lumiens

"The Beekeeper" flies/buzzes/swarms??? Onto the screen with adrenaline-pumping action sequences that leave your heart racing and your fists moving. Explosions, truck executions, squads of FBI/SS getting whopped in hand-to-hand combat-this film delivers on the action front. But like any hive, it has its share of sweet honey and a few drones.

The Good: Incredible Action: From ceiling/elevator slick moves to high-intensity dismemberment, "The Beekeeper" doesn't hold back. The choreography and special effects are top-notch, making it a visual feast for adrenaline junkies.

The Meh: Passable Script: The plot? It's there. It could have been better. Why didn't the two agents question what they were doing more? Were they meant to keep the corrupt machine running? I know, I know....the script serves as a mere scaffold for the action set pieces. Still, Statham needed a decent antagonist. I never once felt that he was in danger. I was simply present to watch a man act as cathartic metaphor, a release for the sh1te that people experience

The Ugly: Acting: Oh, Agent V. Bless her heart, but her wooden performance could put a beehive to sleep. Whether delivering crucial lines about what happens to her mother, or dodging philosophical questions, she had the depth and the emotional range of a teaspoon. The last shot that you see of her, staring out at the ocean, left me upset.

(Also, if I start commenting on how poorly they utilized Jeremy Iron's talent...disgraceful.)

Comparison/Contrast to Other Action Movies

Tony Jaa movies have more heart and actual, crazy, danger. However, they are still in the same class.

Keanu Reeves/Wick movies have more engaging scripts. The choreography is similar, as they move from group to group (Statham is more physical & Keanu uses more weapons). Howeve, the Wick world is bigger, more detailed (The High Table, etc.). John Wick's opponents are definitely more dangerous.

Korean Movies - a whole different world. Na Hong-jin movies are grittier, the violence is more visceral, you can't tear your eyes away from the screen. Never once did I fear for our hero's life here. High action, low stakes.

Bruce Lee/70 action movies - a completely different tone. I'd watch these over and over again to learn the moves. Statham's got moves too.

Final Verdict: "The Beekeeper" is a very good Jason Statham movie. You know what you get when you see his name. I always look forward to seeing him and and seeing his movies.

Will this win any awards? No way, but it'll keep you buzzing in your seat. I microwaved some Orville Redenbacher popcorn and enjoyed myself. Ignore Agent V's acting, and enjoy the action-packed ride. Even better, find some friends and try to throw out as many quotes from Statham's other movies while watching this! (It's a Megaladon!) 🎬🐝

I watched this again for the 4+ time. I enjoyed it very much. It's very linear and gets to the end, in what feels like, a very short time. The acting at times was great, but the timing seemed off in certain scenes. The Orcs/Gul'Dan were awesome, made the Alliance look like DPS dummies, until the magics start flowing.

You should recognize many fine actors here. You can see where the budget went, with all the recognizable towns, zones, armor, etc. However, I felt that they went too fast and covered too much - an inch deep but a mile wide. For the WoW fans, this might be considered a disappointment; however, for those of us that have played this for years, it's a dream come true.

It's definitely worth your time. It's also infinitely better than any tripe that you'll find recently on Disney+.

Gareth Edwards' "The Creator" isn't a paint by numbers sci-fi flick; it's a trip into a mind-bending and emotional alternate future - with battle between two philosophies that cannot coexist. One side of humanity seeks harmony between AI and humans; the other side fights to win the "Humans versus AI" conflict, believing that loss = extinction. It's like trying to choose between a digital utopia and an Armageddon nightmare. Gareth Edwards pulls it off with style.

The movie juxtaposes between these two contrasting worldviews using visually stunning "uniforms." One team is represented by "Zen" like New Asian "harmony" vibe that values all life; while the other team uses a military industrial complex motif, dark corridors, heartless soldiers. At the same time, you have a group of researchers attempting to create/raise an electronic savior figure that will rescue the oppressed AI - a futuristic "Moses." It's done well.

The film's visuals are nothing short of spectacular. Gareth Edwards, despite reportedly raiding the piggy bank for his budget, manages to weave magic with the camera. (It has to be...right?!? I mean look at the price!) The scenes are a visual feast, and you find yourself forgiving any budget constraints because the cinematography is on point.

The special effects - they're downright incredible. Every frame is a testament to Edwards' visual genius. He filmed this all on location, without "Green Screens" and then had the effects' studios work within the palette he and his cinematographer created. Mr. Edwards has pioneered a way to make a low-budget blockbuster without sacrificing an ounce of the sci-fi wow factor. This movie (and Godzilla Minus One) is going to re-invent how studios spend their money.

"The Creator" was a roller-coaster of emotions and ideas, wrapped up nicely for my holiday season. Gareth Edwards manages to juggle the complexities of his AI vision while treating our eyes to a cinematic smorgasbord of awe-inspiring scenery and mind-blowing special effects. It doesn't matter if you're into the whole "Can humans and AI be friends?" debate or whether or not the U. S. MIC is bad, etc. "The Creator" is a sci-fi gem that does what "Sci-Fi" is supposed to do.

I loved it - 9/10. (Btw, I couldn't get my kids to watch this for some reason. They heard that it was "too slow" and for the "over forty crowd!?!")