In The Beekeeper, stoic beekeeper Adam Clay rents barn space from his friend, Eloise Parker, which he uses to house his bees. One day, while Adam is busy with his hive, Eloise is sat at her laptop attempting to do some work.
However, after switching on the device Eloise encounters problems with her computer. She then receives an onscreen prompt telling her to call for assistance, and she dials the number accordingly.
Unfortunately the number directs Eloise to a call centre, where a team of phishing scammers con her out of her savings. The scammers then take more than $2 million from a charity account which Eloise oversees, making the situation even worse.
Feeling distraught over what has just happened, and aware she is unlikely to get the money back, Eloise promptly commits suicide. When Adam returns to the house, discovers her body, and later learns about the phishing scam, he sets out to get revenge against those responsible for her death.
Directed by David Ayer, The Beekeeper is an action-thriller starring Jason Statham, Josh Hutcherson, Jeremy Irons, Jemma Redgrave, Emmy Raver-Lampman, and Minnie Driver. The movie is new to UK and US cinemas from Friday 12th January, and if you’re a fan of Jason Statham movies, then this is one for you.
The Beekeeper is a cross between The Punisher and John Wick, only with… some bees. For argument sake, let’s call it ‘John Wax’, because lead character Adam Clay isn’t just any old keeper of bees, he’s also a former agent of a secret organisation and he knows how to punch the crap out of people.
So, when Adam sets out to get revenge, he really means it. Adam has a special set of skills which he has no problem using, and he keeps on going until he’s wiped out all his foes.
From maiming and burning, to kicking the living heck out of everyone, Adam goes bees deep when it comes to exacting his revenge. He’s out to protect the hive (i.e. victims of phishing scams), from all the hornets (i.e. the scammers), and there’s no stopping him once he gets going.
Is this completely preposterous stuff? 100%, but it is highly enjoyable too.
The Beekeeper is exactly the sort of action movie you expect it to be and nothing less, but hey, where’s the problem with that? It’s nonsense, but likeable nonsense, and Jason Statham is on fine form.
‘The Stath’ takes on the role of Adam and kicks, punches, and shoots his way through the entire movie. Every once in a while he tosses out the odd bee-related line (always in a gruff voice), before killing off a bad guy and looking entirely pissed off.
Sure, it’s a bit daft, and at times it feels like Stath 101, but it’s lots of fun. With The Beekeeper the actor plays to his strengths, appears to be taking enjoyment from every moment, and this comes across on screen.
One of the movie’s best scenes involves Statham walking into an office building with two cans of gasoline, before announcing he’s going to burn it to the ground. He then does exactly what he says he will do, not batting an eyelid about doing any of this in broad daylight, and it’s all marvellous stuff.
Once again it is completely preposterous, but once again it is lots of fun. It’s the sort of thing that requires no major thinking or participation from the audience, just the general desire to see Statham get shit done!
Of course, while The Beekeeper is enjoyable tosh, I should make it clear this film isn’t particularly original. There’s nothing in here that hasn’t been seen countless times before in other action movies, and no one is coming away from this film having seen an exciting new direction for the genre.
The film essentially goes: Revenge, explosion, death, bang, bang, bang, more death, then repeat. There’s also some gruff mumbling and a prosthetic leg, and that’s about it.
At all times it’s clear where the story is heading, and there are no major shocks or surprises. However, the whole thing is handled rather well, and even if the script is full of clichés it almost doesn’t matter.
The Beekeeper delivers spectacle when needed and if this is what you’re after in the post-Christmas period then lap it up. The film isn’t winning any awards for its script, nor is it amazing, but it is a perfectly decent, entirely solid action film.
The Beekeeper does exactly what it says on the tin, manages to maintain most of its momentum, and offers enough bang for anyone’s buck. It’s very undemanding stuff, but sometimes that is all anyone needs from a film, so it gets a ‘thumb’s up’ from me.
I expect further Beekeeper movies will follow in in time, as the door is firmly left open, but for now this is a satisfying little diversion at the most depressing time of the year. If you need something to blow away the January blues, then maybe Jason Statham will BEE the one to help you out.
—
—
Thank you for taking the time to read this review on It’s A Stampede!. For more reviews, check out the recommended reads below.
It's A Stampede! 
Leave a comment