bee' perspective. And to look at the world with a bee's perspective is interesting. I also liked the morals of the story, especially Vanessa's line about all lives are equal. The subtle message about working hard (for 27 million years) to kids is not very attractive, but it is so subtle that I can live with it.

I find "Bee Movie" heart warming and fun. Some lines are really funny, such as the final line about lawyers. The mobile phone with antennae is a great idea as well. I think "Bee Movie" is a great escape back to the child inside you.

A Bee Antz Bug Movie

[view_and_review · 6/10 · 13 December 2020]

"Antz" and "A Bug's Life" were both about individuality, then "Bee Movie" comes along to add to that same narrative. I'm just waiting for the termites and wasps to come out with their movie about breaking away from the hive/colony.

In "Bee Movie" Barry (Jerry Seinfeld) doesn't want to do the job he's been assigned to do. What's more, he is repulsed by the idea that humans collect all the sweet honey bees make. Barry wants to do his own thing and he wants all bees of the world to be free to not have to make honey. To achieve that Barry takes the honey manufacturing companies to court.

The biggest difference between this insect movie and the two aforementioned is that these insects are even more anthropomorphic. The bees speak English, can argue in court, and Barry even has a crush on a human.

This movie had its moments. It was funny at times even when it was being absurd. Even with suspended disbelief, though, some of the scenes were too much. It had an individualism theme with a touch of misanthropy-- "I want to be me and mingle with a person, but most people are bad (or at least the ones who farm bees for honey)." If only we could talk to bees and get their approval to eat their honey then the world would be a better place.

Bee Movie

[jboothmillard · 7/10 · 8 January 2011]

It had been almost a decade since the competing Antz and A Bug's Life were released, and there haven't been many insect based films that have been a hit, especially not computer animated, but then came this one. Basically in a bee hive in Sheep's Meadow, Central Park, New York City, ordinary bee Barry B. Benson (Jerry Seinfeld, also writing and producing) has just graduated with his friend Adam Flayman (Matthew Broderick) from college, and they are ready to enter the honey making industry, Honex. They find out however that whatever job they choose will be the job will be working in for the rest of their lives, and Barry doesn't like the sound of that, so he plans to leave the hive, and he does this by pretending to be part of the pollen collecting team who get to go outside. He enjoys his newfound freedom, but he has to find shade when it starts raining, he rests on the apartment windowsill of female florist human Vanessa Bloome (Renée Zellweger), and he breaks the biggest bee rule of talking to her. They spend a lot of time together, but one day while shopping for groceries Barry spots hundreds of jars on honey, humans have been stealing it for centuries. He spots the Honey Farms company truck, and joins mosquito Mooseblood (Chris Rock) on the windscreen going to the place where humans make the honey, artificially, and he decides that this is a case that needs to be taken to court for a lawsuit. With the help of Vanessa proving that he and all bees can talk, and bee and honey related celebrities Sting and Ray Liotta questioned, they win the case, meaning all honey in the world is confiscated. Defence lawyer Layton T. Montgomery (John Goodman) has a point however when he says that they will disrupt nature's balance as honey has been made for over 27 million years, so all bees are out of a job, and all the flowers needing pollen will die out. In the end, Barry and Vanessa realise the big error made to the world, so honey making by bees is restored, the law is dropped, and they change "Vanessa's Flowers" to "Vanessa and Barry: Flowers; Honey; Legal Advice". Also starring Patrick Warburton as Ken, Megan Mullally as Trudy, Kathy Bates as Janet Benson, Rip Torn as Lou Lo Duca, Rain Man director Barry Levinson as Martin Benson, Larry King as Bee Larry King, Oprah Winfrey as Judge Bumbleton and The Nutty Professor's Larry Miller as Buzzwell. The voice casting is very good, the animation from the same studio as Shrek is of course perfect, the obviously honey and bee jokes are very funny, there just aren't any complaints to be made, a great fun computer animated comedy. It was nominated the Golden Globe for Best Animated Film. Very good!

Decent animation from Dreamworks

[Tweekums · 7/10 · 8 May 2012]

Reviews I'd read of this film suggested it was average at best but I thought I'd watch it anyway and while it is hardly a classic I'm glad that I watched it as it had a decent number of laughs and an entertaining if fairly light story. The film follows the life of Barry B. Benson, a newly qualified honey bee who is getting ready to pick the job he will do for the rest of his life. He is destined to work making honey in the hive but after a run in with the 'pollen jocks' he joins them for a flight out of the hive. When he gets caught in the rain he takes shelter in an apartment; here he is almost squashed by a man wielding a boot but Vanessa, the man's girlfriend, saves him. Being polite he decides to thank her even though talking to humans is against B law. After her initial shock the two of them become friends while his parents start to worry about why he hasn't decided on what job to do in the hive. One day he learns that people eat honey; he follows a supply lorry back to the farm and is horrified to see rows of hives where bees slave away to make honey that people take. Deciding to make a stand he takes humanity to caught; demanding that they stop taking honey and return what they have taken already. Inevitably he wins but there are consequences he didn't anticipate; without the need to make honey the bees stop pollinating flowers and soon they all start to die… something that will put florist Vanessa out of work and ultimately endanger much of the life on Earth!

