A Bug’s Life

Image from Chapters.ca

This is one of the rare films that achieves gender balance, teaches some valuable lessons, and still manages to entertain. Except for the evil grasshoppers, the other bugs are a combination of male and female characters. (That the “bad guys” are all guys is my only point of criticism in this film.) To help defend his colony against the grasshoppers, lead male Flick sets out to find “tough warrior bugs,” but ends up with circus bugs who, thinking they are getting a new acting gig, decide to help Flick. Although it may go over the heads of young viewers, this emphasis on toughness provides a lesson—those who appear tough may not be, and those who appear meek are capable of great bravery.

There are many female characters in the cast, and males and females contribute equally to the resolution of the ants’ problem. A couple of females even get to be heroes. There is also a funny sub-plot about a male ladybug continually being mistaken for a female. He later finds his “feminine side” and is happy about it. Note that there are some frightening scenes, so young children might have trouble with this film. Probably best for kids 6 and up.