Ant Bully: Movie Review

I am probably not the most unbiased person to review a CGI animated film, as I harbor a bit of disdain for movie studios’ decision to abandon the 2D medium in the name of progress. I preferred it when a 3D movie was a special treat, not the standard, but seeing as the world has moved on I suppose I have to move with it or be left behind.

Format aside, this movie follows the basic animation formula of late, e.g. “Big studio hires big name actors to voice characters, and hopes for the names to propel the movie into the top 10 on opening weekend.” ‘The Ant Bully’ is based upon a childrens’ book of the same name, but if not for its literary roots I would have pegged this as a blatant ripoff of other CGI insect movies like ‘A Bug’s Life‘,  and ‘Antz.’ Except for the fact that actors like Nic Cage, Julia Roberts, and Bruce Campbell lend their personas to the characters in this film I found not much to distinguish it from the other slew of ‘cutesy’ kids’ movies of the year.

Of course, there is the ever-present “lesson” the movie is supposed to teach us, which is that we should think of others rather than only thinking of our own wants and needs. What ever happened to being able to watch a kids’ movie without having an important life lesson shoved down our throats? I don’t recall learning anything from ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit?’ except maybe that even a dorky rabbit can score with a hot chick once in a while. If I wanted to be preached at I’d go to church more often.

All in all, I suppose a child would like this movie a great deal. However, I am no longer a 6-year old (even if I’m hung like one), so I was left feeling cheated out of an hour and a half of my life by this flick. The only reason I’m keeping the DVD around is because it actually has a couple of funny extras on it, including a virtual, looping ant farm which you can leave playing on your TV indefinitely. Now that I mention it, I’d have rather watched that for 90 minutes than the actual movie…