1998
has seen the release or two, count them two, computer animated insect films. One
is intended for more of an adult audience, the other is more family oriented.
Picking the better of the two is kind of like picking your favorite Beatles' song.
Antz had a more interesting story, but has nothing on A Bug's Life, visually speaking.
A
Bug's Life tells the story of an ant named Flick, an amateur inventor who is required
to spend most of his time with his fellow ants gathering food for the grasshoppers,
who come to collect once a year. In an attempt to change the ants' way of life,
Flick leaves the colony hoping to find bigger bugs that will help overthrow the
grasshoppers.
Director
John Lasseter (Toy Story) once again delivers the goods visually, but fails to
match the wit and magic of Toy Story. Still, A Bug's Life is breathtaking and
definitely worth your time. Among the many celebrity voices in the insect world
are James Foley (News Radio), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Seinfeld), Denis Leary (The
Ref), Kevin Spacey (Usual Suspects), David Hyde-Pierce (Frasier), John Ratzenberger
(Cheers) and Phyllis Diller, just to name a few. Incidentally, stick around for
the end credits, they're a lot of fun.
