A very enjoyable computer animated adventure from the makers of Toy Story, A Bug's Life is the second movie this year about animated insects (the first was Antz). But it turns out the world is big enough for both of them.

Both films are about an ant who's an individual set apart from the other drones. And in both films the hero saves the ant colony. In this case, an ant named Flik (voiced by former Kid in the Hall, Dave Foley) who fancies himself an inventor. When one of his creations causes a calamity and inspires the wrath of some grasshoppers who rule over the ants, Flik sets out to find some warrior insects to fight off the oppressors. Instead, he finds a troupe of theatrical bugs from a flea circus -- it turns out they can just pretend to be warriors.

Where Antz used the ant hill as the basis for a sociopolitical allegory that was best appreciated by adults, the treatment in A Bug's Life results in a more light-hearted movie for everyone. The kids will enjoy the characters and the truly remarkable animation (a touch above the work done in Antz), and there's still plenty of humor for adults (for example: Dennis Leary as a lady bug who isn't a lady). It's enjoyable and positive and it has some awe inspiring images -- and that's enough for to satisfy kids. The movie doesn't have the depth, cleverness, or engaging characters of Antz. The creatures in this film may look more three dimensional, but they're written to be more one-dimensional. I'll take Woody Allen's "Z" over this film's Flik. But Flik will be more of a hit with kids and the people who count the money at Disney won't mind that a bit.

If you want to see a very well made kid's movie about ants, see A Bug's Life. If you want to see a movie that will become a classic, see Antz.

Perhaps the most original invention of A Bug's Life is saved for the closing credits: the filmmakers provide "outtakes" of the insect actors making mistakes. They're worth sticking around for.

(c) Copyright 1999