--- title: "A Bug's Life: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/a-bugs-life/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/a-bugs-life" critics_score: 74 critics_reviews: 10 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # A Bug's Life (1998): what the critics said Critics' score 74 from 10 reviews: 7 positive, 3 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics like it, and nobody dislikes it. The praise gathers around Pixar’s animation: a vivid, crowded insect world admired for its small details and its set-piece action, which more than one review finds even more impressive than Toy Story’s. The comedy and the oddball circus troupe are warmly received, and Hopper is the character most often singled out, with the Radio Times naming Kevin Spacey’s performance in particular. The Guardian also notes Randy Newman’s jaunty, bittersweet score. The reservations are mild and mostly comparative. Several critics find it less clever and original than Pixar’s best, and a few call the plot predictable or the opening slow. Antz hangs over nearly every review: most prefer this film, though Variety judges it the less sophisticated of the two, and Eye for Film thinks arriving second leaves it less memorable. The spread is narrow, from four stars down to Den of Geek’s three, which admires the disc’s transfer more than the film. ## The Guardian — Rob Mackie Rating ****. 27 August 1999. The critic calls it a clear win over Antz and a class act. They praise its colorful animation, comic characters, and Randy Newman’s jaunty, bittersweet score. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/1999/aug/27/dvdreviews?CMP=gu_com) ## Radio Times — Tom Hutchinson Rating 4/5. The critic finds the computer-animated effects even more wondrous than those in Toy Story, despite less-beguiling characters. Kevin Spacey’s portrayal of Hopper is singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-s20964/a-bugs-life/) ## Total Film — Total Film Rating 4/5. 5 February 1999. The critic finds the film spirited, funny and thoroughly charming, though it starts slowly and lacks Toy Story’s crossover appeal. They praise Pixar’s vivid digital world, especially its attention to tiny visual details and spectacular insect action. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/a-bugs-life-review/) ## Variety — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 29 November 1998. McCarthy finds the film entertaining and recommends it for family audiences, while noting it is less sophisticated than Antz. He praises its imaginative design, spirited storytelling, and gorgeous computer-animated visuals. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1998/film/reviews/a-bug-s-life-1200455803/) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 20 November 1998. Turan finds the film entertaining, though not as good as Toy Story, and recommends it over Antz. He singles out Pixar’s unfettered imagination, especially its wacky humor and visual surprises. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-nov-20-ca-45379-story.html) ## Empire — Kim Newman Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. Newman finds the film charming and entertaining, though less clever and original than Pixar’s best work. He singles out its imaginative characters, lively animated action and comedy for praise. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/bug-life-review/) ## The New York Times — Janet Maslin Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 25 November 1998. The page is identified as a film review, but its text is inaccessible, so the critic’s verdict cannot be established. The headline says an ant sets out to save the hill, but the page provides no accessible detail about what the critic praises or faults. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1998/11/25/movies/film-review-out-of-step-ant-sails-out-to-save-the-hill.html) ## Time Out — DA Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). The page identifies this as a review, but its verdict is not available in the accessible text. The description characterizes the film’s genre blend, without revealing what the critic praises or faults. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/a-bugs-life) ## Eye for Film — Angus Wolfe Murray Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 19 January 2001. The critic finds the film inventive and humorous, though following Antz leaves it feeling less memorable. The quirky circus insects and broad appeal earn praise, with Hopper singled out as a possible standout. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/a-bugs-life-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray) ## Den of Geek — Mark Pickavance Rating 3/5. 17 December 2010. Pickavance considers the film successful and worthwhile, though its plot is predictable. He especially praises the Blu-ray’s flawless visual transfer and rich color. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/a-bugs-life-blu-ray-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/a-bugs-life.md