Queen quotes from Antz (1998)

This tastes just like crap.

Really? Let me try some. Hey, it is crap. Not bad.

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?

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.

Chip

It's worse than I thought. They're Euro-trash.
Bala : Haven't I seen you somewhere before?

Z

Well, maybe, then again, maybe not, and then again... yowch.
Bala : That's it. You're the guy from the bar.

Z

Shhh.

Queen

Bar? What bar?
Bala : I... danced with this guy at the bar the other night. He was just a worker, then.

Queen

What were you doing at a bar?

General Mandible

Precisely what I want to know.
Bala : No. This isn't about me. I mean, Look at this worker. Look what he's done.

Z

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.

Queen

He's a worker?

General Mandible

A worker danced with my fiance?

Z

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.

Z

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.

Z

Who's the bigger idiot? The idiot, or the idiot who gets kidnapped by the idiot?

Z

Let me ask you something - what made you come to the bar that night?
Bala : I guess I was looking for a little trouble.

Z

Well, trouble's my middle name. Actually, my middle name is Marion, but I don't want you spreading that around.

Weaver

Z, I've known you for a long time, right?

Z

Definitely; you were born two seconds after me.

Weaver

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!

Z

Hey. Don't talk to me about "Earth", 'cause I just spent my day hauling it around.

Queen

General, we've been at peace with that colony for years. Why would they attack us?

Queen

General, we've been at peace with that colony for years. Why would they attack us?

General Mandible

They want our land. They're desperate for more foraging territory. Perhaps they think we've grown soft or weak.

Queen

Why don't we dispatch an ambassador, negotiate a new treaty? Certainly, we don't need to send soldiers.

General Mandible

Believe me. Every ant in this colony is so precious to me. That's why we must strike now, when we have the element of surprise. If the termite shock troops enter our colony, well...

Queen

Yes, General, I know what they can do to us. Very well.

General Mandible

You've made a wise decision. In fact, you've insured the future of this colony.

Princess Bala

Hello, General.

General Mandible

Princess Bala. What a nice surprise. You look lovelier each time I see you.

Princess Bala

Thanks. I hope you're not just here on business.

General Mandible

Oh, of course... [chuckling] ...of course not.

Princess Bala

Because, um, it might be nice if we had a conversation once before we get married.

General Mandible

You're absolutely right. Cutter, schedule some private time for me and Princess Bala.

Colonel Cutter

Uh, in fact, sir, there is time right now for a personal moment. We're a few seconds ahead of schedule.

General Mandible

Excellent. Princess.

Princess Bala

Well, a few seconds isn't much, but I guess if it's quality time. So, how was your day? Anything interesting happen?

General Mandible

We declared war.

Princess Bala

Declared war? Boy, talk about a rough day.

Colonel Cutter

Sir, I hate to interrupt, but time stands still for no ant.

General Mandible

Princess.

Princess Bala

Mom, could you remind me, why am I marrying this guy?

Queen

Bala, do we have to argue about this again?

Princess Bala

We don't seem to have anything in common. The guy's a stiff.

Queen

Yes, darling. I know the general may be a little gruff and somewhat overbearing at times, but I know that he cares about you. He's just not particulary good at showing it. But you should have seen how persistently he asked for your hand in marriage.

Princess Bala

But why me?

Queen

Because you're the one who has to continue my work. It's your place, dear.

Princess Bala

What if they don't like my place?

Queen

Everyone has their place, Bala, you, the soldiers, the workers. Now, it's not all that bad being princess, is it? Would you prefer to be carting dirt all day?

Princess Bala

Mother, don't be so dramatic. At least, they seem to have some fun every now and then.

Z Marion-4195

Princess, fancy meeting you here. What do you say we lose this crowd? Oh, me? You know, I... I wear many hats. I guess you'd have to call me a Renaissance ant.

Eyes right!

General Mandible

Beautiful. Just beautiful.

Princess Bala

Mm.

General Mandible

The precision. The order.

Z Marion-4195

Princess Bala! Princess Bala! Hey. It's me. Remember Z from the bar? Princess Bala! Princess Bala! Princess...

Queen

Bala, you must encourage the troops. Wave.

Z Marion-4195

Oh. She sees me. Excuse me, guys. I... Sorry. I just got a better offer. Could you excuse me?

Company halt!

Z Marion-4195

Princess. Princess Bala!

Quiet there! Get back in rank.

Barbatus

You new, kid?

Z Marion-4195

Oh, yes, but I'm getting out soon. I got a trial membership.

Barbatus

Trial membership. [chuckling] That's a good one! Name's Barbatus.

Z Marion-4195

Z.

Right face!

Barbatus

Psst.

General Mandible

Sacrifice. To some, it is just a word. To others, it is a code.

Z Marion-4195

Jeez. I'm really bad at word games.

General Mandible

A soldier knows that the life of an individual ant doesn't matter. What matters is the colony. He's willing to live for the colony, to fight for the colony, to die for the colony.

Z Marion-4195

This guy's crazy.

