ANTZ
SYNOPSIS:
Z (Woody Allen) is a worker ant - one of a billion - smitten by the beautiful Princess
Bala (Sharon Stone), when she asks the diffident Z to dance one night while slumming it at
a workers’ club. The Princess is engaged to the power-driven General Mandible (Gene
Hackman). What chance a worker ? But Z, undergoing therapy, is undaunted. Swapping places
with his soldier friend Weaver (Sylvester Stallone), Z almost gets within coooee of the
Princess. But war is declared against the menacing termites and the nervous little worker
is carried off to the front. Through a combination of cowardice and good luck, Z is the
sole survivor, and war hero. But when his worker status is revealed, he is in danger. And
so is the entire community, from a planned coup de colony by Mandible. Desperate, Z
kidnaps Bala and they end up on a wild adventure outside the colony, looking for the
legendary Insectopia. Z has to impress the Princess and somehow stop the anticide. . . .
"Just before the Antz screening, we were shown some trailers, including one for
Prince of Egypt, the animated story of Moses from the Bible. I was interested to hear it
described as ‘a family adventure’. If the Bible stories can be trimmed into
family adventure, perhaps its fitting that the story of a colony of ants can be turned
into a parable. But have no fear, Antz does not preach; in fact it’s downright funny
for almost its entire 77 minute running time. But a parable it is, all the same, perhaps
even unintentionally; here are all these ants, each assigned a place and a station in
life. Along comes one who questions the standing orders, upsetting others and endangering
a few as well. He is different? How come. Well, because he’s Woody Allen (vocally and
psychologically). And what happens? Go see for yourself. Suffice to say the film is a
character driven comedy first, and animated ground breaker second. Sure they look odd,
these insect-like things, but they have capped teeth like us (well, not us, but like movie
stars . . . you know) and they have feelings, dreams, disappointments and even sexual
fantasies like we do. They are humans in all but antennae. Our attachment to Z is
complete, we root for the antz against the termites, we can’t wait to see Mandible
get his comeuppance and we don’t care that Bala never crosses her legs. It’s the
ants pants of animated movies."
Andrew L. Urban
"Unique and imaginative in its concept, Antz is a delight, loaded with wit, style
and charm. It’s a joyous ride into the structured world of these endearing insects,
where workers, drones, soldiers and queen all take their place. Yet the emotions and
sensibilities are all human, and we can relate to them beautifully. Technically,
there’s plenty to ogle at, but it’s the key role voiced by the irrepressible
Woody Allen, that makes this tale of the individual versus the system, an enticing foray
into a world about which most of us will never have fantasised – not like this,
anyhow. From the very beginning when Z ant is contemplating his insecurities on the
therapist’s couch, Antz is a film that involves, delights and amuses. Allen and the
ant are one – it is hard to separate them, and it’s not hard to believe the role
was written for him. There are plays on words, the use of carefully chosen, relevant music
and the casting of a most impressive line up of talent. Sharon Stone, seductive as the
princess; Sly Stallone, distinctive tones bring pathos; Jennifer Lopez, alluring. The
themes comprise loyalty, duty, ambition and accomplishment, and we are barracking for the
workers all along. Antz is a stunning escape, a marvellous use of cinematic animation
skills that buzz from concept to execution. For lovers of great ideas, executed with
pizzazz and panache, Antz is the critter of the season."
Louise Keller
"Antz is a hoot of a film, a masterfully crafted, computer-animated piece of
cinematic artistry that is hilariously funny and totally engaging. Animation has often
been relegated to children's cinema, but Antz is no kids' film: it is a sharply observed,
dialogue-driven piece, not only visually astounding, but also brilliantly written. The
film has been tailor-made for its vocal talents. Of course, the film belongs to Woody, and
his opening sequence - in which he's lying on a leaf bitching and moaning about his plight
to his shrink - sets the witty and comical tone of this fascinating fable. Antz is a film
about conformity, power, the weak being trampled by those perceived as being superior,
it's about revolution, heroism and social order. All of these themes have been perfectly
interwoven throughout less than 80 minutes of screen time. The animated characters, all
creatively engineered by computer, have been designed to fit the various personae of the
voice actors, and the similarities are remarkable. Apart from Allen, whose scene-stealing
performance represents some of his finest comedic work, Sharon Stone is terrific as the
feisty, spoiled princess, Gene Hackman makes for an imposing villain, and Sly Stallone is
a revelation as the soldier who ends up falling for Jennifer Lopez’ cute little ant.
Visually, Antz is spectacular, with the crowd sequences among the most cinematically
exciting. But most of all, Antz is a witty comedy which adult audiences will revel in. It
is a fresh, exciting and truly entertaining film with some potent themes thrown in."
Paul Fischer
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TRAILER
SOFCOM MOVIE TIMES
Paul Fischer travels to Toronto, Palo Alto and Los Angeles to go INSIDE THE ANTZHILL
ANTZ (G)
(US)
VOICES: Woody Allen, Sharon Stone, Sylvester Stallone, Anne Bancroft, Danny Glover,
Christopher Walken, Jane Curtin, Jennifer Lopez, John Mahoney, Grant Shaud, Paul Mazursky
DIRECTOR: Eric Darnell, Lawrence Guterman, and Tim Johnson
PRODUCER: Brad Lewis, Aron Warner, Patty Wooton
SCRIPT: Todd Alcott, Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz
CINEMATOGRAPHER:
EDITOR: Stan Webb
MUSIC: Harry Gregson-Williams and John Powell
PRODUCTION DESIGN: John Bell
RUNNING TIME: 77 minutes
AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTOR: UIP
AUSTRALIAN RELEASE: October 29, 1998
AUSTRALIAN VIDEO RELEASE: May 7, 1999
VIDEO DISTRIBUTOR: CIC
Rental or Sell-thru (RRP: 29.95)
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