What a pleasure. After a cackle of serious dramas and actual letter grade "B" movies, this silly little insect film was just the ticket to put a little honey in my tea. Since Jerry Seinfeld is the man behind the bee, both in voice and script, I certainly expected a safe funny picture. But especially in conjunction with the title, I didn't really expect a high quality animated film in the league of Disney or Pixar. Interestingly enough, while Bee Movie rather enjoys solitude in a league of its own, the picture is worthy of the adjective "quality."
The entire production is fun. Jerry, uhm, I mean Barry (the Bee) never ceases to be amusing. While other celeb voices cameo, it's really all Jerry. Although, Patrick Warburton does a great job as Ted, the big chinned airhead.
As for the story structure, the writing is very tight up until the third act where the direction goes far sillier than the thrust thus far. That twist and the progressions that follow are ones I'd not have chosen for the picture, but that's the advantage of promising nothing grander than the Bee -- your audience is likely to forgive a few ludicrous steps. I forgave.
If you're looking for an easy film to enjoy, something to keep a smile on your face nearly from start to finish -- see the bee.
Seinfeld says, "Animation is like creating in a big sandbox. It's like they say to you, 'We are gonna give you a sandbox in which you can make anything you want. You can mold the sand into any shape, into any character -- you can do it any way, in any style, and create any universe you wish. But we're gonna give you the sand one grain at a time, and it's gonna take you four years.' That was the little catch."
This film screened at a Krikorian Theatre.
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