Akeelah and the Bee Reviews

It isn't just about the competition. It is about heart, dedication, intelligence and the pulling together of a entire community.

Full Review | Original Score: A

Akeelah and the Bee is the kind of movie you want to recommend to every 11-year-old you know.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5

The best thing ... is that, unlike the majority of sports films, the film doesn't suggest that spelling has some kind of transcendental importance.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5

It's hard to believe the best family film so far this year comes from a writer-director whose previous film bears the unfortunate title The Pornographer.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4

Fine performances all around and smart pacing that rivets us to the story.

Full Review

Any parents wondering why they don't make wholesome family flicks anymore can stop wondering.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/4

This is a film that couldn't be more predictable or more joyful. I just hope I haven't misspelled anything.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5

...a sporadically engaging drama.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4

If there's ever any evidence that originality and predictability aren't necessarily absolute elements by which to judge a movie, Akeelah and the Bee is it.

Full Review | Original Score: 8/10

It's every bit as clichéd and predictable as you'd expect, but thanks to some fine performances, especially from the young leads, it is quite watchable.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4

While there's a temptation to dismiss Akeelah and the Bee as Good Will Spelling, there aren't enough (good) heartwarming films like this for either younger or older audiences.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

It's hard not to fall in love with the film

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

Give it an m, i, s, s.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/5

The film has an important, uplifting message; shame it couldn't be encased in a less faked-up story.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5

The young star is such a little cutey-pie and the plot so cleverly manipulative that, whatever its faults, you'll still have a lump in your throat throughout.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

There's charm in this simple underdog tale, but clunky plotting and characterisation mean it has 'telemovie' written all over it. You'd be better off renting Spellbound instead.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

Its clichés seem bigger and its characterisations broader than they would on the more forgiving telly.

Full Review

This isn't a patch on Spellbound ... but its strong performances and its skilful deployment of the finest, hand-picked cliches ensures that it remains enjoyable throughout.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

As much a fantasy as Lord of the Rings.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

However eager to entertain and even to model some ways of living life, the film doesn't wheedle us for our love or our devotion, and perhaps for that reason, it earns both.

Full Review | Original Score: B