Maya the Bee: The Honey Games facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Maya the Bee: The Honey Games |
|
|---|---|
Theatrical film poster
|
|
| Directed by | Noel Cleary Sergio Delfino Alexs Stadermann |
| Produced by | Tracy Lenon Brian Rosen Thorsten Wegener |
| Story by | Noel Cleary Fin Edquist Alexs Stadermann |
| Starring |
|
| Music by | Ute Engelhardt |
| Editing by | Adam Rainford |
| Studio |
|
| Distributed by | StudioCanal Universum Film (Germany) |
| Release date(s) | 1 March 2018 (Germany) 1 May 2018 (United States) 26 July 2018 (Australia) |
| Running time | 85 minutes |
| Country |
|
| Language |
|
| Money made | $7.7 million |
Maya the Bee: The Honey Games is a fun computer-animated movie from 2018. It's an adventure and comedy film made in Australia and Germany. The movie was directed by Noel Cleary, Sergio Delfino, and Alexs Stadermann. It is based on the popular characters from the 1975 anime Maya the Honey Bee. These characters also appeared in the German children's book The Adventures of Maya the Bee by Waldemar Bonsels. This film is a sequel to the 2014 movie Maya the Bee. Many of the original voice actors returned for this film, along with new voices like Rupert Degas.
The Story of the Honey Games
A Big Challenge for the Hive
Maya's hive is very excited because the summer honey harvest is over. But there isn't much honey. A royal messenger named Master Beegood arrives. He announces that Maya's hive can finally join the Honey Games. These games take place in the big city of Buzztropolis.
Everyone is thrilled at first. However, there's a catch: the hive must give half of their honey. This honey is for the athletes' health. Maya is shocked and can't believe it. The Queen hesitates, but Beegood warns her not to refuse. So, the Queen accepts the invitation, even with the big cost.
Maya and Willy's Journey
Soon after, Maya and her best friend Willy decide to take action. They fly to Buzztropolis, the busy city hive. When they arrive, Maya accidentally bumps into Violet. Violet is one of the competitors and is later revealed to be Beegood's daughter.
Maya and Willy meet the Empress. Maya explains that if honey is so important, why can't her hive join the Games? They try to make a deal. But Willy accidentally spills honey onto the Empress. The Queen sees Maya's mistake.
A Risky Wager is Made
Later, the Empress and the Queen talk about what happened. Maya asks the Empress to change her mind. The Empress then makes a wager. If Maya's team wins, all is forgiven. But if they lose, all of the hive's honey will be taken. Maya agrees to this, even though the Queen is worried.
Meeting the Team
On the first day of the games, Maya meets her team. Her team includes Spinder, a spider, and Craig, a cockroach who is afraid of germs. There's also Bedford, a bed bug, and the ant soldiers, Arnie and Barney. Maya is disappointed because her team is untrained and unskilled.
Day One: Dodgeball Disaster
The first game is dodgeball. Things start badly for Maya's team. They are easily beaten. But as the game goes on, other teams also struggle. At the end, Team Tropolis (Violet's team) comes in first. Luckily, Maya's team, Team Poppy Meadow, does not come in last.
Violet's Tricks Begin
That evening, Violet invites Willy and Maya to dinner. Violet teases Maya and calls her a "meadow bug." Then, Violet pretends Maya hurt her hand and was mean. Beegood warns Maya that she will be kicked out of the games if she causes more trouble. Maya is angry and flies off alone. Willy reminds her that they are still best friends.
Day Two: Climbing the Willow Tree
On the second day, teams must climb willow tree vines. They need to reach their colored flag at the top as a team. Some teams start quickly. Violet's team tries hard to reach their goal. Maya is desperate to win and leaves her teammates behind.
Both team captains reach their goals. Violet's team comes in second, and Maya's team places third. But Maya's teammates are upset with her for being selfish. Violet apologizes to Beegood for not winning. Her father reminds her not to disappoint him again.
Later, Maya returns to camp. The team now understands why she needs to win, as Willy had told them. They wonder why she didn't say anything. Maya explains she was afraid they would worry. The team realizes they just need some training. They practice and get ready for the next challenge.
