A Bug's Life (1998)

I don't remember my first reaction to the film, much less all the hype that came out while the movie was in theaters. But I've watched this one a few times and I must say it gets better with each viewing. A good cast, good visuals, and lots of interesting characters. I haven't seen anything this detailed since Toy Story. It's also inspired by that fable featuring the grasshopper and the ant. I remember that story vaguely but could not find it again. Regardless of the source, if you're an insect lover, this is mandatory viewing. It may not be entirely accurate, but no movie is entirely accurate. Sometimes you just have to suspend some disbelief while watching movies. So get on it!

I enjoyed this movie when I was little, but I don't see why. The animation isn't very good and the character designs are terrible. Most of the characters are unlikable and the plot is dumb. This isn't the worst thing you could put on for a kid, but its not exactly quality entertainment.

It was a surprise when "Antz" and "A Bug's Life" (both computer-animated movies about formicids) got released a month apart in 1998. Most people called "A Bug's Life" the better movie, probably because they found it weird that the former had Woody Allen voicing the main character. Nonetheless, I saw "Antz" and not the latter; a trailer that I saw (preceding "Beloved" of all movies!) made it look childish, particularly with the line "Turn off your butt!"Well, I've now seen "A Bug's Life". I have to say that "Antz" is the better movie: cleverer and not so silly. "A Bug's Life" has the occasional funny reference to the real world, but it's no match for "Antz".As for the cast. I don't know who Dave Foley is. It's a bit jarring to hear Kevin Spacey's voice, now that he's fallen from grace. The rest of the cast includes Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Phyllis Diller, Denis Leary, Madeline Kahn, Roddy McDowall and Edie McClurg. Put another way, it stars Elaine, a comedienne, the ref, Lili von Schtupp, Cornelius and Ferris Bueller's principal's secretary (McClurg also appeared as the clerk who receives a profanity-laden rant from Steve Martin's character in "Planes, Trains and Automobiles").

It's under-appreciated, but "A Bug's Life" has the ingredients for a worthwhile PIXAR movie; conflict, characters, inventive world-building. If you really want to tear holes, you could argue that the story's been done elsewhere (The Seven Samurai, Three Amigos, Galaxy Quest) but there's creativity here and it still feels like something new.And then there's the cast, all well-suited to their roles (with Spacey nailing the terrifying villain; what can't that guy play?) and the side players lend plenty of color. Does Denis Leary seem like a PIXAR fit? Nope, and it turns out he's a highlight.Seems pretty hard to dislike this movie.7/10