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Woody Allen, Sharon Stone, Sylvester Stallone, Gene Hackman, Christopher Walken ... see more see more... , Danny Glover , Dan Aykroyd , Jennifer Lopez , John Mahoney , Jane Curtin , Paul Mazursky , Anne Bancroft

DreamWorks and Pacific Data Images collaborated on this all computer-animated comedy-adventure about the ant angst of misfit worker ant, Z (voice of Woody Allen), who feels trapped by the conformist c... read more read more...onfines of his totalitarian ant civilization and eventually sets forth in search of Insectopia. After DreamWorks began animating Prince of Egypt June 1, 1995, the company launched Antz in Palo Alto a year later (5/20/96), the same month the DreamWorks/PDI partnership was announced. The screenplay by Chris and Paul Weitz and Todd Alcott has uncredited input by Woody Allen (who matched dialogue to fit his usual style of verbal delivery). The story suggests the possible influence of Yevgeny Zamatin's classic novel We (1923) and Ayn Rand's similar-themed Anthem (1936), filmed in the early '70s in a rarely seen unauthorized film adaptation (which Rand never allowed to be shown commercially). Following the 1995 Toy Story (1995), Antz is the second fully computer-animated feature, preceding the release of Disney's all-CGI A Bug's Life by seven weeks. Antz begins with worker ant Z discussing his feelings of insignificance with a shrink (voice of Paul Mazursky) before heading off to his tunnel-digging job, work supervised by General Mandible (Gene Hackman) and Colonel Cutter (Christopher Walken). Mandible has big dreams of conquest, and he convinces the Queen (Anne Bancroft) an attack is necessary to prevent a termite invasion. Her daughter is Princess Bala (Sharon Stone), who's not overly enchanted by her engagement to Mandible. The Princess goes slumming, visiting the bar where Z hangs out with his friend Weaver (Sylvester Stallone). To the tune of "Guantanamera," Bala dances with Z -- in a scene with allusions to the dance in Pulp Fiction (1994). Entranced by the encounter, Z convinces Weaver to swap places, so a military parade will allow him to see Bala in the reviewing stand. Befriended by soldier ant Barbatus (Danny Glover) during the parade, Z nervously realizes he's actually marching into battle. Attacked by termites, the troops experience horrors highly reminiscent of the Starship Troopers (1997) bug battles. The dying Barbatus tells Z, "Don't follow orders all your life." As the only survivor of the slaughter, Z returns home a war hero. Threatened by Mandible, Bala and Z are thrown together in a journey into the outside world, and they travel toward the legendary Insectopia. Major city newspaper critics were almost unanimous in their praise of Antz. Shown at the 1998 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Flixster Users

47% liked it

584,302 ratings

Critics

95% liked it

88 critics

PG, 1 hr. 23 min.

Directed by: Eric Darnell, Anne Bancroft, Tim Johnson, Tim Darnell, Christopher Walken, Dan Aykroyd, Danny Glover, Gene Hackman, Jane Curtin, Jennifer Lopez, John Mahoney, Paul Mazursky, Sharon Stone, Sylvester Stallone, Woody Allen

Release Date: October 2, 1998

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DVD Release Date: March 23, 1999

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Stats: 16,664 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (16,664)

