Name: Antz
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family
Released: 1998-10-02
Duration: 83 min
Rating: 6.2
Cast: Woody Allen, Sharon Stone, Dan Aykroyd, Anne Bancroft, Danny Glover

Antz

A Conversation About Health and Appearance

Barbatus Kid! Kid, over here.

[to Z]

Z Marion-4195 Barbatus.

Barbatus Be honest, kid. Am I hurt bad?

Z Marion-4195 N-No. N-Not at all. You're... Actually, you're lookin terrific. You got, you know, swell color in your cheeks.

Barbatus No. I can see it in your eyes. I'm a goner. Help me up, Z. I can't feel my legs.

[sniffing]

Z Marion-4195 You gotta hang in there, buddy. You know. I know you're gonna make it. Just take... take deep breaths. Because I'm gonna try and find your body. It's bound to be out there somewhere. Barbatus, hang on. B-Barbatus.

[to Barbatus]

Barbatus Don't make my mistake, kid. Don't follow orders your whole life. Think for yourself.

Z Marion-4195 Barbatus.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Antz

Ants Demand Change and Challenge Authority

All We want Z! We want Z!

[chanting]

Foreman People, come on. I know some ants who aren't gonna make their quota.

Worker Ant Buzz off, pawn of the oppressor.

All We want Z! We want Z!

[continues chanting]

Colonel Cutter Sorry, sir. I came as soon as I heard. I was debriefing the trackers.

General Mandible And? What's the report?

Colonel Cutter Well, this Z, sir. He's one slippery character. They lost Bala's trail at the edge of the lake.

General Mandible The lake?

All All we are saying is give Z a chance.

[singing]

General Mandible What's that soldier doing there?

Colonel Cutter It appears he's holding hands, sir, with a worker.

General Mandible I don't like the way things are going, Cutter. I'm counting on you for results. Now, can I depend on you or not?

Colonel Cutter Yes, sir.

General Mandible All right, then. Let's wrap this up.

All We want Z! We want Z! We want Z!

[continues chanting]

General Mandible I've heard a lot about this Z. I even had the pleasure of meeting him once. But where is he know? Can anyone point him out? I mean, if this Z cares so much about us, then why isn't he here? I'll tell you why. Because Z doesn't give a damn about us. That's why he kidnapped our princess. That's why he ran away. Z is no hero. We are the heroes. We are the ones ensuring the future of our great colony. And when we've completed this magnificent structure, we will reap the benefits: more food and less work for everyone. And as further reward for your heroic efforts, each and every one of you will get the day off... so you can be the guests of honor at the MegaTunnel dedication ceremonies!

Foreman Mandible! Mandible!

All Mandible! Mandible! Mandible! Mandible!

[chanting]

General Mandible Now bring me that soldier.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Antz

Questioning Authority and Social Class in Antz

Weaver Are you nuts?! You want me to switch places with you? Do you know how much trouble you can get into for even talkin about impersonatin a soldier? You can get in trouble just for listening to someone talkin about impersonatin a soldier!

[to Z; Everyone who was listening in pretends to fall back asleep]

Barbatus Don't make my mistake, kid. Don't follow orders your whole life. Think for yourself.

[his last words to Z]

Muffy Darling, they're poor, they're dirty, they're smelly. We have to help them. If you just wait right here, we'll get you a little something.

[to Z and Bala]

Queen General, we've been at peace with that colony for years. Why would they attack us?

[to Mandible]

Psychologist Excellent. You’ve made a real breakthrough.

Soldier Ants One. Two. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten. Eleven. Twelve. Thirteen.

Worker Ants We want Z! We want Z!

[chanting]

Chip Ugh! Please, Muffy, not another crusade.

[to Muffy]

Grebs There is a better place, Insectopia.

[to Z]

Princess Bala Labor? What do you know about labor? How would you feel if you were expected to give birth every ten seconds for the rest of your life?

Colonel Cutter Time stands still for no ant.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Antz

A Meeting of Ants and Authority

General Mandible As I was saying, son, you are an ant after my own heart. An ant that looks death in the face and laughs.

Z Marion-4195 Well, actually, the truth is, I-I generally just make belittling comments, and snicker behind death's back.

[chuckling]

Queen General Mandible.

General Mandible Keep your comments to yourself. Let me do the talking. May I present Her Majesty the Queen.

[to Z]

Z Marion-4195 Charmed. Charmed.

General Mandible And the royal Princess Bala.

Queen Welcome home, soldier. We cannot begin to express our gratitude for your heroic efforts.

General Mandible The private has asked me to convey his most humble appreciation.

Z Marion-4195 Please. Please. It was nothing really. Just your average run-of-the-mill valor, and extraordinary courageousness, you know. In the heat of battle, there's very little time to think. One must attack! Attack! Attack!

[chuckling]

General Mandible Well, indeed. As you can see, Your Highness, the battlefield is still fresh in his mind. So, begging your pardon, but this is the perfect time to debrief the private.

Z Marion-4195 Oh, please, General. Not on our first date. Not on our first date.

[chuckling]

Princess Bala Haven't I seen you somewhere before?

Z Marion-4195 Well, maybe. Then again, maybe not. And then... then again. Yowch.

[recognizing his line from the night before; takes the hat off]

Princess Bala That's it! You're the guy from the bar.

Z Marion-4195 Don't... Shh.

Queen Bar? What bar?

Princess Bala I danced with this guy at the bar the other night. He was just a worker then.

Queen What were you doing at a bar?

General Mandible Precisely what I want to know.

Princess Bala No. This isn't about me. I mean, look at this worker. Look what he's done.

