REEL CRITICS:

Jerry Seinfeld takes center stage with his signature voice and observational humor as the animated insect star of “Bee Movie.”

As producer, screenwriter and star, Seinfeld devised the premise, primary dialogue and plot devices for this PG-rated film. He clearly aims to tap the audience that enjoyed the “Toy Story” and “Shrek” series.

More than half of those attending my screening were under 12 years of age.

The movie opens with several good-natured laughs as the world inside the beehive is brought to life for the kids.

But when Barry the Bee sneaks out of the hive, he discovers humans are stealing and selling their honey.

His attack on corporations involved in the evil honey theft leads to a comic courtroom drama that takes up much of the movie.

There are many funny moments led by Chris Rock’s hip mosquito character.

But the wry jokes and social commentary that follow are really over the heads of the younger viewers.

The adults chuckled occasionally, but the kids sat silent for most of the film. If “Bee Movie” were a student homework assignment it would earn a classic C+ grade. It’s not a failure but barely rates a passing grade.

True-crime tale of ’70s fresh, but ends poorly

Director Ridley Scott has fashioned another swaggeringly brutal classic with “American Gangster.”

Based on a true story, it’s in the tradition of other great crime stories like “The Godfather, “Serpico,” and “The French Connection.” Powerhouse performances by Russell Crowe, Denzel Washington and a top-notch supporting cast keep it fresh.

It’s the 1970s, and the war in Vietnam and the war on drugs are still officially in progress (and we know how well those turned out). The movie chronicles the career arcs of Frank Lucas (Washington) and Richie Roberts (Crowe), men with the tenacity of bulldogs who aren’t afraid to think outside the box.

There is a marked contrast between the two men’s exteriors — Richie is a scruffy undercover cop with an even messier personal life.

Frank, the savvy head of his own Harlem drug ring, oozes charm in conservative suits and takes his mama to church on Sundays, but will also set a man on fire as easily as look at him.

Ruby Dee deserves special recognition as Frank’s mother, the only person he will let talk back to him.

It’s a fascinating saga, and the tension builds to a pulse-pounding climax.

You almost don’t notice that Frank and Richie don’t actually meet until the last half-hour of the movie, and their on-screen battle of words is fun to watch.

I felt strangely let down by the ending, especially as the events were nonfiction.

Many of the bad guys get their comeuppance, but it seems justice was truly served only to the bad dressers.

JOHN DEPKO is a Costa Mesa resident and a senior investigator for the Orange County public defender’s office. SUSANNE PEREZ lives in Costa Mesa and is an executive assistant for a financial services company.