Bee Movie

Amiable but no more, Bee Movie puts a hiveful of potent talent at the service of a zig-zigging, back-of-an-envelope story that's short on surprise and originality.

At its relaxed best, when it's about, well, nothing, the slyly comic Bee Movie is truly beguiling.

That the story wilts towards the end of its relatively short running time is something of buzz-killer. But for its gags alone, Bee Movie deserves a bee-plus...

It's not quintessential Seinfeld for the hardcore, but there's certainly a flavour of him here.

There are some really cute and entertaining moments for kids and grown-ups alike, and I thought the whole bee premise was original and engaging...

Nothing about the movie resonates emotionally. The conformity of the hive is neither crushing nor soul-deadening. The fact that humans making money off the bees' labor has no effect on the quality of life of the bees, who dwell in contented, well-fed insularity. There's no real jeopardy. The stakes are low. It's a bee movie about nothing.

The depth of talent in the cast and gag writing shines through, but it’s only just enough to take your mind off of the flat animation...

As in Seinfeld's much-loved, long-running television sitcom, the writing is sharp, but, disappointingly, the gag quotient is down...