Maya the Bee

Maya the Bee has been a screen regular since Waldemar Bonsels published his beloved children's book in 1912, with a 1924 German feature made with real bees, as well as TV incarnations including a Japanese anime version. Here, an Australian cast puts a new spin on a story that sees the rebellious Maya (voiced by Coco Jack Willies) being turfed out of the hive by the villainous Buzzlina (Jacki Weaver) in her bid to usurp the queen (Miriam Margolyes) by claiming that some hated hornets have stolen the royal jelly. Aided by her friend Willy (Kodi Smit-McPhee), Flip the grasshopper (Richard Roxburgh) and a young hornet named Sting (Joel Franco), Maya is able to save the day and discover both the importance of being oneself and getting on with all the creatures in the meadow. The message is sensible enough, but director Alexs Stadermann lays it on thick in places and grown-ups will find Maya's relentless chirpiness a little wearisome. Much of the vocal work is serviceable rather than inspired and the same is true of the colourful but plastic CGI graphics. But tinier viewers will be amused, especially by a pair of goofy army ants.