A BUG'S LIFE 1998
A film review by Timothy Voon
Copyright 1998 Timothy Voon
3 out of 5 for the Davids and Goliaths of the insect world
Voices: Dave Foley, Kevin Spacey, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, David Hyde Pierce, Denis Leary, Joe Ranft, Phyllis Diller, Richard Kind. Screenplay: Andrew Stanton and Donald McEnery & Bob Shaw. Directors: John Lasseter and Andrew Stanton.
Somehow the idea of playful, individualistic insects with attitude hasn't caught my imagination. This movie is primarily aimed at children, but will entertain adults as well. It is not as cleverly scripted as the humourous Antz, but carries about it a more innocent charm that is rose coloured and typically Disney. From the story's start you get the feeling that the dumb, mean locusts are being set up for the cute, little, purple ants to overcome. This is to highlight several Disney themes like – ‘It doesn't pay to be a bully', ‘for every Goliath there are several Davids', ‘there is strength in unity' and ‘dare to be yourself'. There is enough good O' southern preaching in this movie to fill the sermon books of any lay preacher. Needless to say, Disney does not failed to entertain or deliver the goods. The songs are lively, the characters delightful and engaging. Although this is not my idea of A Bug's Life, which is usually promptly ended under my foot, who is to say we can't romanticise a picture perfect insect world where everything works out perfectly in the end.
Timothy Voon
e-mail: stirling@netlink.com.au
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