An epic presentation of miniature proportions.|Nov. 25, 1998|United States|95 Min.|G
Genre: Adventure;Animation;Comedy;Family
Description: The animated film “A Bug’s Life,” released in 1998, follows the story of a colony of ants living on a small hill called Ant Island, led by the elderly Queen and her daughter, Princess Atta. Every summer, the ants are forced to provide food to a group of oppressive grasshoppers, led by Hopper. Flik, an inventive and independent ant, accidentally destroys the offering with his latest creation, a grain harvester. As punishment, Hopper demands double the food. Seeking a solution, Flik suggests recruiting larger bugs to help fight the grasshoppers. Princess Atta, hoping to remove Flik from the colony, sends him on this mission.
In a nearby trash heap known as “bug city,” Flik mistakes a troupe of circus performers for the warrior bugs he seeks. The circus bugs, recently fired by their greedy ringmaster, P.T. Flea, mistakenly believe Flik is a talent agent and agree to accompany him back to Ant Island. Upon arrival, both Flik and the circus bugs realize their misunderstanding. Despite this, the circus bugs earn the ants’ respect by rescuing Dot, Atta’s younger sister, from a bird. Encouraged by Flik, the troupe continues to pretend to be warriors to enjoy the ants’ hospitality.
Inspired by Hopper’s fear of birds, Flik creates a fake bird to scare the grasshoppers away. Meanwhile, Hopper warns his gang that the ants vastly outnumber them and could rebel. When P.T. Flea arrives on Ant Island and exposes the circus bugs’ true identity, Flik is exiled by the ants. Desperate to appease Hopper, the ants gather food for a new offering. However, Hopper, unsatisfied, seizes control of the island and demands the ants’ winter food supply, threatening to kill the Queen.
Overhearing the plan, Dot convinces Flik and the circus bugs to return. They rescue the Queen, and Flik deploys the fake bird. Initially, it frightens the grasshoppers, but P.T. Flea accidentally burns it, revealing it as a decoy. Hopper punishes Flik, declaring that ants exist solely to serve grasshoppers. Flik counters that Hopper secretly fears the ants’ potential. Inspired by Flik’s courage, the ants and circus bugs unite to defeat the grasshoppers, driving them away and reclaiming their freedom.
Cast director: Andrew Stanton
Cast actor: Dave Foley, Kevin Spacey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Hayden Panettiere, Phyllis Diller, Richard Kind, David Hyde Pierce, Joe Ranft, Denis Leary, Jonathan Harris
Original name: A Bug’s Life