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Movies / On DVD / The Ant Bully
The Ant Bully

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The Ant Bully (2006)

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Reviews Counted:111

Fresh:70

Rotten:41

Average Rating:6.2/10

Consensus: Sometimes inventive and witty, this animated adventure into an ant-sized world is a pleasant diversion.

Rated: U [See Full Rating] for some mild rude humor and action

Runtime: 89 mins

Genre: Childrens

Theatrical Release:04-08-2006

Synopsis: A young boy learns the importance of teamwork and gains self-confidence in this animated feature written and directed by John A. Davis (JIMMY NEUTRON: BOY GENIUS), and based on the book by John... A young boy learns the importance of teamwork and gains self-confidence in this animated feature written and directed by John A. Davis (JIMMY NEUTRON: BOY GENIUS), and based on the book by John Nickle. Misfit Lucas (Zach Taylor Eisen) doesn't have any friends and suffers daily at the hands of the neighborhood bully. Lucas's mother (Cheri Oterie) might call her 10-year-old "Peanut," but to the ants inhabiting the colony in his front yard, Lucas is "the Destroyer." Lonely and frustrated by his small stature, Lucas repeatedly takes his aggressions out on the colony, leaving the ants running for their lives. Tired of the unprovoked attacks, Zok (Nicolas Cage), an ant wizard, devises a potion that will shrink the Destroyer down to their size so that he can stand trial for his actions. Soon, Lucas is ant-sized and sentenced to live among the ants where he has to learn their ways in order to earn his freedom. Zok's ever cheerful girlfriend, Hova (Julia Roberts), becomes Lucas's mentor, teaching him the ways of the ant world and helping him gain a whole new perspective. He begins to understand the meaning of teamwork and how working with others can help an individual accomplish great things. He also learns that danger lurks everywhere for an ant: killer wasps, hungry frogs, even sunlight reflected off a mirror can mean certain death. Even worse, before being shrunk, Lucas was tricked into signing a contract with a slimy exterminator, Stan Beals (Paul Giamatti), who will soon be returning to destroy the colony unless Lucas can find a way to stop him. An amusing, smart script and likeable characters are hallmarks of this pleasant romp through a secret underground world. Meryl Streep voices the ant Queen, while Lily Tomlin is Mommo, Lucas's grandmother, and Ricardo Montalban is the Head of the Ant Council. [More]

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Bruce Campbell, Paul Giamatti, Allison Mack

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Bruce Campbell, Paul Giamatti, Allison Mack, Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, Lily Tomlin, Cheri Oteri

Director: John A. Davis

Director: John A. Davis
Producer: Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman, John A. Davis
Composer: John Debney
Studio: Warner Bros.

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Reviews for The Ant Bully

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Kiddie-friendly toilet humour, a whiff of suspense and familiar voice actors make it passably entertaining, but there’s little warmth or emotional satisfaction to be had from its cynical characters.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
08/12/06
Anna Smith
Anna Smith
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Enjoyable, brightly animated adventure with strong characters, superb gags and a script that isn't afraid to throw in a spot of political subtext.

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
08/12/06
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

Writer-director John A Davis has one or two nice touches, but the film is disposable.

Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
08/12/06
Peter Bradshaw
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Besides keeping us entertained and occasionally thrilled, there's a nice sense that the film is actually saying something.

Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
08/12/06
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

It all seems very workaday.

Full Review Source: Daily Mirror [UK] | comment Comment
08/12/06
David Edwards
David Edwards
Daily Mirror [UK]

Just another bug movie.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
08/12/06
Neil Smith
Neil Smith
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

As kiddie entertainment it works well, with simple humour and lots of action. But there’s not a lot to appeal to any accompanying adults.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
08/12/06
Olly Richards
Olly Richards
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Orlando Sentinel | comment Comment
05/13/09
Roger Moore
Roger Moore
Orlando Sentinel
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
04/23/09
Tom Meek
Tom Meek
Boston Phoenix

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Hollywood.com | comment Comment
11/20/08
Brian Marder
Brian Marder
Hollywood.com

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
08/07/08
Jim Lane
Jim Lane
Sacramento News & Review

It's a fun adventure fantasy, and I was never bored...

Full Review Source: Cinema Crazed | comment Comment
10/26/07
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed

While the animation, particularly in the action set pieces, is indeed well done, it's nothing revolutionary nor imaginative that stands out from the rest in this CG-feature-a-week marketplace.

Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com | comment Comment
08/25/07
Michael Dequina
Michael Dequina
TheMovieReport.com

Isn't clever or inventive enough to make up for its repetitive and lackluster storytelling.

Full Review Source: UGO | comment Comment
03/24/07
Brian Tallerico
Brian Tallerico
UGO

One of those animated features you can enjoy even without a kid by your side.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
03/01/07
Frank Lovece
Frank Lovece
Film Journal International
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sydney Morning Herald | comment Comment
09/29/06
Sydney Morning Herald

It's imaginative and amusing with its engaging characters and nicely crafted animation, even though the ants themselves are visually the least interesting ... Uplifting and bright.

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
09/08/06
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile

Ten year old Lucas Nickle ( the voice of Zach Tyler Eisen) stomps an anthill after an encounter with neighborhood bullies. With the help of a magic potion, the ants shrink the boy down to their size. The insects are about to get even and Lucas will learn

Full Review Source: Cinemaclips.com | comment Comment
09/06/06
Roger Tennis
Roger Tennis
Cinemaclips.com

...this visually arresting story of a young geek's friendship with some enterprising ants isn't as compelling in the script department.

Full Review Source: Denton Record Chronicle (TX) | comment Comment
08/31/06
Todd Jorgenson
Todd Jorgenson
Denton Record Chronicle (TX)

The film acknowledges that faith is an important part of our social fabric, and if the film has any moral lessons to pass on, it implicitly roots them in a spiritual foundation.

Full Review Source: Christianity Today | comment Comment
08/31/06
Peter T. Chattaway
Peter T. Chattaway
Christianity Today
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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