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Why is this film less regarded than the other Pixar films?

posted 17 years ago by scissorhands__emily
41 replies | jump to latest

I just don't understand why when everyone makes their lists of Pixar films this one's usually the last. I personally consider A Bug's Life to be one of my favorite Pixar films and it would probably be in the Top 3, if not my number 1.

So I'd just like for you all to list possible reasons for this film being less liked (was it the script, the animation, the story, etc.) or your own personal reasons for liking this one less than the others. And could the competition when this one came out be a possible reason? Because I vaguely remember that when this came out it was going practically head to head with Antz. I know other Pixar films like Finding Nemo also had movies a lot like it come out (like Shark Tale) but didn't they come out after Finding Nemo had been out for awhile. I think those came out several months later (and I'm not saying they copied Nemo either because I know in animation it takes years to complete these projects). So anyway just list some reasons and I would greatly appreciate it.

[–] DougShonka 17 years ago

Me too! My favorite are Toy Story 1 & 2, A Bugs Life, and Incredibles.

[–] evil_dr_pork_chop 17 years ago

I think I'd have to rate A Bug's Life as my least favourite Pixar film (or second to last, when you include Cars), but then that's just the thing. It's a Pixar film. Pixar on a relative off day is still a quadrillion times better then most films on a good day so when I say it's one of my least favourites I still think it's a brilliant film... that said, I think there's just something less compelling about this film; I wouldn't be able to tell you what exactly but it's there, and I just can't ejoy it as much as the other films.

Perhaps it's the animation style; fair enough, seeing all these locations from a bugs point of view is fun, but then compared to other Pixar films I think it looks a little... I dunno. Empty almost. Just look at the inside of the ant coloney for instance. It still looks cool, but take away the funky lighting and I don't think there's an alwful lot to it.

All this said, Flik's one of my favourite Pixar characters =D. Go Flik!

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You can't just ROCK your way into Mordor!

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] iamxiaotong 17 years ago

Yeah, I love this film as well. But I haven't seen it since I was like, 10 so it might be a kiddy thing.

"And if he didn't, who did? And where the hell was I?"

Jenners!

[–] Jnbfwc 16 years ago

Do you think it is because (and this is MY reason for disliking the movie, in general) all of the chick-flick reminiscent 'embarrassing' moments?

This movie has no fewer than ten thousand embarrassing moments, which are absolutely UNCOMFORTABLE to watch.

The scene where she founds out the bugs are just circus bugs, right after Flick drops all of the food into the river, when the bio-mechanical 'bird' is discovered to be fake and just falls to the ground.

The movie HANGS on these moments, and I don't watch the movie because I dread having to sit through those parts. (I'm one of those weird people who feels like I haven't actually properly watched the movie if I skip parts)

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] john-blaze39 16 years ago

Do you think it is because (and this is MY reason for disliking the movie, in general) all of the chick-flick reminiscent 'embarrassing' moments? This movie has no fewer than ten thousand embarrassing moments, which are absolutely UNCOMFORTABLE to watch.

I don't understand what you're talking about...yeah things mess up, that's why this movie made sense, half the things that could go wrong WENT wrong, which only made the ending that much more effective...but these scenes were SUPPOSED to fill you with dread, like "holy sh!t. it's over. they're screwed.", and if you can't sit through a children's film because of uncomfortable moments...wow you are a pansy.

"Love Guru was both intelligent and fun." - urban_achiever1991

[–] bh_tafe3 15 years ago

" if you can't sit through a children's film because of uncomfortable moments...wow you are a pansy."

ROTFL! That's awesome. I loved this movie and would probably rank it third behind Toy Story and Finding Nemo in the Pixar cannon. Still a great movie though.

[–] twiggcrayon 15 years ago

I LOVE this movie but I always go to the bathroom or something during those parts because like you said those parts are VERY UNCOMFORTABLE.

This is a hobo suit darling - Edna

[–] Remisser 17 years ago

Its hard for me to rank any of these movies since I love them all.

