Molt [first words, from off-screen]
Yeah, where's the food?
Played by Richard Kind 
A Bug's Life (1998) · 109 quotes
A Bug's Life (1998) · 109 quotes
In 9 of the 109 quotes from A Bug's Life (1998)
Most scenes with: Hopper (5), Princess Atta (4), Queen (4)
Why go back to Ant Island at all? I mean, you don't even like grain!
More lines from Molt
2 quotes Molt Molt [last words]
Yes, Mr. Flea. Yes, sir. Of course, sir. Right away, sir. And, um, I just wanted to thank you for giving me a chance, because it's an honor to work with creative giants such as yourself. Shutting up.
Scenes with Molt
6 scenesSo, where is it? Where's my FOOD?!
I-Isn't it up there?
What?
The food was sitting in a leaf on top--
Excuse me.
Are you sure it's not up there?
Are you saying I'm stupid?
No.
Do I look stupid... to you? Let's just think about the logic, shall we? Let's just think about it for a second. If it was up there, would I be coming down here, to your level, looking for it?! Why am I even talking to you? You're not the queen. You don't smell like the queen.
She's learning to take over for me, Hopper.
Oh, I see! Under new management. So it's your fault.
No, it wasn't me, it was--
Uh-uh-uh. First rule of leadership: Everything is your fault.
But-But-I--
It's a bug-eat-bug world out there, Princess, one of those circle-of-life kind of things. Now, let me tell you how things are supposed to work. The sun grows the food, the ants pick the food, the grasshoppers eat the food--
Molt And the birds eat the grasshoppers. Hey, like the one that nearly ate you, you 'member? Oh, you shoulda seen it. This blue jay has him halfway down his throat, and Hopper's kickin' and screamin' And I'm scared. I'm not goin' anywhere near, okay? [Hopper approaches Molt] Aw, come on. It's a great story. [Hopper grabs his antennae] Ow! Ow! Ow!
[pushes him against a wall]
I swear, if I hadn't promised Mother on her deathbed that I wouldn't kill you, I would kill you!
Molt And believe me, no one appreciates that more than I do.
Shut up! I don't want to hear another word out of you while we're on this island. Do you understand me? [Molt whimpers] I said, do you understand me?!
Molt Well, how can I answer? You said I couldn't say another word. [Hopper enraged is about to punch him] Ah! Remember Ma!
[turns and punches another grasshopper; calms down becoming reasonable]
Hey, I'm a compassionate insect. There's still a few months till the rains come, so you can all just try again.
But, Hopper, since it's almost the rainy season, we need this time to gather food for ourselves.
Listen, if you don't keep your end of the bargain, then I can't guarantee your safety. And there are insects out there that will take advantage of you. Someone could get hurt. [snaps his fingers and calls out Thumper who scares Dot so she runs away but is caught by Hopper] What's the matter? You scared of grasshoppers?
Dot!
[Hopper picks her up and brings her closer to Thumper]
You don't like Thumper? [he brings her up face to face with Thumper and he snarls and growls]
[Turns to Flik]
You want her? [Holds Dot above Flik] Go ahead. Take her. [Flik stands down in fear] No? Then get back in line. [Flik goes back in line] It seems to me that you ants are forgetting your place. So let's double the order of food.
No! But-But--
We'll be back at the end of the season, when the last leaf falls. [pulls a skin flake off Molt and lets it slowly drop like a leaf] You ants have a nice summer. Let's ride!
[The grasshoppers all fly away and the entire colony stares at Flik, who chuckles nervously]
Guys, order another round, because we're stayin' here!
[the other grasshoppers cheer]
What was I thinking? Going back to Ant Island. I mean, we just got here, and we have more than enough food to get us through the winter. Right? Why go back?
[the music continues and the rest of the gang begins to party again]
But there was that ant that stood up to me.
Axel
Yeah, but we can forget about him!
Loco
Yeah, it was just one ant.
Loco
Yeah, boss. They're puny!
Hmm, puny. Say, let's pretend this grain is a puny little ant. [throws the grain at Loco] Didn't that hurt?