Z Marion-4195 I think you're thinkin of someone else. After all, I am a soldier.

[puts the hat back on]

Princess Bala Exactly. You were a worker. But now, you're a war hero.

Queen He's a worker?

General Mandible A worker danced with my fiancee?

Z Marion-4195 F-Fiancee? W-W-Wait a minute. This is not how it looks. I can explain this. This... Hey. She was the one making all the moves.

General Mandible Arrest him.

Z Marion-4195 H-Hey wait a minute. Take it easy. Can't we discuss this?

Queen What are you doing? Let go of my daughter. He's taking her hostage!

Z Marion-4195 No. No. No. I'm not. I mean, yes, yes, I am. One more step and then the princess gets it.

Princess Bala Let go of me!

[hits Z]

Z Marion-4195 Ow! Don't make me hurt her!

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Antz

Emphasizing Duty and Consequences in Leadership

General Mandible You can't help it. It's your nature. But in spite of your limitations, you are going to finish this tunnel on schedule! Come hell or high water! For now on, anyone who falls behind will personally answer to Colonel Cutter! And let me assure you, that the Colonel is not understanding as I am. Dismissed!

[to the foreman of the Mega-Tunnel]

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Antz

A Day of Unusual Joy and Reflection

Z Marion-4195 What a day it has been, what a rare mood I'm in. Why, it's almost like being in love. There's a smile.

[singing]

Azteca Huh?

Z Marion-4195 On my face for the whole insect race. Why, it's almost like being in love. Yowch.

[continues singing]

Bartender Can I get you another one, pal?

[to Z]

Z Marion-4195 No, thanks. I think I'm gonna go.

[sighing]

Bartender Yeah. I don't blame you. It's always slow in here the night before one of those royal reviews. I guess soldiers need their shut-eye before they meet the queen. I don't blame ya.

Z Marion-4195 That's it!

Bartender You know, I was once... See ya.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Antz

Conflict Over the Colony's Leadership

General Mandible That's enough.

Weaver I ain't tellin you nothin'.

General Mandible Soldier, the princess is vital to the future of this colony. She must be returned to take their place as queen.

Weaver We already have a queen.

General Mandible As for your friend, Z, why should I hurt him? He's not important. Now, soldier, we all know that one individual ant doesn't matter. Not you, not Cutter... not even her.

[chuckling]

Weaver Azteca!

[struggles, but is restrained]

Azteca Don't tell that tight-a** anything, Weaver!

General Mandible Where is Z?!

Weaver I don't know where he is!

General Mandible Hmm. That's too bad.

Weaver Wait! Insectopia! I know it sounds crazy, but that's where he'd be going!

Colonel Cutter Soldier, you think this is a game? Insectopia does not exist.

General Mandible As a matter of fact... it does.

Colonel Cutter Sir?

General Mandible I'll brief you on the coordinates. You're gonna bring the princess back. And as for Z... kill him.

Weaver But you said he didn't matter!

General Mandible It's for the good of the colony. You made the right decision. Gentlemen, now you can see how dangerous individualism can be. It makes us vulnerable.

Soldier Ant Let's go.

General Mandible Take him back to the MegaTunnel. Put him on the front line. Dismissed.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Antz

Struggles with Identity and Insecurity

Z Marion-4195 All my life, I've lived and worked in the big city, which now that I think of it, is kind of a problem since I always feel uncomfortable around crowds. I mean it, I-I have this fear of enclosed spaces. I-I-I, everything makes me feel trapped all the time. You know, I always tell myself, there's gotta be something better out there, but maybe I think too much. I-I-I think everything must go back to the fact that I had a very anxious childhood. You know, my, my mother never had time for me. You know, when you're - when you're the middle child in a family of five million, you don't get any attention. I mean, how's it possible? And I've always had these, these abandonment issues, which plagued me. My father was basically a drone like I've said, and, you know, the guy flew away when I was just a larva. And my job, don't get me started on, cause it really annoys me. I was not cut out to be a worker, I'll tell you right now. I-I-I feel physically inadequate. I, I, my whole life I've never, I've never been able to lift more than ten times my own body weight, And, and, when you get down to it, handling dirt is, you know, ew, is not my idea of a rewarding career. It's this whole gung-ho super-organism thing that, that, that I - you know, I can't get, I try but I don't get it. I mean, you know, I'm... What is it, I'm supposed to do everything for the colony, and, and what about my needs? What about me? I mean, I gotta believe there's someplace out there that's better than this! Otherwise, I'll just curl up in a larval position and weep! The whole system makes me feel... insignificant.

Psychologist Excellent. You’ve made a real breakthrough.

[to Z]

Z Marion-4195 I have?

Psychologist Yes, Z. You are insignificant.

Z Marion-4195 I am?

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Antz

Authority and Discipline in the Workforce

General Mandible Workers. They're weak. They lack discipline. They lack commitment.

[his first words]

Foreman General, I know there's been a glitch or two. But everybody is working full tilt as it is, and-

[he comes in]

General Mandible You can't help it, it's your nature. But in spite of your limitations, you are going to finish this tunnel on schedule. Come hell or high water. For now on, anyone who falls behind is going to have to explain themselves to Colonel Cutter. And let me assure you, the colonel is not as understanding as I am. Dismissed. Four more days, Cutter. Four more days. Then we can bid final farewell to their kind of incompetence.

Colonel Cutter Yes, sir.

General Mandible A fresh start. Imagine it!

Colonel Cutter A strong colony, sir. A colony we can be proud of.

General Mandible Yes, but we're not there yet. Cutter, we just got word that a termite army has mobilized against us.

Colonel Cutter Against us?