This film was quite a bit better than I expected despite some obvious flaws and many jokes that will go right over the heads of younger viewers. I don't think the creators had much interest in making the bees anything like real bees; I can understand some changes such as giving them more human faces… after all they are talking animated bees not real ones, however I'm not sure why they don't have six legs as that is both anatomically correct and could provide some humour! The characters were entertaining enough although it was very much a one man… I mean one bee show; Barry is clearly the star of the film and unfortunately he wasn't that funny; he seemed to play the straight man while those he interacted with provided the jokes. The voice actors performed well however I could have done without the celebrities who appeared as themselves; they were all people who would probably not be recognised by younger viewers and the jokes required you to know who they were. I was impressed with most of the animation; the flying scenes look particularly good; giving the viewer the sensation of flying along side the bees. Overall it was better than I expected and worth watching if it is on television.

Like a bee sting, this Dreamwork Animation movie hurts to watch for the most part. It's just not quite buzzworthy.

[ironhorse_iv · 5/10 · 15 September 2018]

Honestly, this cartoon movie directed by Simon J. Smith & Steve Hickner can buzz off! I don't care if this movie had an unexpected rise in popularity as a few internet memes, several years after the film's release. It will never be sweet to me. I really do dislike this Paramount Pictures cartoon. Nearly, everything about this film is wrong. Let's start with the premise. The story about a honeybee, Barry B Benson (Voiced by Jerry Seinfeld) who travels outside of the hive & falls in love with a human woman named Vanessa Bloom (Voiced by Renee Zellweger) who in a relationship with another man, Ken (Voiced by Patrick Warburton), while eventually uncovers a shocking conspiracy involving bees was all over the place. One minute, it's a movie about going against the hive, in order to follow your own path & dreams, through self-discovery & individualism, then the next minute, the film turn into unconventional, mess up beastality fantasy. Only for it to change, yet again, into a courtroom drama, about fighting against prejudices and discrimination; before tackling off, into a disaster movie where everybody has to deal with the unintended consequences of their actions. It's a cluster of a mess. All the writers, Jerry Seinfeld, Andy Robin, Barry Marder & Spike Feresten put too much threads into this film. Not only that, but the film abandoned some many plot-lines that it leaves many plot holes, and unanswered questions. It get highly confusing at times. Plus, it felt somewhat lazy, not to finish the story arcs, they're started. Not only that, but the story didn't even, know what tone, they were going for. It sways from mindless tongue in cheek comedy like the 1990's TV Series 'Seinfeld' to serious animation movie with a strong ethical ground, back and forth. It's annoying to watch. Why? It's because the mixed tone hurts the moral message. It's so wishy washy flip flopper. A good example of muddled, is how the first acts seem to be preaching an Aesop against the human exploitation of animals, but then flips the message on its head, around toward the middle, when Benson dreams about laughing about other bugs getting smash. What the hell? It's so mean spirited & dark. Even the other comedy elements is just as jarring. How does the jokes go from, making a near innocent, little too much really bad, bee puns to highly offensive humor that don't belong in a kids film, like jokes about the Holocaust, African Slavery, and suicide. There is even a scene where the bees hijack a plane and aim it, toward New York City. Yikes! Yes, I know, the plot says, they did it, so the heroes can re-pollinate the city's flowers, but why would, they need to do that, in the first place. It's not like it's going bring them, back to life. Pollen doesn't that way. It's a reproductive component. It can only make new ones. Does the film even know, how basic science works? Honeybees are not a vital part of the ecosystem. Why, because, European honey bees like Barry are an invasive species that only there to produce honey! Along with African bees, they do more harm to the environment than good. They crowd out all the other local pollinators, take resources and spread diseases. Because of that, normal Native Americans bees are in decline and that's a bad thing. They are the ones that are essential vital part of the reproductive lifecycle of flowers. Still, even if all of the bees went extinct, there's still the other animals like hummingbirds, butterflies & others to pollinate. In fact, many species of plant don't even need animals at all, relying on the wind alone for pollination. It looks like the filmmaker didn't know that. Much like they, didn't even know, that male bees don't sting. On top of that, there's no such thing as a male worker. In a beehive, all of the grunt work is done by the females. This includes pollinating, defense, flying and even creating honey from vomiting. Really; the only purpose of a drone male bee in real life is to mate with the queen, then die. Nothing else! No wonder, why Benson is so horny toward Vanessa. He see her as the Queen Bee. That bizarre love angle was disturbing in many levels. Add murder-suicide to that list. Also, the idea the movie treats bee allergies as a joke is pretty bad. Making Ken into the villain, because of that, is stretching it. Much like eco-thriller parts. The film turning beekeepers into over the top animal abusers is so thin. In truth, Honeybees are not the victim under an oppressive thumb being exploit. They share a critical symbiotic relationship with human. However, I will get the movie, some credit. Without the demand, honeybee populations would collapse and fall into disrepair. That's only true thing in this film. Still, that very unlikely to happen, even if an American court case stops it. It's not the court can stop the rest of the world from producing honey. That's for sure. In spite of that, I have to give the movie, other credits. At least, the story wasn't predictable. It was somewhat entertaining at parts. Some of the jokes did land, like shooting Winnie-the-Pooh with a tranquilizer dart! How did that, get past Disney's radar? However, most of the humor falls flat. As for the characters. They are too unlikeable. Even the voice acting was a little too hammy. The lead playing himself in the film, through bee form was disappointing & the animation hasn't aged well. Even with the over marketing. The movie falls slightly below expectations. Overall: It's one of the worst computer animated movies, DreamWorks ever produce. However, it's not the worst animated movie about a bee that year. 2007's 'Plan Bee' takes that prize. Now, that's one film worth smashing with a fly swatter! 'Bee Movie', I just repellant, from even watching again. It's not good.

