Bee Movie

One of the advantages of having several decades behind is the ability to look back and remember how technology has changed. Films are now at a level we never could have imagined back in the fifties. Now the impact of the computer is everywhere. One genre of film that this new technology has made a major impact is the animated feature. It used to be the animation was what drew in the audiences. Now that much of the drudgery required by hand drawn frames has been relegated to the computer the writers and directors are free to actually concentrate on the story. No longer are these films just for kids, there are animated features that possess themes for both young and old. One such example would have to be ‘Bee Movie’. While there are aspects of the film geared towards adults the best way for us oldsters to watch is to forget our adult sensibilities and let that inner child out for about an hour and a half. When many adults review a film like this they try to impose their viewpoint on the work. People need to relax a little bit and just let a movie be fun to watch. Sure this one has its flaws but ultimately it succeeds in what it set out to do, entertain. While not on the level of another animated flick from last year about a little rat that wants to cook this film is fun and that is all that can be asked from it.

The script was written by TV funny man Jerry Seinfeld and his partner Spike Feresten. Much of Sienfeld’s observational stand up style comes across here slightly twisted for a bee’s point of view. Other than a couple of shorts and a few episode of his long running television series Seinfeld is new to scriptwriting, This is also a freshman effort in feature length films for Feresten. He has a resume filled with television series that encompasses such short lived series as ‘The Michael Richards Show’ and ‘The Dana Carvey Show’ as well as the more successful ‘Seinfeld’ and cult hit ‘Space Ghost’. At least the last credit gave him some experience with animated material. The script tries a little too hard to work on the two aforementioned levels. The whole lawyer segment is going to fly over the heads of the younger members of the audience. They also sneak in a bit of ecological lessons for good measure. The best the film has to offer as a story is when it focuses on the plight of a young bee that just wants to explore the world a little before having to settle in to his mandated job, now that is something that young and old can relate to. The environmental themes is pertinent considering the recent news about decreasing bee populations and the over all concern for the ecosystem but you shouldn’t have to think that much in a film like this.

The flick also has two directors. Steve Hickner has worked in the highly specialized field of animation direction on ‘The Prince of Egypt’. He also has experience in animation with the likes of ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ and ‘The Little Mermaid’. His partner here is Simon J. Smith directed a couple of animated shorts but is making his feature debut here. Of course having the blessing of Dreamworks does put some experience behind the work as far as production and marketing goes. When the theatrical release was about to happen Seinfeld took to the road and hit every major talk and news show in sight. He even visited the venerable ‘Today’ show and had everyone around don bee antenna. A set was included in the screen so I guess they had some left over from the press junket.

The animation is very good but not up to the level of some of the Pixar classics that are around. There is a lack of definition to the figures. The faces do exhibit emotional changes but lack a certain degree of character. The real test is how hair is displayed. In some of the higher end animation you can see each hair moving. In this film there is a degree of loss of a natural feeling. The voice talents are excellent. Most are extremely distinctive and recognizable. Of course everyone who has owned a TV set in the nineties will know Seinfeld’s voice. His human leading lady is Renée Zellweger with Matthew Broderick coming in as the best bee friend. There is even a cameo celebrity voice of Ray Liotta. The great and powerful Oprah Winfrey makes an appearance as a judge.

Barry B. Benson (Seinfeld) has just graduated from college. Since the life expectancy of a bee is much shorter than humans the whole curriculum is only three days. Barry now has to face a grave decision, what job he will have for the rest of his life. He complains to an supervisory bee that it seems they are out to work them to death, the reply is hopefully. Barry sees a group going out of the hive to gather pollen and he tags along to see the outside world. Her winds up breaking the cardinal rule for bees, don’t talk to humans. He happens on a pretty young human woman, Vanessa Bloome (Renée Zellweger) and oddly they become friends. At least there is something they have in common; Vanessa is a florist. Barry is shocked when he finds out that humans have been stealing the bee’s honey for their own purposes. He does what any American bee would do; he sues the entire human race. After a bit of a court battle Barry wins the case for his kind. His lawyer is a mosquito named Mooseblood (Chris Rock). As he puts it he is already a blood sucker so the move to lawyer only required a briefcase. The disastrous side effect of the suite is now with no use for their honey every bee is out of work. Making matters worse without bees pollinating the plants they are all dying off. He calls on the florist expertise of his human friend and comes up with a plan to save the day.

One thing that is certain is Dreamworks knows how to producer a great DVD. There is a plain vanilla widescreen release and a Pan & Scan release we won’t even consider. For less than $3 on most retail sites you can get ‘A Very Jerry 2-Disc Edition’. This has some many fun extras that you have to get this one. All have Dolby 5.1 audio and the widescreen is anamorphic 1.85:1. The extras for the deluxe set are as follows: