Currently, Dreamworks Animation is renowned for its work on projects such as Shrek; but where were they before Shrek? Where did Dreamworks Animation begin? The answer: Antz. Antz was their first feature length animation, with outstanding voice performances by some very well-chosen thespians, with brilliant creative writing, and a storyline to rival A Bug’s Life, the more child friendly bug-oriented alternative of that year.
Antz is essentially the mature version of A Bug’s Life that adults and bug enthusiasts alike can enjoy. The humor is smarter, fresher, and has a snap that other animated films tend to steer away from. It handles issues of autonomy, forms of government, and creative displays of anti-war sentiments. But what would you expect with a cast consisting of Woody Allen, Dan Aykroyd, Gene Hackman, Danny Glover, Sylvester Stallone, Sharon Stone, Jennifer Lopez, Anne Bancroft, and even our beloved Christopher Walken. This movie has everything an intelligent film consumer is looking for and best of all… it’s about ants!! (That may not be best of all… that depends on your outlook on ants and other creatures with thoraxes).
Antz is all about how one worker ant, Z (Z for Zendetta… haha… played by Woody Allen), interrupts the status quo of his colony by falling in love with the Princess Bala (Sharon Stone), how he kidnaps his newfound love, how Bala learns to love him, and how they save the colony. Throughout this story there are brilliant throwbacks to films of the past including Star Wars and Independence Day, and the talent themselves aren’t above channeling past characters in order to increase the movie’s hilarity.
The film’s tackling of non-conformity is startling, especially when you consider its supposedly adolescent target audience. While the true meaning of an ant rejecting its place within a well-rehearsed and set society may not be totally grasped by younger viewers, for those of us with a better grasp of history, there are striking parallels between this film and the overall themes of the 60s and 70s. The soldier choral rendering of The Ants Go Marching is hauntingly beautiful and actually made this reviewer rewind a few times in an attempt fully understand why that moment was so gripping. I don’t think I know why, even now.
The voice work of Woody Allen is perfect as the neurotic and always questioning Z who hates his role as a worker ant and longs to be something more. Woody Allen has a set niche in the comedy world and every line he has in Antz is tinged with his masterfully wonderful paranoia that can only belong to the one ant out of a few million that thinks he is special. Sharon Stone’s portrayal of the equally dissatisfied ant princess, tired of the responsibilities of her station and equally wary of her future engagement to the single-mindedly aggressive General Mandible (Hackman), is flawless. She’s spoiled and yet able to see how her position in society is one of privilege compared to the countless colonial majorities.
Even if you didn’t have a cast listing in front of you, there’s one voice you would undoubtedly recognize above all others due to its patterns and vigor, Gene Hackman’s. His impression of General Mandible is very Marxist with a tint of Hitler’s Aryan enthusiasm. Here we have presented one of the most striking issues of Antz in the form of Mandible’s desire to wipe out the weak and impure aspects of the colony in favor of one comprised only of the strong and able. A powerful statement and one countered by Z’s declaration of what it is that truly constitutes a colony.
Sylvester Stallone and Jennifer Lopez play Z’s two companions Weaver and Azteca, respectively. Stallone’s halting and recognizable voice is fun to listen to even if you’ve never considered yourself a fan of his voice. The same can be said for J-Lo, as she fills in her role nicely.
With all the great voice talent compiled into one film, it’s no wonder that Antz ended up as such a great piece of social commentary accessible to not only the children, but to the more message-conscious adults as well. Bravo Dreamworks Animation on your first and perhaps your most analytically sharp piece to date.
"Antz" opens October 2, 1998 and is rated PG. Adventure, Animation, Children & Family, Comedy. Directed by Eric Darnell, Tim Johnson. Written by Penny Finkelman Cox, Sandra Rabins, Carl Rosendahl. Starring Anne Bancroft, Gene Hackman, Jennifer Lopez, Sharon Stone, Sylvester Stallone, Woody Allen.
