A All
[chanting]
We want Z! We want Z!
People, come on. I know some ants who aren't gonna make their quota.
Buzz off, pawn of the oppressor.
A All
[continues chanting]
We want Z! We want Z!
Sorry, sir. I came as soon as I heard. I was debriefing the trackers.
Well, this Z, sir. He's one slippery character. They lost Bala's trail at the edge of the lake.
A All
[singing]
All we are saying is give Z a chance.
What's that soldier doing there?
It appears he's holding hands, sir, with a worker.
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?
All right, then. Let's wrap this up.
A All
[continues chanting]
We want Z! We want Z! We want Z!
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!
[the ants cheering]
Mandible! Mandible!
A All
[chanting]
Mandible! Mandible! Mandible! Mandible!
Now bring me that soldier.
B Bartender
Two aphid beers.
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.
Yeah. But you get to spend all day with those beautiful worker girls.
Weaver, they're career girls. They're obsessed with digging. [sighs] I don't think I'm ever gonna meet the right girl for me.
[to Z]
Who said a girl for you? I was talking about a girl for me. Don't you want your aphid beer?
Call me crazy, but... [clears throat] I have a thing about drinking from the anus of another creature. Okay?
Suit yourself. Ah, me,? I'm cutting a lose. We got a royal inspection coming up.
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.
Z, I've known you for a long time. Right?
Definitely. You were born two seconds after me.
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!
Hey, don't talk to me about earth, okay? 'Cause I just spent all day hauling it around. [he sighs] There's just got to be a better place.
G Grebs
There is. I've been there.
I'm sorry. Were you talking to me?
G Grebs
There is a better place, Insectopia.
Oh, really. Lunatic at 3:00.
G 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.
[chuckling]
Oh, yeah. Fascinating.
G Grebs
We were on a long-range recon. I got cut off from my unit.
Nothing like post-traumatic stress disorder to make your day complete.
G Grebs
Then I saw it, Insectopia!
G Grebs
You head towards the monolith. Ten clicks past the great canyons to the land of red and white.
GA Guard Ant #1
[takes Grebs]
Hey, gramps. You've had enough for one tonight. Come on. Before you get in trouble.
G Grebs
Head for the monolith. Listen to me! The monolith!
[chuckling]
That guy's got a screw loose.
Insectopia. [he scoffs] Wouldn't it be great if it were that easy?
[chuckling]
Yeah. Dream on, Z.
G Grebs
Cross the lake! Look for the land of red and white.
[Bala sneaks into the bar with two handmaidens] [excited]
Wow...This is so...gritty!
H1 Handmaiden #1
Ten minutes and we're out of here, right? I mean, this place is off limits.
Just blame it on me. Say it was all my idea.
H2 Handmaiden #2
It is all your idea!
[removes her crown]
Besides, no one's gonna recognize us. Come on, girls, what do you say? Let's take a walk on the wild side.
We're on schedule. Work is completed on "A" section sir, including a path through "D" section now.
We need to push harder, Cutter. I want double shifts around-the-clock. We can't afford to let up. Is that clear?
Good. What about section...
GA Guard Ant
[he comes in]
Excuse me, sir.
This had better be important.
GA 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.
Well, that's terrible. Terrible.
GA Guard Ant
There is a better good news, sir. One soldier did make it back.
GA Guard Ant
Word is spreading through the colony. The queen requested a meeting with the war hero.
[on hearing that one soldier survived the battle with the termites]
Damn! [covering his true feelings] Good. damn good. Uh, I'll handle this. [he walks to Z and Ant] Congratulations, soldier. [chuckling] Well, you're a little short for a war hero, aren't you?
A war hero? Sir. I-I don't actually think that I'm a hero.
[takes Z]
Good. I don't like heroes.
[the worker ants cheers]
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.
[to Z]
That's good, soldier. Now, wave.
[the worker ants cheering, Z waves his arm, the worker ants continue cheering]
There was nothing you could do, Weaver. You didn't know they were going to war.
I just feel horrible. Poor Z. I should have never let him go.
Wait a minute. That's no soldier. That's Z!
Z? The little guy made it! [he chuckles]
Let's go, soldier.
[the worker ants cheering]
DD Doris Day
Next time your found, with your chin on the ground / There a lot to be learned, so look around...| Just what makes that little old ant / Think he'll move that rubber tree plant / Anyone knows an ant, can't / Move a rubber tree plant.
DD Doris Day and Children
But he's got high hopes, he's got high hopes / He's got high apple pie, in the sky hopes.
DD Doris Day
So any time your gettin' low / 'Stead of lettin' go / Just remember that ant / Oops there goes another rubber tree plant...| When troubles call, and your back's to the wall / There a lot to be learned, that wall could fall...| Once there was a silly old ram / Thought he'd punch a hole in a dam / No one could make that ram, scram / He kept buttin' that dam.
DD Doris Day and Children
'Cause he had high hopes, he had high hopes / He had high apple pie, in the sky hopes.
