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** STARS

If you have been living under a rock lately you may not know that Dreamworks and Jerry Seinfeld released their MUCH hyped “Bee Movie” this weekend, and being a cartoon lover I had to check out the spectacle myself on opening day. Much like “Shark Tale” this movie disappoints on so many levels it is hard to imagine this film was made for anything but to make money. It gives me no pleasure to say that “Bee Movie” is shallow, hollow and just plain boring in parts. Not to mention the premise is ridiculous, even for a cartoon.

I am not a big Seinfeld fan so right out of the gate I was not convinced his voice work would be enough to make this comedy float and illicit genuine laughs. Watching a bee version of Jerry Seinfeld may sound hilarious to a super fan but for kids and people that don’t like his brand of humor this movie is torture. At times the jokes fly over your head faster than a swarm of bee’s and then within seconds of the same scene the film goes for the easy bee pun and obvious jokes.

“Bee Movie” at times seems more targeted towards an adult audience then for kids, and this is the movies main flaw. Seinfeld’s brand of comedy will leave many toddlers and little kids scratching their heads. The animation may be lush and perfect but the voice work in this “kiddie flick” is lazy and unimaginative. The one memorable character in “Bee Movie” is Chris Rock’s work as the mosquito.

“Bee Movie” is not in the same league as a Pixar film, it’s not even close. I even prefer the work that FOX studios has put out recently like “Ice Age” and “Open Season” compared to this kind of bland cookie cutter type of computer animation. I am sure “Bee Movie” will be huge, spawn a toy line and possibly a sequel. But don’t be fooled, this movie won’t leave the lasting impression we expect from these type of high profile animated feature films.