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Home > Blogs > Sir Critic on Cinema > Archives > 2007 > October > 29 > Entry
Are you abuzz for Seinfeld’s ‘Bee Movie’?
Everywhere you look, you see black and yellow these days, as DreamWorks rolls out the big promotional machine for Seinfeld’s animated Bee Movie. The face of Jerry Senifeld’s smiling character is so ubiquitous these days, he’s practically a swarm all by himself.
There’s just one question: Does all of that stuff make you interested in Bee Movie? The more I see of the film, the less interesting it looks.
I’ll grant that the the first teaser, with Seinfeld, Chris Rock and others in a live action spot, was quite amusing. “This has possibilities,” I thought with a smile.
But then this second spot with Seinfeld and Steven Spielberg struck me as smug - an adjective I hate to use to describe either man. But it felt like one of those self-congratulatory promo spots where everyone is having SO much fun - and they forget to let the audience in on the joke.
The actual animated trailers haven’t been all that impressive either. There’s an amusing gag here or there, but none of these stuff has given me that all-consuming “I’ve gotta see THAT” feeling.
Then the reviews started coming in today. Todd McCarthy of Variety says: “Amiable but no more, “Bee Movie” puts a hiveful of potent talent at the service of a zig-zigging, back-of-an-envelope story that’s short on surprise and originality … (There will be) sweet if not blockbuster B.O.”
The Hollywood Reporter’s Kirk Honeycutt (no pun intended) basically agrees, saying, “Unfortunately, bees just aren’t that funny. … Nor is the odd story Seinfeld and his collaborators dreamed up very inspired. … When “Bee Movie” opens, honey will equal money for the first week, but repeat business, so vital for animated films, is not likely to be heavy. Seinfeld’s considerable and loyal following certainly will help.”
Now granted, in a time when flat, laugh-deficient movies like Madagascar and Shrek The Third can make a mint, it may sound foolish to predict that Bee Movie will underwhelm. However, it’s got some serious competition. Fred Claus, with Vince Vaughn, opens Nov. 9, and Enchanted, with the Adorable Amy Adams (I can’t help myself) opens Nov. 21. Both of those look much more fun, and, I predict, will kick Bee Movie to the curb. Or swat it to the window.
So are you excited to see Bee Movie? Maybe the more important question is, are your kids (or any kids you know) all that primed to see it?
Permalink | Comments (8) | Categories: Coming Attractions
Comments
By SRCputt
November 1, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this
I’ll use the true barometer: my kids. They are excited about Fred Claus. They are excited about Enchanted. They couldn’t care less about Bee Movie. Me neither: it looks like a knock-off version of Antz. When DreamWorks is starting to copy itself…By Derwood
October 30, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this
American Gangster is fantastic.. Of course, I like Ridley Scott too.. But, its still a good movie. Denzel always seems to do better as a bad guy.By Sir Critic
October 30, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this
Kim: I’m not going to worry about a typo when you came up with a line as fun as that “zzz” one. Kinda makes me wish I were reviewing the film Friday so I could borrow that line! (I’m seeing “American Gangster” instead.)By frank
October 30, 2007 7:55 AM | Link to this
The best part is how Jerry has piggybacked the promotion of his wife’s “allegedly” plagiarized cookbook onto the marketing machine behind this movie. Seinfeld defending his wife against the plagiarism allegations: “Let’s be realistic � my wife isn’t in this for the money or the publicity.” Funnier line than anything in “Bee Movie, guaranteed!”By Derwood
October 30, 2007 6:44 AM | Link to this
I’m with Kim.. I’ve seen the trailers and I’m simply not impressed at all. However, I have to admit that I’m predisposed to hating this film because I find Jerry Seinfeld, his show and everything about him to be moronic , inane and completely without humor.By Roger
October 29, 2007 7:26 PM | Link to this
I will see it because I think Jerry Seinfeld is hilarious. I totally get his humor. I hope this movie showcases his trademark comedic style. I don’t go to computer animated movies. I don’t like them. So I’m not looking to “bee” impressed by the animation. I just hope it’s funny!By KimOH
October 29, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this
LOL - sorry about the typo - that would be “this is no exception”. Don’t you hate when you get fumble fingers??By KimOH
October 29, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this
You know those movies that you’ve seen the best it has to offer if you’ve seen the trailers? Well - this movie doesn’t even have that going for it. It just looks dumb. But then I’m not a Seinfield fan - I never did understand why everyone thought he was so funny. I thought he was a terrible actor -he always seems so forced to me, and this is no expection. Like he’s saying, “Um - I’m Seinfield - I’m supposed to be funny - so laugh already.” Leave off the “bu” and stick with the “zzzzzz”, cos this movie looks like a real snoozer.