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Critics Consensus: A warm, family-friendly underdog story, featuring terrific supporting performances from Keke Palmer, Laurence Fishburne, and Angela Bassett.
Critic Consensus: A warm, family-friendly underdog story, featuring terrific supporting performances from Keke Palmer, Laurence Fishburne, and Angela Bassett.
All Critics (140) | Top Critics (33) | Fresh (119) | Rotten (21) | DVD (4)
Akeelah obeys every sports-movie rule, but trading end-zone dances for etymology gives it a geeky innocence. What's the word? Splendiferous.
Its clichés seem bigger and its characterisations broader than they would on the more forgiving telly.
... it's easy to overlook that contrivance, because the movie's heart is so clearly in the right place.
The latest spelling bee movie is a Starbucks Entertainment product, and it has a made-to-order feel about it, kind of like a compilation album.
Keke Palmer, who's been working in television and movies for the past few years, is a natural on screen.
It's the kind of movie parents will want their kids to see as opposed to much of what's playing at the multiplex.
It isn't just about the competition. It is about heart, dedication, intelligence and the pulling together of a entire community.
Akeelah and the Bee is the kind of movie you want to recommend to every 11-year-old you know.
The best thing ... is that, unlike the majority of sports films, the film doesn't suggest that spelling has some kind of transcendental importance.
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.
Fine performances all around and smart pacing that rivets us to the story.
Any parents wondering why they don't make wholesome family flicks anymore can stop wondering.
31/07/2010 (TELEVISION) This is something different in topic but still uses a plot and story-structure that is very familiar, but otherwise it's still a worthy film to see. Another "Rags to Riches" theme but with a very interesting topic which had my eyes glued because my interest was very stimulated, "Akeelah and the Bee" is a great movie that squeezed hope out of me and made my experience a real journey. A decent choice for all.
Super Reviewer
Almost every spelling bee movie ever made is cheesy and totally predictable. Akeelah and the Bee, though, is a very clever, well crafted, beautiful movie. It's young but talented cast are admirable, and will have you cheering them on all the way.
This film was an eye opener to what its like for someone who wants to be in a spelling bee.
It follows a formulaic plot structure, but I really liked how it explored the cultural and social divisions amongst classes in Los Angeles.
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