Back in 1998, DreamWorks’ Antz arrived on the big screen with an all-star cast that included Sylvester Stallone as Weaver and Jennifer Lopez as Azteca. But what should have ideally been a standard release turned into a bitter rivalry because just eight weeks after that, Pixar and Disney’s A Bug’s Life was lined up to debut, and Steve Jobs was fuming!
Being a major shareholder in Pixar, Jobs accused DreamWorks’ co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg of idea theft and industry sabotage. Jobs and Pixar’s John Lasseter claimed that Katzenberg had stolen their “bug” concept after leaving Disney, but DreamWorks denied it all and doubled down by getting Antz to release in theaters first (via Los Angeles Times).
So, let’s dig into the battle of Antz and A Bug’s Life, and why Jobs’ anger only made this rivalry juicier!
Antz vs A Bug’s Life: Which Is The Better Movie?
Antz was DreamWorks’ first animated feature and followed Z, a neurotic worker ant who wanted more from life than just digging tunnels. The film’s tone was set for adults, and included satire, politics, themes of class conflict, and even jokes about psychoanalysis.
On the other hand, A Bug’s Life was a lighter, family-oriented movie that kids could also enjoy. It revolved around Flik, an inventive ant who recruits bugs to defend his colony from grasshoppers. So, even though the two movies were based on ants, one leaned into dark humor and existential themes while the other followed a clear path with heartfelt moral messaging by the end.
But thematically, one can say that Antz took more risks as Weaver and Azteca’s relationship was a symbol of breaking caste divisions, while Z’s journey showed us how we struggle between individuality and conformity. But A Bug’s Life was a classic underdog story, and slightly predictable.
So, which is better? It depends on what you’re looking for! If you’re an adult who’s into films with depth and thought, then Antz takes the win, but A Bug’s Life is a beautiful viewing experience if you’re watching with family and kids. For cinephiles, both movies are essential because they represent two very different takes on animation and their philosophies in the ‘90s.
Jennifer Lopez and Sylvester Stallone Starrer’s Performance Against Steve Jobs’ Film
If we’re talking straight numbers, Pixar and Disney crushed DreamWorks. Though Antz managed to impress the critics, the audiences weren’t too pleased with the film, and it also reflected on the movie’s box office. Meanwhile, A Bug’s Life was both a critical and commercial success!
Here’s an overview of both movies:
However, the rivalry ultimately benefited both the studios and the medium of animation as a whole. DreamWorks’ Pacific Data Images advanced facial animation tech allowed the characters to show subtle expressions, whereas Pixar had subdivision surface technology and groundbreaking lighting methods to create outdoor scenes.
And in a way, both films delivered what their studios needed: Antz gave DreamWorks credibility in the animation department, whereas A Bug’s Life further cemented Disney’s legacy after Toy Story. So, what’s your pick, Antz or A Bug’s Life?
You can rent and buy Antz on Amazon and Apple TV+. A Bug’s Life is streaming on Disney+ (USA).
