Everyone has been the victim of an online phishing attempt at least once. A window suddenly appears instructing us to click here or dial this number urgently… Elderly people are particularly vulnerable to these fraudsters using increasingly formidable methods. Fraudsters who, through various virtual smokescreens, rarely pay for the lives they ruin. This is why there is something viscerally satisfying about The Beekeeper (The Guardian), an action film in which one of the emblematic figures of the said genre, Jason Statham, makes such bandits regret their crimes.
Sporting his usual inscrutable demeanor, the star plays Adam Clay, a misanthropic beekeeper who is in reality a former top secret agent. Harmless in appearance, formidable in reality: all sugar, all honey, to use an expression of the circumstances.
After his benefactress and only friend lost everything at the hands of web crooks, Clay decides to find, and punish, the culprits.
Before going any further, something needs to be clarified. Namely, an action film starring Jason Statham these days is a bit like the equivalent of an action film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger or Sylvester Stallone in the 1980s: we don’t know watch not for its narrative subtleties, but for the dose of adrenaline it provides.
Like his illustrious predecessors, Jason Statham has some characteristics of his own that we like to find from one production to another. In his case, these are hyper-paced and complex fights, mostly bare-handed, and dependent on years and years of martial arts training.
In any case, and to close this long introduction, the public who followed the actor Carry (The carrier) has Operation Fortune: Ruse of War (Operation Fortune. Ruse of war), Passing by Crank (Crinqué), The Mechanic (The mechanic) And Safe (Safe and sound), knows exactly what he hopes to find in each new film. On this level, The Beekeeper does not disappoint, far from it.
In fact, in this specific niche, this film is one of the actor’s most effective and entertaining.
Breathtaking sequences
Certainly, the physical prowess and charisma of the main actor have something to do with it, but the energetic and imaginative production of David Ayer also contributes.
Specialist in a type of detective drama that is both disenchanted and robust after having scripted Training Day (Training day) And dark blue (Dark blue), Ayer has produced small and large productions in this register, such as End of Watch (The force of order) And Bright. Although his best film undoubtedly remains the war drama Fury.
In short, Ayer has all the skills required to design and cut breathtaking action scenes. He also has a good eye for compositions, helped by the excellent director of photography Gabriel Beristain (Dolores Claiborne, Black Widow). Side look, The Beekeeper comes in above average (read our interview where the director goes into technical details).
In short, fans will appreciate the always explosive adventures of Jason Statham. Others will probably prefer to drink a cup of hot water. With honey.