Bugs!

Released Jul 25, 2003

40m

Documentary

List

82%

34 Reviews

Tomatometer

59%

500+ Ratings

Audience Score

This IMAX documentary, shot in vivid and squirm-inducing 3-D, journeys to the lush rainforest of Borneo to examine in minute detail the various fascinating and sometimes creepy insects that exist there, including ants and beetles. But the film is given dramatic momentum by focusing on the short-lived adventures of a praying mantis named Hierodula and a caterpillar named Papilio, the latter eventually metamorphosing into an exquisite butterfly. The film is narrated by actress Judi Dench.

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Dave McGinn

Globe and Mail

Much of what bugs do, unfortunately, isn't all that interesting.

Rated: 2.5/4

May 25, 2011

Full Review

Natasha Aitken

Empire Magazine

Bugs! doesn't rely on sinister spider shots for thrills: seeing these insects in their full, magnified glory is a spine-tingler in itself.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 30, 2006

Full Review

Derek Adams

Time Out

Trouble is, both the script and Dame Judi's delivery are a bit old-fashioned.

Sep 23, 2006

Full Review

Harry Haun

Film Journal International

An extraordinary inspection of a universe rarely invaded by motion picture cameras. You've never been here before.

Mar 1, 2007

Full Review

Linda Cook

Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

One of the finest movies that ever came to the IMAX at the Putnam, "Bugs! In 3-D" flies right into your face. And you'll like it.

Rated: 4/4

Mar 15, 2006

Full Review

Tenley Woodman

Boston Herald

Rated: 3.5/4

Jul 16, 2005

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joey v

Awesome Nature documentary which focuses on Insects of the Rainforest specifically a praying mantis and Caterpillar which are the main characters And really takes you right into the Bug World This is a very entertaining and educational documentary/movie and one insect enthusiasts are sure to enjoy

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Bugs is an absorbing, beautiful, grotesque, educational documentary with tremendous 3D that transports us to the world of bugs.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

this film was boring and wasnt my kind of movie

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

For all my reviews visit my website idacashmansmoviereviews.webs.com Please note that the rating above might not accurately reflect my thoughts, you will see a rating sentence at the end of the review. A Beautiful telling of a Bug's Life (no not the movie.) Bugs are BUGS. BUGS ARE BUGS. BUUUUGSSSS. Even for one as I who is afraid of Bugs in the unnecessary respect, really loved this movie. It was absolutely beautiful. We were attached to the characters, and that's all they were, characters. Not actors, just characters. It was a DOCUMENTARY AND I'M ATTACHED TO THE CHARACTERS. That is impossible to pull a feet. Especially with such creatures as BUGS. BUGS. BUUUGSSS. Now, of course you may be wondering "what about the 3-D Effect?" It was sometimes a little worse and sometimes a little better than the best 3-D I've seen, however this was made 7 years before such. So it's extremely groundbreaking. And the only important 2003 movie I've reviewed during this summer. I think part of the reason why I'm so attached to the bugs are because of the narrator. She is absolutely perfect for this role. Usually you either get that over-the-top MonsterQuest voice, or just a monotone voice, or something that's just lame. But this narrator is perfect! Absolutely amazing. She is friendly, and knowledgeable. We've all heard the facts before, and we know what the bugs haft to do, but the narrator makes it all exciting and dramatic. It's a beautiful movie as well, the scenery and the cinematography is top notch. Especially considering that they had to use two 3-D IMAX cameras using like 300 roles of film right next to each other to film every moment without a second take. IT'S FLIPPING IMPRESSIVE. This must be the hardest genre of film to make, IMAX Documentaries in 3-D. You may think this movie is for kids from the title and it's arrangement in the DVD store. It's not. Trust me, it's absolutely astonishing. The Rating? I'm thinking 4.4/5

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

szegÃ©ny Papilio hogy megjÃ¡rta! KÃ¶csÃ¶g Hierodula! :) imaxban Ã©rdemes megnÃ©zni! ;)

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Bugs is an absorbing, beautiful, grotesque, educational documentary with tremendous 3D that transports us to the world of bugs.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

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Mike Slee

Director

Judi Dench

Narrator

Jonathan Barker

Executive Producer

Andrew J. Curtis

Co-Executive Producer

Alexandra Derbyshire

Producer

Phil Streather

Producer

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Synopsis

This IMAX documentary, shot in vivid and squirm-inducing 3-D, journeys to the lush rainforest of Borneo to examine in minute detail the various fascinating and sometimes creepy insects that exist there, including ants and beetles. But the film is given dramatic momentum by focusing on the short-lived adventures of a praying mantis named Hierodula and a caterpillar named Papilio, the latter eventually metamorphosing into an exquisite butterfly. The film is narrated by actress Judi Dench.

Director: Mike Slee
Producer: Jonathan Barker, Andrew J. Curtis
Distributor: SK Films
Production Co: Principal Large Format, The Film Consortium
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English (United Kingdom)
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 25, 2003, Original
Release Date (DVD): Jun 5, 2007
Box Office (Gross USA): $16.7M
Runtime: 40m
Aspect Ratio: IMAX (1.43:1)