If you’re like me, there is probably a good chance you have watched the “Bee Movie” at some point in your life. When I was growing up, it seemed like a normal movie that would get turned on in the background at a summer camp, the dentist’s office or — if you were a real fan —  at home. Looking back on this movie, I truly believe that this is one of the absolute worst and disturbing pieces of cinema ever to be created. 

I can’t recall the first time I watched the Bee Movie, but I can remember the last. I was at my grandma’s house during June of 2020 and my brother had just seen a clip of the movie on YouTube. After asking me if we could watch it, I reluctantly turned on Netflix, a bit curious myself because I couldn’t quite remember the plot, only the fact that there were bees that could talk to humans. Little did I know what I was getting myself into.

One of the first scenes that had my jaw on the floor was when Barry the bee went back to the apartment of Vanessa, the human. He spits his classic line of, “Ya like jazz?” and from there the whole interaction goes downhill. Vanessa sees him and for the life of her, cannot believe that a bee is talking to her. She stabs herself with a fork — disturbing — and manages to pour all of her coffee pot onto the floor while simultaneously going insane. The two ramble into awkward and uncomfortable conversation, leaving me speechless with the feeling as though I was invading something awfully personal. At this point, I was ready to call Jerry Seinfeld — the voice of Barry and co-writer — myself to complain. 

Don’t even get me started on the ”pool” scene. Barry is swimming in a pool of honey, and begins to daydream of him and Vanessa on a date at the park. While this once seemed a bit odd but overall harmless to me, I now feel as though Seinfeld is making some broad hints towards beastiality. Like seriously, why is this bee falling in love with this grown woman? Am I the only one who finds this wrong?

Another reason that I believe this film is so incredibly bad is because of the god-awful animation. The words never fully line up with the characters’ mouths and the way that some of the features of Vanessa are depicted makes her look a bit crazy and doll-like. Her eyes are always so big and lost, and I feel as though she normally doesn’t have a real expression on her face. Because of this, I can never take anything she says seriously, leading further into the absurdity of the film. 

I know that I wouldn’t be able to make it through this column without giving some well deserved credit to the only sane character in this movie: the one and only, boyfriend Ken. Ken is the only person involved in this madness that realizes what is going on is insane. A bee and a human, going on dates, teaming up to sue the honey corporations? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not one for animal/insect cruelty, but what!? Ken is the reason amongst the sea of whacked-out honey freaks. I will never get over his bathroom fight scene with Barry. Honestly, the man deserves more credit, dealing with the insanity that he does. 

I officially lost it when Barry and Vanessa are sitting on the roof together after they realize what they have done to the ecosystem by suing the honey corporation. Bees no longer have to work; therefore pollination no longer takes place. Barry has the audacity to utter the words, “How about a suicide pact?” What in the name of honey! In this children’s movie, Seinfeld has just made a joke about suicide. Let that sink in for a minute. I never caught this line before, but gosh, that’s just messed up. 

At the end of the day, I know I will always secretly like the Bee Movie purely for its level of insanity. To me, watching the movie is like watching a car crash. You just can’t look away, but not for any good reason. I still find it comical that Seinfeld was able to convince a team of people to finance, create and present this movie to the public. There is no way that everyone was sober in the script writing, and I have to believe that someone owed Seinfeld a pretty huge favor in order for this to get made. While I will never watch this movie joyfully or willingly, I will admit the whole thing is pretty entertaining. I do like jazz, but I most definitely do not like the Bee Movie.