General Mandible We'll have to send troops deep into hostile territory to attack their colony.

Colonel Cutter Attack a termite colony, sir? That's suicide.

General Mandible Exactly. Do you have the list I asked for?

Colonel Cutter Yes, General. These are the units loyal to the queen.

[takes the list to General]

General Mandible Hm. Then they're the ones we'll be sending. It's a shame. There's some fine officers here.

Colonel Cutter Don't we need the queen's approval to declare war?

General Mandible Our very next stop, Cutter.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Antz

General Mandible's Call to Action

General Mandible I've heard a lot about this "Z". I even had the pleasure of meeting him once. But where is he now? Can anyone point him out? I mean, if this Z cares so much about us, then why isn't he here? I'll tell you why. Because Z doesn't give a damn about us! That's why he kidnapped our Princess! That's why he ran away! Z is no hero. We are the heroes! We are the ones ensuring the future of our great colony. And when we complete this magnificent structure, we will reap the benefits! More food, and less work for everyone. And as further reward for your heroic efforts, each and every one of you will get the day off, so you can be the guest of honor at the Megatunnel dedication ceremony!

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Antz

Unexpected Encounters in Ant Society

Z Marion-4195 Princess, fancy meeting you here. What do you say we lose this crowd? Oh, me? You know, I... I wear many hats. I guess you'd have to call me a Renaissance ant.

Man Eyes right!

General Mandible Beautiful. Just beautiful.

Princess Bala Mm.

General Mandible The precision. The order.

Z Marion-4195 Princess Bala! Princess Bala! Hey. It's me. Remember Z from the bar? Princess Bala! Princess Bala! Princess...

Queen Bala, you must encourage the troops. Wave.

Z Marion-4195 Oh. She sees me. Excuse me, guys. I... Sorry. I just got a better offer. Could you excuse me?

Soldier Ant Company halt!

Z Marion-4195 Princess. Princess Bala!

Soldier Ant Quiet there! Get back in rank.

Barbatus You new, kid?

Z Marion-4195 Oh, yes, but I'm getting out soon. I got a trial membership.

Barbatus Trial membership. That's a good one! Name's Barbatus.

[chuckling]

Z Marion-4195 Z.

Man Right face!

Barbatus Psst.

General Mandible Sacrifice. To some, it is just a word. To others, it is a code.

Z Marion-4195 Jeez. I'm really bad at word games.

General Mandible A solider knows that the life of an individual ant doesn't matter. What matters is the colony. He's willing to live for the colony, to fight for the colony, to die for the colony.

Z Marion-4195 This guy's crazy.

Barbatus I hear ya.

General Mandible At 0800 hours, we received word that the termite enemy has mobilized. We have no choice but to launch a preemptive strike. You are the queen's finest. I know you will all do you duty. I am proud to send you into battle.

Z Marion-4195 Into... I'm sorry-I'm sorry, into battle?

General Mandible Dismissed.

Man Left face! Forward march!

Z Marion-4195 Talk to me. You know, I think there's been a terrible mistake. You know, the truth is I just... I just came for the speech.

[being shipped off to battle]

Barbatus Don't worry, kid. I'll watch out for ya.

Ant Sound off.

Soldier Ant One.

Soldier Ant Two.

Ant Sound off.

Barbatus Three.

Z Marion-4195 Huh?

Ant Sound off.

Soldier Ant Five.

Soldier Ant Six.

Soldier Ant Seven.

Soldier Ant Eight.

Soldier Ant Nine.

Soldier Ant Ten.

Soldier Ant Eleven.

Soldier Ant Twelve.

Soldier Ant Thirteen.

Soldier Ant The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah!

[singing]

All We slaughter termites just for fun, hurrah, hurrah!

[singing]

Z Marion-4195 So these termites, they're, they're pushovers, right?

Barbatus Not really, kid. They're five times our size, and they shoot acid from their foreheads.

Z Marion-4195 Huh?!

[stops marching, gaping in disbelief]

Soldier Ant Hey! Keep it movin', shorty!

[gives Z a shove from behind]

Z Marion-4195 So, what exactly does our platoon do? Are we gonna be serving beverages, or processing paperwork?

Barbatus Our platoon has the best assignment of all. We're the first into battle.

Z Marion-4195 Hey, wait a minute, let's not get...we're being too hasty here! These guys sound like bruisers! Just how were you figuring on beating them?!

[panicked]

Barbatus Superior numbers, kid. Overwhelm their defenses, and kill their queen.

Z Marion-4195 I, um...Hey, fellas, that's...you're being a little extreme, I feel. Why don't...Why don't we just try and influence their political process with campaign contributions?

[stammering]

Barbatus I like you, kid. You got a sense of humor!

[laughing]

Ant Officer FORWARD!!

Barbatus Come on! Let's kick some termite butt!

Soldier Ant OVER THE TOP!!!

Soldier Ant Where is everyone?

Soldier Ant Something's not right.

Barbatus Don't be scared, kid.

Ant Officer ATTACK!!!

Soldier Ant Come on.

Z Marion-4195 Barbatus, you saved my life.

Barbatus Ah, don't get all sappy about it.

Z Marion-4195 Hey, guys. Look out behind you! Hey... Hey, guys. Can somebody help me here? Can anybody... Hey.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Antz

Finding Contentment in Familiarity

Zachary "Z" Marion There you have it. Your average boy-meets-girl, boy-likes-girl, boy-changes-underlying-social-order story. So, what else can I tell you? We rebuilt the colony - it's even better than before, you know, cause now it has a very large indoor swimming pool. Bala and I, incidentally, are thinking of starting a family. You know, just a few kids, maybe a million or two to begin with. And I'm, I'm workin with a new therapist, you know, terrific, absolutely terrific. He's, he's been putting me in touch with my inner maggot, which is helping me a great deal. And, you know, I finally feel like I found my place, and you know what? It's right back where I started. But the difference is, this time I chose it.

