THE AISLE SEAT

ANTZ: Little Critters, Big Fun

Clay Pigeons: A Wickedly Entertaining Bird

by Bryan Powers

G21 Film Reviewer

Event #139: SOFT but HARD LAST WEEK's EDITION The Main Event HOME

NEW YORK CITY - Dreamworks has beat Disney to the punch with their animated bug flick "Antz." There had been concern over whether they rushed this project into theatres before it was ready just to one-up Disney's Thanksgiving release of "A Bug's Life," also an animated feature-length bug story. But "Antz" doesn't appear to be undercooked at all. It is a refreshingly sophisticated, splendidly colorful and thoroughly enjoyable fable about a little guy who could.

Surprisingly enough, this charming lil' worker ant is voiced by Woody Allen, hardly the first actor you would think of for a children's film. With Allen's recent moral reputation waning, he seems to be taking the route of fellow scandal-causer, Eddie Murphy. Star in a heartwarming kid's flick and hope that your past will be forgotten or forgiven by the fickle American filmgoer. But "Antz" is barely a film for kids at all. The moralistic tale of individualism vs. slavery (to put it dramatically) provides a great lesson for the little ones while the underlying adult humor and references to our own human civilization will keep grown-ups entertained.

Making more money in its opening weekend ($17.2 million) than most Woody Allen films gross during their entire run, it's likely that Antz will expose Allen to a larger audience than he's used to. And what good exposure it is. Allen is funnier here than he's been in a long time. Does the fact that we're watching a cute animated ant and not seeing Woody's aging, playboy, neurotic in the flesh have something to do with our willingness to enjoy Allen's performance. Maybe. But whatever the case, his performance of the underdog worker ant Z is at the heart of "Antz" charm. Z is the loser we all can relate to or laugh at. And in the end, it is Z that we are cheering for.

Todd Alcott, Chris Weitz, and Paul Weitz' script provides many colorful roles, both large and small, that necessitate clever casting. Directors Eric Darnell and Tim Johnson have matched actor's voice to bug's character with success. Sharon Stone's princess Bala and Gene Hackman's General Mandible are fine examples. Both display comedic talents rarely seen in their past work. But perhaps it is Sylvester Stallone, as Z's soldier ant best buddy, who surprises one most with his uncharacteristically self-mocking performance. It's about time Sly showed a sense of humor. And here again, the fact that one has a animated ant to look at, instead of the body attached to the voice, doesn't hurt.

Grade: A for Antz is fun.



Have you ever had one of those days where everything seemed to work against you? Clay Bidwell gets more than his share in David Dobkin's "Clay Pigeons," a strangely comic suspense thriller. Joaquin Phoenix is Clay, a small town mechanic who's been sleeping with his buddy's girl. When this buddy ends up dead and Clay tries to end the affair, the girl won't back down. A public slap to her face by Clay is witnessed by a town newcomer who decides that he and Clay share the same sensibilities concerning women. This newcomer is Lester Long (Vince Vaughn,) a smooth-talking cowboy who can charm most anybody into doing what he wants. He wants Clay to be his pal. But when dead bodies start turning-up at ever turn, and the FBI's evidence points to Clay, Clay realizes that his new friend is more than just charming. He's deadly.

"Clay Pigeons" starts off strong and maintains its suspense until the end. It's a midwest "After Hours." Just when things look bad for poor Clay, they get worse. How will it all end? Why is Lester torturing this boy? Will FBI agent Janeane Garofalo save the day? Or will she fall into Lester's evil web? This flick keeps you guessing and holds your interest, what any thriller should do, but it also has many laughs along the way. And with a cast like this, a Barney movie would prove worthwhile.

Vince Vaughn's portrayal of psycho-killer Lester is mesmerizing. Never over- the-top, but just shy of the ceiling, Vaughn energizes "Pigeons" with such palatable charisma, you'll feel guilty for wanting him to escape harm. His winsome, yet irksome smile; his dopey, yet creepy laugh; his sincere, yet conniving gestures all add up to a Lester that is hard to resist and yet scary to love. Watching Vaughn as Lester, one never questions why the women fall for him. His Lester is disturbingly sexy. Can't wait to see his Norman Bates. (Vaughn is cast opposite Anne Heche in Gus Van Sant's remake of Hitchcock's "Psycho." Due in theatres this winter.)

Garofalo's sarcastic FBI agent is the wise man among the fools in "Pigeons." It's a role perfectly suited to her. And with a Deputy Sheriff named Barney for her to act off of, she has several memorable comedic moments.

It is Phoenix who is stuck playing the straight man here. He brings a honest vulnerability to the part of Clay, but the role warrants more depth. Perhaps not his fault, but the screenwriter's. Then again, this is Matt Healy's first screenplay as well as Dobkin's first feature-film directing effort. The few weaknesses in "Pigeons" should be overlooked while contemplating what Healy and Dobkin's sophomore efforts might yield.

Grade: B for Bold Blend of comedy and suspense.

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