Rating: 
Summary: More than a kid's movie
Review: Antz has deep social issues within the movie. It follows the life of an embattled ant named Z (notice the name choice to signify the "last") and his struggle to break free from the grips of structured society. The hidden meanings are very deep and the animation and the acting are top-notch as well. This movie is not only for kids. Adults should watch it as well, and learn a thing or two about rising above the crowd. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: It's a Small World
Review: Dreamworks explores the world of an unlikely hero in the animated adventure "Antz". A neurotic worker ant (Woody Allen) questions his place in the colony and tries to gain the attention of the rebellious princess Bala (Sharon Stone). After a series of mishaps and misadventures, the ant becomes an inspirational figure and creates an uproar within the colony. "Antz" is a smart and entertaining animated tale of one person making a difference. The story is surprisingly clever, funny and appealing to both kids and adults. Woody Allen delivers a fine comic performances and provides much of the film's witty humor. The voice cast also includes Sylvester Stallone, Jennifer Lopez, Christopher Walken and Gene Hackman. The computer animation and character designs are quite amazing. The scenes within the ant colony and the fierce battle sequence againt the termites, are stunning visual achievements.
Dreamworks manages to pull a real winner. The animated tale is presented in its 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen format. The DVD contains a stunning picture quality with great color detail, and a rich and aggresive 5.1 Dolby Digital sound. The animated menus are colorful and wonderfully done. Its supplemental material features an audio commentary by directors Eric Darnell and Tim Johnson, Behind-the-scene and CGI featurettes, trailers and TV spots. Overall, "Antz" is simply a great DVD and scores a "B+".
Rating:
Summary: CGI Ant Story Meets Early Woody Allen--and Pulls It Off!
Review: "The Battle of the Bugs" is what the media labeled Dreamworks SKG's (successful) attempt to get their 3-D animated bug story released in theaters before Disney did, although the former began production several weeks after the latter. Whose film would be released first: The Company of Michael Eisner, or that of his former disgruntled employee Jeffrey Katzenberg? In retrospect, this behind-the-scenes drama seems more than a bit silly, because: 1) That a similarly-themed movie is released first does not necessarily guarantee bigger box office than its competition, and 2) The solidly-PG-rated ANTZ has less in common with the indisputably-G-rated A BUG'S LIFE than one might think, and 3) Therefore, each film attracted a different audience. As it turned out, both films were smash hits: A BUG'S LIFE made a lot more money (as I'm sure it was destined to do), but ANTZ garnered better reviews. Dreamworks SKG's ANTZ, co-directed by Eric Darnell and Tim Johnson, and released in September of 1998 (a full month before Disney/Pixar's A BUG'S LIFE), tells the very engaging story of a neurotic, lowly worker ant simply named Z (wouldn't his name be Zed in the British version?) voiced by The Woodman himself, whose constantly nagging thoughts of a better existence outside the mindless ant colony drive him to distraction. I love the opening scene with him on the ant psychologist's couch--it's classic Woody from his early comedic period! Actually, the entire film's script is like that, reading like one of his early classics such as TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN (1969) or PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM (1972). After a decade of directing brilliant but increasingly heavy-handed films beginning with CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS (1989), it's refreshing to hear Woody Allen voicing a role that reminds us of how funny a comedic actor he is. The casting of Allen is the lead role here was pure genius. My advice is to see this film with an open mind; forget about "The Battle of the Bugs" as ANTZ has really nothing whatsoever to do with A BUG'S LIFE, with the only exception being that both films star a nerdy ant who attempts to win the affection of the ant colony princess. That's the only similarity! Otherwise, ANTZ is a much-more-grownup story dealing with Z's attempt to woo Princess Bala (Sharon Stone, brilliantly expressive in a surprisingly comedic role) by switching places with his big, macho soldier-ant friend Weaver (Sylvester Stallone, in a fun and equally surprisingly comedic role of his own). Unfortunately for Z, Princess Bala's powerful, but darkly sinister, fiancee General Mandible (Gene Hackman) sends the ant colony into battle against a nearby termite colony, in