"Antz" (a Dreamworks/PDI film) is the first of two bug-related computer-animated feature films to be released within eight weeks of each other. The other is "A Bug's Life" (a Disney/Pixar film), which looks to be more of a kids' movie. "Antz" would almost seem to be an animated film for adults. I think that as similar as the two films may seem on the surface, they'll prove to be very different.
Almost all of the voices in the movie are provided by some pretty big names. Woody Allen (as the main character, "Z"), Sharon Stone, Gene Hackman, Sylvester Stallone, Christopher Walken, Danny Glover, Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin, Anne Bancroft, and Jennifer Lopez. Most of the voices are pretty obvious, and I was surprised at how well Woody Allen and Sylvester Stallone's voices worked for the film.
"Antz" was written by Todd Alcott and Chris Weitz (I have a strong feeling that Woody Allen also had a hand in some of the writing) and was directed by Eric Darnell and Lawrence Guterman. Only a couple have any previous experience in feature filmmaking, but I've never heard of their work. Either way, these guys all did a great job.
As for the
visuals... incredible. There are a couple of scenes that are absolutely
fantastic, and you'll know them when you see them. Computer animation has
REALLY come a long way over the last few years. But the story is really
good, too. The spectacular animation and the clever story make "Antz" an
excellent movie. But I'm not too sure if the kids will like it.