Much action occurs but little of it engages the audience. The film is bland, overall - no big laughs (think Robin William's Genie or Eddie Murphy's Mushu), no dramatic highs that had me cheering (think the climax of Toy Story), and no original message of inspiration (think Hoppity Goes To Town). Don't get me wrong, the film held my full attention for 83 minutes, but it's as hollow as the ants' underground colony.

I felt detached from "Antz" but was intrigued by it's artistry. Ironically, I can get the same pleasures from watching an actual ant farm.

Jerry Beck is a cartoon historian, writer and animation studio executive. He was editor of The 50 Greatest Cartoons (Turner), recently co-wrote Warner Bros. Animation Art (Levin) and is currently a freelance writer and consultant through his own company, Cartoon Research Co.