Akeelah and the Bee - quick review

Patman · 05-20-06, 08:58 PM

While the story of "Akeelah and the Bee" follows the classical underdog rags-to-riches structure, the execution is superb, and cast is uniformily good. Who'd thought a film about competitive spelling could inspire people of all ages (well if you had seen "Spellbound" from a few years ago, you would, but I digress).

If you have a son or daughter in grade school or middle school, take them to see this film, it's definitely a film that the entire family can enjoy and take something from it in the process.

I give it 3.75 stars, or a grade of A-.

david12 · 05-20-06, 09:51 PM

Anyone heard about the distribution company, theater chains allowing every teacher to see this film for free between now and sometime next week? This is one of those films that I want to see and have heard nothing but good things about...but one of those films that really doesn't warrant a movie theater experience (to me at least). Unless it is free.

movielib · 05-20-06, 11:10 PM

I was beginning to suspect I was the only person in America to see this film.

It's a wonderful film, with great performances (I'd like to see Keke Palmer get a Best Actress nomination; I thought she was better than that Whale Rider girl who got one). It's not perfect; there are some cliches and a few unlikely plot devices but the resolution is quite clever (although you can see it coming). I agree with Patman's rating. It's a feel good film that earns every feeling. One of the best films of the year so far.

SPiRAL · 05-21-06, 01:22 AM

I enjoyed this little movie. The boy who played, Javier was great. He brought the right amount of comedy to the movie. I give it a solid B.

grifter · 05-21-06, 01:36 AM

Does it live up to fictional spelling bee genre standard set by Bee Season?

movielib · 05-21-06, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grifter

Does it live up to fictional spelling bee genre standard set by Bee Season?

I didn't see Bee Season but Akeelah got much better reviews.

Mondo Kane · 07-09-06, 11:47 PM

Saw this over the weekend and enjoyed it.

I was surprised by the movie's freshness when the eventual cliche'd moments had to show up. But the performances and swift direction managed to keep the movie rolling nicely and the viewer interested. A good job by everyone involved.

But man, it's so damn strange to see BOOGER as such a nice,mild-mannered principal!

Fok · 07-10-06, 12:50 AM

I thought it was a good movie, it got really bad when those gangsters starting helping her

SPiRAL · 07-10-06, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fok

I thought it was a good movie, it got really bad when those gangsters starting helping her

Yeah, but at least one of those 'gangters' was Crabman from Earl.

Mondo Kane · 07-10-06, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPiRAL

Yeah, but at least one of those 'gangters' was Crabman from Earl.

That's what prevented me from rolling my eyes at those scenes too! "Hey Crabman!"

eedoon · 02-22-08, 02:31 PM

Just saw this on DVD earlier tonight for the first time (didn't get to see it on theater).

I'm so thoroughly entertained and I loved the movie a lot. Keke Palmer and those other kid actors were great.

Mondo Kane · 02-22-08, 02:50 PM

This has become one of those movies that I always have to stop and watch for awhile when flipping through the channels. Sadly, the day I watched it with the whole family, it was on one of the sister-Showtime channels, so non-HD. Although my family didn't notice it, the fullframe presentation ruined the viewing for me.

Brack · 02-22-08, 02:58 PM

I'm no advocate of fullframe movies, but it's "Akeelah and the Bee." It's not the most visually important movie in the world.

Mondo Kane · 02-22-08, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brack

I'm no advocate of fullframe movies, but it's "Akeelah and the Bee." It's not the most visually important movie in the world.

One visually important clue was lost though. When Fishburne's character creates noise to distract Akeelah's jump-roping. The camera just pans and follows Fishburne. The viewer has no idea how Akeelah's responding. The movie's in 2:35, by the way.

Brack · 02-22-08, 05:57 PM

ah, I stand corrected.

05-20-06, 08:58 PM	#1
Patman DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: Duluth, GA, USA Posts: 37,452	Akeelah and the Bee - quick review While the story of "Akeelah and the Bee" follows the classical underdog rags-to-riches structure, the execution is superb, and cast is uniformily good. Who'd thought a film about competitive spelling could inspire people of all ages (well if you had seen "Spellbound" from a few years ago, you would, but I digress). If you have a son or daughter in grade school or middle school, take them to see this film, it's definitely a film that the entire family can enjoy and take something from it in the process. I give it 3.75 stars, or a grade of A-. __________________ PatCave; Flickr; Dragon*Con 2012; Comic-Con 2012 According to DGibFen, I'm a "freaking genius." "Jee-sus, it's like Iwo Jima out there." - Roger Sterling

05-20-06, 11:10 PM	#3
movielib DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Madison, WI ("77 square miles surrounded by reality") Posts: 27,146	I was beginning to suspect I was the only person in America to see this film. It's a wonderful film, with great performances (I'd like to see Keke Palmer get a Best Actress nomination; I thought she was better than that Whale Rider girl who got one). It's not perfect; there are some cliches and a few unlikely plot devices but the resolution is quite clever (although you can see it coming). I agree with Patman's rating. It's a feel good film that earns every feeling. One of the best films of the year so far. __________________ "What I 'dislike' the most is that I find myself agreeing with you more than anyone else on this forum. Damn, that sucks." - DeputyDave

07-09-06, 11:47 PM	#7
Mondo Kane DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 8,004	Saw this over the weekend and enjoyed it. I was surprised by the movie's freshness when the eventual cliche'd moments had to show up. But the performances and swift direction managed to keep the movie rolling nicely and the viewer interested. A good job by everyone involved. But man, it's so damn strange to see BOOGER as such a nice,mild-mannered principal! __________________ F-nado

02-22-08, 02:50 PM	#12
Mondo Kane DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 8,004	This has become one of those movies that I always have to stop and watch for awhile when flipping through the channels. Sadly, the day I watched it with the whole family, it was on one of the sister-Showtime channels, so non-HD. Although my family didn't notice it, the fullframe presentation ruined the viewing for me. __________________ F-nado

05-20-06, 09:51 PM	#2
david12 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Carrollton, Tx Posts: 615	Anyone heard about the distribution company, theater chains allowing every teacher to see this film for free between now and sometime next week? This is one of those films that I want to see and have heard nothing but good things about...but one of those films that really doesn't warrant a movie theater experience (to me at least). Unless it is free.

05-21-06, 01:22 AM	#4
SPiRAL DVD Talk Platinum Edition Join Date: May 2003 Location: Los Angeles , California Posts: 3,465	I enjoyed this little movie. The boy who played, Javier was great. He brought the right amount of comedy to the movie. I give it a solid B.

05-21-06, 01:36 AM	#5
grifter Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Rochester Posts: 137	Does it live up to fictional spelling bee genre standard set by Bee Season?

07-10-06, 12:50 AM	#8
Fok DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Canada, BC Posts: 6,647	I thought it was a good movie, it got really bad when those gangsters starting helping her

02-22-08, 02:31 PM	#11
eedoon DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: On the penis chair Posts: 5,165	Just saw this on DVD earlier tonight for the first time (didn't get to see it on theater). I'm so thoroughly entertained and I loved the movie a lot. Keke Palmer and those other kid actors were great.

02-22-08, 02:58 PM	#13
Brack Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 4,980	I'm no advocate of fullframe movies, but it's "Akeelah and the Bee." It's not the most visually important movie in the world.

02-22-08, 05:57 PM	#15
Brack Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 4,980	ah, I stand corrected.