The 'Ant' is for 'Anti-authoritarian,' but the 'Z' is for 'Zippy'

Rating: 8/10 (21 April 2016)

History will regard it as the film that famously butted mandibles with Disney's A Bug's Life for monopoly over the anthropomorphized bug market in 1998. And yes, Antz is fundamentally a product of its time - if not for its hip, 90s misspelling, then for the reason that no one would ever let Woody Allen within a hundred miles of a kids film again. Still, he's able to meld his neurotic, intellectual schlub persona well into this clever little tale. Antz may not be as heartwarming or beautiful as many of the decade's classics, but, appropriate for a film championing the snarky underdog, it's still easily fun and provocative enough to entertain and stand out, even against its insectoid competition.
Fittingly for a film sparring with Disney, Antz sneaks in subversive themes of individualism and Marxist anti-authoritarian revolt into a children's animation. But this script is far too snappy to ever get bogged down in misguided dogmatism, pumping out sly gag after gag to keep parents and kids alike engaged (if "the war on termites" isn't enough to win you over, try Dan Aykroyd's wasp's drolly pontificating on "Eurotrash"). Directors Eric Darnell and Tim Johnson churn out a hugely fun adventure romp, which bustles along at a perfectly bouncy pace, pulling thunderous momentum from Harry Gregson-Williams' tremendous score. The deceptively detailed animation still holds up (check out how much Colonel Cutter's gaunt facial curvature looks like Christopher Walken), especially when playing with size perspective in the world above ground, turning a ride on the underside of a human's shoe into the most blood- curdling roller-coaster imaginable.
Still, if the high percentage of Woody Allen jokes wasn't already enough to tip the scales in favour of a slightly older audience ("I have something against drinking from the anus of another creature"), the intense content is sure to set off all but the hardiest young viewers. Not only do we watch Sylvester Stallone's cocky worker ant get beaten in an interrogation sequence - there's also the nightmarish termite massacre will. A flurry of stabbing and decapitation against the acid-spewing, behemoth enemies, it's a magnificent sci-fi battle for adults, but easily one of the most horrifying sequences ever to make its way into a kids movie.
Antz also marks one of the first animated features to play off celebrity voice casting, which unquestionably works in its favour. Apart from quality comedic work from Allen and Stallone playing off their established personas with gleeful aplomb, having a supporting cast chock full of actors like Jennifer Lopez, Anne Bancroft, Danny Glover, Dan Aykroyd and Christopher Walken helps lend texture to otherwise largely thankless secondary roles. Gene Hackman's ferocious growl makes for a perfect adversary as disturbingly militaristic Mandible, and Sharon Stone's effete drawl butts heads perfectly with Allen's neurotic bluster, keeping their road trip pseudo-romance entertaining throughout.
Even if only regarded as A Bug's Life's sparky, snarky cousin, Antz is uniquely daring enough children's fare to stand the test of time. The humour still bristles, the adventure whips along, and there are enough sentimental grace notes amongst the film's self-assured, intellectual snark to ensure that adults and (slightly older) kids are enjoyably engaged throughout. And hey - how long have you been yearning for your average flick to contain the phrase "Buzz off, pawn of the oppressor?" Yeah, I thought so.
-8/10