Maya the Bee (film)
| Company type | Animated film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment, Animation, Film |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Founder | Alexs Stadermann (director) |
| Headquarters | Munich (Studio 100 Animation), Sydney (Buzz Studios) , Germany, Australia |
Key people | Alexs Stadermann (director), Patrick Elmendorff (producer), Thorsten Wegener (producer), Jim Ballantine (producer), Barbara Stephen (producer) |
| Products | Animated films |
| Parent | Studio 100 Animation, Buzz Studios |
Maya the Bee (also released in theaters as Maya the Bee Movie) is a 2014 animated adventure comedy helmed by director Alexs Stadermann. This film draws inspiration from the 1975 anime series Maya the Bee and the German children's novel The Adventures of Maya the Bee authored by Waldemar Bonsels. The production was undertaken by Studio 100 Animation alongside Buzz Studios, with distribution handled by StudioCanal in Australia and Universum Film across Germany. The voice ensemble features talents such as Coco Jack Gillies, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Noah Taylor, Richard Roxburgh, Jacki Weaver, Justine Clarke, The Umbilical Brothers, and Miriam Margolyes.
Premiering on 4 September 2014, Maya the Bee garnered mixed reactions from critics but achieved a global box office total of $29.6 million. It served as the foundation for a franchise that includes two sequels: The Honey Games (2018) and The Golden Orb (2021), along with an anticipated spin-off titled Arnie & Barney, slated for release in 2026.
Plot
Maya, raised within a strictly regulated hive society, faces exile after discovering Buzzlina Von Beena’s scheme to pilfer the Queen’s royal jelly. Teaming up with her close friend Willy and a young hornet named Sting, Maya embarks on a mission to thwart this conspiracy and avert a looming war between bees and hornets.
Voice cast
- Coco Jack Gillies voices Maya, a spirited young bee.
- Kodi Smit-McPhee portrays Willy, Maya’s loyal companion.
- Joel Franco as Sting, an allied young hornet.
- Richard Roxburgh plays Flip, a grasshopper character.
- Justine Clarke provides the voice for Miss Cassandra, Maya’s educator and maternal figure.
- Jacki Weaver embodies Buzzlina Von Beena, the royal advisor and main antagonist.
- Andy McPhee voices Hank, hornet leader and Sting’s father.
- Miriam Margolyes as The Queen.
- David Collins as Arnie, an ant soldier.
- Shane Dundas as Barney, also an ant soldier.
- Jimmy James Eaton as Paul, colonel of ants.
- Heather Mitchell as The Nurse, head of worker bees.
- Noah Taylor plays Crawley, assistant to the Queen and former henchman.
- Cameron Ralph voices Momo, a moth.
- Glenn Fraser as Kurt, a dung beetle.
- Heather Mitchell also portrays Thekla, a spider antagonist.
- Stavroula Mountzouris as Lara, Willy’s romantic interest.
- Sam Haft as Drago, a dragonfly.
Production
The film’s distribution in German-speaking territories was managed by Universum Film through Buena Vista International, while StudioCanal oversaw its release in Australasia. Alexs Stadermann directed the project with production led by Patrick Elmendorff and Thorsten Wegener from Studio 100 Animation based in Munich, alongside Jim Ballantine and Barbara Stephen representing Buzz Studios in Sydney. Collaborators included Flying Bark Productions and broadcaster ZDF. Notably, this project marked Coco Jack Gillies’ first voice acting role at just nine years old.
Reception
According to reviews compiled on Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a percentage of favorable critiques with an average score reflecting mixed opinions. On Metacritic, it earned a rating of 49 out of 100 from seven critics, signifying "mixed or average" feedback.
Frank Hatherley of Screen Daily commended the film’s visual style, dynamic action sequences, and Coco Jack Gillies’ portrayal of Maya. Peter Debruge from Variety labeled the storyline as "innocuous and uninspired" and criticized the simplistic character designs but acknowledged it provided relief for parents weary of overly hectic insect-themed movies while engaging its intended young audience through Maya’s interactions. Michael Rechtstaffen of The Hollywood Reporter suggested the film’s appeal might be limited primarily to preschool-aged girls but praised both its narrative and voice performances.
Animation historian Charles Solomon writing for the Los Angeles Times questioned aspects of the dialogue and conclusion, describing it as "a self-consciously uplifting treacle that some adults believe children desire." Jake Wilson from The Sydney Morning Herald found the plot "tiredly predictable" yet appreciated the animation quality and Maya’s characterization.
Awards and Honors
| Award | Category | Recipient(s) | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asia Pacific Screen Award | Best Animated Feature Film | Barbara Stephen & Thorsten Wegener | Template:Nom |
| Bavarian Film Award | Best Animated Film | Patrick Elemendorff & Thorsten Wegener | Template:Won |
| Screen Producers Australia Award | Best Feature Film Production | Barbara Stephen & Thorsten Wegener | Template:Nom |
| Seattle International Film Festival | Youth Jury Award | Alexs Stadermann | Template:Nom |
| Stockholm International Film Festival | Grand Jury Prize for Best Film | Template:Nom |