[last lines]

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Antz

Time to Dance at the Bar

Man Okay, everybody. 6:15. Time to dance.

[on loud speaker]

Weaver Time to cut a rug, Z.

[to Z]

Z Marion-4195 Oh, no. That's okay. I'm gonna leave the rug just the way it is, Weaver.

Princess Bala Step back, ladies. I'm gonna ask one of these workers to dance with me.

[to her handmaidens]

Z Marion-4195 What a bunch of losers. Mindless zombies capitulating to an oppressive system-

[watching the other ants dance in unison]

Princess Bala Hi. Wanna dance?

Z Marion-4195 Absolutely!

[upon turning to see her]

Princess Bala Follow me.

Z Marion-4195 So, how come I haven't seen you around here before?

[as they step onto the dance floor]

Princess Bala Oh, I don't get out much. I, uh...I work over at the palace.

Z Marion-4195 The palace, huh? I bet those royals really live it up. Of course, they're all a little, you know, from inbreeding.

[secretively]

Princess Bala What?

Z Marion-4195 Yowch! Ya-Ya... Yowch! Yowch. Yowch.

Princess Bala What on earth are you doing?

Z Marion-4195 Well, actually, to tell you the truth, I'm sort of making it up.

Princess Bala Really?

Z Marion-4195 You know. Why does everybody have to dance the same way? You know, that's completely boring. It's... It's monotonous.

Princess Bala It's no fun.

Bar Guy Hey. Watch your step, worker.

Princess Bala You watch yours, buddy, or you'll be in big trouble.

Z Marion-4195 That's okay. I'll... I'm gonna let him off this time. What? Are you crazy? This guy's built like a pebble.

Princess Bala Aren't you even gonna defend yourself?

Bar Guy Hey, buddy. Get back in place.

Z Marion-4195 Me? Uh... Uh...

Princess Bala What if he doesn't want to?

Z Marion-4195 Yeah. What if I don't like my place?

[clears throat]

Bar Guy What's he talking about?

Bar Guy We got us a troublemaker.

Bar Guy Buckle up, Spanky. This one goes out to all the lazy workers.

Weaver You ought to watch that aggressive behavior, buddy.

Bar Guy He's just a worker.

Handmaiden #1 Princess Bala! Princess Bala! The guards are coming.

Princess Bala Let's get outta here.

Z Marion-4195 Wait! Princess? You're a princess?

Princess Bala Uh, I gotta go.

Z Marion-4195 When can I see you again?

Princess Bala Let me think. Never. Bye.

[kisses Z]

Z Marion-4195 No. Wait.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Antz

Desert Discontent Among Ants

Princess Bala Think about it, Z, two ants. Who ever heard of two ants? Two million ants, maybe. But two? Look, I'm hungry, I'm thirsty, and this whole desert thing? It just doesn't work for me.

Z Marion-4195 Yada, yada, yada.

Princess Bala I think it's about time to take me back.

Z Marion-4195 Take yourself back.

[he scoffs]

Princess Bala Excuse me. You kidnapped me, remember? That means you have certain responsibilities. You can't just abandon me here in the wilderness.

Z Marion-4195 Yeah, well, it's better than being back at the colony.

Princess Bala You're not serious, are you?

Z Marion-4195 Maybe you were living the high life, but personally, this beats digging. If you'd ever done a day's labor you'd know what I was talking about.

Princess Bala Labor? What do you know about labor? How would you feel if you were expected to give birth every ten seconds for the rest of your life?

Z Marion-4195 Gee.

Princess Bala Water! All you think about is yourself.

Z Marion-4195 Yeah? Well, nobody else ever thought about me. So as far as I'm concerned, I don't need anybody else.

Z Marion-4195 Help! Help me, Bala! Help! B-B-B-B-Bala!

[in a water drop]

Princess Bala Hold on, I'll get you out. Hold on.

Z Marion-4195 Help, Ba...

Z Marion-4195 Thanks.

Princess Bala Don't mention it. Now, maybe we can put this fantasy behind us, and head back to the colon... Oh, Z! What are you doing?

Z Marion-4195 We've got to cross the lake.

[gets in the boat]

Princess Bala Am I missing something here? Didn't we just get out of the water?

Z Marion-4195 Bala, look, what have you got to lose? I mean, think about it. Do you really want to be Mrs. Raving Lunatic? There's a better place.

[grabs a stick]

Princess Bala Z, please.

Z Marion-4195 Just gimme one chance. If we don't find Insectopia soon, I promise I'll take you back to the colony.

[puts his hand out, then Bala gets in, then Z rows to go to Insectopia]

Princess Bala I hope you know what you're doing.

Z Marion-4195 Yeah, me too.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Antz

Teamwork and Collective Purpose Explained

Azteca Now, you're getting it. After all, it's not about you. It's about us, the team. It's about this.

[to Z; takes the ax out]

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Antz

A Plan for the Inspection Swap

Z Marion-4195 Psst. Weaver. I figured it out. Weaver. Weaver.

Weaver What? What?

[clears throat]

Z Marion-4195 I got a great idea. You gotta switch places with me. Let me go to the inspection instead of you.

Weaver What time is it?

Z Marion-4195 Weaver. The royal family will be there. This is the only way I can see her.

Weaver See who?

Z Marion-4195 Princess Bala.

