Jason Statham is a Busy, Revenge-Seeking Bee (Keeper) in David Ayer’s “The Beekeeper”

Writing a review on Jason Statham’s early entry into the box office is a bit tricky. He’s known for his hard-hitting, ultra-violent roles and that has made him one of Hollywood’s most bankable actors, and his portrayal of Adam Clay in “The Beekeeper” is no different from the Statham we all know (and love).

“The Beekeeper” introduces us to Adam Clay (Statham) a literal beekeeper who tends to honeybees and minds his business. He finds a friend and surrogate mother in his neighbor “Mrs. Parker” (Phylicia Rashad), whom he delivers fresh honey to. Parker falls prey to a phishing scam that wipes two million dollars from the account she manages; overwhelmed with sadness, she commits suicide.

Clay finds out about this and ventures on a killing spree to avenge her death by going after everyone in the phishing company, from the top of the food chain to the bottom. As it turns out, he’s not an ordinary beekeeper; he’s an ex-Beekeeper, which is code for secret CIA intelligence that’s called to exterminate bad guys when the FBI can’t. As these stories go, he gets his revenge−but not in the way one would imagine.

Clay is in the eye of the storm due to being a lone mercenary. His actions may be noble but, in the grand scheme of things, it’s debatable whether they’re justifiable given that Parker isn’t related to him. He went overkill (literally) for someone who “was the only one who ever took care of me.”

Parker’s daughter, FBI Agent Verona Parker (Emmy Raver-Lampman), didn’t do a lick of the things he did: killing security agents, committing arson, and hacking into intelligence to name but a few−and she’s the bereaved. Again, his character is odd.

Also, Clay’s background contributes to the oddity of the film. Usually, mercenaries have some sort of backstory but his is rather sketchy. All we’re told is he’s a former Beekeeper with a bone to pick with everyone who isn’t the late Parker. What about his family? How did he become a Beekeeper? What motivated him to leave “beekeeping” and settle for a quiet life tending to actual bees?

Maybe director David Ayer and writer Kurt Wimmer intended to design a character that left more questions than answers. Mission accomplished.

Fight sequences are at the core of action-thrillers and “The Beekeeper” delivers stunt performances and action sequences that are well choreographed. From the hand-to-hand combat scenes to the gun-slinging ones, Ayer (unsurprisingly) makes the action scenes in the film both entertaining and skillful. His roster includes films like “Training Day,” “Fury,” and “Suicide Squad.” That should be enough to tell anyone that he’s an action-thriller expert.

Furthermore, films like “The Beekeeper” are up Statham’s alley; so, it’s no surprise that he nails every scene he’s in. It’s hard to take your eyes off him because he steals the show with his stealth, combat abilities, and knack for knowing exactly how to take down his enemies.

He tranquilized the current Beekeeper (Megan Lee), neck-stabbed security detail Lazarus (Taylor James) to death even though he (Lazarus) was half his size, and shot Derek (Josh Hutcherson), the sleazy heir to the throne of Danforth Enterprises, the company whose software was used to conduct the phishing scam that Parker fell prey to. As it turns out, he’s the real mastermind behind the scams and also happens to be the President of the United States’ son (Yes, a lot is going on in this film).

“The Beekeeper” is chaotic at best and it’s definitely not a bad film. If you don’t watch it for the plot, watch it for the love of Statham who proves once again that he “still got it” after years of being an action star.

“To bee or not to bee?” You be the honest judge.

“The Beekeeper” is showing in cinemas nationwide.

Release Date: January 12, 2024

Runtime: 1 hour 45 minutes, and 15 seconds

Streaming Service: None. Cinematic Release

Director: David Ayer

Cast: Jason Statham, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Josh Hutcherson, Bobby Naderi, Phylicia Rashad, and Jeremy Irons