Film Buffa: David Ayer and Jason Statham make for a pretty entertaining ‘Beekeeper’
At 56 years old, the bullet headed Brit can still bring the goods and carry a film.
“Stealing from the elderly is as bad as stealing from children. It’s worse actually.”
Action films don’t have to be complex. The one street they want to stay away from is confusion. Their mission is escapism, and instilling the belief that dishing out an asskicking or two is akin to taking the highway in the path to righteousness. Having Jason Statham makes delivering the message so much easier.
The longtime man of Hollywood action hasn’t lost a step in the 22 years since The Transporter changed things for his career, taking a Guy Ritchie spark to expand the flame. Since then, he’s been one of the most dependable stars to lead the genre. His experience working with stunt crews makes him indispensable for fights, something that The Beekeeper hooks its wagon to early on. Teaming up with filmmaker David Ayer, who knows his way around the bang-bang arena and can add nuance, makes for a fun film that should take the edge off the serious awards palette. Who needs an atomic bomb when you have Statham’s foot?
The plot is simple enough. He’s a retired badass with a special set of skills tending to beehives for an estate. Quiet heroes, though, are as deadly as quiet farts. Sometime before the movie starts, a friendship and “I’ll watch out for you” trust with the owner (Phylicia Rashad) developed. When her bank accounts are emptied by a corrupt cyber company, Statham’s loner starts blowing up buildings, kicking teeth in, and working his way to the top of a hive of its own, one bullet at a time.
Pardon the bee talk, but the script is chock full of fun facts about the popular insect, including what would lead to a mutiny of sorts from the queen bee of the hive. They keep on coming as Statham’s wrecking ball makes its way to the top. In classic old school fashion, plot points and history are marked with bee talk instead of straight up “this is what happened, folks” dialogue.
The whole film you’re waiting on someone to step up and give our hero a decent fight-bloody that bald head and piss him off a little bit-and it happens in the climax. Guy Ritchie did this in the vastly underrated Wrath of Man, beating up his leading man a little and angering him. Statham makes it look so easy with his action ballet that it can make a slight turn into robotic at times, so the late movie fight of the year candidate is the groove this film needed to land its feet firmly in an action lover’s heart.
Jeremy Irons lends the film a favor by not trying to overplay the role of a former CIA chief possibly *probably* playing both sides. Josh Hutcherson continues his scruffier Tom Holland low key renaissance with a sleazy rich kid role. Good for him, because he’ll always be better than Liam Hemsworth. Rashad gives the film an instant gravitas, and it’s nice to see the whip-sharp Minnie Driver again.
But this is Statham’s ship, and he proves that action stars still exist for movies that don’t get sequels. Is there a shot him and Ayer could reteam for a sequel? Sure, but it’s not necessary nor will it make the first one sing louder. Their Beekeeper leaves a potent enough sting. Statham is something else, embodying the man of few words but lots of punches persona as easily as hot coffee finding a cup. It’s still a joy to watch.
If you’re a fan of Jason Statham, you’ll be a fan of The Beekeeper. In the world of still viable action stars, he’s a queen bee for sure.