Akeelah and the Bee becomes one of the most life-affirming, inspiring and entertaining films of the year.

| Original Score: 3.5/4.0 | Sep 1, 2020

Akeelah obeys every sports-movie rule, but trading end-zone dances for etymology gives it a geeky innocence. What's the word? Splendiferous.

| Mar 15, 2018

Full Review | Original Score: B | Oct 3, 2012

| Original Score: A- | Feb 14, 2012

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

| Original Score: A | Nov 24, 2010

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

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 8, 2008

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

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Sep 18, 2007

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.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Jul 14, 2007

| Original Score: A+ | Apr 25, 2007

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

| Mar 1, 2007

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

| Original Score: 4/4 | Jan 22, 2007

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

| Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 9, 2006

...a sporadically engaging drama.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Nov 22, 2006

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.

| Original Score: 8/10 | Sep 21, 2006

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.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Sep 8, 2006

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.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 31, 2006

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

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 26, 2006

Give it an m, i, s, s.

| Original Score: 1/5 | Aug 19, 2006

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

| Original Score: 2/5 | Aug 19, 2006

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.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 18, 2006