Julian R. White
Ahhh yes, another childhood animated classic film. Don't get me wrong, a Bug's Life isn't perfect by any means, at least not in the adults point of view. However, it has some aspects that anyone could relate to, being adamant about change and passionate about people, but feeling small and inadequate to the point you feel hope is lost. I feel its a good film to watch with your children, because it gives off good subliminal messages. Don't give up, regardless of how hard life beats you down. Not to mention the bugs are interesting to view and learn about, for what you do get to learn. Definitely recommend!
Stephen Bird
A Bugs Life was Pixar's second offering after Toy Story, and who doesn't love a bit of Pixar? Even as an adult A Bugs Life is a film I can watch over and over again, it just has that charming appeal that is attractive to adults too!The animation is superb, high-end, spectacular and oh so colourful..., no it doesn't look "real", but actually it looks "better" than real life does, I like how in animation, particularly with Pixar, they create such life like characters and backdrops while maintaining the allure that animation duly brings. Flick, the ant and protagonist of A Bugs Life is highly relate-able, a struggling inventor who strives to do right, but inevitably ends up doing wrong, such is so, that in the first act of the film, Flick's latest invention, the harvester that can slash production time in half, misfires and causes some serious chaos. This mishap lands Flick in some serious hot water with the ant council and Flick voluntarily banishes himself from ant island, to which the council agrees.The action heads to the "city" (a dirty little place under someones trailer), there Flick seeks out warrior bugs, and finds them in the form of Slim, Francis and the gang.The gang, including Flick head back to ant island, where the majority of the film will now take place, ups and downs and lovely subtle comedy ensue, resulting in the island hatching a plan to take down Hopper and the evil grasshoppers.Call me a baddie, but my favourite character was actually the films baddie, antagonist Hopper, he was so cool, but in a toned down kind of way, nothing genuinely nasty, like all lifeforms he's simply doing what he needs to to survive.The music was typical of any Disney or Pixar film, perfect in other words, it evoked excitement and calm at the same time, never once getting out of hand or too much, perfect for kids.Nature, the very essence of the plot, nothing in the story was false, every element was true to how would be in nature, only in an exaggerated way, oh so simple, to produce magic from a story so simple shows true genius, and they don't get much better than Pixar.As for the ending, a little weepy for the faint hearted, as the bugs and the circus they are employed by disappear off into the sunset, their work complete, Flick, the newly appointed Queen Atta, and the newly appointed Princess Dot watch on as streams of wheat act as fireworks being propelled into the sky and the whole ant colony waves goodbye. The ending was as simple as the rest of the story, and it just worked completely.Altogether an outstanding film, very enjoyable and one the whole family can watch, plus the runtime isn't too long (as with all Pixar films).
anthonymichaelbangert
A Bug's Life was Pixar's second dip into the movie business and is widely considered to be on the lower end of Pixar's quality films. When I was growing up or was one of my favorites, and to this day I don't get where the hate comes from. This movie follows an inventor ant named Flik (Dave Foley) who is your stereotype clumsy dreamer. His colony is extorted through fear of the grasshoppers, led by Hopper (Kevin Spacey), for their food. The grasshoppers make the ants collect food for them to have during the "Rainy Season." After Flik accidentally destroys a large supply of food, causing Hopper to double the quota, Flik goes on a quest to find some big bugs in the big city to protect the colony and stop the tyrannical grasshopper rule once and for all. Unfortunately, he gets a group of bad circus performers instead, and may find a way to use their limited talents to save them all. This movie is underrated. The political undertones to this film speak volumes, especially in our current political climate. The voice acting is decent. Kevin Spacey definitely gives a menacing performance, and it's adorable to hear a young Hayden Panettiere as an ant princess. The animation is pretty nice for its time. Certain moments looked better than others, but the real triumph was texturing, especially in the grasshoppers' designs. This movie isn't perfect. Many moments were predictable, and the movie relied heavily on gags. But still, it's fun and funny. And it does craft moments of actual fear and shows kids the power people can have when they stand together. It's definitely aimed more towards kids (even if it does get a bit...*murdery* seriously, rewatch it, it's very dark), but adults can appreciate that there's something there for them too. Altogether I'd rate this movie a 7. Not a bad Pixar film. Should be seen. PS: Ratzenberger's role in this film was P.T.Flea, the ringleader of the circus bugs. It's a funny role that sits his voice well.