A masterpiece of our time

[nebulous-63784 · 10/10 · 5 October 2018]

The Bee Movie is a brilliant piece of filmmaking. Will go up there with Citizen Kane and the Godfather. Biting social commentary, powerful drama, and likable characters. What is there that you can't love, man?! Just...beautiful, 10/10. Mwah! Mwah mwah! MWAH MWAH MWAH MWAH!

(honest review: It's fine I guess, I'd give it a 5)

Witty but flawed structure

[lastrow · 7/10 · 9 November 2007]

The Bee Movie is very verbal and witty and the premise is cute if not novel. However it never resolves the main issue of beekeeping. Instead it paints beekeepers as evil thieving villains without morals or scruples and even manages to play the race card. It does a good job of coming full circle and educating young viewers of the important role that bees play in the food chain however it never goes back to the beekeepers, a fact which plays way down to every viewer. The movie revolves around a hive of wild bees and never instructs us in the difference between wild bees and domesticated bees, which are the ones that beekeepers tend, transport and care for. Domesticated bees are the bees civilizations have relied upon for thousands of years for crop yield, feeding the planet, etc., etc. Wild bees are good only for, well, bears and other varmints that are dumb enough to wrastle with them for the sake of their sweet tooths. Even Indians and primitive man calmed wild bees with smoke to get the honey. It's kind of like a cartoon movie about a wild mustang in the desert wanting to free all the domesticated horses in the world in the 1800's. Taking honey from a hive does not kill the bees or kill the hive. The movie presents disingenuous and unwarranted disinformation.

Animated with not enough fun.

[michaelRokeefe · 3/10 · 5 April 2008]

If you like Jerry Seinfeld you'll like BEE MOVIE; if you don't...you won't. I'm in the latter camp, but watched to see what the hype was about. Barry B. Benson(Seinfeld)is a new graduate and must decide his future. Instead of being a worker bee with the same job everyday forever is not that appealing. He would rather be a pollen jock and go out into the world and collect nectar, but he knows that job is but a lofty dream for a young bee. Barry soars out into the world on his own and breaks one of the most important rules of beedom...he speaks to a human. He is saved from a bad situation by Vanessa Bloome(Renee Zellweger)a florist; and through that relationship Barry decides to sue the human race for manufacturing honey. Some pretty big named stars lend their voices: Chris Rock, Matthew Broderick, John Goodman, Kathy Bates, Rip Torn and Michael Richards.

WOW

[rachelgallit · 10/10 · 11 October 2019]

This movie is a fantastic train wreck of deranged plot, outlandish characters, and acting and world building that seems so far fetched it must have been a fever dream. It is entirely unclear wether the strange nature of the movie is intentional, and satirical or ironic, or if things simply evolved the way they did. Jerry Seinfelds role as Barry B Benson is captivating, in an unnerving sense, as the suave ambitious bee attempts to enter the human world. With the help of his new human friend, Vanessa, he sues the human race for restitution of the suffering bees have dealt with at the hands of humankind. The writing and staging is such that is it almost impossible to predict the next turn of events, which is such a refreshing change of pace from formulaic and logical movies. The dialogue is simplistic and yet utterly unrealistic and matches the disconnected sense of fantasy that carries the movie from disorienting to amusing.

Good, NOT great film

[CKCSWHFFAN · 7/10 · 20 September 2008]

I did like this movie. Kind of disappointed, thought it would be funnier.

It was a good effort by Jerry. Took him all the years between the show going off the air in May 1998 to this films release in November 2007 to have a major release of anything. I am NOT a fan of Re'nee Zellweger?s. At least you did not have to see her & that horrible hair cut she has had the past couple of years.

Jerry working again with Patrick Warburton (David Puddy). He has be doing a lot of voice work this decade, notably on "Family Guy".

Matthew Broderick not quite up to the standards of your big animated voice work, the great 1994 "The Lion King". That was a part to be remembered.

Animation is great to look at, colorful.

Seinfeld but a bee... get it... neither did i

[alexsnower · 4/10 · 15 July 2021]

Literally 1 hour and 30 minutes of Jerry Seinfeld stand up. What's the deal with this... etc. Terrible references to The Graduate, Goodfellas and even Over The Hedge are made. Wouldn't recommend.