OK for kids 5+
Seinfeld comedy is cute fun for the whole family.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this has been one of the most aggressively marketed animated movies in recent history. Jerry Seinfeld has left no promotional stone unturned, so chances are that if you've had NBC on in the house for more than 20 minutes, your kids have seen a commercial for this movie. The good news is that it's a film that even preschoolers can follow, and while there are a few tense moments (mostly involving Barry's pell-mell flights through Manhattan), there are no overarching villains or monsters -- or even that many pop-culture references to frighten or confuse kids. There are still a few jokes that will go over little heads, but they're mostly about things like being "Beeish" (the insect equivalent of being Jewish), Larry King, and the boredom of working too hard. Oh, and a mosquito makes a blood-sucking lawyer joke.
- Families can talk about what made kids want to see this movie -- the story or all the ads and product tie-ins. Was it "buzzworthy" of all the marketing hype? What parts of the movie are intended to appeal to kids, and which ones are meant for adults? How can you tell? Families can also discuss why the bees, particularly Barry, wanted their honey returned. Kids: What were the consequences of this? What did you learn about bees and nature? Does honey seem more important now than before you saw the film?
The good stuff
-
Messages: The bees at first rally together to reclaim their own honey but later realize their pivotal role in keeping the environment beautiful. Barry initially blows off his responsibilities in the hive but learns how important even the smallest job can be. Vanessa sticks up for Barry (before she even knows he can talk) and saves him from getting squashed, asserting the value of every creature's life. Ken behaves very childishly, but it's all played for laughs.
What to watch for
-
Violence and scariness: Barry imagines Vanessa crashing and blowing up. He also has a terrifying flight across Manhattan in which he's almost killed several times. Bugs on a windshield are wiped away for good (some already dead, some still alive). Bees in a honey farm are gassed with smoke by beekeepers.
-
Sexy stuff: Barry daydreams about Vanessa; he and Vanessa spend a lot of time together, but they never have more than an interspecies friendship. Some mild innuendo that kids likely won't get (an older bee male talking about the time he dated a cricket, for example). Some jokes based on the idea of interspecies dating.
-
Language: Mild: a mosquito makes a lawyer joke about blood-sucking parasites.
-
Consumerism: New York Post, Daily Variety, Timberland boots are all mentioned/featured. Lots of brand-name honey is featured, but all of the brands are fictional.
-
Drinking, drugs and smoking: A passerby's unpleasant cigarette smoke inspires Barry's defense in his legal case. Billowing smoke from beekeepers' smoke guns.
Fan Reviews provided by
1
Started OK, Then It Lost Focus And Got Really Bogus by studmoose
The kids and I watched Bee Movie last night. We (including the whole audience) laughed only a couple of times, but that was it! I'm a total fan of animated movies. This one, though, lost its focus about two-thirds of the way into the movie. It was almost like they fired the original writer and brought in a substitute closer who missed the mark and could not end it properly. I'm not sure if they ran into budgeting issues or a 90 minute time constraint, but the ending seemed rushed, poorly connected to the start and just plain bogus(PAINFUL). The movie had moderate potential but really overplayed the normal and expected sterotype thing. The only other movie that left me feeling this bad was Cabin Boy, AND WE ALL KNOW HOW THAT FELT! The kids afterwards said it was just OK. Only a shill for DreamWorks, a simpleton or someone with low viewing standards would rate this movie well. I own virtually every childrens DVD but won't add this one to my collection. Cable viewing will suffice. Regards
1
Are Americans Really Stupid & Gullible? Don't Rate This Garbage As Acceptable! AIM HIGHER For The Sake Of Us All! by smyth
Wow! My family and I saw this movie and we were turned off by how poorly it was written and executed, especially in the second half. The movie just seemed to fall apart. Come on folks, we all watch bad movies from time to time, but does that mean we have to 'Green Light' many of these things. I can?t believe how many people find this type of cinematography acceptable. It is just amazing that a movie company can produce any piece of garbage and a great deal of people go along with it, as long as it is packaged right and uses the right stars (because it's Jerry? - It Sucks!). Perhaps this is the same mentality that has given America its current political situation? It just goes to show that some things CAN be polished! After spending over $100 last night, I felt cheated because the movie company didn't put in enough effort to justify the profits they will be making. JUST REMEMBER, WHAT WE FIND ACCEPTABLE TODAY SHAPES WHAT WE WILL BE WATCHING TOMORROW! Aim High, for the sake of us all!
2
Pass. by Daydream
Bee Movie was a tough movie to sit through. Seinfeld had some stand-up material in the show that not even the characters in the show laughed at. Out of all of the children in the theater, I don?t remember one scene where they were laughing. Two kids and their mother left to go to the bathroom halfway through and never came back. The only interesting part that I remember was the abundance of jobs that the bees had to choose from. Other than that I would pass this one up. I am still waiting for something new with more of a cast than bugs just like the ones in Antz or A Bug?s Life.
2
What's all the "Buzz" about?! by mdmoss
Just saw a pre-screening earlier this week and was very disappointed. Animation was good, except for the heroine, and there were some solid jokes, but the overall movie was stupid! A bee suing the human race! Literally in a courtroom!? I could believe that a rat could cook but bees landing an airplane on bee power?!
It was stupid, but maybe your five-year-old is too young to know the difference.
1
I'm trying to think of something nice to say... by ckimbrough18
My entire family fell asleep at the theatre... the first part seemed promising, and then it just couldn't hold the attention of any of us, my husband is the only one who remained awake, my 7, 9, and 15 year old were out cold before the end of the movie and I'm sorry to say I was snoozing myself... wasted money... I just can't recommend this one.
1
this little bee stung me by sexyblondqt5555
this movie had far too much sexual innuendos
i was dissapointed by all the bloody scenes of people gettting stung and killed by poisen bees
i though it would be a wonderful movie to take my one year old child too
but instead of a nice fun filled entertaining movie
i got
SEX
BLOOD
and
SWEARING
abs not a movie for children
leave urself, money, and childen at home
the bee movie
was not FOR ME
2
Yeow- I ended up sleeping thru parts of this movie... not expecting to..... by Blind_Inspiration
what was all that about? was I just tired? OR was this buzz movie a buzzer? both of us winked out while watching this movie.
I had such high hopes having seen the preview here in Miami with jerry seinfeld on hand..
But, gotta tell you... i was bored. boo hiss.. I REALLY wanted to like it...
2
Bee Movie by cfriedman
I thought the movie was bad. The story line, especially the part about the trial, was terrible and not funny. My kids did not laugh at this movie. Some of the graphics were good but it was a big waste of time.
4
Bee Movie -- Fun Flick by kpinche
The kids and I enjoyed this movie. The humor was adult enough to keep the adults in our party laughing, yet simple enough for the kids ages 8-12. A cute "feel good" film. I recommend it.
2
Bees--Seinfeld the 11th season Not for kids by kid_movie-reviews
Not a kids movie.. My 3,4 year olds laughed once. Our 10 year old asked to leave early. We laughed at the same parts we have been seeing in the trailers for the past 6 months. The great Oprah and NBC hype cant sugar coat this waste of money.
Dont worry I still spent the $140 to take my family. What a waste, maybe Jerry or the great "O" will refund my money.
It was really Seinfeld without Kramer or George. Don't worry though Jerry upgraded Elaine to "Renee".