Spectacular yet Sophomoric Second Attempt

Rating: Null/10 (23 April 1999)

Wow... this film was a big disappointment. Yes, Pixar is the vanguard of companies producing computer-generated feature films; A Bug's Life is one of the most visually stimulating, unreal yet real animated films I have ever seen. Kevin Spacey's Hopper crackled with intensity and I was sure he was actually taking up space on the screen. The bird was far more terrifying than any other villain - it was simply a mindless killer, a mechanical crusher of dreams. (Watch the 'bloopers' at the end for a nod to Jaws)
I would have, however, preferred to have watched A Bug's Life without sound. Every character was a clichÃ¨ and I think the plot was lifted from an old episode of Three's Company. Why bother with that sort of limp, trite trash when I can flip on the Idiot box and watch 24 hours of the same?
As in ANTZ, the main characters lack any charisma.... Sure, in an attempt to keep the story somewhat plausible the ants are all identical, but as in Toy Story, the most entertaining characters were those marginally associated or appearing late in the story : the boozing, rat-racing bugs of the city and the neurotic circus rejects.
At least there was no Sharon Stone in this one.
Finally, I'd like to add a question. Who are these wild, slave bugs/animals we see in every disney feature since 1930? The insane, rabid grasshopper- is there no explanation for why he is a drooling, snarling beast among fun loving layabouts? And P.T. Flea's Centipedes? Are they at least paid? It's an outrage! Free the non-human insects!
* * (two stars)