THE BEEKEEPER - A Review by Jenn Rohm

THE BEEKEEPER – A Review by Jenn Rohm

The Beekeeper has an interesting premise that I can see leading to more films. Having retired from his previous employment in a super-secret, clandestine agency that protects the people, Adam Clay falls back in when a friend has been taken advantage of. With a twist on the many action scenes of not just kill to kill, it was a refreshing change. Instead of how high the body count can be there was a knowledge of who is doing a job they believe in and are ordered to do versus those that are out to harm or paid to harm and are in it for the money. This also allowed for some creativity with where to take the violence.

Sadly, I did not get the feeling that David Ayer had a clear vision with his directing of the film. There was a mixture of genres from “comic book” to “video game” to action, and even as if it was filmed in the 80s. If it hadn’t bounced around amongst them it would have worked better in my opinion. It does feel like he was having fun with the project and action fans should just go along for the ride.

Writer Kurt Wimmer appears to have had fun seeing just how far he could go with the puns and dad jokes. With lines like “To bee or not to bee” and “metaverse meth lab,” there are moments that will make you laugh and some gems I am sure slid past. This is not a script that is going to change the world, it did push boundaries to the ‘did they really go there’ point and then went a little further past it.

Jason Statham is exactly the right person for the role of Adam. He plays the part fans want and enjoy, with stoic silence and the need for justice, there is no doubt what drives him. Emmy Raver-Lampman is Agent Verona Parker and Bobby Naderi is Agent Matt Wiley as partners in the FBI on the trail of Adam. Moments between the two are the best of Parker’s in the film. Jeremy Irons is believable as Wallace Westwyld, former director of the CIA and now in private security. There was also some casting such as Tylor James who took Lazarus too far. Most likely under Ayer’s direction. And a female Beekeeper whom I am not sure what the costuming team was thinking when her look was put together.

This is a film for action fans. It does border on being a B-movie, and as long as that is where your expectation is, you will not be disappointed. I do hope there is enough love for it that another film in the series will be made. It was a fun time, and I will watch it again.

Director: David Ayer

Written By: Kurt Wimmer

Cast: Jason Statham, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Bobby Naderi

MPAA Rating: R for strong violence throughout, pervasive language, some sexual references, and drug use.

Genres: Action, Thriller

Selig Rating: 4 stars

Runtime: 1h 45m

Release Date: January 12, 2024

Website: The Beekeeper website

Trailer: The Beekeeper trailer

The Selig Rating Scale:

5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.