Sneaks are here. Opens tomorrow.
Review:
Based on a popular childrens book by John Nickle, The Ant Bully
is a journey into the already penetrated world of ants and
everything entomological. Its the first of three big budget CGI
animated features that we will be expecting in the short span of
two months. Although boasting the most impressive roster of star
voice talents, youll still be hard pressed to distinguish this
from the rest. Ultimately, it has a been-there-done-that vibe that
permeates the relatively dated animation, which in terms of story
and animations has nothing of notable value to add to the already
congested library of CGI films.
Perhaps its greatest and unintentional promotion would be the
ludicrous accusations of political subtext. It has drawn some
criticisms of subtly infusing communist rhetoric in its prevailing
theme of communal strength in numbers and conformity for the
greater good, but thats just hogwash. If anything, its theme and
certain sequences insinuate Buddhist philosophies more than
politics.
After one too many atomic wedgies by the local bully, Lucas a.k.a.
Peanut (Zach Tyler) takes out his frustrations on the anthill and
insects in his lawn. This cycle of cruelty earns him the title of
Peanut the Destroyer, amongst the ant colony that remarkably learnt
how to speak English, has a stable government and can perform
magic. In fact, to this highly advanced and sophisticated species,
humans are considered the primitive philistines. Local ant wizard,
Zoc (Nicholas Cage) gets his revenge by creating a potion to shrink
Lucas into the size of an ant. As Lucas is brought to face justice,
the Ant Queen (an ethereally voiced, Meryl Streep) decrees that he
be taught the life of an ant before returning him home because it
takes a village to raise a kid and it apparently also takes a
village to educate misguided little boys.................
Continued at
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