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While I had
always been a fan of Jerry Seinfeld’s
stand up (about nothing), I was only a casual
fan of his long-running television series
(which was also about nothing…). So
when he dropped out pf the spotlight a few
years back I really didn’t wonder
much what he was up to (aside from his occasional
appearances in the tabloids). So when I
heard he was involved in the making if a
new animated film, I was only mildly interested.
And I should mention that this is not a
reflection of my interest in Seinfeld per
se, but more the fact that everyone and
their hairdresser seem to be making an animated
film these days.
However my curiosity was piqued upon turning
on the TV last year and seeing one of the
trailers for “Bee Movie.” As
opposed to seeing the usual clips of animated
lions, or penguins viewers were treated
to members of the cast dressed up in bug
costumes being hosed off of a giant windshield
and/or Seinfeld (dressed as a bee) lowered
on a cable in front of a window.
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I was even more shocked to see Steven Spielberg
making a cameo appearance in one of the trailers.
At that point, I thought maybe there was something
to this little animated feature.
Then, a couple of months before the film’s
premiere, Seinfeld embarked on a tour to promote
the film even stopping in Dallas where several
of us local critics were given the opportunity
to interview
him and see some clips of the film. While he was
friendly and funny, I have to admit to not being
too impressed when the clips first started. The
first couple of clips were a little dull, but
each one that followed got funnier and funnier.
By the time the Dallas part of his junket was
over I was again interested in giving “Bee
Movie” a shot.
I never did get a chance to see “Bee Movie”
in the theatre, but thanks to the awesome people
over at Dreamworks I was able to catch it on an
early preview disc. Truth be told, I ended up
loving the film. From start to finish the adventures
of Barry B. Benson, which included his need for
a life outside the hive, his love for a beautiful
human botanist, his disdain for the corporations
that harvest honey, the courtroom drama that comes
of said disdain, and finally his understanding
of the delicate balance between humans and nature…
was highly entertaining and had me laughing out
loud on more than one occasion. And though a lot
of the jokes went over the head of my 4 year old,
she was genuinely delighted by the animation and
the action of the characters. There was truly
something to enjoy for all ages.
When the actual DVD came out a few days ago I
couldn’t wait to get my hands on it, mostly
cause I wanted to be able to watch it without
the little electronic footprint showing up on
the bottom of my screener and because I knew the
overall transfer would loom much, much better.
Again, I watched it with the family and we all
had a great time. I was especially tickled by
the idea of actor Ray Liotta owning his own Honey
Company. As absurd of a notion as it is, the real
Liotta obviously had a ton of fun with the film’s
interpretation of intense personality.
If you hit the store today to pick up a copy,
you’ll see that you have two choices. There
is a single disc version with just a few extras
and a much better 2-disc version that includes
a lot of fun features for adults as well as kids.
Personally I would go for the 2-disc version.
The first disc allows for a commentary by Seinfeld,
who is joined by co-directors Simon J. Smith and
Steve Hickner, co-producer Christina Steinberg
and editor Nick Fletcher in a laid back and entertaining
conversation about the film. There are also some
storyboarded deleted scenes and alternate endings
as well as 16 TV Juniors that were created to
promote the film on NBC. These Juniors are generally
quite funny and purport to show the behind the
scenes workings of making the film. Additionally,
you’ll find the two live action trailers
that I mentioned earlier, both of which I found
to be very original as far as a piece of marketing.
Of course you also get to see just how far Seinfeld
was willing to go to promote this film with video
of his Bee-Suited “Flight Over Cannes.”
There is also a featurette focusing on the cast
of the film.
Disc 2 is really more for the kids with a video
for the song “We Got the Bee”, a short
film about real bees and a look at the computer
programs that were used to create the film. Kids
are also given the chance to “Meet Barry
B. Benson” in a little question and answer
interactive feature, a music video for the song
“We Got the Bee”, a bee trivia game,
and the like. There’s definitely enough
on this second disc to warrant grabbing the special
edition.
“Bee Movie” was sadly left out of
the running for best animated feature at the Oscars,
because while the best film actually did win,
it certainly deserved the nod. Do yourself a favor,
grab your favorite honey based snack and a copy
of “Bee Movie” and enjoy a night in
with the kids.
Starring (the voices of): Jerry Seinfeld, Renee
Zellweger, Matthew Broderick, Chris Rock, Patrick
Warburton
Extras: Jerry and Filmmaker Commentary, Jerry’s
16 TV Juniors, Alternate Endings and Lost Scenes,
Jerry’s Flight Over Cannes, Original Live
Action Trailers, Inside the Hive – The Cast
of Bee Movie, “WE Got the Bee” Music
Video, Pollination Practice Video Game, The Owl
Meter, The Buzz About Bees, Meet Barry B. Benson
Specifications: Widescreen, Dolby Digital 5.1,
Dolby Digital 2.0
Studio: Dreamworks
Release Date: 3/11/2008
Region 1
MPAA Rating: PG (Mild Suggestive Humor)
Website
We'll give Bee Movie a B+.
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