DD Doris Day
'Cause he had high hopes, he had high hopes / He had high apple pie, in the sky hopes...| So any time your feelin' bad / 'Stead of feelin' sad / Just remember that ram / Oops there goes a billion kilowatt dam...| All problems just a toy balloon / They'll be bursted soon / They're just bound to go pop / Oops there goes another problem kerplop...|[chorus singing]
Look, I got orders, and those orders say "dig."
What if someone ordered you to jump off a bridge? Oh, brother, I'm asking the wrong guy here. Look, think for yourselves!
Give me that! I've enough out of you. Get back to work.
[The hole burst open and water gushed through. Z and the other worker ants started to run for their lives.]
Run! Keep going!
Everyone, listen to me. We've all been deceived. We need to calmly head toward the exits.
D Digger
Run for your lives! It's gonna flood!
No. Don't panic. Don't panic!
All the exits are blocked!
[Ants screaming while panicked ants are swept away.]
What are we going to do?
There's nothing we can do!
Worker Ant: Oh Ueh!
Worker Ant: Ah!
Worker Ant: Go Go Go! Dark!
Yes, there is. Weaver, give me a leg up. [climbs on Weaver] Everyone, listen to me!
[the worker ants chattering]
Listen, we gotta help each other get outta here before we all drown.
Hey, if we built this, we can do anything. [jumps off Weaver] Okay, let's move it!
I'm on it. All of you, gather around. You, start climbing.
Excuse me, Your Majesty. [holds up the Queen, by climbing up]
Z, I've gotta help my Mom.
Don't worry. I know almost exactly what I'm doing. [hugs Bala] I'll see you at the top.
Gentlemen, there comes a time, in the evolution of a perfect colony, when the strong are meant to rise above the weak. Now is that time. Below us right now, the weak elements of the colony, are being washed away.
Oh, my God, we're not gonna make it! We need more ants.
[grunting]
You two better get up there.
Weaver, you can't hold it alone.
[Z and Azteca began to climb to the top.]
Got it!
Hurry up! Go, go, go, go!
[Z began to dig his way to the top]
[his first words]
Workers. They're weak. They lack discipline. They lack commitment.
[he comes in]
General, I know there's been a glitch or two. But everybody is working full tilt as it is, and-
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.
A fresh start. Imagine it!
A strong colony, sir. A colony we can be proud of.
Yes, but we're not there yet. Cutter, we just got word that a termite army has mobilized against us.
We'll have to send troops deep into hostile territory to attack their colony.
Attack a termite colony, sir? That's suicide.
Exactly. Do you have the list I asked for?
Yes, General. [takes the list to General] These are the units loyal to the queen.
Hm. Then they're the ones we'll be sending. It's a shame. There's some fine officers here.
Don't we need the queen's approval to declare war?
Our very next stop, Cutter.
Ah, Princess. You're just in time.
Take your hands of me. General, what exactly is going on here? I demand an explanation.
I'll explain everything afterwards. Is the southeast entrance secure?
Not afterwards. Now. I don't like the way you think and I don't like the way you run this colony. And I don't like you. The wedding is off. Things are going to change around here.
You're right, Princess. Things are going to change. Why don't we make her more comfortable? She'll be here for a while.
What do you think you're doing? My mother will have your head.
I doubt that. [chuckling] Ah, you've got a fighter spirit, Bala. And that's just what we need to start our new colony. We will rinse away all the filth from our gutters. We'll start anew, with you by my side as my queen.
I believe history will see things differently. All right, gentlemen. Time to take your positions. Someday... Someday you'll thank me.
As I was saying, son, you are an ant after my own heart. An ant that looks death in the face and laughs.
Well, actually, the truth is, I-I generally just make belittling comments, and snicker behind death's back. [chuckling]
[to Z]
Keep your comments to yourself. Let me do the talking. May I present Her Majesty the Queen.
And the royal Princess Bala.
Welcome home, soldier. We cannot begin to express our gratitude for your heroic efforts.
The private has asked me to convey his most humble appreciation.
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]
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.
Oh, please, General. Not on our first date. [chuckling] Not on our first date.
Haven't I seen you somewhere before?
[recognizing his line from the night before]
Well, maybe. [takes the hat off] Then again, maybe not. And then... then again. Yowch.
That's it! You're the guy from the bar.
I danced with this guy at the bar the other night. He was just a worker then.
What were you doing at a bar?
Precisely what I want to know.
No. This isn't about me. I mean, look at this worker. Look what he's done.
I think you're thinkin' of someone else. [puts the hat back on] After all, I am a soldier.
Exactly. You were a worker. But now, you're a war hero.
A worker danced with my fiancee?
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.
H-Hey wait a minute. Take it easy. Can't we discuss this?
What are you doing? Let go of my daughter. He's taking her hostage!
No. No. No. I'm not. I mean, yes, yes, I am. One more step and then the princess gets it.
Ow! Don't make me hurt her!
Our princess is secured, and our glorious future is at hand. We can all stand proud. It is time for a new beginning.
[The ants made a big hole above the ground avoiding drowning from the oncoming flood]
WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!
I think that's the "weak elements", sir.
