Rating: 
Summary: An underrated animated classic on a great DVD!
Review:
This is the story of a Ant named "Z" ( voiced by Woody Allen) who has problems with life in the colony in Central Park New York City, until one day he meets the beautiful princess Bala ( Sharon Stone)walks into his life and he falls in love with. Z decides to switch places with his best soldier friend "Weaver" ( Sylvester Stallone) for a day leads him on adventures from being a false war hero from a Termite war to having Bala with him to search for a fabled city called " Insectopia" then to face with the sinister General Mandible ( Gene Hackman).
A brilliant CGI animated comedy that is a total triumph from 1998 and is Dreamworks's first CGI animated movie! There are also the voices of Jennifer Lopez, Christopher Walken, Dan Ackroyd, Jane Curtin and Anne Bancroft that provide co-stars, the graphics are totally convicing even on looking from the ants's point of view of the world from their perspectvie with a great soundtrack.
The DVD's perfection with quality sound & picture and the extras are also nice such as audio commentary, three featurettes, Trailer, TV Spots, production notes and Cast & crew bio.
A must have for animation DVD collectors!
Rating: 
Summary: CGI Ant Story Meets Early Woody Allen--and Pulls It Off!
Review: "The Battle of the Bugs" is what the media labeled Dreamworks SKG's (successful) attempt to get their 3-D animated bug story released in theaters before Disney did, although the former began production several weeks after the latter. Whose film would be released first: The Company of Michael Eisner, or that of his former disgruntled employee Jeffrey Katzenberg? In retrospect, this behind-the-scenes drama seems more than a bit silly, because: 1) That a similarly-themed movie is released first does not necessarily guarantee bigger box office than its competition, and 2) The solidly-PG-rated ANTZ has less in common with the indisputably-G-rated A BUG'S LIFE than one might think, and 3) Therefore, each film attracted a different audience. As it turned out, both films were smash hits: A BUG'S LIFE made a lot more money (as I'm sure it was destined to do), but ANTZ garnered better reviews. Dreamworks SKG's ANTZ, co-directed by Eric Darnell and Tim Johnson, and released in September of 1998 (a full month before Disney/Pixar's A BUG'S LIFE), tells the very engaging story of a neurotic, lowly worker ant simply named Z (wouldn't his name be Zed in the British version?) voiced by The Woodman himself, whose constantly nagging thoughts of a better existence outside the mindless ant colony drive him to distraction. I love the opening scene with him on the ant psychologist's couch--it's classic Woody from his early comedic period! Actually, the entire film's script is like that, reading like one of his early classics such as TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN (1969) or PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM (1972). After a decade of directing brilliant but increasingly heavy-handed films beginning with CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS (1989), it's refreshing to hear Woody Allen voicing a role that reminds us of how funny a comedic actor he is. The casting of Allen is the lead role here was pure genius. My advice is to see this film with an open mind; forget about "The Battle of the Bugs" as ANTZ has really nothing whatsoever to do with A BUG'S LIFE, with the only exception being that both films star a nerdy ant who attempts to win the affection of the ant colony princess. That's the only similarity! Otherwise, ANTZ is a much-more-grownup story dealing with Z's attempt to woo Princess Bala (Sharon Stone, brilliantly expressive in a surprisingly comedic role) by switching places with his big, macho soldier-ant friend Weaver (Sylvester Stallone, in a fun and equally surprisingly comedic role of his own). Unfortunately for Z, Princess Bala's powerful, but darkly sinister, fiancee General Mandible (Gene Hackman) sends the ant colony into battle against a nearby termite colony, in which Z pairs up with gungo-ho soldier-ant Barbatus (Danny Glover) who saves his life in battle. Being the only ant who survives the battle (which is a bit gruesome, by the way), Z is welcomed back as the unlikely hero, 'accidentally' kidnaps Princess Bala and seeks out this land of freedom known as Insectopia, about which he was told by an old, crazy ant at the ant-bar. Inspired by his example, the other worker ants begin revolting against their way of life, hilariously spouting Socialist slogans along the way. The Queen (Anne Bancroft) is concerned; however, General Mandible has plans of his own. ANTZ is darkly comic and self-knowing; it never takes itself too seriously. One aspect for which it has been criticized is how literally dark it is; taking place mostly inside an underground ant colony, it is mostly sepia-toned. A BUG'S LIFE has more primary colors throughout. (Although to an unrealistic extent---I mean, c'mon, when have you ever seen blue ants?) However, the scenes outside the ant colony in ANTS are actually very bright and colorful. Again, these are just two different films: ANTS, with its mildly adult language, themes and occasional violence, is definitely PG-rated. Its humor is appreciated more by adults than kids. That doesn't mean you should go the extreme route of not letting your pre-teen kid see it (it is, after all, rated PG, not PG-13); however, I wouldn't recommend it for the under-8-year-old-set either. Like with anything else, just use your judgment. The final verdict in my review: ANTZ is a very entertaining combination of 3-D animation and excellent voice-over acting by excellent (and very well-cast) actors such as all who were previously named, plus Christopher Walken, Dan Aykroyd, Jennifer Lopez, John Mahoney, Grant Shaud and Paul Mazursky. It is true that A BUG'S LIFE has superior animation; however, ANTZ has the better and more engaging story. My recommendation is to show A BUG'S LIFE to your 4-year-old-and-above kids; when they reach 8, then start showing them ANTZ. Again, these films have different audiences, and therefore different things to appreciate about each of them. The good thing is that each movie can be appreciated on various levels, so the audience for each is still pretty wide. It's just that ANTZ's audience is not quite as wide as A BUG'S LIFE. But that's okay; ANTZ succeeds brilliantly in its mission to provide an entertaining combo of action for older pre-teen kids and humor for teens/adults. Unfortunately, the DVD doesn't offer a lot of extras, but what it does contain is quite cool, especially the behind-the-scenes look at the film. If you like this type of humor and appreciate 3-D animation, then buy ANTZ if you haven't already done so. RECOMMENDED
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR WOODY ALLEN FANS
Rating:
Summary: Totally marvelous! Remarkable!
