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List Price: $14.98 | | Label: Lionsgate
Salesrank: 16884
Released: August 29, 2006 |
| Our Price: $5.26 |
| Used Price: $2.34 |
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MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
An inspirational drama, Akeelah and the Bee is the story of Akeelah Anderson (Keke Palmer), a precocious eleven-year-old girl from south Los Angeles with a gift for words. Despite the objections of her mother Tanya (Angela Bassett), Akeelah enters various spelling contests, for which she is tutored by the forthright Dr. Larabee (Laurence Fishburne); her principal Mr. Welch (Curtis Armstrong) and the proud residents of her neighborhood. Akeelah’s aptitude earns her an opportunity to compete for a spot in the Scripps National Spelling Bee and in turn unites her neighborhood who witness the courage and inspiration of one amazing little girl.
Description of Akeelah and the Bee:
There aren't enough superlatives in the dictionary to describe the excellence of Akeelah and the Bee. Superbly written and directed by Doug Atchison, this PG-rated family drama covers the same dramatic territory as the acclaimed 2002 documentary Spellbound and the 2005 drama Bee Season, but the fictional story of 11-year-old Akeelah Anderson (Keke Palmer) is, if anything, even more entertaining, inspiring, and full of hope for the potential of children everywhere. Although reluctant at first (and fearful of being labeled a "brainiac" by classmates at her under-funded middle school in South Central Los Angeles), Akeelah grows determined to win the district, regional, and ultimately the Scripps National Spelling Bee, aided by the able coaching of an English professor (Laurence Fishburne) who, like Akeelah's overworked single mother (Angela Bassett) is slowly recovering from a devastating personal loss. Structured like a conventional sports drama, Akeelah and the Bee rises above its generic trappings to become an uplifting and deeply moving study of friendship, pride, fair play, and above all, the value of self-confidence and realization that there's more to life than winning. As played by the young Palmer in an award-worthy performance, Akeelah is a winner in the best sense of the word, and so is this wonderfully positive movie. --Jeff Shannon
Akeelah and the Bee Reviews:
Akeelah and the Bee 
2009-12-26 - A feel-good movie that also feels genuine. Particularly valuable for young audiences. A movies that will leave you choked up and cheering.
Wonderful, feel-good film
2009-12-19 - "Akeelah and the Bee" is one of the finest and most enjoyable films I've seen in years. There are many messages for kids to learn, regarding self-worth, peer pressure and making positive choices in one's life at a young age. There's little I can say that hasn't been said, but I'd like to address a few issues that were brought to mind. First, I really believe that the public educational systems are doing their best to encourage the kids. Societal pressures to be "cool" often, I think, have prevented many young people from realizing potential. Also, parents are as much a force in the educational development of kids as the teachers. There is a balance that must be maintained, and knowing your kids' strengths and weaknesses. Certainly, Akeelah's mother had issues that kept her from initially knowing the passion of her child to succeed. The Korean kid's father also had selfish issues. Finding that fine line is tough; parenting is tough. Also, this could be about any child who is in a less than affluent household. The fact that Akeelah is Black is incidental. That said, I simply can't believe that this film by Doug Atchison won only a few awards. The acting is without any weak spot; Fishburne and Bassett are fresh and in touch with their material (as in "What's Love Got to Do with It", where Oscar recognized both with noms). The amazingly auspicious debut of Keke Palmer as Akeelah can only be regarded as brilliant, and a huge ? in those awards choices. The excellent screenplay and editing kept things in perspective.This film is suspenseful, endearing, humorous, insightful...and the lessons to be learned can only be a positive influence on all who see it. MOST highly recommended.
Very inspiring movie 
2009-12-18 - Our entire family enjoyed watching this movie. It was inspiring and the acting was very well done. A caution for families...there are a few swear words, which the movie could have easily done without (it only detracted from the movie rather than adding to it) which is why I give it a four-star rating instead of a five-star rating. However, all in all this was a great movie of triumph and perseverance that I would highly recommend.
Sweet but marred by cliches 
2009-11-22 - The Bottom Line:
Kids (or more likely, their parents) who find films like The Mighty Ducks insipid will no doubt find Akeelah and the Bee's focus on intellectual achievement refreshing, but those of you who have seen a movie or two will find the predictable elements of the storyline tedious and annoying; I liked this movie's pluck and charm, but I wish it hadn't been assembled from parts off the shelf.
2.5/4
Akeelah and the Bee
2009-09-25 - I use this DVD in middle school to teach goal setting. It is a great, inspirational movie.
