Steve Goble

Choose life. (Deuteronomy 30:19)


This film seems determined to get watched by me, as often as possible.

In 2000 I first caught about ten minutes of it at a UK ciné convention, where some bright spark had synced-up the pictures from the Super 8 release with the 5-channel surround sound of the DVD one. Alas, the acoustics of the hall didn't really do it justice.

Then in 2004 it was showing on one of my UK/NZ flights, following which I saw it on the telly in Britain. I've also since seen it just starting on TV in NZ.

So this morning I sat down to enjoy the whole thing all over again, which must surely be a good sign.

As usual with Pixar, the story and characters are quite fun and easy to follow, and the cast seem to have been a big part of that. Jonathan Harris absolutely relishes his role as Manny the praying mantis.

I do think the plot is a bit confusing as, even having seen it before, I actually found myself rewinding the tape a couple of times to get what was happening. Flik's (Dave Foley) reason for thinking that the circus insects are warriors was initially lost on me, as was their counter-belief that they were being booked to perform a show. This misunderstanding is the story's funniest gag, upon which so much of the subsequent comedy hinges, so in retrospect I think it's a good job that I never watched this in the cinema.

Not sure if this is a plus or a minus, but it's also a rare Pixar film in which the villain is implied to die at the end. (ignoring either sequence of out-takes)

The animation hasn't aged well, ironically making everything look like a Dreamworks production, but it is still perfectly serviceable. When Flik returns to the colony, apparently having completed his mission to find some big tough warriors to save everyone, the look on Princess Atta's (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) face is absolutely priceless:


Just how many conflicting feelings have they got this single expression convey?

There was a gag in the closing credits of Toy Story 2 regarding a possible Bug's Life sequel, and it's a shame this never came to pass.

Available here.

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3 comment(s):

At 1:11 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dora the Explorer: The Lost City
Blue's Clues: The Legend of the Blue Puppy
LazyTown: Sports Day
Little Bill: Little Bill's Adventure with Captain Brainstorm
Max & Ruby: Max's Work of Art / Max Meets Morris / Ruby's Scavenger Hunt
Oswald: A Day at the Beach / Sand Sculpture Contest
Dora the Explorer: Super Map
LazyTown: Sleepless In LazyTown
The Backyardigans: The Quest for the Flying Rock
Blue's Clues: Pajama Party
Little Bill: Little Bill's Giant Space Adventure
Max & Ruby: Ruby's Lemonade Stand / Ruby's Rummage Sale / Ruby's Magic Act
Dora the Explorer: Meet Diego!
The Backyardigans: Race to the Tower of Power
Blue's Clues: Joe's Surprise Party
LazyTown: Soccer Sucker
Little Bill: Same Moon, Same Sun, Same Star / All Together Now
Max & Ruby: Ruby's Pajama Party / Baby Max / Bunny Scout Brownies
Dora the Explorer: ¡Rápido, Tico!
The Backyardigans: Pirate Treasure
Blue's Clues: 100th Episode Celebration!
LazyTown: Prince Stingy
Little Bill: Racing Time / All Tied Up
Max & Ruby: Max Cleans Up / Max's Cuckoo Clock / Ruby's Jewelry Box
Dora the Explorer: Boots' Special Day
The Backyardigans: Knights are Brave and Strong
Wonder Pets!: Save the Duckling! / Save the Kitten!
Blue's Clues: Meet Polka Dots!
Little Bill: The Zoo / My Pet Elephant
Max & Ruby: Ruby Writes a Story / Max's Dominoes / Grandma's Attic
Dora the Explorer: Backpack
Wonder Pets!: Save the Cow! / Save the Skunk!
The Backyardigans: Monster Detectives
Jack's Big Music Show: Marching Band
Blue's Clues: What Did Blue See?
Little Bill: Ready, Set, Read! / I Got a Letter
All Grown Up - Lucky 13
SpongeBob SquarePants - SpongeBob B.C. (Before Comedy)
The Fairly OddParents - Information Stuporhighway
Jimmy Neutron/The Fairly OddParents - Jimmy/Timmy Power Hour
Danny Phantom - Bitter Reunions
My Life as a Teenage Robot - Hostile Makeover
Rugrats - Finsterella
The Fairly OddParents - The Big Superhero Wish!
All Grown Up - Interview with a Campfire
SpongeBob SquarePants - I'm with Stupid
SpongeBob SquarePants - SpongeBob Meets the Strangler
My Life as a Teenage Robot - Gridiron Glory
The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius - Sleepless In Retroville
Danny Phantom - Splitting Images
Rugrats - All Growed Up
All Grown Up - Dude, Where's My Horse?
SpongeBob SquarePants - Fear of a Krabby Patty
Catscratch - Bringin' Down the Mouse
The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius - Brobot
Danny Phantom - Fright Night
My Life as a Teenage Robot - See No Evil
The Fairly OddParents - Hail to the Chief
The Fairly OddParents - Twistory
All Grown Up - R.V. Having Fun Yet?
SpongeBob SquarePants - Have You Seen This Snail?
The Fairly OddParents - Where's Wanda?
The Fairly OddParents - Imaginary Gary
The X's - Photo Ops
The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius - The Big Pinch
Danny Phantom - Teacher of the Year
My Life as a Teenage Robot - The Great Unwashed
SpongeBob SquarePants - Dunces and Dragons
Mr. Meaty - Parkerina
The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius - The Trouble with Clones
Danny Phantom - Fanning the Flames
My Life as a Teenage Robot - Future Shock
The X's - Secret Agent Manual
Catscratch - Love Cats
All Grown Up - The Finster Who Stole Christmas
SpongeBob SquarePants - Christmas Who?
The Fairly OddParents - Christmas Every Day!
Rugrats - The Santa Experience
Danny Phantom - The Fright Before Christmas!
My Life as a Teenage Robot - A Robot for All Seasons
ChalkZone - When Santas Collide
The Huggleflower / Monster Lullaby
Astrobrix / The Sore Roar
Promises Promises / Fireworks Night
The Hugglejuice Stand / The Huggledance Party
Carried Away / Monster In Charge
Monsterpet Pageant / Ivor's First Stomp
Bye Bye Beckett & Pet Party
Number One Fan & Henry's Hugglefish
Sneez-O-Rama & The Huggleball Game
Paint the Town & Henry, Incorporated
Monsters on the Town & Enormo Henry
Monster Seeds & Henry and the Sno-grr

