Bees are one of the most important creatures on the planet. Without them, we’d be in a position where Earth as we know it would be far gone. It’s why, then, we must make efforts as humans to make a world where bees can live in peace and tranquillity as they help the world continue running. David Ayer, of all people, knows this and, in a twisted but loving tribute, has made one of the best action movies of the 2020s in the form of The Beekeeper. A film where one man wages war on corruption with enough fire, fury and even honey by his side.
Protect the Hive
The Beekeeper follows Adam Clay (Jason Statham), a man living a quiet life as a beekeeper at an elderly woman’s home. When she is caught in a phishing scam and takes her own life, Adam embarks on a path of vengeance across the United States to find the people who wronged her. While Adam Clay seems like an ordinary man on the surface, it quickly becomes apparent that Clay is part of a powerful organisation named (you guessed it!) Beekeepers.
From the outset, The Beekeeper is well aware of what it is. In a world of gritty action movies that take themselves way too seriously, there’s an undeniable sense of fresh air here as we see Jason Statham making references to bees in every scene he’s in. In fact, every single character in The Beekeeper will be quick to spout off either a joke or fact about bees. As silly as it sounds, this is precisely why The Beekeeper works as a film.
The Charm of the Beekeeper
There are undeniable comparisons that can be made to John Wick and other similar action films when watching The Beekeeper, and yet, there’s a uniqueness here that primarily lies in its own tone. While the narrative can fall into nonsense at times due to the character of Adam Clay having practically zero consistency in his quest for vengeance, the sheer amount of fun that both David Ayer and the film’s supporting cast are having instantly makes The Beekeeper a charmer.
Jason Statham especially steals the show here as an utterly menacing presence despite the many one-liners he has surrounding bees. While the sheer lack of danger he finds himself in can impact the film’s stakes, seeing Statham act undeniably cool and controlled throughout is incredibly satisfying. When this is crossed with a supporting cast of crypto bros, federal agents, and government figures played entirely straight despite the silly premise at the heart of the film, Statham’s reserved performance only adds to the sheer amount of fun the film has from start to finish.
Kicking the Hornet’s Nest
David Ayer is a frustrating director. While not without his highlights (Training Day, Fury), his work has often felt juvenile and edgy as he endlessly crawled back to the well of cliché ridden crime thrillers. Despite The Beekeeper keeping many of these mannerisms of Ayer’s direction and writing, everything here clicks in place thanks to its reluctance to wink at the camera. Whether you’re laughing with the film or at the film quickly gets answered when you realise just how refined it is on a technical level.
Films released in January are often the butt of many jokes. Whether they are horror movies from Blumhouse or generally weak productions dumped out by major studios, it’s often rare to see such a well-produced film this month. Now, The Beekeeper is different from Avatar in terms of visual spectacle. However, it’s appropriately violent and gruesome, with genuinely impactful fight scenes that pack an unexpected punch. One particular fight scene in a hallway is incredibly impactful in how it delivers every single blow in an increasingly bloody fashion.
‘The Beekeeper’ – Final Thoughts
David Ayer’s The Beekeeper is awesome. While not without problems (mainly falling on the narrative’s plot holes and character inconsistencies), the wavelength that the film operates on here makes it an absolute joy to watch from start to finish. After years of figuring out his talents, David Ayer, I think, has finally found his niche. If this starts a new era for the director where his technical skills are mixed with these delightfully campy screenplays, I’ll be there on day one for every entry.
