Barry B. Benson, a bee who has just graduated from college, is disillusioned at his lone career choice: making honey. On a special trip outside the hive, Barry’s life is saved by Vanessa, a florist in New York City. As their relationship blossoms, he discovers humans actually eat honey, and subsequently decides to sue us.
Credits: TheMovieDb.
Film Cast:
- Barry B. Benson (voice): Jerry Seinfeld
- Vanessa Bloome (voice): Renée Zellweger
- Narrator / Graduation Announcer (voice): Jim Cummings
- Adam Flayman (voice): Matthew Broderick
- Ken (voice): Patrick Warburton
- Layton T. Montgomery (voice): John Goodman
- Mooseblood (voice): Chris Rock
- Janet Benson (voice): Kathy Bates
- Martin Benson (voice): Barry Levinson
- Trudy (voice): Megan Mullally
- Lou Lo Duca (voice): Rip Torn
- Judge Bumbleton (voice): Oprah Winfrey
- Bud Ditchwater (voice): Michael Richards
- Bee Larry King (voice): Larry King
- Buzzwell (voice): Larry Miller
- Hector (voice): David Moses Pimentel
- Andy (voice): Chuck Martin
- Sandy Shrimpkin / TSA Agent (voice): Brian Hopkins
- Janitor / Bailiff (voice): John DiMaggio
- Jeanette Chung / Mother / Cow (voice): Tress MacNeille
- Truck Driver / Chet (voice): Simon J. Smith
- Himself (voice): Ray Liotta
- Himself (voice): Sting
- Bee (voice) (uncredited): Robert Jayne
- Himself (voice) (uncredited): Carl Kasell
- Little Girl (voice): Olivia Mattingly
- Boy Crying / Timmy (voice): Nathan D. Morrissey
- Ladybug (voice): Sean Bishop
Film Crew:
- Production Design: Alex McDowell
- Music: Rupert Gregson-Williams
- Producer: Christina Steinberg
- Director: Steve Hickner
- Director: Simon J. Smith
- Producer: Jerry Seinfeld
- Screenplay: Spike Feresten
- Screenplay: Barry Marder
- Screenplay: Andy Robin
- Producer: Cameron Stevning
- Editor: Nick Fletcher
- Costume Design: Jane Poole
- Director of Photography: David C. Lawson
- Animation: Kevin Andrus
- Animation: Chris Bancroft
- Art Direction: Christophe Lautrette
- Conceptual Design: Seth Engstrom
- Animation: Simon Otto
- Art Department Manager: Pat Sito
- Animation: Steve Cunningham
- Storyboard Artist: Jennifer Kluska
Movie Reviews:
- Wuchak: ***A hilarious bee movie***
Released in 2007, “Bee Movie” is an animated movie about a bee, Barry B. Benson (voiced by Jerry Seinfeld), a fresh college graduate who becomes disillusioned by his limited career choices in the hive. Upon taking a special trip to the outside world his life is saved by Vanessa (Renée Zellweger), a beautiful florist in New York City. As their relationship develops, he discovers humans actually harvest honey by enslaving bees; and understandably decides to sue humanity, but this has repercussions.
I’m not big on animated flicks, but this one has frequent laugh-out-loud moments, particularly the first half. But you have to pay attention to the rapid fire dialogue and the details in the frame or you’ll miss out on half the laughs. Consider for, for example, the ATFH officer (What’s the ‘H’stand for?). The second half remains compelling, but is more low-key in amusement. Bottom line: “Bee Movie” is one of my all-time favorite comedies. By the way, I know Vanessa’s animated, but she’s actually HOT.
ADDITIONAL VOICES are supplied by the likes of Matthew Broderick, Patrick Warburton, John Goodman, Chris Rock, Kathy Bates, Barry Levinson, Larry King, Ray Liotta, Sting, Oprah Winfrey and Rip Torn.
The film runs 91 minutes.
GRADE: A