Barbatus

I hear ya.

General Mandible

At 0800 hours, we received word that the termite enemy has mobilized. We have no choice but to launch a preemptive strike. You are the queen's finest. I know you will all do you duty. I am proud to send you into battle.

Z Marion-4195

Into... I'm sorry-I'm sorry, into battle?

General Mandible

Dismissed.

Left face! Forward march!

Z Marion-4195

Talk to me. You know, I think there's been a terrible mistake. [being shipped off to battle] You know, the truth is I just... I just came for the speech.

Barbatus

Don't worry, kid. I'll watch out for ya.

Sound off.

One.

Two.

Sound off.

Barbatus

Three.

Z Marion-4195

Huh?

Sound off.

Five.

Six.

Seven.

Eight.

Nine.

Ten.

Eleven.

Twelve.

Thirteen.

The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah!

We slaughter termites just for fun, hurrah, hurrah!

Z Marion-4195

So these termites, they're, they're pushovers, right?

Barbatus

Not really, kid. They're five times our size, and they shoot acid from their foreheads.

Z Marion-4195

Huh?! [stops marching, gaping in disbelief]

Hey! Keep it movin', shorty!

Z Marion-4195

So, what exactly does our platoon do? Are we gonna be serving beverages, or processing paperwork?

Barbatus

Our platoon has the best assignment of all. We're the first into battle.

Z Marion-4195

Hey, wait a minute, let's not get...we're being too hasty here! These guys sound like bruisers! Just how were you figuring on beating them?!

Barbatus

Superior numbers, kid. Overwhelm their defenses, and kill their queen.

Z Marion-4195

I, um...Hey, fellas, that's...you're being a little extreme, I feel. Why don't...Why don't we just try and influence their political process with campaign contributions?

Barbatus

I like you, kid. You got a sense of humor!

FORWARD!!

Barbatus

Come on! Let's kick some termite butt!

OVER THE TOP!!!

Where is everyone?

Something's not right.

Barbatus

Don't be scared, kid.

ATTACK!!!

Come on.

Z Marion-4195

Barbatus, you saved my life.

Barbatus

Ah, don't get all sappy about it. [Barbatus attacks the termite, while the soldier ants catches up]

Z Marion-4195

Hey, guys. Look out behind you! Hey... Hey, guys. Can somebody help me here? Can anybody... Hey.

General Mandible

As I was saying, son, you are an ant after my own heart. An ant that looks death in the face and laughs.

Z Marion-4195

Well, actually, the truth is, I-I generally just make belittling comments, and snicker behind death's back. [chuckling]

Queen

General Mandible.

General Mandible

Keep your comments to yourself. Let me do the talking. May I present Her Majesty the Queen.

Z Marion-4195

Charmed. Charmed.

General Mandible

And the royal Princess Bala.

Queen

Welcome home, soldier. We cannot begin to express our gratitude for your heroic efforts.

General Mandible

The private has asked me to convey his most humble appreciation.

Z Marion-4195

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]

General Mandible

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.

Z Marion-4195

Oh, please, General. Not on our first date. [chuckling] Not on our first date.

Princess Bala

Haven't I seen you somewhere before?

Z Marion-4195

Well, maybe. [takes the hat off] Then again, maybe not. And then... then again. Yowch.

Princess Bala

That's it! You're the guy from the bar.

Z Marion-4195

Don't... Shh.

Queen

Bar? What bar?

Princess Bala

I danced with this guy at the bar the other night. He was just a worker then.

Queen

What were you doing at a bar?

General Mandible

Precisely what I want to know.

Princess Bala

No. This isn't about me. I mean, look at this worker. Look what he's done.

Z Marion-4195

I think you're thinkin' of someone else. [puts the hat back on] After all, I am a soldier.

Princess Bala

Exactly. You were a worker. But now, you're a war hero.

Queen

He's a worker?

General Mandible

A worker danced with my fiancee?

Z Marion-4195

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.

General Mandible

Arrest him.

Z Marion-4195

H-Hey wait a minute. Take it easy. Can't we discuss this?

Queen

What are you doing? Let go of my daughter. He's taking her hostage!

Z Marion-4195

No. No. No. I'm not. I mean, yes, yes, I am. One more step and then the princess gets it.

Princess Bala

Let go of me! [hits Z]

Z Marion-4195

Ow! Don't make me hurt her!

Queen

No more excuses, General. I want my daughter back. Frankly, I'm beginning to doubt your ability to handle this.

General Mandible

Believe me, Your Highness, we will spare no effort to bring her back. Princess Bala is essential to all our plans for the future.

So he kills himself a hundred termites, gets a few medals, then bada-ding, bada-bip, bags himself the princess.

He looks dead in the eye...

And says, "Bite me."

He said that to General Mandible?

Buddy. Hey, hey, buddy. You heard about the war hero named Z? Runs off the the princess, right? When they sent the guards after him, he just looks at 'em and boom! They burst into flames.