 
At 1:13 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Clubhouse
Adventure
Summer
Animals
New Friends
Find
Greetings
Share
Family
Games
Together
Imagine
Doctor
Teeth
Clean
Car
Birthday
Dress Up
Talent
Ride
Band
Move
Differences
Train
Friends
Eat
Dance
Happy
Super Spies
Mystery
Space
Big
Circus
Treasure
Flying
Fun
Halloween
Scary
Fun
Careful
Mission To Mars
Samurai Pie
Scared of You
Whodunit
The Legend of the Volcano Sisters
The Swamp Creature
Horsing Around
Special Delivery
Movers of Arabia
Cops and Robots
Sinbad Sails Alone
Best Clowns In Town
Into the Deep
Save the Day
News Flash
Catch That Butterfly
International Super Spy
The Secret of Snow
A Giant Problem
Dragonboat Festival
Beach Day
Twirly Whirly Flyers
Everybody's Hat Parade
Dora's World Adventure
Journey to the Purple Planet
The Golden Explorers
Baby Crab
The Mixed-Up Seasons
We All Scream for Ice Cream
Beaches
Dora's Got a Puppy
Save the Puppies
ABC Animals
Grandma's House
The Shy Rainbow
A Crown for King Juan el Bobo
Bugga Bugga
Te Amo
Dora Saves the Mermaids
Fish Out of Water
Treasure Island
Diego's Safari Rescue
Panchita the Prairie Dog
Jorge the Little Hawk Learns to Migrate
Rainforest Race
The Great Roadrunner Race
The Tapir's Trip Home
Baby Jaguar to the Rescue!
The Iguana Sing Along
Diego and Alicia Save the Otters
Linda the Librarian
Cool Water for Ana the Anaconda
An Underwater Mystery
Diego Saves Baby River Dolphin
Journey to Jaguar Mountain
Chito and Rita the Spectacled Bears
The Great Jaguar Rescue
Little Kinkajou is in Beehive Trouble
The Mommy Macaw
Chinta the Baby Chinchilla
Save the Beetles! / Three Wonder Pets and a Baby!
Save the Chameleon! / Save the Platypus!
Save the Duckling! / Save the Kitten!
Save the Sheep! / Save the Hermit Crab!
Save the Unicorn! / Save the Penguin!
Save the Three Little Pigs! / Save the Owl!
Save the Swan! / Save the Puppy!
Save the Bullfrog! / Save the Poodle!
Save the Dinosaur! / Save the Pigeon!
Save the Dragon! / Save the Beaver!
Save the Bee! / Save the Squirrel!
Save the Dolphin! / Save the Chimp!
Save the Reindeer!
Save the Camel! / Save the Ants!
Save the Goldfish! / Save the Baby Birds!
Save the Egg! / Save the Flamingo!
Save the Wonder Pets!
Save the Sea Lions! / Save the Kangaroo!
Save the Caterpillar! / Save the Crane!
Save the Crocodile! / Save the Hedgehog!
When Pants Attack
Normal Boy
Birth of a Salesman
Brobot
The Big Pinch
Granny Baby
Time is Money
Jimmy on Ice
Battle of the Band
Raise the Oozy Scab
The Phantom of Retroland
Hypno-Birthday To You
Hall Monster
Trading Faces
Journey to the Center of Carl
I Dream of Jimmy
Substitute Creature
Broadcast Blues
Professor Calamitous, I Presume
Operation: Rescue Jet Fusion
My Son, the Hamster
See Jimmy Run
Krunch Time
Safety First
The Retroville 9
Grumpy Young Men
Attack of the Twonkies
Send in the Clones
A Beautiful Mine
The Junkman Cometh
Jimmy Timmy Power Hour
Crime Sheen Investigation
Sleepless In Retroville
Maximum Hugh
Jimmy Timmy Power Hour 2: When Nerds Collide!
I Dream of Jimmy
Nightmare In Retroville
Jimmy Timmy Power Hour 3: The Jerkinators!
Ultra Sheen
The Feud

