1 Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. Able 2017 (BIRD TWEETS) (INSECTS BUZZ) (INSECTS CHIRP) (FOOTSTEPS) (CRASH!) (GASPS) Oh, no, oh, no! I'm lost! Where's the line? It just went away! What do I do? Help! We'll be here for ever! We'll be here for ever! Do not panic! Do not panic! We are trained professionals! Stay calm. We are going around the leaf. Around it? I-I don't think we can. Nonsense! This is nothing compared to the twig of '93. That's it, that's it. Good! You're doing great. There you go, there you go! Watch my eyes. Don't look away. And here's the line again. Thank you, Mr Soil! Good job, everybody! There's quite a gap, Mr Soil. Shouldn't we tell the Queen? No. She's got enough on her plate - training her daughter. Oh, yes. Princess Atta. The poor dear. The wind's died down. They'll be here soon. Just be confident. You'll be fine. Just be confident. You'll be fine. Ah! There's a gap! There's a gap in the line! What do we do? It's OK, Your Highness. Gaps happen. We just lost a few inches. Your Highness, I can't count when you hover like that. I'm sorry. Go ahead. Guys, go shade someone else. OK, Atta, now what do we do? Er, don't tell me. I know it! What is it? Argh! We relax. We relax. Right. It's fine. It's the same every year. They come, they eat, they leave. It's our lot in life. It's not a lot but it's our life. Ha ha ha! Hmmm-mm. Isn't that right, Aphi? You're such a cute little aphid. Ditch Dot! Ditch Dot! Hey, come back here! (BUZZZZ!) Dot! Dot! Yes, Mother? What did I say about trying to fly? What did I say about trying to fly? Not until my wings grow in. Right. Right. But, Mom... You're a young queen. Your wings are too little. I was talking to Mother. You're not Queen yet! I was talking to Mother. You're not Queen yet! Dot, be nice to your sister. It's not my fault she's so stressed. I know! I'm always acting like the sky is falling. Look out! Princess Atta! Stop! What are you doing?> You could have killed us! (GASPS) I'm sorry! (GASPS) I'm sorry! Oh, it's Flik! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Please forgive me! (COUGHS) Princess Atta! What are you doing? It's my idea for harvesting grain. No more picking kernels. Just cut down the stalk! Flik, we don't have time. Exactly. No time to get food for us. It's all for the offering. This speeds up production. Another invention? I've got something for you - to oversee production. Dr Flora, if I may. Dr Flora, if I may. What?! Just a blade of grass and a bead of dew, right? Wrong! It is, in fact, a telescope! Hee hee! Ha ha! It's very clever but - It's very clever but - Don't you look lovely? Not that you need a telescope to see that. The Princess doesn't have time for this! Get rid of the machine, get in line and pick grain like everybody else! Like everybody else. Like everybody else. Please, Flik, just go. I'm sorry. I was just trying... Trying to help. < Harvester! Hmmph! We've harvested the same way ever since I was a pupa! Flik! Wait up! Oh, Hello, Princess. You can call me Dot. Here, you forgot this. Keep it. I can make another one. Keep it. I can make another one. I like your inventions. Really? Well, you're the first. I think nothing I do works. This works. One success. I'll never make a difference. Me neither. I'm a royal ant and I can't even fly yet. I'm too little. Being little's no bad thing. Yes, it is. No, it's not. Is too! Is not! Is too, is too! Is not, is not, is not! A seed! I need a seed. Oh! Here, here. Pretend that's a seed. It's a rock. It's a rock. I know it's a rock. Pretend it's a seed. Use our imaginations. Do you see our tree? Everything that made that giant tree is already contained in this tiny seed. All it needs is time, sunshine, rain and... voila! This rock will be a tree? Seed to tree. Work with me here. You can't do much now. It's because you're not a tree yet. Give yourself some time. You're still a seed. But it's a rock. I know it's a rock! I know a rock when I see one! I've spent a lot of time on rocks! You're weird. But I like you. (HOOTER) (HOOTER) They're here! (GASPS) (HOOTER) (ALL) They're here! Dot! Dot! Mom! Thank heavens! Food to the offering stone. Food to the offering stone. (WHISTLES) OK! Single file! Food to the offering stone and into the ant hill. Go! Go, go, go! Come on, keep moving! (PANTS) OK... That's everyone. < Hey... Hey, wait for me! Get the food to the offering stone, then into the ant hill. (CRASH!) Arrghhh! No! No, no, no! No. No... Oh, no... Princess Atta! Princess Atta! (ROARING) (WHIMPERS) They come, they eat, they leave. Excuse me! Pardon. Sorry. Coming