Weaver Are you nuts? You want me to switch places with you? Do you know how much trouble you can get into for even talking about impersonating a soldier? You can get in trouble just for listening to someone talking about impersonating a soldier!

[getting out of bed]

Z Marion-4195 You have to help me. If I can't see her again, my life is just not worth living. Please, Weaver, please. Switch jobs with me just, you know, for a day. Think of all the things I've done for you.

Weaver Hm. I can't think of any.

[pauses]

Z Marion-4195 Okay, so think of all the things that I'm gonna do for you!

Weaver Would I meet some worker girls?

[glances around, then leans in secretively]

Z Marion-4195 Are you kidding? They always go after the new guy! It's like a sport for them! And believe me, they will definitely go for an adorable little insect like you.

Weaver Mmm.

Z Marion-4195 Weaver, I... I have to see her again.

Weaver Z, what kind of chance do you have with a princess? I mean, she probably won't even remember you.

Z Marion-4195 I... I know it sounds nuts, but I have to try.

[sighs]

Weaver Oh, boy.

[he exhales]

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Antz

Facing Challenges with a Calm Attitude

Zachary "Z" Marion Will you please calm down? You won't let a little near-death experience ruin your mood, are you?

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Antz

Struggles of Identity and Connections in Antz

Bartender Two aphid beers.

Z Marion-4195 Why'd I have to be born a worker? Soldiers get all the glory, plus you get to go out in the world. You meet interesting insects, you get to kill them.

Weaver Yeah. But you get to spend all day with those beautiful worker girls.

Z Marion-4195 Weaver, they're career girls. They're obsessed with digging. I don't think I'm ever gonna meet the right girl for me.

[sighs]

Weaver Who said a girl for you? I was talking about a girl for me. Don't you want your aphid beer?

[to Z]

Z Marion-4195 Call me crazy, but... I have a thing about drinking from the anus of another creature. Okay?

[clears throat]

Weaver Suit yourself. Ah, me,? I'm cutting a lose. We got a royal inspection coming up.

Z Marion-4195 Inspection, meaning you're gonna stand around like an idiot while a bunch of blue bloods smirk at you. I don't know how you put up with it, Weaver.

Weaver Z, I've known you for a long time. Right?

Z Marion-4195 Definitely. You were born two seconds after me.

Weaver Yeah, and ever since we were little, I've been listening to you complain. What are you b*tching about? In case you haven't noticed, we ants are running the show! We're the lords of the earth!

Z Marion-4195 Hey, don't talk to me about earth, okay? Cause I just spent all day hauling it around. There's just got to be a better place.

[he sighs]

Grebs There is. I've been there.

Z Marion-4195 I'm sorry. Were you talking to me?

Grebs There is a better place, Insectopia.

Z Marion-4195 Oh, really. Lunatic at 3:00.

Grebs You can't understand until you go there and see it yourself. You can be your own ant there. The streets are paved with food. Nobody tellin you what to do. No wars. No colony. I shoulda never left.

Z Marion-4195 Oh, yeah. Fascinating.

[chuckling]

Grebs We were on a long-range recon. I got cut off from my unit.

Z Marion-4195 Nothing like post-traumatic stress disorder to make your day complete.

Grebs Then I saw it, Insectopia!

Worker Ant #1 Hey!

Grebs You head towards the monolith. Ten clicks past the great canyons to the land of red and white.

Guard Ant #1 Hey, gramps. You've had enough for one tonight. Come on. Before you get in trouble.

[takes Grebs]

Grebs Head for the monolith. Listen to me! The monolith!

Weaver That guy's got a screw loose.

[chuckling]

Grebs Cross the lake!

Z Marion-4195 Insectopia. Wouldn't it be great if it were that easy?

[he scoffs]

Weaver Yeah. Dream on, Z.

[chuckling]

Grebs Cross the lake! Look for the land of red and white.

Princess Bala Wow...This is so...gritty!

[excited]

Handmaiden #1 Ten minutes and we're out of here, right? I mean, this place is off limits.

Princess Bala Just blame it on me. Say it was all my idea.

Handmaiden #2 It is all your idea!

Princess Bala Besides, no one's gonna recognize us. Come on, girls, what do you say? Let's take a walk on the wild side.

[removes her crown]

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Antz

Discovery of Insectopia by Princess Bala and Z

Princess Bala Oh, my God! Z! Come here!

Z Marion-4195 It's Insectopia!

Princess Bala You were right. It really is here.

Z Marion-4195 Huh?

Princess Bala All right. All right! You're a genius.

Z Marion-4195 Let's eat.

Princess Bala Well, what's the problem?

Z Marion-4195 There's some kind of force-field! Uh, excuse me? Excuse me? How...How do you get in?

[above them, two wasps, Chip and Muffy, arrive]

Chip Yes, yes, well, I'm afraid this is a private function.

[flying down to them]

Muffy Who are your friends, dear?

Chip Crawling insects, poopsie.

Muffy Oh, the poor dears. Uh, good...morning!

[to Z and Bala, slowly]

Z Marion-4195 Huh?

Chip Darling, really? Greeting every insect that emerges out of the grass?

Princess Bala Pardon me? I guess you don't recognize me! I've been travelling, and I'm all...schlumpy. I'm Princess Bala.

[the wasps land in front of them]

Chip Oh! It's even worse. They're Eurotrash!

[to Muffy]

Muffy Darling, they're poor, they're dirty, they're smelly. We have to help them. If you just wait right here, we'll get you a little something.

[leaning down, to Z and Bala]

Chip Ugh! Please, Muffy, not another crusade.

Muffy Chippy, we have a social obligation to the less fortunate. I know you laugh at my hobbies, but this is important to me!

