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The Review - AT THE MOVIES with WILLIAM HALL
Published: 13 December 2007

Barry B Benson (voiced by Jerry Seinfeld) befriends Vanessa (Renee Zellweger)

A-list laughs all the way for this Bee movie

BEE MOVIE
Directed by Simon J Smith and Steve Hickner
Certificate U

THERE'S a big buzz around this one. In the US it took $112 million in its first four weeks, possibly because Jerry Seinfeld, a phenomenally successful TV sit-com star over there, is back in action after several years away from the scene – even if he’s only the voice of a cartoon bee.
The hero in question is a cheery little chap named Barry B. Benson, fresh out of college and flitting around in a black and yellow striped sweater as he prepares for a boring career at a honey-producing factory known as Honex.
It’s a job for life – but Barry wants something better.
The producers have brought in some heavy-duty actors in supporting roles, so we hear the voices of Matthew Broderick as his best friend Adam, and Kathy Bates and Barry Levinson as his parents, imploring him: “Would it kill you to make a little honey?”
Yes it would. This is one bee who wants adventure, and refuses to be-hive in the way that all the others do (okay, I’m just softening you up for some of the Christmas cracker puns you’re in for).
As Barry comments on graduation day at his college, looking out over a sea of students: “Hey, quite a bit of pomp – in the circumstances!” Ouch!
He befriends a human in the shape of Vanessa (voiced by Renee Zellweger) a warm-hearted florist who rescues him from being swatted by a rolled-up magazine.
It’s only when he discovers pots of honey on sale in the big stores, exploiting the endless hard labour of his fellow bees, that he goes out on a wing – and sues the human race, no less.
Innocuous fun, and the kids should go a bundle for it.

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