Weaver

Z? [chuckling] You talkin' about Z? Hey, I know the guy. He's a friend of mine. I think your information...

You know Z?

Weaver

Yeah. He's a worker. He used to dig around here.

A worker? That's impossible. A worker can't do anything, except work.

Yeah. It's not like we got a choice.

Azteca

We do have a choice. Uh, I mean, look at Z. He decided he wanted something, and he went for it.

Weaver

He's not alone. I used to be a soldier, and I switched places with him.

Wait a second. You're tellin' me, I don't have to be here?

We've got a choice?

The authorities don't want you to know, but we don't have to work on the tunnel any more.

It's the workers who control the means of production.

If Z don't dig, I don't dig.

Foreman

People, what is this? An encounter group? Let's get back to work.

Why?

...on the tunnel anymore! This guy, Z, he's leadin' the revolution!

Foreman

I'll get back to you.
[the worker ants chattering]

General Mandible

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.

Queen

A stirring speech, General. I only wish my daughter were here to appreciate it.

General Mandible

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...

Queen

General, I don't want to discuss it. Just find her.

General Mandible

Oh, I will, Your Highness. Good-bye. Seal up the doors. Cutter, did you hear me?

Colonel Cutter

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?

General Mandible

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?

Colonel Cutter

Sir, uh… I apologize.

General Mandible

All right, then. Seal it up.

Colonel Cutter

Yes, sir.

Queen

As I look out on this magnificent tunnel, I am filled with pride.

Z Marion-4195

Jump!

Queen

In these difficult times, it is a great solace to know that you, our workers...

Princess Bala

Mom! Wait!

Z Marion-4195

Every worker in the colony is here. Hey, wait a minute. That guy owes me money.

Queen

This tremendous accomplishment is a testimony to the strength...

Foreman

People! Put your backs into it!

Z Marion-4195

Go warn your mother. I gotta get to those diggers before they break through.

Princess Bala

There's not enough time.

Z Marion-4195

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.

Queen

In a few moments, when our expert diggers break through to the surface...

Princess Bala

Mom! Mom, stop.

Queen

...the sun will pour into this... Bala! Where've you been? Are you all right? [hugs Bala]

Princess Bala

I'm fine.

Queen

What happened?

Princess Bala

Mother, we're in terrible danger.

Foreman

Put your backs into it, people.

Z Marion-4195

Wait! Hold... Hey, stop digging!

Weaver

Z? Is that you?

Z Marion-4195

Weaver, stop!

Weaver

Z! You're back! Oh, Z! Oh.

Z Marion-4195

Weaver!

Azteca

Z! What's the matter?

Z Marion-4195

Ho-Hold up, everyone. Stop. Stop digging.

Foreman

On whose authority?

Z Marion-4195

On your own authority. If you break through that wall, we're all gonna...

Princess Bala

Drown! This tunnel is going to flood.

Queen

So we've got to get everyone out of here.
[the worker ants murmuring]

Foreman

Look, I got orders, and those orders say "dig."

Z Marion-4195

What if someone ordered you to jump off a bridge? Oh, brother, I'm asking the wrong guy here. Look, think for yourselves!

Foreman

Give me that! I've enough out of you. Get back to work.

Weaver

What's that noise?

Foreman

Uh-oh...

Weaver

Let's get outta here!

Z Marion-4195

Run!

Weaver

Run! Keep going!

Queen

Everyone, listen to me. We've all been deceived. We need to calmly head toward the exits.

Run for your lives! It's gonna flood!

Queen

No. Don't panic. Don't panic!

Every ant for himself!

All the exits are blocked!

We're trapped!

Princess Bala

What are we going to do?

Foreman

There's nothing we can do!
Worker Ant: Oh Ueh!
Worker Ant: Ah!
Worker Ant: Go Go Go! Dark!

Z Marion-4195

Yes, there is. Weaver, give me a leg up. [climbs on Weaver] Everyone, listen to me!

Who the heck are you?

Princess Bala

He's Z!

Z Marion-4195

Listen, we gotta help each other get outta here before we all drown.

How?

Z Marion-4195

By making a ladder.

A ladder!

Z Marion-4195

Hey, if we built this, we can do anything. [jumps off Weaver] Okay, let's move it!

Weaver

I'm on it. All of you, gather around. You, start climbing.

Grab my arm.

All right. Here I go.

Come on.

Go, go, go!

Right!

Azteca

Excuse me, Your Majesty. [holds up the Queen, by climbing up]

Princess Bala

Z, I've gotta help my Mom.

Z Marion-4195

Don't worry. I know almost exactly what I'm doing. [hugs Bala] I'll see you at the top.

General Mandible

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.

Z Marion-4195

Oh, my God, we're not gonna make it! We need more ants.

Weaver

You two better get up there.

Azteca

Weaver, you can't hold it alone.

Weaver

GET GOING!

Z Marion-4195

Hang in there, buddy.

Z Marion-4195

Got it!

Azteca

Hurry up! Go, go, go, go!
[Z began to dig his way to the top]