Akeelah and the Bee
Lionsgate | Release Date: April 28, 2006
7.7
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 90 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
73
Mixed:
10
Negative:
7
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
9
Trev29Jan 18, 2014
All in all, this is an incredibly inspiring movie that is so heartfelt and intellectual at the same time. A very rare film that will make any age group fall in love with the characters.
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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0
SangheliZealotXJun 2, 2015
This movie is AWFUL, I can't believe it got a 72, it deserves a 7.2. We're watching this in class, and I wish we were actually doing classwork instead of watching it, that's how bad it is. There's a cliche every 5 seconds and it's insanelyThis movie is AWFUL, I can't believe it got a 72, it deserves a 7.2. We're watching this in class, and I wish we were actually doing classwork instead of watching it, that's how bad it is. There's a cliche every 5 seconds and it's insanely cringe worthy at almost all moments, it's not even remotely realistic, how do people like this? **** this movie.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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1
lukechristianscApr 27, 2014
i already seen keke win the spelling be a thousands of times . this movie is gay an i can not believe critics are loving this . Grade F..........................................................................
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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9
KwaiD.Oct 3, 2006
A rather uplifting movie with a thoughtful purpose and meaning that resonates with the viewer. A definite must see.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
TyeN.Oct 3, 2006
Although it has a few too many clichéd montages towards the end, and a couple of far fetched moments, the emotion is absolutely real. Keke Palmer is astounding and fierce as Akeelah, a very intelligent and lovable eleven-year-old who Although it has a few too many clichéd montages towards the end, and a couple of far fetched moments, the emotion is absolutely real. Keke Palmer is astounding and fierce as Akeelah, a very intelligent and lovable eleven-year-old who is unfortunately born in a poor neighborhood and attends a poor school. It rang especially true for me as I grew up in a similar situation. Even if you can't relate (and there are many relatable levels here), you should still enjoy 'Akeelah and the Bee' as a film that the whole family can watch and be inspired by.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
MarkB.May 2, 2006
Midway through 2002's world-class, Oscar-nominated documentary Spellbound, someone describes those nationwide spelling bees that have become ESPN staples as a form of legalized child abuse. I don't think I'd go THAT far, but Midway through 2002's world-class, Oscar-nominated documentary Spellbound, someone describes those nationwide spelling bees that have become ESPN staples as a form of legalized child abuse. I don't think I'd go THAT far, but near the end of Akeelah and the Bee, we hear the stressed-out stage father of an obsessively hardworking contestant describe his son in a way that, while technically true, is so potentially psychically damaging that, yes, it DOES come across as cruel and unusual punishment no matter how well or how badly the poor kid ends up doing. This sets the stage for several key events that follow, but it's a rare painful moment in a movie that's otherwise so warm, appealing and thoroughly irresistable--a feel-good movie of such a high order that I almost hate to risk giving even the slightest impression of, uh, dissing it by labeling it with that slightly pejorative term. In fact, a comparison between this and the somewhat similarly-themed but annoyingly cliched and fraudulent classroom/ ballroom opus Take the Lead (also currently in theaters) truly illustrates Roger Ebert's pet statement (quoting Jean-Luc Godard) that the best way to criticize one movie is with another movie. Not that Akeelah and the Bee can exactly be accused of originality, mind you; you'll definitely find traces and echoes of Rocky, The Karate Kid, The Bad News Bears, Cool Runnings, Whale Rider and many, many more, but it's obvious from early on that writer-director Doug Atchison is working from his heart rather than a checklist. It's easy to see why Atchison has won screenwriting awards for this: in telling his tale of am inner-city junior-high school girl (Keke Palmer, who is flawless) who beats the odds and discovers her unique and special gifts by rising in the ranks of "the Bee", Atchison does a wonderful job of setting up situations, relationships and characters that yield payoffs that may sometimes be predictable but are no less completely pleasing for that. (His use of a very simple child's toy actually leads to TWO payoffs: one heartbreaking, the other unbelievably joyous and triumphant.) I didn't say Atchison's script was exactly PERFECT:Akeelah's mom (Angela Bassett), though credibly overworked and overwhelmed, is clueless as to what her daughter's been doing away from home a bit too long to be completely convincing, and Atchison's method of pumping up suspense in an early round by logistically placing a supporting character in a logistically convenient vantage point is a wee bit TOO miraculous. But when watching Akeelah move up, expand her horizons, develop her self-esteem and energize her community (in a montage sequence that completes Hillary Clinton's much-misunderstood statement about it taking a village to raise a child; here it works in reverse as well), I doubt that you'll be picking apart her creator's work for too long! And as effective, satisfying, funny and moving as the rest of this movie is, the national spelling bee climax delivers extraordinarily beyond expectations. You don't have to be Cal Thomas or Michael Medved to believe that sometimes what a movie says is at least as important as how it says it, and Akeelah and her opponents do something in the final twenty minutes that beautifully encapsulates the endangered concept of "healthy competition". In a day and time in which Mark Burnett acts as our primary advisor as to what qualifies as fair play, when America's Number One corporation practices a business philosophy of not only beating its competitors but completely annihilating them, when a leading politician sums up the current state of our nation's political discourse by comparing bipartisanship to date rape, and when it's getting near-impossible to tell whether our athletic superstars are setting records with or without pharmaceutical enhancement, the sheer decency promoted by Akeelah and the Bee and its characters makes it impossible to respond to this movie in any other way but to simply treasure it.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