which Z pairs up with gungo-ho soldier-ant Barbatus (Danny Glover) who saves his life in battle. Being the only ant who survives the battle (which is a bit gruesome, by the way), Z is welcomed back as the unlikely hero, 'accidentally' kidnaps Princess Bala and seeks out this land of freedom known as Insectopia, about which he was told by an old, crazy ant at the ant-bar. Inspired by his example, the other worker ants begin revolting against their way of life, hilariously spouting Socialist slogans along the way. The Queen (Anne Bancroft) is concerned; however, General Mandible has plans of his own. ANTZ is darkly comic and self-knowing; it never takes itself too seriously. One aspect for which it has been criticized is how literally dark it is; taking place mostly inside an underground ant colony, it is mostly sepia-toned. A BUG'S LIFE has more primary colors throughout. (Although to an unrealistic extent---I mean, c'mon, when have you ever seen blue ants?) However, the scenes outside the ant colony in ANTS are actually very bright and colorful. Again, these are just two different films: ANTS, with its mildly adult language, themes and occasional violence, is definitely PG-rated. Its humor is appreciated more by adults than kids. That doesn't mean you should go the extreme route of not letting your pre-teen kid see it (it is, after all, rated PG, not PG-13); however, I wouldn't recommend it for the under-8-year-old-set either. Like with anything else, just use your judgment. The final verdict in my review: ANTZ is a very entertaining combination of 3-D animation and excellent voice-over acting by excellent (and very well-cast) actors such as all who were previously named, plus Christopher Walken, Dan Aykroyd, Jennifer Lopez, John Mahoney, Grant Shaud and Paul Mazursky. It is true that A BUG'S LIFE has superior animation; however, ANTZ has the better and more engaging story. My recommendation is to show A BUG'S LIFE to your 4-year-old-and-above kids; when they reach 8, then start showing them ANTZ. Again, these films have different audiences, and therefore different things to appreciate about each of them. The good thing is that each movie can be appreciated on various levels, so the audience for each is still pretty wide. It's just that ANTZ's audience is not quite as wide as A BUG'S LIFE. But that's okay; ANTZ succeeds brilliantly in its mission to provide an entertaining combo of action for older pre-teen kids and humor for teens/adults. Unfortunately, the DVD doesn't offer a lot of extras, but what it does contain is quite cool, especially the behind-the-scenes look at the film. If you like this type of humor and appreciate 3-D animation, then buy ANTZ if you haven't already done so. RECOMMENDED
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR WOODY ALLEN FANS
Rating:
Summary: A brilliant animated movie!
Review: A witty worker Ant named "Z" switch places with his friend " Weaver" so that he can win the hand of the sexy " Princess Balla" and finds himself in many adventures out of the colony.
A highly entertaining and memorable animated movie done in realistic CGI made by PDI ( the company that animated "Shrek"), it's one of the finest animation movies done by Dreamworks during the same year when "Prince of Egypt" came out and another similar insect story from Disney/Pixar called " A Bug's Life" came out. This is far more for adults than " Bug's Life", it's one of the best animated movies i've ever seen. The voice acting was great with Sylvester Stallone, Woody Allen, Sharon Stone, Christopher Walken, Jane Curtin, Dan Ackyroid, Anne Bancroft, Gene Hackman and Jennifer Lopez makes this a Must See!
Also recommended: A Bug's Life, Finding Nemo, Watership Down, Transformers: The Movie, The Secret of NIMH, The Flight of Dragons, Toy Story, The Hobbit, Toy Story 2, The Last Unicorn, The Dark Crystal, Rock & Rule, Cowboy Bebop: The Movie, Metropolis ( 2001 anime version), Final Fantasy: The Movie, Monsters Inc, Roujin-Z, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Kiki's Delivery Service, Heavy Metal.
Rating: 
Summary: A Comedy That WorkZ
Review: Quirky, clever and highly entertaining, "Antz" is an intelligent and original movie that manages to convince both adults and children alike. Certainly one of the best animated pictures of the last years, this offbeat effort features interesting characters, a fluid and surprising plot, fresh dialogue and innovative animated sequences. The voices of Woody Allen, Sylvester Stallone, Sharon Stone and Gene Hackman also help to create an appealing and charismatic cast of characters. The story, while simple at its core, can actually deliver some food for thought about modern societies, control systems and relationships. All in all, an enjoyable and engaging cinematic experience. Very watchable.
