![]() When we watched ‘Bee Movie’ together, he trotted off to play with his toys before the film even reached its half-way point. About the only thing I laughed at in the film were the references to scenes from classics like ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark,’ ‘The Graduate,’ and ‘War Games.’ The humor didn’t even register with my son. A Larry King parody, a series of Ray Liotta jokes, and a Sting cameo are as predictable as you could imagine and feel dated before they've even reached the screen. The result is a hit-or-miss comedy that will appeal to some and sail straight over the heads of everyone else. Whereas the writers at Pixar aim to create timeless laughs and inject a magical sense of awe into their productions, DreamWorks Animation continues to rely on pop culture references and distinctly modern sarcasm. Worse still, ‘Bee Movie’ thinks it’s much funnier than it actually is. ![]() If we’re supposed to feel for the bees’ plight against slavery, why does Barry’s revolution nearly end with the destruction of plantlife on the planet? For that matter, why does his society react so casually when one of their own breaks their prime directive? It’s these thematic contradictions that hinder ‘Bee Movie’ from really saying anything - instead of engaging my sensibilities or teaching my young son something valuable, the film confused us both and left us looking for another flick to throw in our Blu-ray player. Still unsatisfied with the plot, the filmmakers then offer a trio of conflicting morals that never allow the story to resonate at any level. Yet before this new relationship can get off the ground, the film abandons everything that has occurred to pit Barry against the world at large. Just when Barry’s adventure in the city is gaining momentum and the reclusive world of the bees is becoming intriguing, the film launches into a bizarre romance with a human that feels contrived, underdeveloped, and, quite frankly, a little creepy. ‘Bee Movie’ is an unfocused melting pot of ideas whose plot could have been spread across three different flicks. If you think my synopsis seems convoluted, you should sit through the film itself. Taking his pleas to court, Barry challenges an American industry, starts a bee revolution, and fights to free his kind from slavery. However, a visit to a local grocery store reveals a human conspiracy to enslave bees and rob them of their honey for mass consumption. His subsequent introductions lead to a quick friendship between the pair as Barry takes up residence in Vanessa’s apartment. Just as he decides it would be best to return home, a chance encounter with a kind florist named Vanessa (Renee Zellweger) convinces the small bee to break the first law of his world - don’t talk to humans. ![]() Before he knows what’s happening, a mishap with a tennis ball separates him from his squadron and sends him on a series of misadventures through the city. He instantly takes to the freedom and fresh air, losing himself in the moment. When a twist of fate gives him the opportunity to join the Jocks on a mission, Barry leaves the confines of his methodical life to discover a world of dangerous humans and vast possibilities. Benson (Seinfeld) is an average worker bee who dreams of being a part of an elite squadron of Pollen Jocks, brave risk-takers who fly pollen-gathering runs outside of the hive. So it was that I had immensely high hopes for 2007’s ‘Bee Movie,’ a DreamWorks production that pulled the “Seinfeld” namesake out of hiding.īarry A. Aside from a small role in the ‘Dilbert’ animated series, a walk-on in an episode of co-creator Larry David’s ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm,’ and an appearance on ’30 Rock’ last year, the standup comedian has spent his days… well, working as a standup comedian. He didn’t attach himself to another television series, he never tried to parry his success into a film career, and he refused to show up for cameos in his former castmates’ fledgling sitcoms. However, series creator Jerry Seinfeld took his time returning to the spotlight after his hit series went off the air. Even when the former cast members have taken shots at recreating their success, they’ve only managed to distance themselves further from their fans’ fond memories. Many subsequent sitcoms have attempted to replicate the cast’s on-screen chemistry, the series’ absurdist tone, and the episode’s multi-plotted structure, but very few have achieved a sliver of ‘Seinfeld’s popularity. ‘Seinfeld’ remains one of the most acclaimed comedies of all time, a lightning-in-a-bottle sitcom that quite literally focused on nothing from week to week.
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