The Maze Challenge
On the last day, the final three teams face a maze. They must go through it without waking a tortoise in the center. They also cannot fly during this task. Maya and her team tie a string of Spinder's silk. This helps them follow their way.
Meanwhile, Violet's team gets stuck. After arguing, Violet is run over by the giant tortoise. Willy accidentally woke it up. Maya's team wins this challenge. Violet's team comes in second, which disappoints Violet and her father. The Empress is angry, and the Queen is happy. They prepare for the final showdown.
The Duel and Banishment
The night before the final showdown, Violet and Maya confront each other. Violet dares Maya to race down a thorny hill called Sluggy Hill. Maya confidently accepts, not knowing Violet has another trick planned. As they race, Violet stops before the finish line. Maya passes it and accidentally knocks over the Honey Cup. Violet again blames Maya for breaking the cup on purpose.
Beegood is furious about the damage Maya caused. He bans her from the Honey Games. Maya is devastated by Violet's bullying and flies away. Shortly after, Flip talks to her. He explains that she is so focused on saving the hive that she forgot to lead her team. Maya thanks Flip for his advice and flies back to camp.
A Second Chance and a New Plan
After making up with Willy and the team, Maya decides to improve. She knows what to do for the next day. The big day arrives. The Empress, the Queen, and everyone else gather in the arena. At first, Maya's team enters without her. The Queen is confused, and the Empress is pleased.
Suddenly, Maya flies in. She asks for a second chance for her bad behavior. The Empress allows her to keep competing. Beegood is upset. Desperate for Maya to lose, he tells Violet to take a shortcut.
The Final Race and True Friendship
The race begins, with Maya and Violet's teams neck and neck. Willy gets separated again. He follows what looks like Maya going into a bush with a shortcut. Violet tells Willy to pretend to be hurt so his team slows down. Willy refuses and accuses her of cheating. Maya's team successfully finds the pollen of a purple flower.
Meanwhile, Violet and her team are surrounded by a spider named Thekla. Just as both teams are about to be eaten, Bedford sings a lullaby. His singing puts the spider to sleep. As they rescue their rivals, Violet changes her mind. She apologizes to Maya for bullying and cheating. Maya reminds Violet that having a team means having new friends.
Both teams sprint to the finish line. Violet's team stops before the end. They help Maya and her team cross it, making them the winners. The Empress is shocked. Violet tells everyone with regret that she cheated, but Maya rescued her. Before the Empress can punish Maya, the Queen stands up. She tells the Empress that the right team won. The Empress finally understands. She declares Maya's team the winners and forgives Maya.
At the after-party, everyone dances and has fun. Violet, Maya, and Willy dance happily together.
Voice Cast
- Coco Jack Gillies as Maya
- Benson Jack Anthony as Willy, Maya's best friend
- Richard Roxburgh as Flip, a grasshopper
- Justine Clarke as The Queen
- Jimmy James Eaton as Crawley, the Queen's assistant
- Marney McQueen as The Empress, The Queen's sister
- Rupert Degas as Beegood, Violet's father
- Linda Ngo as Violet, Maya's former rival
- Stavroula Adameitis as Chelsea, Violet's friend
- Tess Meyer as Sandra, Violet's friend
- Cam Ralph as Bedford, a bed bug
- Shane Dundas as Barney, an army ant
- David Collins as Arnie, an army ant
- Jordan Hare as Spinder, a spider
- Jimmy James Eaton as Craig, a cockroach
- Jane Ubrien as Thekla, a spider
- Peter McAllum as Mantis, owner of the honey games
- Sam Haft as Drago, a dragonfly
Third Film in the Series
A third movie, titled Maya the Bee 3: The Golden Orb, was released on January 7, 2021, in Australia. Noel Cleary directed it, and Tracy Lenon and Benjamin Ey produced it. The film was originally planned for 2020. However, it was delayed to 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this third film, Maya, a brave little bee, and her best friend Willi save an ant princess. This leads them into a big bug battle. They travel to strange new worlds. Their friendship is tested to its limits.
See also
In Spanish: La abeja Maya: Los juegos de la miel para niños