Review: "ANTZ" is without a doubt, the most amazing animated film ever! I consider this a must! Add this to your collection of computer-animated films: Toy Story, Antz, etc. I most particularly like the opening credits theme music, the Ants vs. Termites scene, and the Bar Dance! And the WATER DROP!! WHOO! I looked at the motion rendering and the directors told us that it looks like Z's trapped inside EPCOT. Look at the Basics of Animation segment, and you'll find out for yourself. Man, that is remarkable!
Rating:
Summary: CGI Ant Story Meets Early Woody Allen--and Pulls It Off!
Review: "The Battle of the Bugs" is what the media labeled Dreamworks SKG's (successful) attempt to get their 3-D animated bug story released in theaters before Disney did, although the former began production several weeks after the latter. Whose film would be released first: The Company of Michael Eisner, or that of his former disgruntled employee Jeffrey Katzenberg? In retrospect, this behind-the-scenes drama seems more than a bit silly, because: 1) That a similarly-themed movie is released first does not necessarily guarantee bigger box office than its competition, and 2) The solidly-PG-rated ANTZ has less in common with the indisputably-G-rated A BUG'S LIFE than one might think, and 3) Therefore, each film attracted a different audience. As it turned out, both films were smash hits: A BUG'S LIFE made a lot more money (as I'm sure it was destined to do), but ANTZ garnered better reviews. Dreamworks SKG's ANTZ, co-directed by Eric Darnell and Tim Johnson, and released in September of 1998 (a full month before Disney/Pixar's A BUG'S LIFE), tells the very engaging story of a neurotic, lowly worker ant simply named Z (wouldn't his name be Zed in the British version?) voiced by The Woodman himself, whose constantly nagging thoughts of a better existence outside the mindless ant colony drive him to distraction. I love the opening scene with him on the ant psychologist's couch--it's classic Woody from his early comedic period! Actually, the entire film's script is like that, reading like one of his early classics such as TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN (1969) or PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM (1972). After a decade of directing brilliant but increasingly heavy-handed films beginning with CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS (1989), it's refreshing to hear Woody Allen voicing a role that reminds us of how funny a comedic actor he is. The casting of Allen is the lead role here was pure genius. My advice is to see this film with an open mind; forget about "The Battle of the Bugs" as ANTZ has really nothing whatsoever to do with A BUG'S LIFE, with the only exception being that both films star a nerdy ant who attempts to win the affection of the ant colony princess. That's the only similarity! Otherwise, ANTZ is a much-more-grownup story dealing with Z's attempt to woo Princess Bala (Sharon Stone, brilliantly expressive in a surprisingly comedic role) by switching places with his big, macho soldier-ant friend Weaver (Sylvester Stallone, in a fun and equally surprisingly comedic role of his own). Unfortunately for Z, Princess Bala's powerful, but darkly sinister, fiancee General Mandible (Gene Hackman) sends the ant colony into battle against a nearby termite colony, in which Z pairs up with gungo-ho soldier-ant Barbatus (Danny Glover) who saves his life in battle. Being the only ant who survives the battle (which is a bit gruesome, by the way), Z is welcomed back as the unlikely hero, 'accidentally' kidnaps Princess Bala and seeks out this land of freedom known as Insectopia, about which he was told by an old, crazy ant at the ant-bar. Inspired by his example, the other worker ants begin revolting against their way of life, hilariously spouting Socialist slogans along the way. The Queen (Anne Bancroft) is concerned; however, General Mandible has plans of his own. ANTZ is darkly comic and self-knowing; it never takes itself too seriously. One aspect for which it has been criticized is how literally dark it is; taking place mostly inside an underground ant colony, it is mostly sepia-toned. A BUG'S LIFE has more primary colors throughout. (Although to an unrealistic extent---I mean, c'mon, when have you ever seen blue ants?) However, the scenes outside the ant colony in ANTS are actually very bright and colorful. Again, these are just two different films: ANTS, with its mildly adult language, themes and occasional violence, is definitely PG-rated. Its humor is appreciated more by adults than kids. That doesn't mean you should go the extreme route of not letting your pre-teen kid see it (it is, after all, rated PG, not PG-13); however, I wouldn't recommend it for the under-8-year-old-set either. Like with anything else, just use your judgment. The final verdict in my review: ANTZ is a very entertaining combination of 3-D animation and excellent voice-over acting by excellent (and very well-cast) actors such as all who were previously