Loco
Nope.
Well, how 'bout this one? [throws another grain at Axel]
Axel
Are you kiddin'?
[he pulls the lid off the jar of grain and Axel and Loco are buried beneath the avalanche; Hopper then climbs on top of the grain pile]
You let one ant stand up to us, then they all might stand up. Those puny little ants outnumber us 100 to one. And if they ever figure that out, there goes our way of life! It's not about food. It's about keeping those ants in line. That's why we're going back! Does anybody else wanna stay?
Molt [the grasshoppers are all set]
He's quite the motivational speaker, isn't he?
Let's ride!
[the grasshoppers fly off to Ant Island]
Loco
[Axel and Loco are talking to Molt]
We go all the way back there, and it starts to rain? We might as well be suckin' bug spray!
Molt Ooh, don't even say that! You know something? You're making a lot of sense. I mean, why take the risk? You should tell Hopper!
Axel
Good idea. But... y'know it's not really our place. I mean, you're his brother. That makes you like... the vice president of the gang.
Molt Wow! It kinda does, doesn't it? Okay, I'll tell him! [leaves] Boy, I should talk to you guys more often.
Loco
What if Hopper doesn't like it?
Grasshopper
Then at least the genius will get smacked and not us.
Molt Vice President Molt. [laughs; he flies to Hopper, who's getting a massage]
Ah, that's good. That's good. A little lower. Lower, lower.
Molt Heya, Hop.
Molt That's fine. Then I won't tell you my idea.
Good.
Molt Okay, okay. I'll tell ya anyway. Y'see, I've been thinking, okay, which is something that I do, y'know, being vice president and all, and this is a thought, and it was mine - why go back to Ant Island at all? I mean, you don't even like grain!
WHAT?!? [stands up and walks to Molt threateningly]
Molt [scared]
You're right! I didn't think it was such a good idea myself. Actually, it wasn't even my idea. It was Axel and Loco's! They talked fancy to me! I GOT CONFUSED!
[Hopper stops and thinks; he then comes up to the other grasshoppers; the mariachi band stops playing]
Guys... order another round, because we're staying here!
[The other grasshoppers cheer]
What was I thinking? Going back to Ant Island. I mean, we just got here, and we have more than enough food to get us through the winter. Right? Why go back?
[The mariachi band plays "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" and the rest of the gang begins to party again]
But... there was that ant that stood up to me.
Axel
Yeah, but we can forget about him!
Loco
Yeah, it was just one ant!
[The rest of the gang laughs agrees, mocking the ants] [sarcastically laughs]
Yeah, you're right! It's just one ant!
Loco
Yeah, boss. They're puny!
Hmm, puny. Say, let's pretend this grain is a puny little ant. [throws the grain at Loco] Didn't that hurt?
Loco
Heh! Nope.
Well, how about this one? [throws another grain at Axel]
Axel
Are you kidding?
[He pulls the lid off the jar, releasing an avalanche of grain that buries and kills Axel and Loco, leaving the other grasshoppers shocked. Hopper then climbs on top of the grain pile]
You let one ant stand up to us, then they all might stand up. Those puny little ants outnumber us a hundred to one. And if they ever figure that out, there goes our way of life! It's not about food. It's about keeping those ants in line. That's why we're going BACK! Does anybody else wanna stay?
Molt [The grasshoppers spread their wings]
He's quite the motivational speaker, isn't he?
LET'S RIDE!
[The grasshoppers fly off to Ant Island]
YOU LITTLE TERMITES! I GIVE YOU A SECOND CHANCE, AND THIS IS ALL I GET?!
But, Hopper, we ran out of time!
HAVE YOU BEEN PLAYING ALL SUMMER?! YOU THINK THIS IS A GAME?!
No, no! Please!
WELL, GUESS WHAT... you just lost! [Thumper scares Ants] NOT ONE ANT SLEEPS UNTIL WE GET EVERY SCRAP OF FOOD ON THIS ISLAND!!!
Molt Just do what he says. You don't want to make him mad, believe me!
