Commentary: 'Antz' is sure to please all

"Antz", is the debut of the first completely computer generated animation film from Palo Alto-based Pacific Data Images and DreamWorks SKG.

It opens today and is a guaranteed good time for the young and old.

"Antz" is a romantic comedy about a worker ant, Z-4195, played by the voice of Woody Allen, who is completely fed-up with the mundane status quo of life in the ant colony.

Z's dissatisfaction with his predetermined position in the colony causes him to head a revolt against a system devoid of any individualism.

"Most of all I think the film shows how there is little chance to rise up against the herd and the need for people to speak up in society," said Tim Johnson, co-director of "Antz".

According to Johnson and Eric Darnell, the film's other director, "Antz" is full of worthwhile messages targeted at families. Both directors hope "Antz" will spur conversation between adults and children.

"This is a story uniquely suited for the medium of animation because we can provide so much scale, volume, depth and space, which is critical in understanding what it might be like to be a fifth of an inch tall," said Darnell. "The film is completely story driven and technology molds around the story."

According to Brad Lewis and Patty Wooton, two of the film's producers, the story line is what attracted big-name voices. Besides Allen, Sharon Stone, Sylvester Stallone, Gene Hackman, Christopher Walken, and Dan Aykroyd bring life to the animated characters.

"We think this is a cast adults and children will enjoy," said Johnson. "We think it will be fun for people to see cast characters, such as Woody Allen and Gene Hackman, in a fun and completely new medium."

Besides being only the second fully computer animated feature film "Antz" takes enormous technological strides. It demonstrates improvements in character facial animation, crowd systems and water simulation. It has surpassed the expectations of its directors, who nurtured the film since 1991.

"It is definitely the best film we know how to make," said Johnson. "If it doesn't find its audience, I'd like to find out what is right and what is wrong with the film, and take it into our next films."

DreamWorks projects beginning a new feature film every 18 months. The next DreamWorks/PDI collaboration, "SHREK", is already in production. Story ideas are currently being generated for a sequel to "Antz."

Whether you gain a greater appreciation for ants or not, its directors said the animation is the guaranteed surprise people are looking for in films.

As for Johnson, he said the film has not given him a greater appreciation for ants, but rather the opposite has occurred. "I still have and look forward to the Orkin man at my house every month," he said.

• Visit the official "Antz" Web site.