Antz (1998) Voices of Woody Allen, Dan Aykroyd, Anne Bancroft, Jane Curtin, Danny Glover, Gene Hackman, Jennifer Lopez, John Mahoney, Paul Mazursky, Grant Shaud, Sylvester Stallone, Sharon Stone, Christopher Walken. Music by Harry Gregson-Williams and John Powell. Screenplay by Todd Alcott, Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz. Directed by Eric Darnell and Tim Johnson (with additional sequences directed by Lawrence Guterman). 83 minutes. Rated PG, 4 stars (out of five stars)
Review by Ed Johnson-Ott, NUVO Newsweekly www.nuvo-online.com Archive reviews at http://us.imdb.com/M/reviews_by?Edward+Johnson-ott To receive reviews by e-mail at no charge, send subscription requests to pbbp24a@prodigy.com
It's just "your basic boy meets girl, boy likes girl, boy changes underlying social structure" tale, according to Z (Woody Allen), the rebellious hero of "Antz," a sophisticated, fun and fast paced computer- generated feature about life from the insects' point of view. Rush- released by DreamWorks to reach audiences ahead of Disney's similarly themed CGI feature "A Bug's Life," "Antz" clearly learned a valuable lesson from the delightful 1995 Disney smash "Toy Story"; that dazzling computer graphics are just eye candy unless supported by good acting and a solid script.
"Antz" follows the adventures of Z-4195, a neurotic worker ant who longs to assert his individuality. At the conclusion of a counseling session he moans "I feel so insignificant" only to have his therapist (Paul Mazursky) congratulate him, exclaiming, "you've had a breakthrough. You ARE insignificant!"
Everything changes one fateful night, when spunky Princess Bala (Sharon Stone) violates the colony's caste system and goes slumming at a worker bar, where she ends up dancing in the arms of an enraptured Z. Determined to see her again, Z convinces his best friend, soldier ant Weaver (Sylvester Stallone), to change places with him for one day, so that he can march past the royalty in a military parade. Unbeknownst to Z, the parade troops are slated to lead an assault against an army of termites.
In short order, Z becomes a hero to the colony, until his lowly status is revealed and he ends up fleeing to the outside world, with a furious Bala by his side and her fiancée, the treacherous General Mandible (Gene Hackman) ordering him caught and killed. As Z desperately tries to avoid death, the General inches closer to fulfilling his secret agenda; a military coup d'état that will destroy most of the colony.
The computer graphics in "Antz" are imaginative and remarkably detailed. While the oddly angular design of the insects' bodies is less than attractive, the body movements are credible and the facial expressions extremely convincing. The background designs are well-done, particularly in outdoor scenes set in Insectopia, the legendary bug paradise. Incidentally, watch those scenes for what is quite possibly the most blatant product placement of all time.
Wisely, the dialogue in "Antz" is aimed at least as much towards grown- ups as it is for children. For example, Z suggests that, as an alternative to war with the termites, the colony might try "influencing their political process with campaign contributions." His struggle for individuality in a world of absolute conformity leads to some entertaining, if unrealized, socio-political subplots.
The film's cast is impressive, to say the least. Dan Ackroyd and Jane Curtain provide laughs as Chip and Muffy, a condescending but well- intentioned pair of wasps (in both senses of the word). Christopher Walken is suitably menacing as Colonel Cutter, and Gene Hackman gives a commanding performance as the evil General Mandible. As Z's best friend Weaver, Sylvester Stallone is an endearing lug and Sharon Stone does solid work as the privileged, but spirited Princess Bala.
Of course, this is Woody Allen's show, and he immediately trots out the patented neurotic shtick on which he built a career. Despite working with sharp one-liners, his initial delivery struck me as just more of the same old Allen whining. Viewers less familiar with his work may find his entire performance fresh, but I felt he was a bit tiresome in the movie's early scenes. Luckily, he brightens his voice work as the film progresses, becoming much more likable midway through the story.
Writers toss around phrases like "fun for the whole family" far too casually, but "Antz" really is a film that should appeal to all ages. There are a few battle scenes that may prove too intense for very young or sensitive children, so cover their eyes if need be, and prepare to actually have fun at a movie with your kids, courtesy of "Antz." And if you're a grown-up without children, head for the theater tout-de-suite.
© 1998 Ed Johnson-Ott
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