More than Honey

This may sound excessively hyperbolic, but I'm actually pretty shameless when I say that "More Than Honey" is one of the best documentaries I've ever seen. Every good documentary's events are framed in some narrative form and "Honey" does not disappoint; the film deftly contrasts the bee farming practices of both American and European farmers. Director Markus Imhoof really managed to get some fantastic, heartfelt interviews from all sides of this issue. While the film certainly identifies potential causes as to why the bees are disappearing, it wisely refrains from ever vilifying them.

"More Than Honey" also works surprisingly well as a nature documentary, which I attribute entirely to its fantastic cinematography. The macro-photography ventures all the way inside bee hives to show them in their nature habitat, and really breathes excitement into some of the films slower parts. The narration is helpful and informative, allowing even a casual viewer to learn a thing or two about bees along the way. As Eric Kohn from Indiewire puts it: ""Makes a convincing argument for the role of bees sustaining both organic and industrial concerns…(an) effective melding of science and aesthetic delights." 10/10 stars.

This film portrays another example of the cost of factory farms. The facts are presented without judgment. It seemed to me that the bees are defending themselves against the manipulation of their perfectly organized society. One wonders why we humans think we know better when our own societies are totally out of sync with each other and the earth. Now I understand why vegans do not eat honey. I did not realize how much work the bees have to do in order to make their perfect food. The photography is wonderful and the story is gripping so I recommend it highly. I think everyone should see this documentary so we might have more respect for the way we harvest honey. I admit that I am old and grumpy but this film really made me feel sad. I am glad I saw it and am grateful for the enlightenment.

I think it's pretty certain that Albert Einstein did not say "If bees were to disappear from the globe, mankind would only have four years to live."

That's a bit emblematic of my feelings about this documentary. It's filled with a lot of stunning bee photography and genuinely engaging and weird facts about bees ... people transport live bees by mail you know ... but it's also weirdly lackadaisical. It's a lot of fun if you want to stare at bees for an hour and a half.

At the end (SPOILER, I guess) a whole hive of bees just ups and leaves, and their beekeeper can't do anything about it. That's awesome.

This film has a very rare 100% rating on 'Rotten Tomatoes' (just for comparison, 'Gravity' has 97%), which is one of the reasons I wanted to check it out. Another reason would be that it was recommended to me by people who are normally more into films like 'Die Hard' or 'Starship Troopers'. Now, having seen the movie, I can clearly see why that is.

This beautiful documentary has a lot more to offer than just information (as interesting, disturbing and educating said information definitely is); what you get here is also great, cinematic entertainment. There are characters in this film - the old beekeeper, for instance - which made me laugh out loud, and then there are moments of such breathtaking beauty I nearly cried.

And the cinematography - wow; just: wow! I don't know how they got to film the bees so close; if it was done with CGI or other computer tricks, the effects would certainly be Oscar-worthy. As far as I'm concerned, this masterpiece can compete with anything in the 'blockbuster' category that Hollywood has put out recently.

Great, informative entertainment and a visual feast, this film will make you see bees with different eyes. My vote: 10 out of 10.

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A great example of how societies, in particular the largest abusive industrialized one, has removed themselves from the natural ecosystem and with total disrespect for that system which they are destroying. I can only assume how difficult it was to do this documentary and congratulate all involved. I have said for decades how we are like the snake eating its' own tail thus devouring itself and taking along with it nature, the innocent and the provider.