Opened: November 20, 1998

Directed by: John Lasseter

Starring: Dave Foley, Kevin Spacey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Hayden Panettiere, Denis Leary, Joe Ranft, David Hyde Pierce, Jonathan Harris, Madeline Kahn, Bonnie Hunt, Michael McShane, John Ratzenberger, Brad Garrett, Richard Kind, Phyllis Diller, Roddy McDowall, Edie McClurg, Alex Rocco, David Ossman, David Lander, Rodger Bumpass, Ashley Tisdale, Jan Rabson, Carlos Alazraqui & Bob Bergen

Pixar’s second film after the original Toy Story, it’s easy to see that A Bug’s Life is still early Pixar in both animation and storytelling, but that doesn’t diminish the fun that the movie is.

After Flik (Dave Foley) destroys the food offering the ants give to the domineering grasshoppers each year, Princess Atta (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) sends him out to find warriors – who turn out to be circus performers – that will help protect them against grasshopper leader Hopper (Kevin Spacey).

Unlike other Pixar films, there isn’t a huge emotional core here. You won’t be fighting back tears because while it highlights believing in yourself and taking chances, it’s one of the most kid-focused of the company’s flicks.

The animation looks dated now but already shows improvement from Toy Story.

Final say: A bug’s life doesn’t seem too bad. ★★★☆☆