MarcK.May 29, 2006
Very sweet film. Sometimes it got a bit hokey though. I join others and applaud Keke Palmer's performance.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
JayS.May 3, 2006
Almost unbearably predictable. Yet, if you do not bolt the theatre early on, which you should feel free to do, a certain minor alchemy occurs and in my case I began to enjoy this feather of a movie in spite of itself and myself. Please just Almost unbearably predictable. Yet, if you do not bolt the theatre early on, which you should feel free to do, a certain minor alchemy occurs and in my case I began to enjoy this feather of a movie in spite of itself and myself. Please just go in knowing not the slightest hope of surprise exists, and apply any anti-cliche remedies, vaccines or therapies you know of liberally.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
DoctorP.Jul 4, 2006
you only think you know the final outcome, but even so, there r so many little treats along the way to make even the journey pleasurable. given the inherant difficulty of making any spelling b seem exciting for any1 not directly involved, you only think you know the final outcome, but even so, there r so many little treats along the way to make even the journey pleasurable. given the inherant difficulty of making any spelling b seem exciting for any1 not directly involved, this movie is a triumph. sure, the story has been told b4 - what story hasn't? but not this well, or as heart tuggingly (if thats a word). this is family entertainment with a profound messege & a great deal of fun along the way.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
AdamApr 22, 2006
Phenomenal -- best performances I've ever seen from Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett, and 12-year-old Keke Palmer is incredible...
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
KenP.Apr 23, 2006
Anyone who's seen Spellbound won't be surprised that a movie about the national spelling bee can be exciting, funny and uplifting. A really enjoyable movie, with some terrific performances, especially from some of the kids.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
DWillyApr 30, 2006
Very cool in the way of inspirational stories about the transformational power of education. It choked me up on a regular basis; although I times I did feel I was being played for a bit of a sap, as when the local drug lord comes aboard to Very cool in the way of inspirational stories about the transformational power of education. It choked me up on a regular basis; although I times I did feel I was being played for a bit of a sap, as when the local drug lord comes aboard to help Akeelah with her spelling, and himself transforms into a Sesame Street drug lord. The young girl is mostly effective and Fishburne is quite good; but Angela Bassett, in her refusal to surender her Shakespearian diva act although being asked to portray a tough mom in the ghetto, is ridiculous.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
DebraW.May 10, 2006
Akeelah and the Bee is such a pleasant retreat from the "norm" in movies today. Great acting and the content is not "sappy" for its PG rating. I enjoyed it, and will encourage all to see it. Particularly, if you want a break from the sex, Akeelah and the Bee is such a pleasant retreat from the "norm" in movies today. Great acting and the content is not "sappy" for its PG rating. I enjoyed it, and will encourage all to see it. Particularly, if you want a break from the sex, violence, blood and gore.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
PaulK.May 4, 2006
Great! One of the best films I've seen so far this year. Keke Palmer is spot on and I thoroughly enjoyed the unconventional ending. If you have any interest in this at all, you'll be pleasantly surprised.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
CariMay 5, 2006
Yes it's predictable, but still it's a nice feel good/family flick. I'll get the DVD when it comes out.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
MaseMay 6, 2006
Well we already have the far superior documentary "spellbound" and also the miscalculated "bee season". this fits somwhere between. Often predictable and too long, there is still a uplifting spirit and strong performances throughout. You Well we already have the far superior documentary "spellbound" and also the miscalculated "bee season". this fits somwhere between. Often predictable and too long, there is still a uplifting spirit and strong performances throughout. You will smile throughout. Go if you can't stomach watching a documentary.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
[Anonymous]Aug 2, 2006
supurb in every way, sweet, strong, powerful, meaningful, really good to see if you are nervous, it practically sooths your mind and fixes your problems.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
JakeG.Sep 9, 2006
A great movie. Lovable characters. Really pulled on the 2 strongest emotions theatre can pull, laughter and tears. A wonderful production.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
KentG.Apr 29, 2006
My wife, myself and my 6 year old son loved this film, and I would recommend it to anyone. While some critics have accused this movie of being formulaic, it does exactly what it sets out to. It is not meant to be high art - it is a message My wife, myself and my 6 year old son loved this film, and I would recommend it to anyone. While some critics have accused this movie of being formulaic, it does exactly what it sets out to. It is not meant to be high art - it is a message film for children. It is in fact, the best family film I have seen in ages.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
MissyV.May 22, 2006
Everyone in our family enjoyed the movie... one you won't forget. We'll be adding it to our DVD collection.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
