Technology does not replace story...

Rating: Null/10 (24 February 1999)

I studied film and animation in the post secondary level. I have been working as an animator and designer for the last few years. With my experience, I will honestly say the film had some good animation. Computer generated or not. But, animation does not replace story.
Story and animation is what PIXAR does best. Not here. Here we see another sugar coated Disney flick with no strong characters, no tension, and no timing.
It's insanely simple plot puts those Teletubbies to shame. There was about 10 too many main characters in the film and the design style was based around plastic molds for merchandising more than bugs for storytelling.
I am a big fan of PIXAR. Since I saw Luxo Jr. open "Basic Instinct" about 6 years ago, I have been pulling for them. When they landed the deal with Disney, I was ecstatic for both. Now Pixar had the distribution Disney could offer and Disney has the stories and characters Pixar can offer.
Never happened. Here we are 2 films into a 5 film contract with Disney and it is the worst animated film I have seen in years.
For God's Sakes Disney, Please, Please, spend a little more time on the script!
Fat sidekicks, villains that are evil for the sake of it and semi-liberated Barbie doll princesses are not good story crutches, let alone devises.
1 buck (and that's only because they spared us with no songs) out of 8
p.s., the only time PIXAR's talents showed up in this film was during the credits. Inspired, intelligent and funny. Too bad they sold out the first hour and a half of the film.