Antz is rock-solid entertainment, and while it isn't as funny as Bug's Life, it has a great social message that Bug's Life lacks. I thoroughly recommend this movie, and the only criticism I have is that there are some scenes that young children might find frightening, like the fight between the ants and the big green bugs. The visuals are a delight, as well as the tightly-structured script.The story, while simple, is well-told, and is sensibly revolved around the life of Z, brilliantly voiced by Woody Allen. Sharon Stone was suitably feisty as Princess Bala, and Sylvester Stallone was a huge surprise as Weaver. Christopher Walken was also good, but it's the villain who steals the show, like Bug's Life. Gene Hackman's General was deliciously sinister, and quite complex, very similar to Kevin Spacey in Bug's Life(Hopper is SLIGHTLY better). All in all, a witty and charming film, that is recommended. 9/10. Bethany Cox

Z (Woody Allen) is a neurotic little worker ant. He doesn't like the collective and wants to be an individual. Princess Bala sneaks out to the workers' bar and meets Z. He decides to switch places temporarily with soldier Weaver to get closer to Bala. It happens to be the day that they attack the termite army. It's a brutal battle and only Z returns. He's touted as a war hero. When his true identity is revealed, he tackles Bala and they fall out of the anthill. He intends on going to the legendary Insectopia and Bala has no choice but to follow him. Meanwhile, word spreads that Z was actually a worker and the workers revolt. General Mandible turns the mob to his advantage.

Woody Allen is an ant. Of course, he's neurotic but he's also heroic in his individuality. They probably missed an opportunity to make Z look like the real Woody. This works a little better for the adults who see the comedy coming from Woody. The colors are not quite bright enough for the kids. It's a good story but I'm not sure if it means anything to the little ones.

The first strength of this film is that it features Woody Allen in the principle role. The ant he plays delivers the self absorbed and fearful lines that Woody delivers in each of the films he is in. Here he plays an ant who is part of the collective. He realizes his only significance is a cog in the the machine that, for all practical purposes, reproduces itself but never evolves. He meets a female ant and the two have similar issues. There are all the expected pitfalls, and they make their respective ways toward a kind of utopia for crawly things. This is really quite delightful. I believe it came out close to the time "A Bug's Life" did.