Film Review: AntZ

AntZ begins with a character of an ant designated Z-4195 (Woody Allen) talking to an ant shrink, discussing how insignificant he feels as a worker among millions in a colony of ants and he wants more out of life. The banter between Allen and Paul Mazursky (The Psychologist) is quite telling in that it directly reflects how many of us, you and I, feel about being part of the rat race. ‘Z’ is sent on his way with little or no hope or help, only to return to the caverns occupied by the workers and proletariat among the ant family. The story moves along and becomes fairly exciting when the equally bored, pampered, and spoiled princess ant Bala (Sharon Stone) decides to go the worker’s after work bar and ends up dancing with guess who, … Z-4195. He immediately falls for her and through a series of happenstantial incidents ends up her protector and benefactor on a desperate battle to stay alive no less exciting than the fight for survival endured by the tiny cast of Honey I Shrunk The Kids. After this movie you’ll never walk by an ant hill again without saying to yourself, "Hmm, I wonder?"

The plot is extremely easy to follow and the writers, Todd Alcott and Chris Weitz have cleverly weaved two complete movies into one. The first movie is aimed at the children. It’s remarkable in that the characters personified are completely believable, not the least bit scary, and will provide enduring fun and excitement for the tike on your lap as well as the mischievous 10 year old in the seat next to you. The attitudes and quirks of the characters will delight them, enthrall them, and please you that they’re pleased.

Okay, enough about the kids, let’s look at the second movie. The movie under the movie AntZ is no less important than some of the most important and notable books this century. AntZ more resembles a screen version of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, Anthem, We, Animal Farm, and the great Atlas Shrugged than the animated feature it is. I caution you – don’t underestimate the theme of this film which is the simple way it suggest that any individual can be anything he or she wishes. AntZ makes it clear that the collective and the neo communist doctrines that go along with it, will keep a person from ever pursuing a better life in lieu of sacrifice to someone else’s life. It shows the power of the collective strength while subtlety warning against going to the collective extreme. It’s pretty heady stuff and it’s a message I think you’ll like. Children who understand the message of the movie will sense that peer pressure and what friends think of them is not nearly as important as what they think of themselves. In Z’s victory, is all of our victory and in those who would pervert individuality we see an eventual end that’s surprisingly fitting.

There are many items of note in this exceptional film not least of which is the voice of Gene Hackman who gave life to the venerable General Mandible. Mandible is engaged to Princess Bala but she is bored with his rigidity and anti romantic persona. Hackman’s voice sizzles with exacting demands as he orders his troops in their every move. The animated character seemed to look like Hackman as did all the characters resemble the owners of their voices. Perhaps the power of their voices shapes one’s visual perception but whatever the audible/optical illusion, you could feel the presence of the voice behind the animation. Other notables were Sly Stallone as Weaver. He’s lovable, horny, and possesses a heart as big as all outdoors. Christopher Walken provided the voice of Colonel Cutter, the general's assistant. He’s cunning, careful, and absent of even a shred of decency. He’s a great villain and adds important balance to the character dynamic between Bala, The Queen, Mandible, and Z. Speaking for the Queen was the always graceful Ann Bancroft. I can’t put my finger on it but something in her voice brings an almost human credibility to her position of nobility. She’s strong yet gentle and in no way appears feminist, just queenly beautiful. Almost certain to be a favorite with kids and adults is the character and voice of Danny Glover as Barbados who protected and saved Z’s life as Z’s plan to see the princess goes crazy and he ends up on the front lines in pitched battle fighting an enormous army of termites. Glover’s gritty voice lends believable compassion and admiration for Z whose frail demeanor clearly has him in the wrong place at the absolute wrong time.

Finally the best stars of the film are the animators. I’ve never seen an animated feature film with the scope of action and expression bestowed upon these ants. Toy Story was fabulous, but still characterizations of toys.  AntZ's characters seem almost human. The ant’s facial expressions rival anything you’d see by a live actor and in most instances, are better. The eyes, the gentle tilts of the heads was far more exquisite than the perfunctory motions made by the animators of Mulan. It’s clear that this group of animators had something to prove and have done so. The writing is perfectly matched to the movement and rhythm of the situations. The movie was full of one liners even the wisest sage would cherish.

Antz is a monumental achievement in the touching array of messages about the power of individuality. I wish more films could so easily lace their messages into the body of a film without being preachy, but it’s not a perfect world and a simply scrumptious animated movie doesn’t come along all that often. The Lion King and parts of PageMaster was the last time animated features have made such an important and strong social statement. It took guts to do it and the makers of this film have a jewel to be proud of.

So, if you are up to a wholesome movie with a good message that's fun for kids and adults alike, then Antz is for you.

Movies, Art reflecting life!