"A Bug's Life" - Small Wonder by Homer Yen (1998)
If you loved the rich animation and the fresh look of 1995's Toy Story, you'll find just as much to enjoy here with Pixar's newly computer-animated release. Indeed, there is a tremendous eye for detail, an undeniable richness, and even some terrifically animated action sequences that will make you wonder how did they do that. But is a visual feast enough to satiate our appetite for a fun night out? For me, it left a bland taste in my mouth.
Like ANTZ, another recent film about small critters, the focus here is on Flik (voiced by David Foley), who is one of the smartest ants of the colony but is prone to accidents. For example, he creates a machine which allows for increased harvests. Food is needed not only for the survival of the colony, but an additional offering must be collected to appease tyrannical grasshoppers, led by Hopper (voiced by Kevin Spacey). But when Flik accidentally destroys the offering, it infuriates Hopper who threatens their destruction. To try to help, Flik embarks on a quest to find some tough warrior bugs to come to their aid. Flik does find some volunteers (a praying mantis, a black widow, a caterpillar and others). However, Flik mistakes them to be warriors when in fact their mobility and acts of bravery are only because they are runaways from a circus. With the colony's survival at stake, the accident-prone ant and a bunch of circus rejects must come up with a plan to rid themselves of Hopper and his gang.
There certainly is no lack of creativity here. A rainstorm looks like the ants are being water bombed. Dandelion pods are used to transport Flik afar as he floats across considerable distances. The circus bugs are all very colorful and appealing. I especially liked Heimlich, the plump caterpillar, whose voice was a funny mix of soprano and Nazi. A particularly nice treat comes at the end when they show animated outtakes, where insects miss their cues or flub their lines, satirizing mistakes often made by humans.
I commend this movie for it's visual appeal and it's ability to captivate kids. The animation is superb. Witness the sequence where the band of bugs is trying to escape from a hungry bird or a circus act involving matches and fly paper, and you'll agree. If I had children, this would be on my list of must-see movies. Yet, for this alternative rock listening, sports car driving, entertainment seeking guy, I would probably tell my friends to see ANTZ instead. Why? Because that movie plays better for adults attending by themselves. It had an entertaining villain and some terrific sequences that was more than delightful. "A Bug's Life" is clearly more family-oriented fare.
Grade: B- if you're an adult
A- if you're a wee one.
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