ChadS.May 6, 2006
"Glory Road" was a feel-contrived film, and even though "Akeelah and the Bee" is a slave to formula like the Don Haskins biopic, this variation of the sports movie-formula truly makes you feel-good. Most importantly, it builds a bridge "Glory Road" was a feel-contrived film, and even though "Akeelah and the Bee" is a slave to formula like the Don Haskins biopic, this variation of the sports movie-formula truly makes you feel-good. Most importantly, it builds a bridge between academia and the perception that African-Americans steeped in hip-hop culture are hostile towards education. The scene between Akeelah(Keke Palmer) and one her wayward older brother's friend is the film's highlight. His story, you can sense, is a cautionary tale about what happens when peer pressure stifles your potential.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
JudyT.May 6, 2006
An almost excellent movie. A real feel good film and there's nothing wrong with that especially these days. The acting was excellent, even the supporting characters did a great job. It got my daughter thinking about big words and that a An almost excellent movie. A real feel good film and there's nothing wrong with that especially these days. The acting was excellent, even the supporting characters did a great job. It got my daughter thinking about big words and that a really, good thing.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
SusanMay 7, 2006
Best movie thus far this year. If you think you can predict how it ends, you are wrong. Great acting all around.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
PeteM.Aug 26, 2006
This is a smart, warmhearted feature that succeeds at overcoming the inherent foibles of such a limited genre. Traditionally, I don
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
PaulF.Aug 31, 2006
This movie took me by suprise. i had crocidile tears in my eyes for about half of the movie. I suspect this was manipulatively done but isn't that what a movie is suppose to do, draw you in? At any rate this movie not only was very This movie took me by suprise. i had crocidile tears in my eyes for about half of the movie. I suspect this was manipulatively done but isn't that what a movie is suppose to do, draw you in? At any rate this movie not only was very entertaining but had all the right messages, of hard work, striving toward excellence, believing in yourself, teamwork, family, friendship, connection, healing compassion, and love. Akeelah and the Bee is a tremendous movie with a spirited heart.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
ClaudiaB.Nov 7, 2006
Excellent movie that portrayed an African AMerican female in a positive manner. Kudos to the producers and the acting cast. KeKe Palmer, Angela Bassett, and Laurence Fishburne- you are a complete unit. The whole Kenwood High School viewed Excellent movie that portrayed an African AMerican female in a positive manner. Kudos to the producers and the acting cast. KeKe Palmer, Angela Bassett, and Laurence Fishburne- you are a complete unit. The whole Kenwood High School viewed your movie and discussed various character traits that were associated with the movie. Our school is reflective of some of the same demographics associated with the movie- many students were inspired to learn new words.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
JoeyM.Apr 28, 2006
Keke Palmer definitely carries this movie, which veers into the lame territory at times, but overall is a pretty good movie for a feel-good movie.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
PhyllisG.Sep 24, 2006
This movie was very educational and touching.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
PaulD.Jan 14, 2007
Appealing, but just too formulaic, unbelievable and predictable to rise above a run-of-the-mill Karate Kid type story.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
hardkor33Aug 5, 2013
Akeelah and the Bee 7/10..............................................................................................................................
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
MovieGuysSep 20, 2013
You will be amazed by this movies ability to make you laugh and cry at the same time; and Keke Palmer is just great. There are some flaws, but 75% of the movie is on par.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
DawdlingPoetNov 24, 2021
This is a decent and family friendly (for the most part) film - I suppose its a drama, although its not especially dramatic, its more insightful. There are some cliches present but I didn't feel it was entirely preachy or anything. I supposeThis is a decent and family friendly (for the most part) film - I suppose its a drama, although its not especially dramatic, its more insightful. There are some cliches present but I didn't feel it was entirely preachy or anything. I suppose perhaps a fair term to use in relation to the social commentary aspect of this film (or maybe instead of term I should say word - which is particularly relevant given the theme - this is a film about words! and I don't mean word as in respect(!)) would be wholesome. It felt fairly contemporary and has some decent performances. I could understand the main characters anxiety and concern relating to the pressure felt from others in terms of their hopes for her achievement. I've been aware of spelling bee contests for a few years and I like to think my spelling is ok - not amazing but certainly not awful, so I was slightly interested in the whole concept of this 'industry', if I may call it that, as it were etc. This is pretty clearly a film, a slightly Disney-ish (although its live action) one but not one that seemed completely artificial. I thought that Laurence Fishbourne gave a good performance as a Unviersity Professor turned Spelling Bee tutor. I kept thinking that this is the guy who was in The Matrix - its not quite so high drama, his role in this but its a good performance never the less. Have no doubt about it, there's cheese here but its not a bad film. I would recommend it as a mostly family friendly and somewhat intriguing watch, yes.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
beamyappleSep 10, 2020
uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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