The Beekeeper: Statham's Action-Packed Thriller Stings with Excitement

The Beekeeper is a wildly entertaining and unapologetically absurd film, complete with over-the-top action and hilariously bad dialogue. "I think I'll take... to bee" is just one of the many quotes that will leave you in stitches.

The definition of insanity is repeatedly underestimating Jason Statham's tough-guy roles in movies since 2005, and still expecting a different outcome. Those who do so have learned their lesson the hard way.

Crank's Chev Chelios survived a 5,000ft fall to break a gangster's neck mid-air; in Furious 7, he murdered a member of Dom Toretto's family, a major blockbuster sin. When you anger a wild Stath, vengeance will sting for sure.

The Beekeeper is the epitome of the star's last-resort justice, but it's not about bees turning into the actor. This hilariously dumb actioner from the '90s playbook is perfect for enjoying with your dad and an ice-cold schooner.

The Beekeeper is boomer-nip vengeance porn

The extensive and fascinating history of bees is vividly portrayed through a montage in this film, which also serves as a comprehensive seminar on melittology. This montage leads into our initial meeting with Adam Clay (played by Statham), a reserved beekeeper who values his solitude as much as he appreciates the gentle and nurturing presence of his employer, Eloise (played by Phylicia Rashad).

While tending to her bees, Eloise's laptop is suddenly disrupted by a pop-up warning about dangerous malware. She calls the number on the screen and is connected with a friendly operator who eagerly offers to fix her issues remotely. After a sudden blackout, every penny she had digitally vanished without a trace, leaving her consumed by guilt and self-loathing, ultimately leading to her taking her own life that same night.

With no answers from the FBI, the Beekeepers step in as a confidential agency dedicated to restoring balance to civilization when traditional methods fail. Clay, equipped with a specific set of skills, takes swift and brutal action to address the situation.

The portrayal of villains in this movie is exaggerated and ridiculous, with the depiction of scam calls and fraudulent activities being over-the-top and outdated. However, the lack of subtlety in this portrayal may be entertaining for those who have a strong dislike for cold-callers and scammers, as it offers a sense of wish fulfillment in seeing them portrayed as despicable individuals.

Statham is a one-man killing machine

My reaction to seeing Kurt Wimmer’s name in the opening credits was a guttural groan; he was also responsible for writing and producing Expend4bles, which was arguably one of the worst action pictures of the decade. As expected, the script is mediocre at best and downright laughable at its worst moments. There are attempts at inserting some profound musings into the script – “Being old can be a lonely thing… reach a certain age, and you cease to matter,” Clay says – but they come across as brief and eye-rollingly trite.

It’s as if The Beekeeper was a title generated at random, resulting in a screenplay filled with borderline insufferable puns and one-liners (“Who the f**k are you, Winnie the Pooh?” and “You kicked the beehive… and now we have to reap the whirlwind” stand out), as well as a line that may go down as the worst of the year: “Dude, bees are interesting little sh*ts!”

MGM

The pacing of the tight 105-minute film is not a major issue. However, it regularly shifts focus to two FBI agents, Emmy Raver-Lampman and Bobby Naderi, one of whom has a personal connection to Clay's pursuit. Unfortunately, their conversations are dull and redundant, essentially serving as narrators. The true highlights are David Ayer's direction and Statham's physicality. The film eventually hits its stride with a watchable sequence-to-sequence rhythm of tactile, propulsive action that is smartly cut and well-choreographed. Props to Gabriel Beristain for stepping beyond workmanlike, televisual cinematography, especially during the set pieces.

The Beekeeper review score: 3/5

The level of violence is not toned down either; with the assistance of CGI, the killings in this film are often shockingly brutal, such as a man being sliced in half by an elevator and a hand-to-hand fight involving fists and knives that could easily be considered one of the star’s best brawls. Both John Wick and Nobody’s Hutch Mansell are characterized by their ability to take a hit and keep moving forward – but sometimes, the thrill of watching a hero who seems impervious to harm taking down their enemies is just what you need for a good time.

Don't underestimate the wrath of a scorned Stath, as The Beekeeper promises another wild ride of bee-themed chaos. Catch it in theaters starting January 12th, and explore more of our TV & movies coverage.

Editor's P/S

As a passionate fan of action-packed thrillers, I was eagerly anticipating the release of "The Beekeeper," starring the legendary Jason Statham. The promise of Statham unleashing his signature fury and delivering a thrilling dose of action-packed carnage had me buzzing with excitement. And let me tell you, the movie did not disappoint!

From the very first scene, Statham commands the screen with his intense presence and unparalleled action sequences. The fight scenes are meticulously choreographed, showcasing Statham's impressive physicality and combat skills. The movie is a non-stop adrenaline rush, with each scene topping the previous one in terms of intensity and excitement. Statham's character, Adam Clay, is a complex and intriguing protagonist, driven by a sense of justice and a desire to protect the innocent. His journey is filled with unexpected twists and turns, keeping the audience engaged and on the edge of their seats throughout the movie.