39. The Beekeeper; movie review

 

THE BEEKEEPER

Cert 15

105 mins

BBFC advie: Contains strong violence, injury detail, language, drug misuse

Another year, another chance for Jason Statham to play a smouldering anti-hero who kills off bad guys by the score.

The Beekeeper has done well enough at the box office to suggest that cinema-goers haven't yet worn thin of the stubbly one wreaking havoc.

But I would have preferred some acting with my heavy dose of machismo.

Statham plays Adam Clay, who initially appears to be a conventional countryside beekeeper, making honey next door to a trusted neighbour (Phylicia Rashad).

However, his particular set of skills is soon on display after she becomes a victim of an ultra-aggressive phone and cyber scam.

Apparently, a beekeeper is also a government assassin who cannot be satisfied until the enemy's hive is destroyed.

So, as well as seeking retribution against those directly responsible for ripping off his neighbour, he searches for their puppet masters.

This brings him into confrontation with a monstrous young heir (Josh Hutcherson) and his security chief (Jeremy Irons).

Meanwhile, the neighbour's daughter (Emmy Raver-Lampman) faces deep conflict because she is on his trail as an FBI officer.

David Ayer's film is Statham at his most uncompromising - beating, killing and blowing up bad guys or anyone who tries to stand in his way.

Think the Equalizer on steroids.

The scamsters are portrayed as being entirely without conscience as they rip off the vulnerable, so cinema audiences will be inwardly rooting for them to receive justice.

And that they certainly do.

Vengeance at the pictures doesn't come with much more venom but it could have done with being accompanied by greater depth and character exploration.

Reasons to watch: Uncompromising Statham

Reasons to avoid: Thin storyline

Laughs: None

Jumps: One

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 6/10

Did you know? Jason Statham represented England in three diving events at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in New Zealand.  He finished eighth in the one-metre springboard, and 11th in three-metre springboard and ten-metre platform.

The final word. David Ayer: "When you present action to Jason and you present him choreography... I brought my A-game and Jason brought his A+ game, so he schooled me on a lot of action. He schooled me, and I really feel like I learned a lot from him." Screen Rant

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