The visuals are just as compelling as the audio – the detail that exists in every frame is wonderful to behold. From the actual look of each creature to their surroundings, to the objects with which they interact, everything is rendered to exacting standards. Droplets of liquid contain funhouse mirror-type reflections and distortions. The amount of effort that went into originally producing the film and getting it ready for Blu-ray is apparent, and one can only marvel at the dizzying array of color, detail, and sound the disc contains.
Watching the film, one can’t help but remember the old tale of the “Grasshopper and the Ants,” which Disney made into a Silly Symphony many years ago. A Bug’s Life certainly does seem like an updated version of that classic, which one can clearly see by watching the Silly Symphony as it is included on the Blu-ray as a special feature.
Among the special features included are the short, “Geri’s Game” (which was shown before the film during its theatrical run); director audio commentary; some great fake “bloopers;” a filmmaker’s round table; a truly fascinating look at how the sound effects were created; and, perhaps best of all, an animated “first draft” of the film with voice over by Dave Foley. This first draft is the story as it may have been, and plays out as a series of roughly drawn frames in which the pictures animate, though not in full Pixar CGI glory. This draft of the film sports an entirely different central character who fails to make the final version of the film entirely, and the inside look it gives the audience into part of the process of scripting such a film. The Blu-ray release of A Bug’s Life also comes with a digital copy of the film, so that one can take the film with them (though not in high definition).
Though technology has progressed greatly since the film’s original theatrical release over a decade ago, A Bug’s Life still looks absolutely outstanding. That, plus the fact that it combines such a great look and feel with a truly engrossing story for young and old alike make it a must-own for anyone who remotely enjoys animated fare.
Article comments
1 - Dennis McDonald
The only negative I can think of about A Bug's Life is that the animation of facial expressions has advanced substantially since this was made. Otherwise it is, as you say, an absolutely wonderful film.