Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news.

Talkbacks

Another glowing ANTZ review!

Speilbergs' individuality films. by Bahman	Sep 17th, 1998 05:52:58 AM
Spielberg does it again. It's no wonder so many parts of the world are crying foul at "American cultural invasion", when movies that encourage people to defy authority are all that the country produces. From ET onwards, spielberg goes for the individual of the group. And, of course, it's great to have high quality movies that express that sentiment. But why can't someone (probably not Americans) produce a high quality movie (whther about antz, aliens, or whatever) that show that being a part of a effective, dynamic group isn't so bad. And that sometimes the guy who defies authority is just the asshole who will make the whole society fall apart. How about a movie where an ant rebels against a collective, encourages others to do so as well, and the whole colony dies in winter becuase no one was willing to follow orders. A great possible movie that could express this idea (and a topic spielberg could do) is Watership Down. I think the last animated version made them all out to be cute Disney bunnies, without any of the political undertones. But it is a great book that recognizes that submerging the individual for a greater cause is a way to produce great things. And the pride in beolonging to a great collective is often better than a pathetic, inadequate individuality. Not all the rabbits in Efrafa hated it there, and the freedom of the "good guys" warren was shown to get peole killed (the lackadasaica l (Sp?) way in which some rabbits followed orders resulted in many deaths). A tough movie to not do in overly cutesy manner (it is rabbits after all), but a good acoount of the costs and benefits of individual license/freedom without the jingoistic American mythology.
Why "Atlas Shrugged" will never be a movie... by MadMartigen	Sep 17th, 1998 09:39:40 AM
I couldn't agree more with Bahman. The majority of the time a dynamic group is allowed to pull together onscreen is when they're trying to expose another group's evil scheme's (that group being the military, some white bread corporation, or gasp a Christian organization). Look, I know there's no creativity left in Hollywood so I'm not really surprised at Antz's underlying philosophy, but sheesh, can't they at least try?
ANTZ Review by Lea Hooker	Sep 17th, 1998 10:36:33 AM
Thanks, fuukaa, for a great review -- being a little bit older, I wasn't planning on taking in this flick, but now, I might find myself fighting for a seat alongside the kiddies. Hope to read more reviews from you!
Rabbits and Freedom by Brian	Sep 17th, 1998 12:28:40 PM
Well, I did see the animated version of "Watership Down", and I remember it as being a violent and bloody cartoon. But I remember thinking that, for the most part, that's the way things should be. Free societies tend to be chaotic and even, at times, a little more violent. These days, however, I
indiv/collective by 4321	Sep 17th, 1998 01:42:35 PM
i think one of the reasons so many films posit the hero against society, hero against man, hero against nature, etc... is for dramatic effect. sure, it can be just as engaging to portray the unified accomplishments of the community, especially if the protagonist was coming from the rebel mentality to begin with, but but most viewers place themselves in the shoes of the hero, and most like to consider themselves individuals, hence easy identification with an awakening conscience, breaking from the flock, parents,old ideas, etc...
Elvis by Bud	Sep 18th, 1998 07:31:25 AM
I couldn't agree with Elvis more. Maybe Disney should pony up with some park hoppers for Harry and his entourage, a couple of go rounds on Peter Pans Flight should melt even the most cynical of thirty something movie geeks hearts. A nice walk through Mickeys Toontown Fair might even convince the posse that Disney is for kids and ( I can't believe I'm typing this) "for the kid in all of us"and then maybe they will lay off all the "annoying sidekick" talk. Disney doesn't make animated films for cynical movie geeks, let's leave that to Katzenberg and Co. and let Disney do what they do best, make animated films for kids and for adults who are secure enough with themselves to let their guard down and enjoy.
Planty planty PLANT PLANT PLANT! by Wolfpack	May 31st, 2006 07:17:10 AM

User login

Quick Talkback

Please login to post talkback.