THE ANT BULLY

(Based on the book by John Nickle)

83 Minutes

Lucas "Peanut" Nickle (Zach Tyler) gets bullied by a much larger neighborhood kid and his posse and takes out his frustration on the ants that live in his lawn. With the help of their wizard, Zoc (Nicolas Cage), and his potion to miniaturize the "Destroyer," the ants fight back and Lucas soon finds that he is picking on things his own size and, he's outnumbered. But before the ants can retaliate, the Queen (Meryl Streep), asks that they try to rehabilitate Lucas. Hova (Julia Roberts) volunteers to teach him the importance of teamwork as they battle their natural enemies, search for food, and take on their biggest foe, the exterminator (Paul Giamatti).

The message of "The Ant Bully" is a good one - try to get along with and help one another, and carry your own weight (or 10 times it if you're an ant). Kids 5 years and up will get this loud and clear as it is imaginatively and cleverly presented. And what's good for the kids is good for the family.

Although it is sure to be compared to earlier animated insect-based films like "Antz" and "Bug's Life," and aside from the similarities in storyline and lessons found in "Over The Hedge," I enjoyed "The Ant Bully" and welcome the steady stream of animated movies that are making their way into theaters today.

I loved that author John Nickle gave his character family his surname.

For more "ant" fun, check out Chris Van Allsburg's book, "Two Bad Ants."