Edd Watches Pixar: A Bug’s Life Review

I’m a grown man who hasn’t seen most of the Pixar movies that people are obsessed with, but I was challenged to check ’em all out and share my thoughts. Join me as I watch ’em all one by one – see if I buy into the hype.

Movie No. 2: A Bug’s Life (1998)

I may not have seen the movies, but I know who Nemo is, I know sorta know what WALL-E is, I know the eyeball man and the hairy blue dishrag from Monsters Inc. But I knew absolutely nothing or anybody from A Bug’s Life. I only remember they had some beef with the Antz movie that came out around the same time (and no I’m not watching that). I’m glad the Internet wasn’t around to document it.

You know that meme with the two Spider-Men pointing at each other? Someone would just put ant heads on them.

Anyway, I had no idea what to expect from this movie. I certainly didn’t expect INSECT EXTORTION AND INSURRECTION.

Thirty minutes in I thought this was gonna be the usual – klutzy hero and his rag-tag band of weirdos overcome the evil army. Basically Guardians of the Galaxy with ants. But not Ant-Man. But NO, this got way deeper and hits especially hard in these times of an oppressed culture partnering with allies to fight systemic injustice.

Anyone who can’t understand that movement but claims to be a fan of this movie is missing the message.

It meanders a bit in the middle when they’re building the trojan bird but I really enjoyed the themes and imagery overall. Amazing how they made a battle against a tiny, cute little bird feel like Tokyo battling Godzilla or how a rainstorm seemed like liquid cannonballs. And that Hopper dude was the most intense villain I’ve seen in Pixar so far. Granted I’ve only seen like five of these movies, but still.

Also, was I the only one bothered by the fact that only the grasshoppers had six legs and everyone else had four? Just me? OK, cool.

A Bug’s Life wasn’t perfect but really fun with a good message for the kids and adults with childlike brains. Send a VHS copy to your president, I guarantee he still uses a VCR.

4 stars out of 5

Pixar rankings:
**A Bug’s Life**
Toy Story

Next up is Toy Story 2 – I’ve seen that one! I think…

Want to see more? Keep up with Edd as he stumbles through the world of Pixar here.