The Daily Collegian

Issue date: 11/8/07 Section: Arts & Living

Media Credit: MCT Even with a voice cast that includes Jerry Seinfeld, Renee Zellweger, Chris Rock and Ray Liotta, "Bee Movie" fails to live up to past DreamWorks titles including "Shrek" and "Madagascar."

Jerry Seinfeld finally plays a character other than himself in DreamWorks' animated film, "Bee Movie." The PG-rated toon is silly but simple and can't compare to other animated films, like "Ratatouille." The story isn't very original either and seems as if it's been done time and time again, but the movie's "Seinfeld-like" humor and comedy routine save the film from being completely forgettable.

Seinfeld provides the voice of Barry B. Benson, a recent graduate and curious bee, who is trying to understand his place in the world. Unlike other bees, Barry can't decide what it is that he wants to do even though the only option for him is honey production and delays choosing his life's work by setting off on a journey outside the beehive.

During his travels, Barry suddenly becomes intertwined into the lives of humans and even befriends a New York City florist, Vanessa Bloome (voiced by Renée Zellweger), after she saves his life. Realizing he's been given a second chance, Barry thanks Vanessa and a relationship soon begins to blossom.

Although it's against bee-laws to speak to humans, Barry finds out that they're not all that bad. But one thing doesn't sit with him very well, and that is his discovery of humans stealing bees' honey. After encountering a bee-farm, he witnesses the human exploitation of all bees' hard work. In an effort to gain justice for bees, Barry decides to sue the human race.

In the end, the message of this movie is somewhat unclear, and it seems as though the story is confusedly trying to say that collectively, millions of bees around the globe exist to do their part in helping to make our planet function. Without bees, there would be no pollination - thus meaning that plants couldn't survive on their own and ultimately causing an imbalance of the entire ecosystem.

Like other kiddie films there are several plot holes, but they aren't enough to effect or distract most moviegoers. For example, the bees, mosquitoes and cows can talk, but bears can't. These simple inaccuracies aren't enough to upset the storyline in any way, but they do show how the film is quite sloppy in some parts.

The animation is good, but not great. It is leagues behind the masterful animation team at Pixar. As for a DreamWorks production, "Shrek's" animation is smoother but "Bee Movie" does fare better than other films like the messy and choppy animation in "Madagascar."

The main problem with this film is its unoriginal storyline. How many more bug-talking animated movies can they make? Both "A Bug's Life" and "Antz" came up with the idea almost ten years ago. Now, the concept only seems recycled and ordinary rather than fresh and exciting.

With a market currently flooded with R-rated films "Bee Movie" stands as good choice that is kid-friendly and fun if you're in the mood for something not so serious. It's somewhat entertaining and funny, but mostly it's underwhelming considering Seinfeld's involvement.

Frank Godinho can be reached at fgodinho@student.umass.edu.

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