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"Akeelah and the Bee" is the story of an eleven-year-old
Compton girl who wants to become the first spelling bee
champion to come from the poor, Los Angeles hood. Keke Palmer
stars as the title character and is effervescent in her
performance. Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne bring
the goods like they always can be counted on to do. However,
I can't recommend this movie because I feel like I've seen
it all before. Even the supposed twist near the end seemed
hollow. ***
Writer/director Doug Hutchinson does an admirable job
honing this film. It does touch on the feel-good aspect
of achieving your highest goals when the odds are against
you. Fishburne is the grumpy, yet effective coach that sees
that Akeelah could have what it takes. I liked this character
better when it was played by Clint Eastwood in "Million
Dollar Baby." It was great when Pat Morita played this character
in "Karate Kid." I could go on by listing countless sports
films, but I'll spare you. ***
There are some nice moments in "Akeelah and the Bee."
It was fairly cute when she develops a friendship/flirtation
with a fellow spelling bee competitor. I'd be completely
heartless if I didn't find her reaching out to a bully a
little moving. When a gangsta starts rooting for our heroine,
it gets Hokey with a capitol "H." The story is wrapped up
in a neat little package, with a lovely bow on top and containing
a comfortable gift, like a Whitman's Sampler box of chocolates
or a Chia-Pet. ***
Image and Sound:
There's nothing to complain about here. The picture
and sound quality are on the precise right level. ***
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