[Last lines; The next morning, in a conch sounds. Thorny and other ants, using their own harvesters to cut down and harvest grain stalks, stop work at the sound of the conch]
Come on boys!
Ant Boy
[Dot and other children are playing in the frame of the fake bird, now surrounded by flowers]
Hey, Princess Dot! Wait up!
I finally get a second to relax, and I got to get out of my chair. Come on! You can rub lotion on me later, shade boy.
Yeah, hubba-hubba.
Firefly
[The Queen and Cornelius walk down toward the ants and circus bugs joyfully gathering among blooming flowers]
Oh, thank you!
Thank you.
You're too kind.
The least we could do.
All in a day's work.
Any time.
Dim!
[Daisy tearfully hugs Francis. Daisy and the Blueberry troops are all crying with Dot] [quavering]
I'm not gonna cry. I'm not gonna cry.
[Tuck and Roll perform a skit using Hopper's severed antenna.]
Hey, let's go. We got a schedule to keep. Come on. Let's go.
Ant acrobats
[A number of acrobat ants cartwheel into the wagon]
Hup, hup, hup, hup, hey!
Hey, Tiny! Let's get this show packed up! We got paying customers hatching!
Molt [Molt carries supplies into the wagon] [last words]
Yes, Mr. Flea. Yes, sir. Of course, sir. Right away, sir. And, um, I just wanted to thank you for giving me a chance, because it's an honor to work with creative giants such as yourself. [P.T. motions the fireflies to close the wagon door] Shutting up.
Sorry. My place is here.
Oh, well. Your loss. One minute, insects!
[Flik and Atta walk over to the circus troupe]
I want to thank all of you for giving us back our hope, our dignity... and our lives.
And to you, Princess Atta. You have given us so much. Please accept this gift from us bugs to you ants.
Oh! [chuckles] It's a rock.
Must be a circus thing.
Well, Flik, you really goofed up. [quavering] Thanks.
[Rosie begins to congratulate Flik as a hero, followed by the rest of the troupe and the entire ant colony celebrating their victory. Atta kisses him on the cheek. The queen removes her crown, placing it on Atta's. Atta tosses her tiara to Dot, who flies up and catches it on her head and giggles] [sniffles]
All right. Now it's getting mushy. We're out of here! [Snaps the reins and the millipedes pulling the wagon move as the bugs take off and Dim grabs lifts the wagon into the air]
Whoa!
See you next season!
See you Flik!
Bye! We miss you already!
You fired!
[A chrysalis hangs on a nearby tree root. It opens to reveal Heimlich's face]
I'm finished! Finally, I'm a beautiful butterfly!
[Heimlich struggles and slides out of the chrysalis, looking largely the same as before but now a green and blue color and with two bulges on his back. Heimlich grunts. Two tiny butterfly wings pop out of the bulges]
Mein wings! Oh, they're beautiful!
Heimlich! The wagon's taking off! You better start flying!
[Flik and other ants lift up Heimlich]
But I am flying! And from way up here, you all look like little ants!
Farewell!
Bye!
And thank you!
[Atta and Dot lift Flik and land on the root. They wave goodbye to the circus troupe. Thorny and the harvester-wearing ants line up.]
Present stalks!
[The ants face backwards]
Harvester, salute!
[The harvesters launch their stalks into the air, crashing into each other and producing firework-like showers of grain. Flik and Atta hold hands as they and Dot continue waving goodbye. The circus troupe flies away from the island, now surrounded by water and whose tree now bears pink blossoms]
Randy Newman
Was a bug, little bug, hardly there / How he felt, what he dreamed, who could care? / Without any evidence / His flaws were many / He was full of confidence / Some people haven't any / Didn't have much common sense / It's highly overrated / He just knew that he'd come through...| It's the time of your life so live it well / It's the time of your life so live it well...| We may only go 'round one time / As far as I can tell / It's the time of your life so live it well...| We may only go 'round this one time / As far as I can tell / He could be wrong about that / It's the time of your life / It's the time of your life / It's the time of your life so live it well.
