A BUG'S LIFE

(1998)
With the voices of Dave Foley, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Kevin Spacey, Hayden Panettiere, Phyllis Diller, Richard Kind, David Hyde Pierce, Roddy McDowall, Madeline Kahn, Jonathan Harris
Directed by John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton
Style: Computer-generated
Reviewed by JB

     A curiously underrated film, A BUG'S LIFE, the second Pixar feature, clearly proved that TOY STORY was not a fluke.  It may not have the instantly iconic characters TOY STORY had, but it is a charming film with one of the most interesting voice casts ever.  Classic veterans, popular TV stars and even yet-to-be Disney  starlets all lend their voices to this tale of an ant who hires what he thinks are a group of warriors to help his colony fight off the evil grasshoppers that will be coming back to steal their food.  Yes, it is yet another variation of SEVEN SAMURAI, but with a twist - the warriors are not warriors at all but a group of insect circus performers.  Typical of Pixar, A BUG'S LIFE is funny, warm-hearted and features several outstanding voice artists, with a special tip of the hat to Jonathan Harris ("Dr. Smith" from the old Lost in Space television series) as a theatrical, Shakesperean praying mantis magician. 4 - JB

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