named, plus Christopher Walken, Dan Aykroyd, Jennifer Lopez, John Mahoney, Grant Shaud and Paul Mazursky. It is true that A BUG'S LIFE has superior animation; however, ANTZ has the better and more engaging story. My recommendation is to show A BUG'S LIFE to your 4-year-old-and-above kids; when they reach 8, then start showing them ANTZ. Again, these films have different audiences, and therefore different things to appreciate about each of them. The good thing is that each movie can be appreciated on various levels, so the audience for each is still pretty wide. It's just that ANTZ's audience is not quite as wide as A BUG'S LIFE. But that's okay; ANTZ succeeds brilliantly in its mission to provide an entertaining combo of action for older pre-teen kids and humor for teens/adults. Unfortunately, the DVD doesn't offer a lot of extras, but what it does contain is quite cool, especially the behind-the-scenes look at the film. If you like this type of humor and appreciate 3-D animation, then buy ANTZ if you haven't already done so. RECOMMENDED
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR WOODY ALLEN FANS
Rating: 
Summary: The Rise & Fall of the Roman Empire...
Review: (& I'm not talking about the Antz colony) We bought this video thinking it was for kids. Thank goodness we always preview videos before we let our kids see them! I am always surprised at the number of people who find Woody Allen's self-absorbed, socialistic whining to be humorous & entertaining. (Instead of therapy he should spend that money & time working with some who are poor and needy & he will find that "cure" he has sought for so long by looking outside himself rather than in!) We could find very little in the plot to appeal to children &, as an adult's movie, it was stereotypical & slow-moving. I am seriously worried about people who find narcissism, personality disorders, violent death and foul language entertaining. Welcome to modern Rome.
Rating:
Summary: A smart and funny movie
Review: . Woody Allen stars as Z "he never looked better lol", an ant who has his own dreams and is tired of having to be the same as everyone else. He falls in love with a princess (voiced by Sharon Stone) who is tired of the same ole thing as well. She is to be wed to a general voiced by Gene Hackman who has a big scheme to drowned out the whole colony of ants. Z gets into a whole lot of trouble when he kid-naps her and leaves the colony to find a place called insect topia where bugs can live with no rules. The result is a charming and funny movie with great one liners by Woody Allen who I usually find annoying. He's less annoying when you don't have to see his face lol. I liked him a lot here, he's very funny. Sylvester Stallone and Sharon Stone are also funny. Gene Hackman and Christopher Walked do good as well as the more serious characters of the movie. Some people say the film has no moral but it does. It's about thinking for yourself and living your life as you choose to.
Rating: 
Summary: I did not like this movie
Review: ... In this movie I want to take out a can of RAID. The ants were ugly and nightmarish. The animation was good. But the way the movie was presented turned me off. There are scenes, especially the decapitation scene, that would give small children nightmares. This film is definately not for small children. The movie even made me squimish. Plus I do not like Woody Allen. He always plays a wimpy, whinny nuerotic. Hearing woody Allen's voice just grates on my nerves. I gave the movie two stars instead of one because the animation was good.
Rating:
Summary: watch A Bugs Life instead
Review: A Bugs Life squashes Antz by a long shot. It's not much of a story (the same, a nothing of an ant and a princess, jee I wonder what's gonna happen.) Sure A Bugs Life does that too but they have fun along the way. Antz is just about ants, no creative characters at all . I'm a big fan of Woody Allen and others in Antz but it seems they wanted to get the movie over with.In Antz the setting is dark, in A Bugs Life it's bright and colorful. Antz is not a real family movie. Watch A Bugs Life with the whole family, it's rated G. While you're at it watch all the Pixar movies... they are the best.
Rating:
Summary: Much better than Disney's attempt
Review: A fairy tale for adults (note that, it may be important later) that is charming and whimsical. A shame it was released at the same time as the Disney bug movie- no one can compete with the Disney marketing machine. A real shame, since this one has twice the intelligence. A star-studded cast and surprisingly dynamic animation add to the picture. Besides, when was the last time a film respected your intellect enough to crack a joke about Marxism?
Rating:
Summary: Well done animated movie.
Review: A interesting piece of computer rendered animation that always seems to keep you interested in all its scenes. Great cast of actors give the characters more life and are easily more able to relate to since you know the actors.
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