Man #1
[beeps]
Speed!
Man #2
Marker.
Director
And action!
Are you saying I'm stupid?
No.
Do I look... stupid... to you?
I'm sorry! I got it. No, no. Just do it again. I'm fine.
Yes! [laughs]
This is the 15th take, I cannot work like this. I will be in my trailer.
I need a break.
Man #2
[beeps]
Marker.
Whoa, Flik, honey, we are not about to... [hammer banging] Is someone hammering? [Slim sighs] Could we hold the work, please? People?
Director
[beeps]
And action!
To infinity and beyond! [laughs] I'm sorry. I couldn't resist. Really, can y... can you blame me? Okay. Okay, let's go for real now.
Director
Okay, cut!
Sorry.
Molt [beeps]
Why go back to Ant Island at all? I mean, you don't even like grain!
WHAT?!? [stand up and walks to Molt threateningly]
Molt [scared]
You're right! I didn't think it was such a good idea myself. Actually, it wasn't even my idea. It was...
Cameraman
Watch it!
Molt [crashing]
I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Is the camera broke? Oh, oh, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Did I ruin the take?
Me? Oh, oops, ow, ow.
Ow, ow, ow!
Uh, oh, oh no. Oh no, oh...
This really hurts, guys.
I'm sorry, I'm... Oh!
Can we cut? Ow!
[beeps]
So, is there a Mrs. Ant, you have to tunnel home to? Oh, I'm sorry! I thought he was real. [laughs] Ooh, dear. Put that thing in my car.
Man #2
[beeps]
Marker.
Flik, after much deliberation... Whoa! [rattling, banging, Flik and other ants laughing]
[beeps]
Ohh, I... Ow. Oh. My eye! Oh. No, no. Seriously, I've got berry juice in my eye! [Hopper laughs] It stings! Stop acting. I'm serious. Oh, stop the camera!
[beeps; laughing; gurgling; liquid trickling]
Uh-oh. Towel! I need a towel over here! [Flik laughs]
Director
Cut!
Thumper
[beeps; roars]
I'm sorry, I'm sorry. [Dot groans] Can we... Can we cut? It's just that I don't think I'm coming across. Hmm. Oh, oh, I know. I know. I could lather up a bunch of spit. Ooh, ooh, that's good. I got it, J.L. Alright! One more for me.
Man #1
[beeps]
Speed!
Man #2
Marker!
Director
Action!
Spinning a web of safety in less than 15... Bleh!
Randy Newman
It's the time of your life so live it well / It's the time of your life so live it well...| We may only go 'round one time / As far as I can tell / It's the time of your life so live it well...| Like us all, he started small / Then he grew / When the time came he knew what to do / He knew in order to succeed / They'd have to work together / He turned a rock into a seed / And they were changed forever / Then they had the strength they'd need / To get through stormy weather / Do or die, you gotta try...| It's the time of your life so live it well / It's the time of your life so live it well...| We may only go 'round one time / As far as I can tell / He could be wrong about that / It's the time of your life so live it well...| Isn't it a bit surprising / How one's fortunes ebb and flow / And only to the enterprising / Does the magic fortune cookie go / Believe me...| It's the time of your life so live it well / It's the time of your life so live it well...| We may only go 'round one time / As far as I can tell / It's the time of your life / It's the time of your life / It's the time of your life so live it well... [chorus singing]
Other characters in A Bug's Life
Flik
Dave Foley
Francis
Denis Leary
Gypsy
Madeline Kahn
Hopper
Kevin Spacey
Princess Atta
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Mr. Soil
Roddy McDowall
Queen
Phyllis Diller
Dot
Hayden Panettiere
Heimlich
Joe Ranft
P.T. Flea
John Ratzenberger
Slim
David Hyde Pierce
Manny
Jonathan Harris
Rosie
Bonnie Hunt
Dr. Flora
Edie McClurg
Thorny
Alex Rocco
Cornelius
David Ossman
Dim
Brad Garrett
Grub
Reed
Tuck and Roll
Michael McShane
