Bee Movie

2007 | 88 minutes | Rated PG

According to the press notes, Jerry Seinfeld finally agreed to make a movie—voicing the central character for this 2007 animated feature as well as cowriting and producing—after pitching just the title to Dreamworks' Steven Spielberg over dinner. If part of the premise is that zillions of bees can collectively run a honey factory or land an airplane, another part seems to be that zillions of one-liners can add up to a narrative that works as an ecological parable while equating reality with brand-name recognition. ("My sweater's Ralph Lauren and I have no pants," the bratty hero proudly explains at one point.) The whole thing's pretty cute and breezy, but don't expect logic or coherence. Other voices include those of Renee Zellwegger, Matthew Broderick, John Goodman, and Chris Rock. By Jonathan Rosenbaum

Official Site: www.beemovie.com
Director: Simon Smith and Steve Hickner
Producer: Jerry Seinfeld and Christina Steinberg
Cast: Jerry Seinfeld, Renée Zellweger, Matthew Broderick, John Goodman, Chris Rock, Patrick Warburton, Kathy Bates, Barry Levinson, Larry King, Ray Liotta, Sting, Oprah Winfrey, Megan Mullally, Rip Torn, Michael Richards and Mario Joyner