Is there no action film that Jason Statham can’t easily fit into? whether comedic, serious, or thrilling, Statham can do it all by bringing charisma, smiles, and some excellent stunt choreography to the big screen. His latest outing has the world buzzing in The Beekeeper which puts Statham in the center of a major phishing scam that goes to the top most powerful people in charge. The Beekeeper is the stepbrother of the John Wick franchise with its ultra-violent scenes of mayhem, an unknown world of elite forces that follow a code, and a great protagonist who has earned a spot next to the iconic John Wick.
Director David Ayer and writer Kurt Wimmer have certainly made a name for themselves over the years with their work. Films such as U-571, Training Day, Fury, Sphere, Equilibrium, and more have come from these two filmmakers. More recently though, the first iteration of Suicide Squad (no James Gunn in sight), and Bright on Netflix were also tentpole flicks that failed for Ayer. It seems that Wimmer and Ayer went back to having a blast with an ode to those ’80s and ’90s action flicks where explosions ruled the day. However, they brought the story into the modern day with a phishing scam and mirroring a lot of the story that has been told in John Wick.
Instead of a mysterious assassin’s world, it’s a secret elite military group known as the Beekeepers, where Statham’s character Adam Clay has retired and lives on a farm tending to bees. He’s brought back into the violent world after a phishing scam attacks one of his only friends virtually. And as the saying goes, Statham must protect the hive. Laughs aside and there are plenty of them, this story is simple and straight to the point and never messes around with side tangents. It’s all about Statham killing his way to the top of the food chain while instilling in people to not commit crimes against innocent hardworking people. The Beekeeper is the type of film where the villains are over-the-top bad and slimy as Josh Hutcherson’s character who is the epitome of a ruthless Grand Theft Auto video game character.
Ayer, Wimmer, and Statham certainly remind audiences that there is still a need for these types of action films. They’re just fun, and action-packed, and are not afraid to cross over into that R-rated silly violence. Cameos galore pack the screen, including Minnie Driver, Jeremy Irons, Phylicia Rashad, and more. But it’s Statham’s spot to shine and his charismatic persona always wins the day. This film can be a big franchise if they allow it to be. The world-building of these Beekeepers could be as big as the John Wick universe as it alludes in this film that there are more Beekeepers around the world. It’s a silly, violent movie that requires those popcorn eyes and big smiles. The Beekeeper is a winner.