21.3.24
Despite its ridiculous opening premise and satirical clumsiness despite a real-world issue of old people getting ripped off by telemarketing conmen, The Beekeeper really works as another Statham-led OTT action film. Feeling like John Wick meets The Saw franchise, in terms of a simple revenge tale patchworked up with some inventive deaths and a pulsing soundtrack, it’s an enjoyable action movie with great fight sequences and grizzly deaths. Some of the enemies are super fun, especially the South African mercenary boss, even though he’s a total ripoff of Ulysses Klaue from Marvel. He faces off with Jason’s Clay in the film’s easily most impressive fight scene, reminding me of violent, high-talent action scenes such as in The Raid.
While Josh Hutcherson’s portrayal of the protagonist’s son was grating and the lead female villain’s arc proved to be a predictable letdown that sapped the film’s seriousness, the inclusion of privileged, bratty adolescents felt like a weak imitation of the antagonists from the first John Wick film or even lower-tier action movies. The heart is in the right place in terms of who the film’s evil forces are, and great actors like Jeremy Irons attempt to elevate the stakes and add some gravitas, but it’s now the night after and I have honestly forgotten the names of the characters and most of the moments without Statham or Irons on the screen.
Not a bad effort from David Ayer, who has released some garbage over the years! The Beekeeper is fun while it lasts by delivering some satisfying action and revenge, even if it doesn’t leave a lasting impression.