Antz

by Ellen Weiss

Featuring eye-popping computer animation, "Antz", a film from DreamWorks SKG being released October 2, 1998, presents a startling bug's-eye view of the world unlike anything ever done before. The story of Z-4195, a member of a massive ant colony who longs to be an individual, "Antz" promises to be great fun. 8-page color insert.

Perfect Paperback

About the author

Ellen Weiss has written lots of books for kids, from board books through middle grade. She often works with her husband, Mel Friedman.

Reviews

[Casey Bryce · Rating 4 out of 5]

For fans of the underrated film (which, at the time, had been overshadowed by Pixar's cutesier A Bug's Life), this little novelization does an adequate job of capturing its counterpart's dark, quirky charm and surprisingly intelligent commentary on hive mind conformity versus independent thought. If that sounds too deep, too unfun, don't worry--the book keeps the quick-footed pacing of the film, totaling a mere 117-pages. Indeed, it reiterates each scene almost too efficiently, leaving those like myself a little disappointed there wasn't a bit more to discover beyond what the movie already contained.

Of course, this was intended for kids. And from that standpoint, it surely succeeds in its brevity despite retaining some of the more "gruesome" moments and ideas that could alarm a protective parent. Yes, characters die in rather gruesome, bug-specific ways, from incineration (under a magnifying glass) to being crushed beneath a merciless fly swatter, all while the leading villain actively seeks to enact genocide against his own kind. The book doesn't dwell on these matters too much...but they're there.

Nevertheless, for those who would be reading this scant, forgotten pamphlet ages after its original release, this makes a fun snack between greater, more substantial reads, junior variety or otherwise. Its foremost metaphor--that stalwart independence can bring eventual deliverance, remains a timeless creed well saved within its pages. And it made me want to watch the movie again.

[Roseanna Tomlinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book and a nice easy read

[Lauren]

Ahaha I just remembered this was my favourite book for a while back when I was 8. I don't remember much about the book's quality, other than that it was a pretty faithful adaptation of the movie. I do remember having a weird crush on the main character, Z, and I remember asking my mum what Woody Allen was like, since he voices Z in the movie, and I was really upset when she told me he was basically a big nerd (the fact that Z was pretty much Woody Allen in ant-form is hilarious in hindsight). Guess it was best that my heart was broken early before I learnt he was a gross dude that married his own adopted daughter a pedophile that sexually abused his girlfriend's adopted daughter and then married another of said girlfriend's other adopted daughters. Poor children :( Poor Mia Farrow :(