Z! YOU?! LET GO! [grabs a spear] DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND?! IT'S FOR THE GOOD OF THE COLONY!
What are you saying?! We are the colony!
[Mandible is about to kill Z with the spear, but Cutter punches his face, knocking him down] [rubbing his face]
Cutter, what are you doing?
Something I should have done, a long time ago. This is for the good of the colony, sir. :[grabs onto Z's hand to pull him up]
[his last words; glares at Cutter in fury]
YOU USELESS, UNGRATEFUL MAGGOT! I AM THE COLONY! [charges at him]
[As Z pushes Cutter aside, Mandible tackles him and they fall down into the hole past the colony. Mandible hits a root, killing him, and Z lands into the water, uncounscious]
Z!
[Cutter's eyes widen] [determined]
Men, let's move it! Get these ants up here.
[The soldiers start pulling the ants out. Cutter flies into the hole and dives in. Z continues to sink. Cutter rescues his friend]
Thank goodness we made it.
Back up, everybody, back up! Give him some air. Back up.
Z, oh, Z. Please wake up.
[The ants start cheering] [kisses Z]
You know, Weaver, you still owe me that dinner.
[kisses Azteca]
Babylove.
You da ant! [congratulates him]
We did it. [the ants grab Z and Bala] Fellas, fellas, please. This is very embarrasing for me, I...
[Bala laughs]
On the other hand, I probably could get used to this.
Today is the realization of a dream. A dream of a proud colony. A pure colony. A colony reborn. Moments from now this tunnel will open. The past will be washed away and a new day will dawn.
A stirring speech, General. I only wish my daughter were here to appreciate it.
Your Majesty, I know how concerned you are about Bala. But my scouts are on her trail and it's only a matter of time...
General, I don't want to discuss it. Just find her.
Oh, I will, Your Highness. Good-bye. Seal up the doors. Cutter, did you hear me?
Sir, I've been thinking. Do we need to go through with this? Look at what these workers have done. They got the right stuff. Isn't there any other way?
Cutter, you're a fine officer. You have discipline, courage, ability. But you seem to have a certain weakness for the lower orders that I find disturbing. Now, are you with me?
All right, then. Seal it up.
As I look out on this magnificent tunnel, I am filled with pride.
In these difficult times, it is a great solace to know that you, our workers...
Every worker in the colony is here. Hey, wait a minute. That guy owes me money.
This tremendous accomplishment is a testimony to the strength...
People! Put your backs into it!
Go warn your mother. I gotta get to those diggers before they break through.
Hey, leave the pessimism to me, okay? [Z went to the Tunnel while Bala headed to her mother.] Excuse me! Sorry about that. Excuse me.
In a few moments, when our expert diggers break through to the surface...
...the sun will pour into this... Bala! Where've you been? Are you all right? [hugs Bala]
Mother, we're in terrible danger.
Put your backs into it, people.
Wait! Hold... Hey, stop digging!
Z! You're back! Oh, Z! Oh.
Ho-Hold up, everyone. Stop. Stop digging.
On your own authority. If you break through that wall, we're all gonna...
Drown! This tunnel is going to flood.
So we've got to get everyone out of here.
[the worker ants murmuring]
L Ladybug
This tastes just like crap.
B Beetle
Really? Let me try some. Hey, it is crap. Not bad.
M Mosquito
What if, like, we're just these tiny things... and we're just, like, part of this whole other huge universe...that's, like, so big we don't even know it exists?
L Ladybug
Man, that is so deep.
Bala : Excuse me. I guess you didn't recognize me. My name is Princess Bala. I've been traveling, and I'm all... schlumpy.
It's worse than I thought. They're Euro-trash.
Bala : Haven't I seen you somewhere before?
Well, maybe, then again, maybe not, and then again... yowch.
Bala : That's it. You're the guy from the bar.
Bar? What bar?
Bala : I... danced with this guy at the bar the other night. He was just a worker, then.
What were you doing at a bar?
Precisely what I want to know.
Bala : No. This isn't about me. I mean, Look at this worker. Look what he's done.
I think - I think you're thinking of someone else. After all, I am a soldier.
Bala : Exactly. You WERE a worker, but now you're a war hero.
A worker danced with my fiance?
F-fiance? Hey, w-wait a minute. Th-this is not how it looks. I-I can explain this... hey, SHE was the one making all the moves.
Bala : Don't you get it? I chose you because you were the most pathetic bug in the joint.
You know, I was going to let you become a part of my most erotic fantasies, but now you can just write it off.
Bala : I've been kidnapped by the village idiot.
Who's the bigger idiot? The idiot, or the idiot who gets kidnapped by the idiot?
Let me ask you something - what made you come to the bar that night?
Bala : I guess I was looking for a little trouble.
Well, trouble's my middle name. Actually, my middle name is Marion, but I don't want you spreading that around.
Z, I've known you for a long time, right?
Definitely; you were born two seconds after me.
And ever since I've known you, all you do is complain; what are you bitching about? If you haven't noticed, us ants are runnin' the show. We're the lords of the Earth!
Hey. Don't talk to me about "Earth", 'cause I just spent my day hauling it around.