[Chip rolls his eyes]

Chip Hm. You have such a big heart. That's why you're my little cuddly-widdles...!

Muffy Oh, my big strong pheromone factory...!

Z Marion-4195 Oh, brother. Suddenly I've lost my appetite. You know... I guess I had imagined Insectopia... I don't know, a little differently.

Chip Oh, Muffy! No! Oh, no!

[starts crying]

Princess Bala Oh, no.

Z Marion-4195 Look out!

Princess Bala Z, help me! Z! Don't let me... Don't let me go, Z. Get me out of here!

Z Marion-4195 Bala! Whoa, this is not good. Whoa! Hi.

Princess Bala Z?

Z Marion-4195 Yes?

Princess Bala It looks like this is it, just when... I was starting to like you.

Z Marion-4195 Who the hell is that?

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Antz

Workplace Dynamics and Team Roles

Weaver Yeah. Okay, mama. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Big guy comin through. Love it.

[he breaks the wall]

Azteca Hey. Hey. Hey. Take it easy, muscles. You're makin the rest of us look bad. What happened to Z?

Weaver He's takin a personal day, so I'm fillin in.

Azteca You fill in any more, and you'll explode.

[admiring]

Azteca Eh, you got a problem?

Weaver No, uh, uh... Nobody told me digging was so much fun. You know, you pick the dirt up. You move it. You pick it up again. You move it again. Lots of reps. You exercise the arms and the thorax.

Azteca Yes, I... I see what you mean.

Foreman Um. Yeah. That is fascinating.

Weaver Sorry, sir. I was just havin a chat with my friend, sir.

Foreman You know, I just had a chat with General Mandible. Anybody who doesn't meet his quota is going to be downsized.

Azteca Come on. Cut him a break. He's new.

Foreman Hey. What do you say we help your attitude a little bit by taking away your rations for the day. Thanks for your time.

Azteca I don't know what came over me. Talking back like that. I must be losin it.

[he starts cutting]

Weaver Sorry I got you in trouble. But, listen, you can share my rations. Whoa. If you want.

Azteca Are you askin me out to dinner?

[guards the ax]

Weaver Oh, no. I... Well, if you don't have anything else planned.

[chuckles]

Azteca I'll check my calendar. You know, I'm kinda glad Z's takin a breather.

[laughing]

Antz

A Mother's Demand for Her Daughter's Return

Queen No more excuses, General. I want my daughter back. Frankly, I'm beginning to doubt your ability to handle this.

General Mandible Believe me, Your Highness, we will spare no effort to bring her back. Princess Bala is essential to all our plans for the future.

Worker Ant So he kills himself a hundred termites, gets a few medals, then bada-ding, bada-bip, bags himself the princess.

Worker Ant He looks dead in the eye...

Worker Ant And says, "Bite me.

Female Ant He said that to General Mandible?

Worker Ant Buddy. Hey, hey, buddy. You heard about the war hero named Z? Runs off the the princess, right? When they sent the guards after him, he just looks at em and boom! They burst into flames.

Weaver Z? You talkin about Z? Hey, I know the guy. He's a friend of mine. I think your information...

[chuckling]

Worker Ant You know Z?

Weaver Yeah. He's a worker. He used to dig around here.

Worker Ant A worker? That's impossible. A worker can't do anything, except work.

Female Ant Yeah. It's not like we got a choice.

Azteca We do have a choice. Uh, I mean, look at Z. He decided he wanted something, and he went for it.

Weaver He's not alone. I used to be a soldier, and I switched places with him.

Worker Ant Wait a second. You're tellin me, I don't have to be here?

Female Ant We've got a choice?

Worker Ant The authorities don't want you to know, but we don't have to work on the tunnel any more.

Worker Ant It's the workers who control the means of production.

Worker Ant If Z don't dig, I don't dig.

Foreman People, what is this? An encounter group? Let's get back to work.

Worker Ant Why?

Worker Ant ...on the tunnel anymore! This guy, Z, he's leadin the revolution!

Foreman I'll get back to you.

Antz

Strategic Decisions Amidst Colony Tensions

Queen General, we've been at peace with that colony for years. Why would they attack us?

General Mandible They want our land. They're desperate for more foraging territory. Perhaps they think we've grown soft or weak.

Queen Why don't we dispatch an ambassador, negotiate a new treaty? Certainly, we don't need to send soldiers.

General Mandible Believe me. Every ant in this colony is so precious to me. That's why we must strike now, when we have the element of surprise. If the termite shock troops enter our colony, well...

Queen Yes, General, I know what they can do to us. Very well.

General Mandible You've made a wise decision. In fact, you've insured the future of this colony.

Princess Bala Hello, General.

General Mandible Princess Bala. What a nice surprise. You look lovelier each time I see you.

Princess Bala Thanks. I hope you're not just here on business.

General Mandible Oh, of course... ...of course not.

[chuckling]

Princess Bala Because, um, it might be nice if we had a conversation once before we get married.

General Mandible You're absolutely right. Cutter, schedule some private time for me and Princess Bala.

Colonel Cutter Uh, in fact, sir, there is time right now for a personal moment. We're a few seconds ahead of schedule.

General Mandible Excellent. Princess.

Princess Bala Well, a few seconds isn't much, but I guess if it's quality time. So, how was your day? Anything interesting happen?

General Mandible We declared war.

Princess Bala Declared war? Boy, talk about a rough day.

Colonel Cutter Sir, I hate to interrupt, but time stands still for no ant.

General Mandible Princess.

Princess Bala Mom, could you remind me, why am I marrying this guy?

Queen Bala, do we have to argue about this again?

