A Bug's Life [Blu-ray]

Genre : DVD ( Blu-ray )
Release : 2009/05/19
Price : $22.99

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There was such a magic on the screen in 1995 when the people at Pixar came up with the first fully computer-animated film, Toy Story. Their second feature film, A Bug's Life, may miss the bull's-eye but Pixar's target is so lofty, it's hard to find the film anything less than irresistible.

Brighter and more colorful than the other animated insect movie of 1998 (Antz), A Bug's Life is the sweetly told story of Flik (voiced by David Foley), an ant searching for better ways to be a bug. His colony unfortunately revolves around feeding and fearing the local grasshoppers (lead by Hopper, voiced with gleeful menace by Kevin Spacey). When Flik accidentally destroys the seasonal food supply for the grasshoppers he decides to look for help ("We need bigger bugs!"). The ants, led by Princess Atta (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), are eager to dispose of the troublesome Flik. Yet he finds help--a hearty bunch of bug warriors--and brings them back to the colony. Unfortunately they are just traveling performers afraid of conflict.

As with Toy Story, the ensemble of creatures and voices is remarkable and often inspired. Highlights include wiseacre comedian Denis Leary as an un-ladylike ladybug, Joe Ranft as the German-accented caterpillar, David Hyde Pierce as a stick bug, and Michael McShane as a pair of unintelligible pillbugs. The scene-stealer is Atta's squeaky-voiced sister, baby Dot (Hayden Panettiere), who has a big sweet spot for Flik.

More gentle and kid-friendly than Antz, A Bug Life's still has some good suspense and a wonderful demise of the villain. However, the film--a giant worldwide hit--will be remembered for its most creative touch: "outtakes" over the end credits à la many live-action comedy films. These dozen or so scenes (both "editions" of outtakes are contained here) are brilliant and deserve a special place in film history right along with 1998's other most talked-about sequence: the opening Normandy invasion in Saving Private Ryan.

The video also contains Pixar's delightful Oscar-winning short, Geri's Game. Box art varies. --Doug Thomas

This is my boyfriend's fav movie, and he has been begging for it for months. We love it!

I had seen this movie several times before but historically speaking, it's a must-own for any fan of the development of CGI. It's groundbreaking clarity, vivid colors and incredible attention to detail put Pixar on the map & set the standard for so many animated films that followed. Great cast, charming story, entirely entertaining for kids & adults alike.

my kids love it,and I take the opportunity to teach them about the different types of insect there are.

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I am NOT reviewing the DVD. Just the movies unless otherwise stated.

Please note that the rating above might not accurately reflect my thoughts, you will see a rating sentence at the end of the review.

Where do I start off? This movie is a classic, maybe not a masterpiece, but at least a classic. It holds a place somewhere in our hearts, no matter how big or SMALL that place may be. For one thing, I think I remember it for just how beautiful this film is. Or is it a film? (Check out my Toy Story review.) They actually had a machine that went out in the wild and was small enough to replicate a bug's view of the world. Therefore, they were able to create a real world of bugs. Some people think that 3-D animation is worse than traditional, and while I think that traditional should not be obliterated, 3-D can be used to create an even more immersive and eye-popping experience. Some people just don't understand that.

This isn't just a kids movie about bugs, it really does hold a personality and story beyond what normally occurs in life. And that's what we want right? Movies are meant to entertain or educate us, and frankly, what we haft to learn right now is not worth sitting through 2 hours of a history show. Just 1 hour. My point is, Pixar gives Fantasy in the way we desire. Sometimes, I feel we do not even realize that we want such an idea of going away from real life, as so many movies try to replicate it. But when I watch a Pixar film, I understand perfectly what I desire. I will pay anything to keep Pixar in the big leagues, because they shouldn't vanish anytime soon.

In other words, the scripting was extremely well done.

Now, the humor is pretty good, but not as good as Toy Story. I feel with bugs, they are the target of murder and torture. Toys, are usually the target of love and compassion. Thus, they could not avoid some dark humor, and I don't appreciate dark humor in a family movie. It's supposed to be A FAMILY MOVIE!!!! But, some other humor pulls off the job well. And then, there's some humor that's just not appropriate. BYOB makes a line in this film, now that's outrageous! Kids, that stands for something very bad. Now, Lemme talk about just (again) how beautiful this is. There is a scene in the mist...watch it...and then you will know the true meaning of the Discovery Channel. In other words, it's been in my mind as one of the best visual scenes in all of family movie history, if not all movie history.

Last but not least, there seems to be some sort of New York theme in Pixar films. I dunno is John Lassetter is from NYC, but it seems very prevalent in the soundtrack. Besides that, you can pretty much get my opinion of most Pixar films from my Toy Story Trilogy reviews.

The Rating? 4/5

This movie is great it came in perfect condition. I will buy another movie from this vendor.