Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us?
Metascore
67 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 16
  3. Negative: 1 out of 16
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  1. Boxoffice Magazine
    Reviewed by: Pam Grady
    Jun 7, 2011
    100
    As entertaining as it is educational.
  2. Portland Oregonian
    Reviewed by: Shawn Levy
    Jun 7, 2011
    83
    The message here is vital, though, and Siegel retains the gift of making you dream of making a difference.
  3. NPR
    Reviewed by: Ian Buckwalter
    Jun 10, 2011
    80
    Promoting understanding and appreciation of the beauty of the bees and our intertwined relationship with them is also presented as a vital part of the equation.
  4. New York Post
    Reviewed by: V.A. Musetto
    Jun 10, 2011
    75
    A beautiful nature film, with gorgeous, multicolored shots of bees and flowers. It also is a well-made documentary about the troubles of the honeybee.
  5. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    Jun 7, 2011
    75
    A remarkable documentary that's also one of the most beautiful nature films I've seen.
  6. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Walter Addiego
    Jun 7, 2011
    75
    Among the film's more intriguing revelations is the key role California's almond crop plays in the nation's bee industry.
  7. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Gary Goldstein
    Jun 16, 2011
    70
    It's not all doom and gloom. This crisply shot picture also offers stirring views of these industrious little creatures, their complex habitats and the rich amber goodness they create. Some jaunty animation enlivens things as well.
  8. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Jeannette Catsoulis
    Jun 9, 2011
    70
    Mr. Siegel is no Cassandra: retaining the waggish tone of his previous documentary, "The Real Dirt on Farmer John" (released in 2007), he balances the doom-talking heads with cute animation and characters like Yvon Achard, a French "bee historian" who caresses the swarm with his elaborately styled facial hair.
  9. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Mark Holcomb
    Jun 7, 2011
    70
    True to form, Queen of the Sun presents inspiring and direct solutions from the likes of journalist Michael Pollan, activist Vandana Shiva, and biodynamic farmer and author Gunther Hauk, but it also glosses over the question of how migratory beekeepers, among others, would make a living if those fixes were enacted.
  10. Variety
    Reviewed by: Alissa Simon
    Jun 7, 2011
    70
    A creative exploration of the global honeybee crisis replete with remarkable nature cinematography, some eccentric characters and yet another powerful argument for organic, sustainable agriculture in balance with nature.
  11. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: J.R. Jones
    Jun 7, 2011
    70
    The documentary begins to lose its shape as Siegel ponders the spiritual and cultural impact of the honeybee, but it does succeed in flagging a potentially critical problem.
  12. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Sam Adams
    Jun 9, 2011
    67
    A fine enough piece of work, but it's a shame Werner Herzog didn't get to Gunther Hauk first.
  13. Slant Magazine
    Reviewed by: Diego Costa
    Jun 7, 2011
    63
    Queen of the Sun is honey pornography with an activist heart.
  14. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Joe Neumaier
    Jun 10, 2011
    60
    This hard-working film may not be a balm, but it can help.
  15. Time Out New York
    Reviewed by: Andrew Schenker
    Jun 7, 2011
    60
    Where have all the bees gone? That's the question Taggart Siegel's documentary attempts to answer by interviewing organic farmers about the phenomenon known as colony collapse disorder.
  16. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Mark Feeney
    Jun 23, 2011
    38
    The first step in getting beyond preaching to the converted is letting the other side show how wrong it might be.

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