  • 76Majikat
    April 17, 2012
    76Majikat
    Such a metaphorical film for many issues. Woody Allen was a great choice for the main character here, a great film to teach the kids about individuality.
  • aquateen2
    March 1, 2012
    aquateen2
    As smart as Pixar's "A Bugs Life" is. Antz is smarter. However it isn't as funny. Both have their flaws but like Bugs Life its family entrtainment that isn't too bland for adults. It's less colourful than Bugs Life but it instead has a complex story.
  • ajv2688
    November 21, 2011
    ajv2688
    It's always been funny to me that this movie and A Bug's Life came out around the same time. They appear similar, but really this one has a deeper, and better story. It isn't only entertaining and cute like A Bug's Life is.
  • scottgreen96
    October 30, 2011
    scottgreen96
    As a child I would watch when I could, can't say much has changed, but it still has a fun storyline to watch, for once I can admire Sylvester, mostly because he isn't actually on screen, but a really good, family film, kept me quiet so there's a hint.
  • theunknownhobo
    August 25, 2011
    theunknownhobo
    I really REALLY liked this movie for the simple fact that on the surface of it, it appeared to be a kids movie, but when you scratch the surface of it, really its just a deliciously constructed metaphor for communism. Its a Bugs Life on crack. Awesome movie with some pretty convi... read morencing names, including the king of neurosis, Woody Allen.
  • DreamExtractor
    August 22, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    47%??? This movie wasnt as good as Bugs Life but come on people, it was an animated achievment at the time. The plot was interesting, the characters were quirky but fun, and Woody Allen can sure have a funny voice. But this movie swears, who wants to show their kids that. An... read moreyway, the movie is good, but not great.
  • spielberg00
    July 16, 2011
    spielberg00
    An all-star voice cast can barely make up for this bad movie.
  • murphmann93
    June 24, 2011
    murphmann93
    A childhood favourite and a classic!
  • skeletonking101
    January 5, 2011
    skeletonking101
    One of dreamworks best movies and had a great cast, great comedy, great animation, great drama, and great struggles in the film
  • coollala0910
    October 3, 2010
    coollala0910
    While Pixar's "A Bug's Life" is a film about insects aimed at children, Dreamworks Animations's debut film "Antz" is very similar but aimed at the more sophisticated older audience.

    A troubled ant named Z is a worker ant who dosen't like to work. His friend who is a soldier an... read moret decide to switch places. Z is then dragged into a brutal war with termites (which is an awesome scene), and gets stranded with the Princess of the ant colony. While trying to get back home, they run into hilarious mischeif and fall in love in the process. Sounds like a good plot but the film is very smart that little children won't get very much out of it. Not to mention, this film has some pretty surprising language for PG-Rated animated flick.

    It's not one of the best animation films out there but its worth watching.

    "You the ant!"

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Critic Reviews

Richard Schickel
September 4, 2008
Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine

Kids may be puzzled by rebellious worker ants chanting Marxist slogans, but their parental guides may welcome the relief from the prevailing blandness of family films. Full Review

Peter Stack
June 18, 2002
Peter Stack, San Francisco Chronicle

The filmmakers seem to have deliberately snubbed the traditional audience for animated features. Full Review

Liam Lacey
April 12, 2002
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

It's a perfect picnic, without the pesky human interference. Full Review

Peter Travers
May 11, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Antz is refreshingly naughty and nice.

Kenneth Turan
February 14, 2001
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

Antz is brief enough, clocking in at 83 minutes, but its story is too predictable to make an impact even in such a short space. Full Review

David Denby
January 1, 2000
David Denby, New York Magazine

A kids' movie that will leave grown-ups quoting the best lines to one another. Full Review

Naomi Ryerson
January 1, 2000
Naomi Ryerson, Mr. Showbiz

The computer animation is first rate and filled with the kind of "Wow! Look at that!" wizardry that is eventually going to make Toy Story look about as technically sophisticated as South Park.

Mark Caro
January 1, 2000
Mark Caro, Chicago Tribune

It's a well-written, witty tale, expertly executed!

Lisa Schwarzbaum
January 1, 2000
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

Antz is about the relief felt by star actors freed from the constraints of their physical selves and the egos that go with them. Full Review

Peter Brunette
January 1, 2000
Peter Brunette, Film.com

An excellent piece of work!

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Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • Bala: I've meen kindapped by the village idiot!
    • Z: Who's the bigger idiot? The idiot, or the idiot who gets kidnapped by the idiot?
  • Arnold Schwarzenegger was originally offered the part of Weaver. When Schwarzenegger wanted to be paid for the role, it went to Sylvester Stallone who was willing to do it for free.
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Antz : Watch Free on TV

Antz Trivia

  • Which of the following is NOT a Disney film?  Answer »
  • Which of the following is not a Disney film?  Answer »
  • ***THIS ANIMATED MOVIE TELLS THE TALE OF A NEBBISH WORKER ANT CAUSING SOCIETAL REVOLUTION***  Answer »
  • I was Weaver in Antz, Gabe Walker up a mountain and drove a car in a dangerous race under the title Machine Gun Joe Viterbo. Who am i?  Answer »
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