A couple of weeks ago, I went to the movie theater to watch The Beekeeper, which features some of my favorite actors including Jason Statham (Mr. Clay) and Josh Hutcherson (Derek). I knew going into the movie what I was getting myself into, seeing as it was a classic Jason Statham movie. Jason Statham has been in the eye of a variety of critics who believe he plays one character and as an actor is a “one trick pony.” Although I do not fully agree with this take, I understand it and see actors such as Dwayne Johnson in a similar fashion. I was prepared for a “John Wick” or “Jason Bourne” esc movie with little storytelling and non-stop action that confuses the audience. However, I was more than impressed with this movie.
Jason Statham completely changed my perspective. Although he plays the cliche vigilante such as the punisher, the overall depth of the plot strengthens the entire movie and makes it far more intriguing. The movie doesn’t simply put action into the face of the audience but builds up to it so you’ll know who, when, where, and why the characters are fighting. The cinematography in the movie also allows for a good watch as they’re aren’t as many cuts. For example, I regularly watch Marvel movies but as of lately couldn’t enjoy the fighting scenes because of extensive cutting and chopping, making the fight scenes hard to follow. The choreography paired with the longer shots and more interesting camera angles immerses the audience and makes us feel like we are really spectators watching the action in real time, leaving us on the edge of our seats wondering what’s going to happen next.
The few use of stunt doubles for Jason makes me gravitate more toward his character, and the dialogue skills he portrays are nothing short of stellar. The score of the music should also be highlighted in reviews as well. It fits the aesthetics in the movie and complements the mood, giving an even bigger sense of immersion. I asked some friends if they had watched the movie or would be interested in watching it. SNU student, Ryan Cruz, had watched the movie a day before I had and said, “I don’t think it deserves an Oscar or anything, but I came in with no expectations and left more than satisfied with the performance.” SNU student, Kaleb Taylor, had not seen the movie yet, so I asked him if he’d be interested in seeing it. “No, probably not. I like action movies, but I don’t feel the depth of the story when it comes to Jason Statham. He seems very one-dimensional and lackluster when it comes to even dialogue.”
Overall, I believe The Beekeeper is a must-watch for movie fans. The action and plot make for a rollercoaster of a ride in watching the movie. With good acting from the cast, good cinematography, and a good score, I’d have to give the movie a 4.5/5 star rating.
Photo by Damien TUPINIER on Unsplash