Movie Guys: Star-studded “Antz” marches through animated adventure

Friday, Oct. 2, 1998 | 10:15 a.m.

* Grades: Jeff, A ; Dave A. * Starring: The voices of Woody Allen, Sharon Stone, Sylvester Stallone, Gene Hackman, Anne Bancroft, Danny Glover, John Mahoney and Christopher Walken. * Directed by: Eric Darnell and Tim Johnson * Screenplay by: Todd Alcott, Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz. * Rated: PG for mild violence and profanity. * Running time: 83 minutes. * Playing at: Rancho Santa Fe 16, Cinedome 12 Las Vegas, Cinedome 12 Henderson, Regal Cinemas Boulder Station, UA Green Valley, UA Showcase mall.

Synopsis:

Z-4195 (Woody Allen) is just a worker ant who longs for a better life. Unhappy with social system of his colony and bored with his drab, day- after-day work routine, Z enlists the aid of his best friend, a soldier ant named Weaver (Sylvester Stallone), to get him a audience with the princess of the colony (Sharon Stone). A remarkable twist of fate turns Z from a common drone into a unlikely hero -- he unwittingly puts a bug in the ambitious General Mandibles' (Gene Hackman) plan to liquidate the colony and remake it in his own image.

Dave:

It was just three years ago when Disney's Pixar production company delighted audiences with the new form of computer animation that made "ToyStory" a box-office hit. Along with creative writing, an all-star cast supplying the voices, and an innovative style of animation, computer graphics took on an entirely new meaning. Now, Dreamworks Pictures (headed by one-time Disney team player Jeffrey Katzenberg) is ready to make themselves a serious contender in the next generation of animated features, starting with the exciting adventure "Antz."

Jeff:

"Toy Story" was the 'The Jazz Singer" of computer animated features. "Antz" will set the standard for all computer features to come. The challenge, as in all animation (be it the traditional hand drawn-type or computer-generated), is creating believable characters and placing them within the medium's endless creative boundaries. The best animation in the world cannot hide a weak story or thinly-portrayed characters. That was the obstacle for "Antz." This time our characters are not the toys we played with in our childhood, but ugly insects who take on, at first glance, an all too familiar appearance of a computer generated design. I'm happy to report that all of those doubts faded away within minutes of the opening scene, where our hero, Z, gets much needed counseling to help him overcome his fear of being insignificant in an ant colony of one billion. "Antz" is a gigantic triumph of tiny porportions.

Dave:

And who better to play the shy, cerebral and conflicted little ant named Z than Woody Allen? Allen not only lends his vocals to this unlikely hero, but his neurotic persona plays hysterically to Z's idealism for individuality. The film is practically an Allen movie in regard to his characterization. In the first ghastly battle scene between the soldier ants and the ambushing, acid-spewing termites, Z's hesitant nature and humorous comments are reminiscent of Allen's "Bananas" and "Love and Death." His affection and interest in the queen's daughter, Bala (tamely voiced by Sharon Stone), recalls his coy act in his films "Sleeper" and "Annie Hall." His entire outlook on the colony's politics is perfect fodder for Allen's uncanny nature to rant on any social structure. It not necessary to be a fan of Allen's films, but if you are, you will appreciate what Allen adds to Z.

Jeff:

I didn't think of a Woody Allen film during the battle scenes, Dave. I was reminded of "Starship Troopers." "Antz" is no Jiminy Cricket tale. It has some horrific scenes of violence, as in the battle of the ants vs. the termites, and the unsettling scene during which some unlucky soldier ants are vaporized with a giant magnifying glass. "Antz" becomes pretty intense at times for the little kids, but I think most will be able to handle it. The images are just incredible: massive ant crowd scenes, water fabrication effects, and even condensation on a Pepsi can are animated with great detail, attention and realism. Each character comes to full life via the great celebrity voices -- a regular "Who's Who" of Hollywood -- coupled with realistic facial images and expressions. Most impressive is Christopher Walken as Colonel Cutter, General Mandible's aid. The moment you hear Walken's voice, which is perfectly matched to his character, you are taken by surprise. Half of the fun is guessing who is voicing which characters: Stallone is an easy mark, as well as Gene Hackman, the evil General with a plan for genocide. The paradox of "Antz" is the well known fact that an ant colony is nature's perfect society. Here in Z's colony it isn't: workers are on the lower rung of the ladder and the soldiers are the ruling class. Despite it fascist theme, "Antz" doesn't suppress lessons in equality and the struggle for individual thought and freedom.

Dave:

Like you said, Jeff, half of the fun is recognizing the familiar voices and mannerisms of each character. The effects are mind-boggling, to the point where you take the animation for granted. The film exposes the miraculous world in which the colony lives. Z and Bala journey outside their colony to find "Insect-topia," a mythical paradise.

Every ant looks completely organic, with distinctive features and humorous gestures, as well as the surrounding environments, from inside the worker's camp to the wondrous outside landscape that is Central Park. This is truly one of the best movies thus far of 1998, with its impressionable message for individuality and its accomplishing mark in animation.

Movie Buzz

'Menace'-ing title:

For those of you sci-fi fans who've been under a rock for the past week, the title of the next film in the popular Star Wars series has been announced. According to Lucasfilm, the official title of the prequel is "Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace." Response to the title among fans has been mixed, to say the least. It doesn't quite roll off the tongue, does it? Oh well, we just hope Billy Zane isn't in this "Phantom."

'Kingdom' comes:

"Men in Black" director Barry Sonnenfeld has acquired the rights to the novel "The Northeast Kingdom," according to Variety. The book tells the story of a small Vermont town overrun by 300 extremely dangerous convicts who have escaped from a nearby maximum security prison. In the middle of the crisis, a female crime novelist who was doing research at the prison must try to find a way to stop the escapees.

Cameron goes 'Ape':

Columnist Marilyn Beck reports that James Cameron is moving closer toward producing a "Planet of the Apes" film rather than the long-delayed "Spider Man." Cameron wants Arnold Schwarzenegger for the lead role (human, not ape, in case you were wondering), which will be scripted by Cameron. Beck also suggests that the ongoing legal battle over the "Spider Man" film rights might prompt Cameron to "just give up" on that project. We hope not: The the thought of Cameron directing a "Spider Man" movie makes our Spidey-Senses tingle!

Name that flick

"Sure, I've heard of grits. I've just never actually seen a grit before." Congratulations to Audrey Rager who was the first to e-mail the correct answer, Joe Pesci from "My Cousin Vinny." Way to go, Audrey! Hey, did you call me a Yoot? What's a Yoot? Well, folks, get ready, because it's October -- The Movie Guys favorite month of the year. So, for the next four weeks we will dip into the cauldron of our favorite horror films for some of the most terrifying quotes ever to appear in print. Now, for this week's chilling quote, who said this and in what film: "This is my costume. I'm a homicidal maniac. They look like everyone else." Does it sound familiar? If you think you know, call The Movie Guys Hotline at 225-9026 or e-mail us at movieguys5@aol.com. Be sure to spell your name and leave a daytime phone number, and if you're the first correct caller/e-mailer, we will print your name right here in our column for the entire Las Vegas Valley to read. See you next week, if you dare!

THE MOVIE GUYS, starring Jeff Howard and Dave Neil, appears every Friday in the Sun (additional material provided by Thomas Feeney). You can also read their capsule reviews of movies in Las Vegas Weekly magazine and watch their reviews every Friday on Channel 3's 11 p.m. newscast. Plus, check them out online at: www.lasvegassun.com/sun/sunlife/ movies.

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