Rating:
Summary: A brilliant animated movie!
Review: A witty worker Ant named "Z" switch places with his friend " Weaver" so that he can win the hand of the sexy " Princess Balla" and finds himself in many adventures out of the colony.
A highly entertaining and memorable animated movie done in realistic CGI made by PDI ( the company that animated "Shrek"), it's one of the finest animation movies done by Dreamworks during the same year when "Prince of Egypt" came out and another similar insect story from Disney/Pixar called " A Bug's Life" came out. This is far more for adults than " Bug's Life", it's one of the best animated movies i've ever seen. The voice acting was great with Sylvester Stallone, Woody Allen, Sharon Stone, Christopher Walken, Jane Curtin, Dan Ackyroid, Anne Bancroft, Gene Hackman and Jennifer Lopez makes this a Must See!
Also recommended: A Bug's Life, Finding Nemo, Watership Down, Transformers: The Movie, The Secret of NIMH, The Flight of Dragons, Toy Story, The Hobbit, Toy Story 2, The Last Unicorn, The Dark Crystal, Rock & Rule, Cowboy Bebop: The Movie, Metropolis ( 2001 anime version), Final Fantasy: The Movie, Monsters Inc, Roujin-Z, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Kiki's Delivery Service, Heavy Metal.
Rating:
Summary: Impressive in pretty much all areas of animated filmmaking.
Review: Antz is a movie you will have to watch twice to appreciate. I didn't really like sitting through this movie at the theatre, but when it came on television recently, I decided to give it another shot. And I had myself in a knot! I was totally shocked by the fantastically original script I hadn't noticed earlier, which contains many cool jokes and the story of an ant who wants freedom. We can really relate to the characters - maybe not to their looks - Z is a very detailed and truthful role model for children 7 - 10 years of age. There is a star-studded cast in there as well, Woody Allen, Gene Hackman, Sharon Stone, Sylvester Stallone, Jennifer Lopez, and it is really nice to see all of them getting into the material and really doing something different. Woody Allen, voicing Z, really manages to bring out the adult humour in the film, which gives the kids and the grown-ups plenty to enjoy. However, it's really the script and the beautiful animation that take the cake in this fabulous journey through the life of an ant that is really one of the best movies of 1998.
Rating:
Summary: Very Mature in Nature
Review: I don't recommend this movie for kids. Its very mature in nature. Theme is virtually very similar to human, too violent. It doesn't depict the true nature of ants. Ants are more civilized than human, they know what to eat and not to eat. unlike humans anything goes.
One horrific scene of the movie is when they attack their enemy, bodies of ants are scattered all over the place. Especially when Woody Allen is talking to Danny Glover's Head, looking for his body.
This kind of movie relates to striking workers who wants justice.
No wonder this movie never got a sequel.Its a fun movie for grown ups but for kids i don't think so.
Rating:
Summary: A Comedy That WorkZ
Review: Quirky, clever and highly entertaining, "Antz" is an intelligent and original movie that manages to convince both adults and children alike. Certainly one of the best animated pictures of the last years, this offbeat effort features interesting characters, a fluid and surprising plot, fresh dialogue and innovative animated sequences. The voices of Woody Allen, Sylvester Stallone, Sharon Stone and Gene Hackman also help to create an appealing and charismatic cast of characters. The story, while simple at its core, can actually deliver some food for thought about modern societies, control systems and relationships. All in all, an enjoyable and engaging cinematic experience. Very watchable.
Rating:
Summary: Very Funny
Review: I couldnt deside between 4 or 5 stars... Anyway this movie illustrates the best ant enviornment and makes bugs life look like crap... Wait it is crap! From the crazy general and the colony, to the termite battle, to woody alan and danny glover, to the picknick scene, to insecttopia, and to the halarious lines by Woody Alan. Its just fun!
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