The Beekeeper – Film Review
Published January 10, 2024
Movie Details
Action thriller The Beekeeper helmed by David Ayer, who is notable for his works on films like Fury and End of Watch, takes us through the relentless mission of Jason Statham‘s character Adam Clay, a former operative of an enigmatic organization, The Beekeepers. Following his neighbor’s untimely death, caused by falling prey to a merciless phishing scam, Clay embarks on a journey to dispense justice. Screenwriter Kurt Wimmer, famed for crafting the 2002 film Equilibrium, wove a mixed bag of ingenuity and cliché that stands at a mere average in its thrilling narrative.
Statham is renowned for his hardcore action sequences, his slick moves, and brooding gaze, the ideal action star. However, The Beekeeper presents an emotionally driven Statham. His revenge tale showcases his capabilities to perform under distress and anguish that somewhat deviates from his typical roles. Yet, Statham’s gritty physical performance still comes as the high point of the movie, from choreographed fights to explosive set pieces. But where Statham shines, the characterization of Adam Clay fails to probe deeper, leaving audiences with a sketchy image of this vigilante figure.
Emmy Raver-Lampman portrays FBI Agent Verona Parke, who forms an alliance with Clay. Parke’s character plays an integral role in the narrative, pushing the story forward. Raver-Lampman’s performance is commendable, giving the agent a layered persona – competent and caring yet fraught with anxieties. However, the relationship between Clay and Parke comes off as somewhat perfunctory and underdeveloped, failing to explore an opportunity to strengthen their bond further.
Josh Hutcherson as Derek Danforth plays an impressive villainous role. His presence makes a formidable antagonist for Statham’s character, despite a lack of shared screen-time that undermines this villain-hero rivalry. Wallace Westwyld, played by the eminent Jeremy Irons, offers an aura of malevolence that permeates throughout the film, delivering his best within a restrained screen-time. The rest of the cast, including Bobby Naderi, Minnie Driver, Phylicia Rashad, and Jemma Redgrave, provide the needed texture and help bring life to the different settings.
In terms of screenplay and narrative pacing, The Beekeeper comes off as generic. Ayer’s signature exploration of camaraderie under extraordinary circumstances is felt throughout, but Kurt Wimmer’s writing doesn’t keep the surprises coming. What is a consistent string of potentially shocking moments, tend to blend together with very few peaks in tension and pay-off. Furthermore, the background of The Beekeepers remains shrouded in vagueness throughout the movie, begging a better explanation.
The visual narrative delivered by cinematographer Gabriel Beristain feels engaging yet expected from an action-thriller genre. High-speed chases and tight-fisted brawls get plenty of room to breathe thanks to his clever lens work. Similarly, the movie’s sound design should be praised, particularly for creating a mood of persistent unease with strategic use of silences and carefully layered atmospheric sounds.
The final showdown in The Beekeeper unfolds as one might anticipate with an explosive conclusion that ends the movie on a satisfactory note. Nevertheless, it’s a resolution you can see coming a mile away, diminishing its overall impact.
The Beekeeper, in the end, is an attempt to explore the increasingly concerning issue of cybercrime using the conventional tropes of an action thriller. While it manages to draw attention to the perils of a virtually connected world, its familiar storyline and a somewhat uncharismatic leading character create a middling viewing experience. Though, it would not be right to discard the film entirely, thanks to a handful of earnest performances and captivating action sequences.
The Beekeeper can best be described as a slightly sweetened dish with uneven ingredients that couldn’t meet the palates of connoisseurs, yet might please a casual watcher, making it a tolerable weekend watch. It hums with enough action but fails to sting the viewers with excitement or suspense that could truly set it apart in the realm of thriller cinema.