 
At 1:14 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Letter Factory
Talking Words Factory
Talking Words Factory 2: Code Word Caper
Math Circus
Learn to Read at the Storybook Factory
The Boy in the Iceberg
The Avatar Returns
The Southern Air Temple
The Warriors of Kyoshi
The King of Omashu
Imprisoned
Winter Solstice, Part 1: The Spirit World
Winter Solstice, Part 2: Avatar Roku
The Waterbending Scroll
Jet
The Great Divide
The Storm
The Blue Spirit
The Fortuneteller
Bato of the Water Tribe
The Deserter
The Northern Air Temple
The Waterbending Master
The Siege of the North, Part 1
The Siege of the North, Part 2
The Avatar State
The Cave of Two Lovers
Return to Omashu
The Swamp
Avatar Day
The Blind Bandit
Zuko Alone
The Chase
Bitter Work
The Library
The Desert
The Serpent's Pass
The Drill
City of Walls and Secrets
The Tales of Ba Sing Se
Appa's Lost Days
Lake Laogai
The Earth King
The Guru
The Crossroads of Destiny
The Awakening
The Headband
The Painted Lady
Sokka's Master
The Beach
The Avatar and the Fire Lord
The Runaway
The Puppetmaster
Nightmares and Daydreams
The Day of Black Sun, Part 1: The Invasion
The Day of Black Sun, Part 2: The Eclipse
The Western Air Temple
The Firebending Masters
The Boiling Rock, Part 1
The Boiling Rock, Part 2
The Southern Raiders
The Ember Island Players
Sozin's Comet, Part 1: The Phoenix King
Sozin's Comet, Part 2: The Old Masters
Sozin's Comet, Part 3: Into the Inferno
Sozin's Comet, Part 4: Avatar Aang
Balloon-a-Palooza
Wayne's Day Out
Smells Like a Mystery
A Really Hot Day
Kip Joins the Circus
Bright Sights, Big City
Ship Ahoy!
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Fish
Dirigible Day
Catch Up With Ketchup
Around the World Adventure
Naila and the Magic Map
Jasper's Cowboy Wish
Unpack Your Adjectives
Lolly, Lolly, Lolly, Get Your Adverbs Here
Conjunction Junction
Interjections!
Rufus Xavier Sarsaparilla
Verb: That's What's Happening
A Noun is a Person, Place or Thing
Busy Prepositions
The Tale of Mr. Morton
The Body Machine
Do the Circulation
Electricity, Electricity
The Energy Blues
Interplanet Janet
Telegraph Line
Them Not-So-Dry Bones
A Victim of Gravity
Dollars and Sense
$7.50 Once a Week
Where the Money Goes
Tax Man Max
Walkin' on Wall Street
This for That
Tyrannosaurus Debt
The Check's in the Mail
No More Kings
Fireworks
The Shot Heard 'Round the World
The Preamble
Elbow Room
The Great American Melting Pot
Mother Necessity
Sufferin' Till Suffrage
I'm Just a Bill
Three Ring Government
My Hero, Zero
Elementary, My Dear
Three is a Magic Number
The Four-Legged Zoo
Ready or Not, Here I Come
I Got Six
Lucky Seven Sampson
Figure Eight
Naughty Number Nine
The Good Eleven
Little Twelvetoes
Olivia Acts Out/Olivia and Grandma's Visit
Olivia Plays Piano/Olivia Trains Her Cat
Olivia and The Crystal Ball/Olivia Plays Soccer
Olivia Packs Up/Olivia Is Invited To Dinner
Olivia Takes Ballet/Olivia and Her Ducklings
Olivia Runs a Carnival/Olivia Explores the Attic
Olivia and the Anniversary Surprise/Olivia the Pet Monitor
Olivia Goes Camping/Olivia Becomes a Vet
Olivia Claus/Olivia and the Family Photo
Olivia's Ice Spectacular/Olivia's Snow Day
Olivia Makes a Wedding Gift/Olivia Makes Magic
Olivia and Her Babies/Olivia's Good Luck
Olivia's Pirate Treasure
Princess for a Day
Olivia's Tip Top Tapper
Olivia's Wild West Treasure Hunt
Olivia Becomes a Chef
Olivia Plays Hotel
Olivia's Fashion Show
Olivia Goes International
Olivia Paints a Mural
Olivia Plans a Tea Party

 

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