Bug City's Amazing Insect Warriors (NR)

This educational video fails to take flight.

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Common Sense rates it
3
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Movie details
  • Studio: No Studio
  • Cast: Christina Ricci
  • Running Time: 25 minutes
  • Release Date: 01/01/1998
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 01/01/1998
  • Genre: Documentary
  • MPAA Rating: NR

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that young students will watch this over schoolwork anytime, but it's basically for bug lovers and school use. Visuals and accompanying facts will interest older kids and preteens, but Bugsy Seagull holds no appeal to preteen integrity. The video misses out on an opportunity to include viewers by suggesting experiments and other interactive notes.

Families can talk about and explore the bugs around them. Be on the lookout for the bugs mentioned in the video -- but stay at arms length -- they are warriors, after all!

Message

Social Behavior:

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

Sex

Language

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Amy Kulcak

BUG CITY'S AMAZING INSECT WARRIORS introduces young children to the insect world and learn about the amazing -- and often ferocious -- qualities of its residents. Weaver ants cut and sew leaves to protect themselves from outsiders. Bombadier beetles produce and spray boiling chemical gas on attackers. Stink beetles? Well, they bombard foes with noxious stenches. Then there is the famed war-like and efficient preying mantas, used by filmmakers as models for aliens.

Is it any good?

3

Expect to dive right into the insect world and learn about the amazing -- and often ferocious -- qualities of its residents. If you're able to get past the boring personae of hosts Christina Ricci and Bugsy Seagull, then great! They were probably hired for the job in order to appeal to the kiddie population. Instead, they have the exact opposite effect. Luckily, Dr. Art Evans's knowledge and obvious enthusiasm keep up the video's stamina. He also narrates the insect footage, providing neat information.

Wonderful facts and footage about army ants, spitting spiders, ladybugs, spiny walking sticks, and the beloved arachnids (spiders!) make this video exceptional. Still, it's a lecture-type film -- nothing but the facts! Missing in action is the all-important interaction and connection with young viewers. Hints of potential experiments or clues to independent study are absent. In addition, animation needs to be used to show how humans picked up ideas from insect warfare. Simply put, the video does not make the audience think.

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