Princess Bala We don't seem to have anything in common. The guy's a stiff.

Queen Yes, darling. I know the general may be a little gruff and somewhat overbearing at times, but I know that he cares about you. He's just not particulary good at showing it. But you should have seen how persistently he asked for your hand in marriage.

Princess Bala But why me?

Queen Because you're the one who has to continue my work. It's your place, dear.

Princess Bala What if they don't like my place?

Queen Everyone has their place, Bala, you, the soldiers, the workers. Now, it's not all that bad being princess, is it? Would you prefer to be carting dirt all day?

Princess Bala Mother, don't be so dramatic. At least, they seem to have some fun every now and then.

Antz

Rescue Mission Takes an Unexpected Turn

Princess Bala What are you doing, you creep? Are you out of your puny little mind?

Guard Ant There they are down there! Let's go! Move! Move! Move! Move! Move!

Princess Bala Oh, good. Here they come to rescue me and kill you.

Z Marion-4195 Kill?

Princess Bala Hey, you guys!

Z Marion-4195 Stop it! Stop it. What are you tryin to do?

[to Bala]

Princess Bala Get off me, you little twerp!

Z Marion-4195 Wait a minute. What do you want to do? Throw away everything you got?

Princess Bala Oh, hey! What're you waiting for? Hello! Guys!

[punches Z]

Guard Ant Huh?

Guard Ant What is it?

Ridgeway It's beautiful.

Guard Ant Ridgeway, get out of there!

Z Marion-4195 Oh, don't worry. I'm okay.

Princess Bala You?! You're okay?! Hey, who cares about you?! I almost died here!

Z Marion-4195 Will you please calm down? You're not going to let a little near-death experience ruin your mood, are you?

Princess Bala Hey, this is not a mood. Okay? You're not listening to me. Where am I? Look, what's your name. Just climb up that tree, and find out where I am.

[the praying mantis snores soundly, as the birds chirp in the background]

Z Marion-4195 Look, th-the trick is not to panic. You know, h-h-he w-who panics is lost. Aw...What am I saying? I mean, we are lost. Whoa! Whoa! Ow!

[climbs up a stem of a thistle plant, but it droops over downwards towards Bala; Bala gasps; he grins and chuckles sarcastically at Bala, but the thistle part of the plant breaks off of the thistle plant, and falls to the ground, with Z holding on to it]

Princess Bala I've been kidnapped by the village idiot.

[to herself]

Z Marion-4195 Who's the bigger idiot? The idiot, or the idiot who gets kidnapped by the idiot?

[gets up, as he plucks the thistle thorns off of his body]

Princess Bala What'd you do? Talk those termites to death? I can't believe you tried to pass yourself off as a soldier. Why are you stalking me? Don't you realize that I'm...out of your league?

Z Marion-4195 You're the one who was cruising the worker bar looking for a little action! And you just happened to find it - the swarthy, earthy, sensual worker.

Princess Bala Please. I was slumming it. Don't you get it? I chose you because you were the most pathetic little bug in the joint.

Z Marion-4195 You know, I was gonna let you become part of my most erotic fantasies. But now, you can just forget that! Write it off, you know? I-I guess what you prefer is Old Blood and Guts! This guy's idea of a romantic night out is two seats at a public execution! Boy. You really chose the right husband.

[climbs up a spiked stem of a rose]

Princess Bala For your information, the General and I are deeply, deeply in...engaged! You come right back down here this instant! We are marching straight back to the colony, so that I can go straight back to the palace, and tell my mother...

Z Marion-4195 The monolith!

[moves some of the rose's leaves out of his way with his hand, and sees the "monolith" (a drinking fountain) in the distance, the first of the series of landmarks on the way to Insectopia that Grebs told him about]

Princess Bala ...and you can go back to your stupid little buggy bar!

Z Marion-4195 Absolutely. Wonderful. That's an appealing offer. But, considering the options, you go back. Okay? Cause I'm going to Insectopia.

[climbs back down the rose's spiked stem towards Bala, who is standing on the ground]

Princess Bala Oh, come on! Insectopia? You're crazier than I thought.

Z Marion-4195 Yeah? Well, I happen to have it on a very reliable source. Or...Or should I say, a drunk, raving source? But the point is, I'm convinced the place definitely exists!

[clears his throat; heads on towards the monolith]

Princess Bala Stop! I order you to stop, worker!

Z Marion-4195 Hey! I got a name, okay?! It's Z! And out here, you can't order me around!

[continues walking on]

Princess Bala All right! Fine! No problem! Grr! Worker! Worker, where are you?! Z?! Z, wait for me!

[goes the opposite direction of Z, but suddenly, the ground underneath her starts to shake and rise, and she finds herself on the back of a praying mantis, who turns and gnashes its jaws at her. She gasps, and then runs after Z in terror]

Antz

Urgent Orders for Increased Productivity

Colonel Cutter We're on schedule. Work is completed on "A" section sir, including a path through "D" section now.

General Mandible We need to push harder, Cutter. I want double shifts around-the-clock. We can't afford to let up. Is that clear?

Colonel Cutter Crystal, sir.

General Mandible Good. What about section...

Guard Ant Excuse me, sir.

[he comes in]

General Mandible This had better be important.

Guard Ant Well, it's about the termite battle, sir. The enemy was destroyed, but I'm afraid it was a disaster for our troops, as well.

General Mandible Well, that's terrible. Terrible.

Guard Ant There is a better good news, sir. One soldier did make it back.

Colonel Cutter No kidding.

General Mandible What did you say?

Guard Ant Word is spreading through the colony. The queen requested a meeting with the war hero.

