Phoenix-36

This cross between Lion King and The Three Amigos is pretty standard Disney fare. The ant colony suffers from exploitation by grasshoppers. The inventor-ant, the usual misfit/outsider, is sent to find macho bugs to fight the grasshoppers. Of course, it is expected that he will never return. What he finds instead is a group of circus bugs. Per the usual Disney formula, all the outsiders bring their unusual talents to win the day.

The animation was done by Pixar (of Toy Story fame). But this film doesn't make your eyes pop the way Toy Story Did. Partially the repetitiveness of the landscapes (lots of blades of grass) and the sameness of many of the characters (most of the ants and grasshoppers look the same) limit the potential for wild effects. Even the visit to the bug "city" does not have the intended effect. Instead of a lost country ant in a Manhattan-like urban landscape, we have an ant standing in front of a billboard.

Despite these shortcomings (in my mind) this will certainly please the kids. All the elements are there (but it's not a musical, thank God) and the story moves along at a good pace. The dangers are not overly scary, the circus bits are very funny, and there is some very creative use of the bug's eye perspective. For example, Flik (our hero) invents a telescope by putting a drop of water into a rolled up grass blade. Still, adults may want to get this on video and move to another room.

This is a romantic comedy like they used to make. The plot is simple enough. Hugh Grant plays William Thacker, owner of a travel book shop in the Notting Hill district of London. Julia Roberts plays Anna Scott, international movie star, pulling down $15 million a picture. She stumbles into his book shop and he is dazzled. Minutes later he is out buying orange juice when he runs into her (literally) dousing her with his juice. From this accidental encounter their romance begins.

This a nice, clever boy meets girl, boy loses girl..... What makes this film better than most of its kind is that every time you think it's going to dump a sentimental cliche on you, it pulls back at the last second.

Another strong point to the movie is that it stays focused on the romance, not the issue of Anna's fame. Her stardom is used as a way to generate some very funny scenes, but never takes over the story.

The movie moves along at a waltz-like pace, with the couple's meetings coming only as she flies through London, shooting films, or on press tour. It is a bright and colorful film, with a decidedly light-hearted and even whimsical tone. The acting is strong all around (even from Julia Roberts) and the supporting cast of William's friends, family, and crazy Welsh roommate stand out. They all feel like real people that we just don't see much of. They have an easy comradery, a sort of group chemistry, that strikes just the right note.

How many bad movies will Sandra Bullock make before people realize she can't act? And poor Ben Affleck. He needs a better agent. He got a nice part in the amazing Shakespeare in Love, but then saddled himself with this drivel.

If you've ever suspected that Hollywood just can't come up with many good ideas, this film will set your doubts at rest. If you've seen the TV ad, you've seen the only good line.

What a waste of celluloid!