through! Princess, I must tell - Not now, Flik. It's about the offering. Shh! (SILENCE ABOVE) Hey, what's going on? Where's the food? (ANTS GASP) (ANTS GASP) What did you do? It was an accident. Ha ha-ha ha! Boo! Ha ha ha! Where's the food? (GASPS NERVOUSLY) Hopper... So where is it? Where's my food?! Isn't it up there? Isn't it up there? What? The food was in a leaf on top - The food was in a leaf on top - Excuse me? Are you saying I'm stupid? N-No. Do I look stupid to you? Let's think about the logic. Let's think about it for a second. If it was there, would I come down here to your level, looking for it?! I... Why am I talking to you? You're not the Queen. You don't smell right. She's learning to take over from me. She's learning to take over from me. 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 I... It's a bug-eat-bug world out there, one of those circle-of-life kind of things. This is how things are supposed to work. The sun grows the food, the ants pick the food, the grasshoppers eat the food - And the birds eat the grasshoppers! Remember that time? Molt... He was halfway down its throat, screaming. I'm not going near it - Come on! It's a great story! Ow, ow! If I hadn't promised Mother on her deathbed that I wouldn't kill you, I would kill you! No one appreciates that more than me No one appreciates that more than me Shut up! I don't want to hear another word. Do you understand me? Do you understand me? Eeee. Do you understand me?! Do you understand me?! You said I can't talk! Remember Ma! 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, we need this time to gather food for ourselves. Listen! Keep your end of the bargain or I can't guarantee your safety. Insects out there will take advantage of you. Someone could get hurt. SCREECH! > (PANTING / GROWLING) SCREECH! (GASPS) Arrghh! What's the matter? You scared of grasshoppers? (SCREECH!) Dot... You don't like Thumper? Eeeee... Leave her alone! You want her,... go ahead,... take her. No? Then get back in line! It seems to me that you ants are forgetting your place. So let's double the order of food. Huh? No! But... We'll be back... at the end of the season. When the last... leaf... falls. You ants have a nice summer. Let's ride! Let's ride! Yee-ha! Yee-ha! Ha ha ha ha! Ow! (GIGGLES NERVOUSLY) 1 Flik, what do you have to say for yourself? Sorry. I'm sorry for the way I am. I didn't want things to go wrong. Or make you look bad, Princess. Well, Flik, you did. Well, Flik, you did. I was trying to help. Then help us. Don't help us! Then help us. Don't help us! Help? Help? Help? One month digging in the tunnel. One month digging in the tunnel. Remember his tunnel-in-a-tunnel project? Help us to help ourselves. Yes! ..two days to dig him out! Send him to Ant Services. ..two days to dig him out! Send him to Ant Services. No! We could leave the island. The river bed is dry. We could get helpers. We could find the helpers to help us. Perfect! Perfect? What's perfect? Perfect? What's perfect? Don't you see? We send someone to get help. (GASPS) Leave the island? Why didn't I think of that(?) Because it's suicide! We never leave the island. There are snakes, birds, bigger bugs! Exactly! Bigger bugs! We could find bigger bugs to fight and rid us of Hopper and his gang! Ludicrous! Ludicrous! Who'd do such a crazy thing? I'd volunteer. I'm happy to. Ha... You got spunk but no one's going to help a bunch of ants. We could try. I could travel to the city, search there. You'd be on that search for weeks. You'd be on that search for weeks. Royal huddle. Great idea, Princess. Great idea, Princess. Exactly. Hey, what did we just decide? Hey, what did we just decide? To let Flik leave. While we work to meet Hopper's demands. With Flik gone... With Flik gone... He can't mess anything up! Flik, after much deliberation, we've decided to grant your request. Really? Really? Really. Oh, thank you for this chance! I won't let you down, I promise! It's fine. I'll help repair the damage first. I'll help repair the damage first. (ALL) No! Just go! Just leave! (CLATTERING) (BREATHES IN DEEPLY) Hey... Don't worry. The colony is in good hands! Bye now. (ANTS BURST OUT CHEERING) Alright! Hey, fellas, beautiful morning, huh? My dad gives you an hour before you come back crying. Does he now? Does he now? My dad doesn't think so. He doesn't? He doesn't? He bets you're gonna die. Oh. The heat will get you or the birds. I think he's gonna make it. Who asked you, Royal Shortness? Who asked you, Royal Shortness? Yeah, Dot, what do you know? Hey, ease up. C'mon. She's entitled to her opinion. Oh! (BIRDS