Bee Movie

Comic genius Jerry Seinfeld’s return to writing and acting has created one of the most charming, clever and funny animated films to grace the big screen in a long time.

From the studio that brought us the Shrek trilogy, Shark Tale and Madagascar comes Bee Movie, a 3D animated comedy that follows the live of hive dwelling Barry B Benson (voiced by Jerry Seinfeld).

As a recent college graduate Barry is expected to embark upon a lifetime of work. His parents, friends and extended bee family are all content taking part in the bee circle of life that sees bees progress from education in how to make honey to actually making honey.

But when Barry discovers that being one small part in the honey making process is what is required of him until his dying day, he is forlorn. Barry sees the opportunity to join the ‘pollen jocks’. These bees venture out of the hive on a daily basis pollinating flowers and collecting nectar for honey production.

As Barry experiences life outside the hive for the first time and flies around New York City he experiences a world he could not have imagined. Some moments are frightening, such as speeding traffic and flying tennis balls, but when he meets a human female flower shop owner, Vanessa, he is smitten. Barry returns to the hive boasting of a world outside that he sees as far superior to anything he ever experienced on the inside.

Barry soon develops a friendship with Vanessa, visiting her home and spending time with her in the city and he quickly develops a crush on her. Some of the film’s best humour comes from the ridiculousness of a talking bee engaging with humans on their level. The filmmakers aren’t afraid to acknowledge that such a scenario is intrinsically nonsensical. Thankfully, this does not stop Bee Movie from being a heart-warming film.

The film’s main tension comes when Barry realises humans are ‘stealing’ bees’ honey and selling it for profit. Barry decides to take all honey companies to court and sues them as part of a class action on behalf of all bees. Supported by his best friend and Vanessa, Barry wins the trial in a human court as he proves that bees have the right to receive the reward for the honey they make.

While observing honey production in the world of humans, Barry finds evidence of humans mistreating bees in the process of gathering honey. There is a lesson here for humanity about making sure that our food production processes are just, sustainable and avoid cruelty. In Genesis 2:15 it is written that God put man in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Humanity must obey God’s original delegation of responsibility even after the fall.

Barry initially views his courtroom victory as a win for all bee-kind. Bees no longer need to produce nearly as much honey now that humans are not stealing most of it. The bees gain the freedom to cease working and relax. However, when Barry ventures back outside the hive, Vanessa points out the detrimental effects that the bees’ lack of honey production has had on the planet.

With bees not needing to pollinate flowers to create nectar, flowers, vegetation and other plant life begin to die out. The potential flow-on effects on the planet are starkly evident. Vanessa’s flower shop being put out of business because of the absence of flowers is another result, which affects Barry personally.

These consequences throw Barry into a mission that has the country’s entire well being at stake. While Barry and Vanessa work together to bring about a solution, the events that lead to this disaster highlight the interconnectedness of all of creation. It reminds us that each of us has a significant role to play in taking responsibility for the well being of God’s creation: humans, animals and the environment.

In Romans 1 it is stated that the glory of creation makes it clear there is a God who exists. The way everything in creation, both great and small, is interconnected in such a profound way is a clear indication that we have a creator – an intelligent designer, if you will – who is in charge of it all. I regard Bee Movie’s moral that we all have a role to play in making things work as one small reminder of this.

Bee Movie is essentially about putting the interests of others before the interests of oneself. At the beginning of the film, Barry is told by the bees’ human resource manager that every bee has a role to play and that each one counts no matter how small that task may seem. It is only after Barry starts ‘thinking bee’ and works with his fellow bees to save the planet that he sees the value of teamwork and doing his job well.

In I Corinthians 12 Paul writes that all Christians are part of the body of Christ, that is, God’s church. Each member is valued no matter how small or insignificant their gifting might be. One part of the body cannot say to another part that it is lesser or greater and it certainly cannot leave the body and go solo. We are all intimately connected as fellow Christians when we are part of God’s church. In a similar way, Bee Movie is a reminder of the intrinsic value and interconnectedness of each creature in God’s creation.

See Bee Movie if you want lots of laughs. It is child-friendly yet still packs most of Seinfeld’s witty, observational punch. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll be moved by the story of teamwork and overcoming adversity too.

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