The Beekeeper: It Buzzes A Lot Without Stinging Often

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So it may not move as gracefully as a cinematic ballerina, but I can't say that The Beekeeper truly bumbles either, even if it may drone on in its self-indulgence from time to time. Occasionally, this movie can even pack something of a sting. So enough with the bee puns, but what I'm trying to say here is that The Beekeeper is a generic action flick that isn't a total loss because of its entertainment value and retribution-rooted relatability in addition to Jason Statham's sheer cool factor. The movie follows Adam Clay, an ex-special forces operator known as a Beekeeper who goes on a vengeful rampage to the very highest levels of government after his neighbor, the kind and elderly Mrs. Parker, commits suicide after being scammed out of her life savings by a call center. It's an oddly self-serious scenario for a movie that's otherwise pretty silly, but who am I to judge a movie that's trying to be more than meets the eye, even if its attempts to be deep are a mere cinematic coat of paint instead of a serious look at the subtleties and complexities of life?

Subtle and complex are about the least accurate words you could use to describe this movie. Original isn't far behind in the race for last place, either. There isn't much to be said about The Beekeeper that hasn't already been said about every other action movie ever made. Except for the fact that Jason Statham takes care of bees now, and I have to say that I haven't heard this insert-relatively-regular-on-the-side-career-for-Statham hall pass yet. But apart from his being a beekeeper instead of something like an ex-marine, The Beekeeper is a really straightforward action and revenge movie that's made to cater to as wide and as watered-down an audience as possible.

The plot is basically a series of escalations between a vengeful Statham and those responsible for the theft that finally did poor Mrs. Parker in. It's nothing complicated or complex, but it's certainly a lot of fun to watch. A special forces operator is lured back into the fight after things turn personal. It's a trope we've seen done a million and one times over by now, but for some reason, we keep coming back to it. Perhaps this is a testament to the endurance of this particular type of story, to the sense of justice we as humans possess. Or let's be honest. Maybe we just like to see our revenge fantasies played out on-screen by a burly man with a beard.

Practically, most of the fight sequences in this movie are pretty one-sided, and this left some to be desired for me, given the range of enemies that Statham goes up against in his killing spree as well as their varied combat prowess. Even most of the fights where Statham is going toe-to-toe with a presumed equal are far from tense, and it became apparent to me how the movie was going to end only about halfway in. I already kind of knew that no one was going to stop Statham, but the movie did nothing to dissuade that all-but-certainty as its runtime grew longer and longer. I wish that more of the enemies in the movie actually felt legitimately dangerous.

The revelations of a larger conspiracy at play behind the scam calls aren't in the least bit surprising for a movie like this one, but they're not entirely out of place, and they did cause the movie to constantly move, though it was always obvious where it was going to be moving. And for as generic as The Beekeeper can be, I was surprised when its final moments left the door wide open for a sequel. I can't say I'd exactly be rushing to the theater to watch a theoretical sequel for any reason other than wanting to publish a new article.

I've seen many an action movie in my day, and I can't exactly say that I'll distinctly remember The Beekeeper. Not because it's a bad movie, but rather because it's so painfully generic despite containing a rather original portrayed profession for Statham, thought it'd be a lie to say that the movie isn't loads of fun. I'm sure his loyal followers will get a kick out of watching him bash, beat, and bludgeon his way to the highest levels of government, and the rest of you will certainly be entertained, that's for sure. But there are a couple of big holes in this movie where its heart and soul should have been, and watching The Beekeeper is very often like watching a highlight reel of other, better movies. Featuring bees. It may not be terrible, though I highly doubt that it will claim the legacy of having created any kind of a major buzz.

The Beekeeper - 6/10

Romans 6:20-23