“The Beekeeper” is an entertaining action feast
On Wednesday, the premiere of “The Beekeeper” with Jason Statham in the main role. Filmtop’s Eric Diedrichs likes David Ayer’s new action flick and would like to see a sequel.
It took its timebut after a decade of fiasco is David Yesterday back with a film that actually turns out to be a really entertaining action flick. But a sluggish middle part and some rather simple script shortcuts prevent the film from reaching the really high marks.
I The Beekeeper we see the action veteran Jason Statham like the beekeeper from hell, at least if you’re in the business of bilking lonely old men out of money with an advanced, digital fraud scheme. When his neighbor, who is also his closest friend, kills himself after having all his assets confiscated, “Adam Clay”, as Statham’s character calls himself, decides to bring justice. With the police hot on his heels, he intends to rid the world of a patrask of the lowest form, but what can be seen when money is followed? Conspiracies of epic proportions, of course!
Jason Statham som Adam Clay i “The Beekeeper”. Foto: Scanbox Entertainment.
As entertaining as it is stupid
That’s about it as stupid as it sounds with a really screwed up moral compass on the part of Adam Clay. This beekeeper doesn’t shy away from murdering cops or other apes in his path – a kind of medieval justice must be served. No, no one is safe when the sad one-liner machine thunders forth. “Everything for the hive”, as it is called.
Stupid, yes, sure. Very stupid, even. But also very entertaining and actually unexpectedly engaging. How often do we read about fraudsters who specialize in cheating the elderly out of their savings? To see Jason Statham – which for the first time in 20 years actually feels relevant again – going berserk on these bastards is primitively satisfying. It feels a bit like his moment in John Wick-era, but with lite more heart.
Hoping for a sequel
The cops hunting Adam ClayVerona Parker (Emmy Raver-Lampman) and Matt Wiley (Bobby Naderi) don’t quite know how to deal with the furious beekeeper. Taking the law into one’s own hands, and also being violent towards police officers, is not acceptable – but at the same time, they themselves do not succeed in defeating the fraudsters. Maybe it’s just better if Clay gets to clean up a bit? At least we in the audience think so.
Towards the end, we are treated to a real “boss fight” – and then the music is silent. The only thing we hear is clenched fists, ruffling and fighting. A knife comes out with. The Beekeeper doesn’t flaunt what it is – a classic, silly action flick. Really, really, nice. Hoping for a sequel.
“The Beekeeper” premieres tomorrow, February 21, in the country’s cinemas.