[–] moviebuff84 17 years ago

I just ordered this on dvd...I almost forgot about this pixar film myself. (haven't seen it since it came out on old time vhs) It's not the greatest pixar film...but its still quite enjoyable...

I mean if you look at other insect animated films (Bee Movie, Antz....) this one is definetly the best.

was this film the least grossing for Pixar/Disney?

perhaps that could be a factor in its media absense...

[–] hollymck 17 years ago

I personally think Cars is by FAR the worst Pixar movie. I still like it okay, but it's the only Pixar movie I harbor any amount of dislike for.

I love Bug's Life. It's hilarious, the characters are great, and the music is fantastic.

--

Do you know what tuna is?
It's FISH!

[–] Picnic-3 17 years ago

I watched A Bug's Life and Antz in the cinema. I preferred Antz at the time, perhaps because it concentrated on a small core of characters whereas A Bug's Life felt more like a whole range of characters competing for attention. However, I now see this as very much part of the charm of A Bug's Life- it's very colourful and theatrical. Sentiment is kept in check by the vaudeville showmanship of the film.

Some would say that the Monsters Inc or the self consciously stylistic The Incredibles are better but the characters in those films didn't engage me as much. A Bug's Life is buzzing with the possibilities of CGI animation when combined with 'old fashioned' storytelling. Finding Nemo mimics the mechanics of a Disney film (some Disney films are great but it didn't feel particularly new) and The Incredibles mimics the past of the 'future', like a new Jetsons.

With 'Cars', which, like A Bug's Life, is unfairly not regarded as highly as their other films, I felt they were back on track to where they were with 'A Bug's Life'. Cars goes through distinct phases- the flashy opening, being stuck in 'the sticks' and coming to appreciate that way of life, and then a flashy ending having learnt a lesson. It may sound like a well trod path but it is presented so charmingly.

A Bug's Life and Cars are my 2 favourite Pixar movies. I haven't watched the Toy Story films enough to compare. I haven't seen Ratatouille at all.

[–] DrMarvinCandle 16 years ago

Interesting. I haven't seen A Bug's Life but love Cars and saw that there's a similar thread running on both boards, and unfortunately Cars gets bashed unfairly here, too, for seemingly no reason, other than I guess to go with the 'crowd'.

Sometimes, films just get overlooked (and overhyped). Cars is definitely underrated, I'm probably willing to bet this one is, too.

[–] pippin_emma 17 years ago

A Bugs Life is hands down my favourite Pixar film. Probably my favourite animated film of all time in fact. I'm in agreement; I can't believe it's usually much less popular/praised than the rest of Pixar's work. The story and message was wonderful, the characters were funny, engaging and lovable... (I totally wanted to marry Flik as a nine year old) and the animation is still breathtaking. I can't believe it's nearly ten years old. Boy that makes me feel old.

~~~ Geek Love ~~~

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] trisp 17 years ago

There is some Pixar video stand. Flik and Dot can be seen with the characters from Finding Nemo and the Incredibles.

Also, there were references to A Bug's Life in Cars and Ratatouille spin-off short; Your Friend the Rat.

But I agree, this film is definitely underrated compared to the other Pixar films. Why should it be? It has their best villain.

"HOPSCOTCH!"

[–] MetFanMac 17 years ago

I give it 8/10 and rank it the lowest of all the Pixar films. It's a nice movie, but just doesn't "click" for me.

Supermodels...spoiled stupid little stick figures mit poofy lips who sink only about zemselves.

[–] RaddishAM 17 years ago

It's a great film regardless of it's low status. Personally, I liked it better than Monsters Inc and Cars.

[–] StrongRex 17 years ago

This movie has to be my favorite Pixar movie of all time.

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[–] killeramp 16 years ago

Well, do you really want to get your PEZ from an ant's mouth?

If I go to Italy, I can say I met Mario and Luigi in real life......

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] purple_honey1 16 years ago

This Nemo, the Incredibles, Toy Story's 1 and 2, along with (especially, to be frank) Wall-e r my favorite Pixar films. I never could understand why it has such a bad rep among fans...I think its brilliant and I'd say more watchable than the first Toy Story.

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