THE ANT BULLY

by Joe Barber on Jul.28, 2006, under Joe Barber's Movie Reviews

THE ANT BULLY

Perhaps the most interesting trend at the movies this summer has been the wave of animated films to hit the local multiplexes. The huge, and continuing, success of the Pixar/Disney partnership (represented this season by the charming “Cars”) has clearly inspired other studios to get in on the act. So far, the results have been mixed, While “Monster House,” utilizing the capture motion system that animates many video games, is a great deal of fun, it may be a bit too intense for really small kids.

“Over The Hedge” got the summer off to a delightful start in May, with a nice mix of appealing kid oriented fantasy and satire to make adults chuckle. “Cars” did “Hedge” one better, delivering a heart warming lesson kids of all ages could appreciate while tickling everyone’s funny bone., But, in a summer that’s promised much and delivered little, one animated film stands, well. . .tall. The just opened “Ant Bully” is a stand-out family film that lives up to the best standards of that often abused phrase.

A young boy who often finds himself the target of bullying by other kids because he is considered a “nerd” turns his rage and frustration on an “enemy” he thinks can’t fight back. The ant colony in his backyard is constantly being soaked and drenched by the kid. But these are clever ants who find a way to give the boy an ant’s eye view of their world. By shrinking him to their size they help him to discover and appreciate what it’s like to be on the receiving end of harassment. He also has some valuable things to share with the ants about respecting and caring for the individual. But a large threat looms to a possible happy ending in the form of a very determined exterminator.

Director John Davis has crafted a look for the film that mingles a kind of cartoonish reality with the richness of great children’s book illustration. Though there are several sequences have pick up a certain intensity from this style-one that may throw a bit of a scare into the littlest viewers-this also engages and energizes viewer interest. The look is just real enough to make you believe the fantasy and vivid enough to spark your imagination, a great mix.

The voice cast is the best assembled this year outside of “Cars,” with sparkling work done by such big names as Meryl Streep, Nicolas Cage, Julia Roberts and Paul Giamatti. The screenplay delivers plenty of laughs that kids and adults should enjoy, while it offers the important message that bullying is destructive to victim and victimizer. To its credit, the movie gets the message out without being preachy of syrupy.

Crafted with real artistry on all levels and a real desire to reach and amuse its viewers while also slyly moving and educating them, “The Ant Bully” is really big-time entertainment for everyone. Go and enjoy this summer’s first (in my humble opinion) first great family film.

MPAA RATING: PG for some intense sequences. JOE’S RATING: FOUR STARS.