For all his faults, Allen is (& probably always has been), the best comedy writer for the screen. In fact, he's done many non-comedy movies that have been fantastic, including "Midnight In Paris", which the wife and I have watched at least three times..
First, this is a cartoon kids "could" watch; but it is truly animation for adults. And I'm not alluding to merely sex, (of which there are a few allusions), but honestly, everything in the flick.
Comedy Example: Early on, this piece made me laugh. Woody Allen's character, "Z", (our star), is in the psychiatrist's office, expressing his discontent around his entire life being arbitrarily dedicated to digging & moving tiny pieces of earth. At one point, Z dejectedly says to the Shrink, "I just feel so insignificant." When they're all done, the psychiatrist says to Z, "Congratulations Z! You've made a breakthrough!" Z smiles & excitedly replies "I have!?!?" The smiling shrink says "Yes! You ARE insignificant!"
Good story line. And it's got it all.
Without giving too much away, what's cool about this movie, is the quest. Most of the fun is had on Z & Princess Bala's adventure above the colony, on earth, searching for the legendary, "Insectopia".
Sly Stallone (Weaver), is just great as Z's best friend. He's a soldier, unlike Z (who is merely a "soil relocation" worker .). Weaver plays a critical role in accidentally getting Z into trouble, and of course, Z's adventure.
There's a short stint, where the cowardly Z gets caught up in a suicidal war against termites, and in the process, witnesses the ugliness of death that war brings. And, it's actually very effective & heartfelt. This reality is accentuated by the painful death of Z's new found friend, (and soldier) Barbatus (Danny Glover),
Anne Bancroft does a great job as the queen albeit a small part; and the same goes for Christopher Walken as Colonel Cutter, (General Mandible's main hatchet man). Cutter has a key role at the end of the movie.
I saw this movie many years after it was released. I just assumed it was a children's movie, which I'm sure many others did as well.
When I did see it, it was just a small part that happened to be running on the tube, wherever I was at the time. But after laughing a couple of times, during that small piece, I opted to watch the whole movie shortly thereafter.
I think we have this on DVD. It's on a bookshelf in the den with maybe a 1000 others.
Yes, there's a statement around "individualism vs collectivism". And there's a bit of irony here: Z represents the individualism, but in an environment that absolutely thrives on collectivism.
But what's more, is (in real life), Woody's own party has gone completely off the rails, and now represent everything he has so vehemently detested his entire life.
That aside;
Always good for a laugh and yes I do recommend. It's a nice departure, and an easy, & fun/funny watch.
It gets a 10 rating because of the aforementioned points I've made, along with the fact that I've continued to enjoy it more than two additional viewings. And inevitably, will again in the future.
Thx Bob R.
First, this is a cartoon kids "could" watch; but it is truly animation for adults. And I'm not alluding to merely sex, (of which there are a few allusions), but honestly, everything in the flick.
Comedy Example: Early on, this piece made me laugh. Woody Allen's character, "Z", (our star), is in the psychiatrist's office, expressing his discontent around his entire life being arbitrarily dedicated to digging & moving tiny pieces of earth. At one point, Z dejectedly says to the Shrink, "I just feel so insignificant." When they're all done, the psychiatrist says to Z, "Congratulations Z! You've made a breakthrough!" Z smiles & excitedly replies "I have!?!?" The smiling shrink says "Yes! You ARE insignificant!"
Good story line. And it's got it all.
- Our protagonist: "Z", our rebel. He's truly
- Our antagonist & BAD guy; (General Mandable), very aptly portrayed by Gene Hackman. The psychotic General has designs on pretty much killing all of the ants in the colony for his own insane reasons. He knows how to control and manipulate the masses.
- Love: Sharon Stone is absolutely delightful as Princess Bala. And when she gets caught with Z, there's your foundation for a love story. She is stuck up, yet bored & looking for some action.
- War
- Adventure
- Comedy
Without giving too much away, what's cool about this movie, is the quest. Most of the fun is had on Z & Princess Bala's adventure above the colony, on earth, searching for the legendary, "Insectopia".
Sly Stallone (Weaver), is just great as Z's best friend. He's a soldier, unlike Z (who is merely a "soil relocation" worker .). Weaver plays a critical role in accidentally getting Z into trouble, and of course, Z's adventure.
There's a short stint, where the cowardly Z gets caught up in a suicidal war against termites, and in the process, witnesses the ugliness of death that war brings. And, it's actually very effective & heartfelt. This reality is accentuated by the painful death of Z's new found friend, (and soldier) Barbatus (Danny Glover),
Anne Bancroft does a great job as the queen albeit a small part; and the same goes for Christopher Walken as Colonel Cutter, (General Mandible's main hatchet man). Cutter has a key role at the end of the movie.
I saw this movie many years after it was released. I just assumed it was a children's movie, which I'm sure many others did as well.
When I did see it, it was just a small part that happened to be running on the tube, wherever I was at the time. But after laughing a couple of times, during that small piece, I opted to watch the whole movie shortly thereafter.
I think we have this on DVD. It's on a bookshelf in the den with maybe a 1000 others.
Yes, there's a statement around "individualism vs collectivism". And there's a bit of irony here: Z represents the individualism, but in an environment that absolutely thrives on collectivism.
But what's more, is (in real life), Woody's own party has gone completely off the rails, and now represent everything he has so vehemently detested his entire life.
That aside;
Always good for a laugh and yes I do recommend. It's a nice departure, and an easy, & fun/funny watch.
It gets a 10 rating because of the aforementioned points I've made, along with the fact that I've continued to enjoy it more than two additional viewings. And inevitably, will again in the future.
Thx Bob R.