The Beekeeper movie review

MOVIE TITLE: The Beekeeper

This action thriller movie is now playing in theaters since January 12, 2024.

RATING: R

LENGTH: 1 hour 45 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: B+ (a true BEE movie)

IN A NUTSHELL:

In The Beekeeper, one man’s brutal campaign for vengeance takes on national stakes after he is revealed to be a former operative of a powerful and clandestine organization known as “Beekeepers”.

This movie was directed by David Ayer and written by Kurt Wimmer. Screenwriting was by Kurt Wimmer, who also co-produced the film.

THINGS I LIKED:

I’m a Jason Statham fan, so I was excited to see this film. I think he does a great job in comedies, as well as serious action flicks like this one. He also produced the movie.
Jeremy Irons looked great!
It’s hard to see Josh Hutcherson as anyone but Peeta in The Hunger Games trilogy. To his credit, I didn’t even recognize him at first! He did such a good, believable job.
Additional noteworthy cast performances were by Phylicia Rashad, Minnie Driver, Emmy Raver-Lampman, and Taylor James.
If you’re a bee lover, you should definitely check out this super sweet woman’s videos and YouTube shorts where she saves bees every day. Here’s a link: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasBeeworks
Helpful tip #1: Don’t EVER call the phone number from a pop-up window that declares you have a virus. You know that already, right?
Helpful tip #2: Don’t EVER let someone manage your bank account who doesn’t understand helpful tip #1.
The machine-gun scene at the gas station was so over-the-top, it made me laugh out loud.
There are a LOT of bee facts and references.
Helpful tip #3: It’s smart to have a hidden stash of supplies somewhere for a quick getaway.
There is a LOT of hard-hitting action, as expected, but there is also a lot of fun humor throughout the movie.
What makes the movie even more fun is that the film is self-aware.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

The character with the worst potty mouth in the entire story is a young woman. Why do girls nowadays think they have to be trashy like guys to be taken seriously?
For a guy who is supposed to be so feared and skilled, The Beekeeper sure left a lot of clues.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Profanity, including F-bombs.
Bees get killed.
We see bloody, brutal deaths.
Lots of destruction.
Lots of alcohol and cigarettes.
A sign on a wall says “B.S. is spoken here” (except it didn’t use the initials).

THEMES:

Law vs justice
Online scams
Revenge
Vigilante justice
Friendship
Loyalty
Corruption
Politics

FUNNY LINES:

“You’ve been a busy bee. You were supposed to be retired.” – Agent Matt Wiley (Bobby Naderi)
“You are, in other words, ‘pussies.’” – Wallace Westwyld (Jeremony Irons)
“To be or not to be? That is the question.” – Lazarus (Taylor James) “I think I’ll take to BEE.” Adam Clay (Jason Statham)

GREAT LINES:

“He’s probably the last pair of eyes you’re going to stare at.” – Wallace Westwyld (Jeremy Irons)
“We have laws for these things until they fail. Then, you have me.” – Adam Clay (Jason Statham)
“Do you live in the real world or just protect it?” – Wallace Westwyld (Jeremy Irons)
“Decide which side you’re working for: law or justice.” – Adam Clay (Jason Statham)