General Mandible Damn! Good. damn good. Uh, I'll handle this. Congratulations, soldier. Well, you're a little short for a war hero, aren't you?

[on hearing that one soldier survived the battle with the termites; covering his true feelings; he walks to Z and Ant; chuckling]

Z Marion-4195 A war hero? Sir. I-I don't actually think that I'm a hero.

General Mandible Good. I don't like heroes.

[takes Z]

Z Marion-4195 But, sir. You don't understand. I... I didn't do anything. I mean, it was all horrible. It was just a massacre. A-A massacre upon a massacre.

General Mandible That's good, soldier. Now, wave.

[to Z]

Azteca There was nothing you could do, Weaver. You didn't know they were going to war.

Weaver I just feel horrible. Poor Z. I should have never let him go.

Azteca Wait a minute. That's no soldier. That's Z!

Weaver Z? The little guy made it!

[he chuckles]

General Mandible Let's go, soldier.

Antz

Avoiding Communication with Weaver

Azteca Don't tell that tight-a** anything, Weaver!

Antz

The Value of Sacrifice for the Colony

General Mandible Sacrifice. To some, it is just a word. To others it is a code. The life of one individual ant does not matter. What matters is the colony. And each soldier knows that he's willing to live for the colony...to fight for the colony... to die for the colony.

Antz

Struggles of Identity and Belonging

Zachary "Z" Marion All my life, I've lived and worked in the big city, which now that I think of it, is kind of a problem since I always feel uncomfortable around crowds. I mean it, I-I have this fear of enclosed spaces. I-I-I, everything makes me feel trapped all the time. You know, I always tell myself, there's gotta be something better out there, but maybe I think too much. I-I-I think everything must go back to the fact that I had a very anxious childhood. You know, my, my mother never had time for me. You know, when you're - when you're the middle child in a family of five million, you don't get any attention. I mean, how's it possible? And I've always had these, these abandonment issues, which plagued me. My father was basically a drone like I've said, and, you know, the guy flew away when I was just a larva. And my job, don't get me started on, cause it really annoys me. I was not cut out to be a worker, I'll tell you right now. I-I-I feel physically inadequate. I, I, my whole life I've never, I've never been able to lift more than ten times my own body weight, And, and, when you get down to it, handling dirt is, you know, ew, is not my idea of a rewarding career. It's this whole gung-ho super-organism thing that, that, that I - you know, I can't get, I try but I don't get it. I mean, you know, I'm... What is it, I'm supposed to do everything for the colony, and, and what about my needs? What about me? I mean, I gotta believe there's someplace out there that's better than this! Otherwise, I'll just curl up in a larval position and weep! The whole system makes me feel... insignificant.

[first lines]

Antz

General Mandible's Strategic Command in Antz

General Mandible All right, everybody. I want all teams in place, fully prepared, ready to seal the doors here and here. Make certain the digging crew stays on schedule for the breakthrough midway in the dedication ceremony. Now all we need is the princess.

Antz

Regret for Risking a Friend's Safety

Z Marion-4195 Jeez, what was I thinking? I almost got you killed.

Antz

A Call for Composure Among Peers

Azteca Hey, hey, hey! Take it easy, muscles! You're making the rest of us look bad.

[to Weaver]

Antz

Authority and Disdain in Leadership

General Mandible YOU USELESS, UNGRATEFUL MAGGOT! I AM THE COLONY!

[last words]

Antz

Embracing Positivity Amidst Insignificance

Man Ground floor.

Ant Uh, worker. Soldier. Worker.

Worker Ant Let's try it again. Firm grip. Swing hard. Back straight. Concentrate. Follow through.

Z Marion-4195 Okay. I've got to keep a positive attitude. A good attitude, even though I'm utterly insignificant. I'm-I'm insignificant, um, but with attitude.

[grabs an ax]

Azteca Oh, sorry, Z. I didn't see you.

Z Marion-4195 Great, Azteca. It's working already. I'm so meaningless, I'm invisible.

[he tries to get the ax out]

Azteca Now, you're getting it. After all, it's not about you. It's about us, the team. It's about this.

[laughing; takes the ax out]

Z Marion-4195 Uh, a giant hole in the ground?

Foreman Okay, people. Are we feeling good?

All Yeah!

Z Marion-4195 Yeah.

Foreman Great! Now, R-1734 through Z-7829, you guys are on wrecking ball.

Azteca You got it.

Z Marion-4195 Swell. You got it.

Worker Ant All right, swing time! Let's get physical!

Worker Ant I love this job!

Worker Ant Let's go!

Z Marion-4195 Now, remember, Azteca, "Be the ball." That's the main thing. Now, remember that. You know, got to be one with the ball.

Azteca Would you cut it out already? Jeez. I love my work. And you, well... You think too much. Come on, Z. Help us build a bigger, better colony. And, for crying out loud, try to be happy about it.

Z Marion-4195 Sure, you know. I mean, how could I possibly be unhappy being a piece of construction equipment?

[nervous chuckle]

Foreman Okay, workers, remember.

Z Marion-4195 Here it comes.

Foreman Be the ball.

Foreman Let the energy flow through you!

Z Marion-4195 Grin and bear it. This is... This is for the colony. Ow! This is... This is just a lawsuit waiting to happen.

Worker Ant Hang on, here we go!

Worker Ant Faster!

Worker Ant Higher!

Z Marion-4195 Did I happen to mention that heights make me nauseous?

Worker Ant No.

Worker Ant This is a ball! Hey!

Azteca Oh, Z.

Z Marion-4195 Yes. Yes. I understand. I dropped the ball.

Antz Quotes

find it. watch it.