Talking Disney Podcast Movie Night: 'A Bug's Life'

Welcome to the Talking Disney Podcast Movie Night! We love movies here at the Talking Disney Podcast, we watched and talked about each of the Disney animated feature films on Podcast Episodes #51 (The One That Started It All) through #124 (Strange World Is The End Of Our Journey.) We are bringing some of that movie watching magic to the website. We will still talk about some movies in the podcast in the near future as well. Our goal is to watch one movie a week, share some details and publish our thoughts on Fridays (or Saturdays.) Some weeks we may have comments from all three hosts, sometimes two and sometimes just one. 

The movies will be picked at random and for now to make it easier on us, we will choose movies that are currently on Disney+. 

So without further ado, here is our next Talking Disney Podcast Movie Night movie - ‘A Bug’s Life.'

Spoiler Warning - There may be spoilers ahead so if you haven’t seen the film check it out first. If you have seen it or don’t care about spoilers then by all means click “Read more >>” below.

'A Bug's Life' premiered on November 14, 1998 at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles, California and was generally released on November 25, 1989. A Pixar Animation Studios production, presented by Walt Disney Pictures and distributed by Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.

Journey inside the miniature world of bugs for bigger-than-life fun and adventure under every leaf. Embark on an incredible expedition with one little ant as he searches for a band of warriors to help him battle the grasshoppers who threaten his home. When he stumbles upon a bumbling troupe of circus bugs instead, their only hope for victory is the bond of friendship and the power of imagination. (from Disney+)

Directed by John Lasseter and Andrew Stanton (Co-Director). Produced by Darla K. Anderson and Kevin Reher. Written by John Lasseter (Original Story), Andrew Stanton (Original Story / Screenplay), Joe Ranft (Original Story), Don McEnery (Screenplay as Donald McEnery) and Bob Shaw (Screenplay). Cinematography by Sharon Calahan (Director of Photography). Music by Randy Newman. Starring the voices of David Foley (Flik), Kevin Spacey (Hopper), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Atta), Hayden Panettiere (Dot), Phyllis Diller (Queen), Richard Kind (Molt), David Hyde Pierce (Slim), Joe Ranft (Heimlich), Denis Leary (Francis), Jonathan Harris (Manny), Madeline Kahn (Gypsy Moth), Bonnie Hunt (Rosie), Michael McShane (Tuck / Roll), John Ratzenberger (P.T. Flea), Brad Garrett (Dim), Roddy McDowell (Mr. Soil), Edie McClurg (Dr. Flora), Alex Rocco (Thorny) and David Ossman (Cornelius). (From Internet Movie Database)

The second animated feature film by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures. The film's plot was inspired by Aesop's fable, The Ant and the Grasshopper. Many of the voice actors were television sitcom stars from the period, including Dave Foley (NewsRadio), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Seinfeld), Richard Kind (Spin City), David Hyde Pierce (Frasier), Brad Garrett (Everybody Loves Raymond). 

The soundtrack contains an original song, "The Time of Your Life," written and performed by Randy Newman with the remaining being instrumental music. 

At the 71st Academy Awards on March 21, 1999, "A Bug's Life" and Randy Newman were nominated in the Music (Original Music or Comedy Score) category. 

Film Technical Specifications - Genre: Family, Comedy, Animation | Rating: G | Runtime: 1 hour and 35 minutes (95 minutes) | Sound Mix: DTS (Digital DTS Sound) | Color: Color (Technicolor) | Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1.

Jason's Thoughts
Considered one of Pixar's most underrated films. I think it suffered a little from the success of Pixar's first film, 'Toy Story.' but is still a good watch. A staple in our VCR's and later DVD players with our young kids, so I cannot count how many times I have seen it. The story is great, a young ant who is always messing up, helps save the colony from the bully grasshoppers! I love everything that Randy Newman does. The instrumental music in this one reminded me of watching old western movies. I miss "a bug's land" themed land at Disneyland California Adventure, it mad you feel like you were in the 'A Bug's Life' movie and even though the rides were all themed for young guests they were still fun. 'A Bug's Life' film gets a score of 90 (out of 100) from me. 

James' Thoughts
I’ve probably started watching this movie at least 5 times, but I’ve never finished it until this week.  Not because I didn’t like it, I just never finished it.  I’m glad I did finally finish it as I think this movie is really good.  There are so many jokes throughout that really keep you laughing and the story is great.  The voice actors do a great job and I love the animation.  As I watch this movie, it really makes me miss bug’s land at DCA which was removed and transformed into Avenger’s Campus.  I think the Imagineers did a great job with bug’s land and really made you feel the perspective of being a bug.  Overall, I enjoyed this movie and will definitely watch it again in the future.  On a scale of 0-100, my rating for this film is an 88.

'A Bug's Life' Fun Facts

~ The Pizza Planet van from Toy Story (1995) is visible around 25 minutes in, just after the circus scene as the camera tilts up.

~ P.T. Flea's name was based on P.T. Barnum, who owned a traveling circus in new York City during the 1840s.

Have you seen 'A Bug's Life?' What are your thoughts on the movie? Share in the comments below, we'd love to hear them.