Antz

Rating: ***
Date Seen: 1998-11-06

Antz features the most life-like computer animation I've seen yet. It isn't the groundbreaking innovation that Toy Story was, but it takes the idea of rendered characters a step further by giving them fluid, real-looking joints and faces. Their movements appear spontanious; they make the Toy Story characters look stiff and mechanical in comparison.

Aside from the excellent animation (which was the real draw of this movie), there was some very good voice acting by an impressive cast of big names including Woody Allen, Sharon Stone, Sylvester Stallone, Christopher Walken, Danny Glover, and Dan Aykroyd.

The story consisted of well-tread material. There wasn't a single element in the plot that I haven't seen in dozens, perhaps hundreds, of previous movies. It's the basic lowly worker ant isn't satisfied with his situation, meets the princess, falls in love, doesn't have a chance at her, but through some miraculous mix-up they end up together and save the world formula. And of course there's the sinister general with a plot to do everybody in.

Despite its generic qualities, the plot is well-executed and entertaining. There are lots of funny little details and amusing puns. The characters are are charming and convincing, thanks both to excellent rendering and graceful voice acting. Antz was well worth seeing.