Bee Movie (2007)

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.

Directors:

Steve Hickner, Simon J. Smith

Writers:

Jerry Seinfeld, Spike Feresten,

Stars:

Jerry Seinfeld, Renée Zellweger, Matthew Broderick

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 12 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)

Storyline

When the bee Barry B. Benson graduates from college, he finds that he 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. They become friends and Barry discovers that humans exploit bees to sell the honey they produce. Barry decides to sue the human race, with destructive consequences to nature.

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Plot Keywords:

bee | secret life | closing credits sequence | dream sequence | selfishness | 

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Taglines:

On November 2 Hold on to your honey

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Genres:

Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild suggestive humor, and a brief depiction of smoking

Details

Official Sites:

DreamWorks Animation [us] Official site [es]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 November 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

A História de uma Abelha

Box Office

Budget:

$150,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£2,281,393 (UK) (14 December 2007)

Gross:

$126,597,121 (USA) (8 February 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

DreamWorks Animation, Columbus 81 Productions, Pacific Data Images (PDI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Bees in the real world have a very different biology than the bees in this movie. In the real world, male bees don't contribute at all to the honey-making process, which is done entirely by females. Male bees are drones, and just hang around the hive to mate with the queen. Drones have no stingers - that's the female reproductive organ and self-defense method - though bees do tend to die after stinging, as the stinger (which has tiny barbs on it) rips free of the body as the bee flies away. Also, male mosquitoes do not drink blood, only female mosquitoes do, as a protein source for their eggs, not as sustenance for themselves. Furthermore, insects have 6 legs, not 4. They have compound eyes, not simple ones. Lastly, they do not have fingers, teeth, clothing or the ability to mimic human speech.

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Goofs

Perceived errors regarding insect anatomy and behavior (e.g. male mosquitoes drinking blood) are part of the movie's internal logic and suspension of disbelief. (See trivia entry.)

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Quotes

Adam Flayman: He's dating a human florist!
Janet Benson: GASP
Adam Flayman: And they makeout!
Janet Benson: Barry...
Barry B. Benson: We do not makeout.
Adam Flayman: You wish you could!

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Crazy Credits

The fishing boy in the traditional opening DreamWorks logo is replaced by Barry the Bee.

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Connections

Featured in Larry King Live: Jerry Seinfeld (2007)

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Soundtracks

"Thinkin' Bee"
Music by Marc Shaiman
Lyrics by Marc Shaiman & Jerry Seinfeld
Performed by Matthew Broderick & Jerry Seinfeld
Produced by Marc Shaiman

User Reviews

Mildly Amusting Animated Effort

"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.