Opening Day: 8 November 2007

Synopsis:

Barry B. Benson (Seinfeld), 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 (Zellweger), a florist in New York City. As their relationship blossoms, he discovers humans actually eat honey, and subsequently decides to sue us.

Movie Review:

There are a number of reasons not to be terribly excited by this movie. First, haven’t we seen enough of animated talking animals (in this case, bugs, or to be more specific, bees) on the big screen already? Second, haven’t we seen enough animated flicks boasting a starry cast and advanced technology which ultimately becomes humdrum? Third, the bee isn’t even that adorable to begin with.

But there are also a number of reasons to be enthralled by Dreamworks’ latest animation offering. First, if you had seen the movie’s teaser trailer, you’d be a scrooge not to be tickled by how the humorous Jerry Seinfeld was trying to make a live-action movie in his bee suit to disastrous effects. Second, the movie has Seinfeld splattered all over it – the funnyman not only voices the main character, he was also the producer and writer of the comedy. Third, the plot does look interesting – a bee who sues human beings just because we eat honey?

That is absolutely ridiculous, if you ask us. But that is what this movie is – ridiculously comical.

After Dreamworks’ last bland offering that was Shrek 3, this entertainingly amusing flick is definitely a fresh improvement.

With a digestible runtime of 90 minutes, the movie starts off rather predictably, with the typical protagonist who feels the strong urge to break out of the norm and discover the exciting new world out there. When Renee Zellweger’s human character starts conversing with Seinfeld’s bee character, you know this is where all logic should have been left at the door.

Expect exaggeratedly out-of-this-world sequences and wacky setups that will have everyone chuckling merrily. Kids can expect colorfully-created scenes and cutesy jokes while the older viewers can Expect word puns, pop culture references, dry sarcasm and Seinfeld’s signature straight-talking humor.

And the filmmakers did not forget to poke fun at the House of Mouse too.

Big names like Matthew Broderick, Chris Rock, Kathy Bates, John Goodman, Larry King and Oprah Winfrey lend their voices to the myriad of characters in the hectically eventful movie. Our favorite performance is from singer Sting: analyze his name really closely to get an idea what the joke is about.

You may not be blown away by the been-there-done-that look of animation of this agreeable movie, but you would probably not regret being excited enough to step into the theatre to catch yet another full length animated feature.

Movie Rating:

(It may be a ridiculous movie, but it will definitely buzz you up with its witty absurdity)

Review by John Li