CAW IN DISTANCE) (STONES CLATTER) (STONES CLATTER) Oh! So go already! Hey! The city's that way! I know. You're supposed to look for bugs, not dandelions. You leave him alone! He knows what he's doing. That's right. For the colony! And for oppressed ants everywhere! Ohhh! Wow! Hey! Hey-eyyy! Bye, Flik! Wow... Ha ha... Oh... (GUST OF WIND) Ohh! Good luck, Flik! Bye! Flik! (FAINT) I'm... OK! Your dad's right. He's gonna die. Your dad's right. He's gonna die. You just watch! He'll get the bestest, roughest bugs you've ever seen! GRRRR! Back, you horrible beast! I have no fear! Oh! (BURSTS INTO TEARS) Oh, no! (AUDIENCE BOOS) I'm so sorry, Dim. Ow! Right in the eye. Alright, it's OK. (BUZZING) I have been in outhouses that didn't stink that bad! Ridiculous! What a disappointment! No! You! I want my money back! No refunds after the first two minutes. Snail popcorn! You clowns get out there! (GERMAN ACCENT) On an empty stomach? Do your act, then eat. Do your act, then eat. PT, what's the point? Do your act, then eat. PT, what's the point? Not now. Slim! They'll only laugh at me. That's because you're a clown! That's because you're a clown! No. It's because I'm a prop. You always cast me as a broom, pole, stick, splinter. You're a walking stick. It's funny! Now GO! You parasite! (FANFARE) Tra-la-la la-la, spring is in the air. I'm a flower with nothing to say. Argh! A bee! I am a cute little bumble bee. Here I come! Arrghh! Arghhh! Slow down, you flowers! Ohh! Candy corn! Let me help you to finish it. Hey, cutie, wanna pollinate with a real bug?! Ohh! Hubba-bubba! Being a ladybug automatically makes me a girl, is that it, fly boy?! Yikes! She's a guy! Yikes! She's a guy! Francis, they have poo-poo hands! Not again! Not again! Your breath stinks of a dung heap! (MAGGOTS CRY) You're making the maggots cry. # Laa laa... # La-la la la... # We're dying out there! Gypsy, you and - We're dying out there! Gypsy, you and - Shh! He's in a trance. Mmmmmmmmmmm. Get him out of it! You're up now! Get him out of it! You're up now! Manny, we're on. Ohhh. Yet again... it is up to me to rescue the performance! (HUMS) (HUMS) (CRASH!) The other way. The other way. Of course. I'll pick your hairs out one by one! Take your best shot! Take your best shot! Name the place! When you get there, you are dead! That's no way to speak to a lady. That's no way to speak to a lady. I heard that, you twig! Ladies and gentlemen, Manto the Magnificent and his assistant, Gypsy! (BONNNNG!) From the most mysterious regions of uncharted Asia, I give you... the Chinese cabinet of metamorphosis. On stage! Finale, now! On stage! Finale, now! I just need time to... NOW! Coming. Tuck, Roll, move. We're up next. (CHATTER IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE) (CHATTER IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE) Don't you understand? We are up! Up! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! They don't understand. I summon the voice of Confucius! Get off the stage, you old hack! Get off the stage, you old hack! I demand to know who said that! (LAUGHTER) How dare you?! Ingrates! Manny? Manny! I only got 24 hours to live and I ain't gonna waste it here! C'mon! Argh! I've just about had it! Flaming death! I hold in my hand the match! The match that decides whether two bugs live or die! In a moment, I will light this trail of matches, leading to a sheet of fly paper doused in lighter fluid! Aimed directly at the fly paper are Tuck and Roll! The bug catapults! The cannon will be triggered by Dim, trained to jump at the sound of this bell, set to go off in 15 seconds. Our bugs' only hope of survival is our mistress of the high wire, Rosie! Secured to a web line of exact length, Rosie will lower down to these two posts, spinning a web of safety in under 15 seconds! Ooh! Not good enough, you say. But what if they were all... blindfolded? Ladies and gentlemen, I suggest that those with weak constitutions leave. It is so dangerous that should anything go wrong... No! Go?! (PING!) PT! Arrghh! Water! We need some water! (LAUGHTER) (LAUGHTER) (LAUGHTER) Wow! The web... I'm sorry. The web... I'm sorry. You're all fired. We got the water! (APPLAUSE) (APPLAUSE) Burn him again! (BUZZING) No, Harry! Don't look at the light! I can't help it... It's so beautiful! (FIZZ!) Arrgh! Try not to look like a country bug. Blend in. (BUZZING AND CHATTER) Wow... The city! Ha... Oh! Hey! Whoa! All stops to the septic tank, including standing water, empty bean can and dead rat... Get outta the way! Get outta the way! Watch where you're going! Sorry. I didn't mean - Sorry. (VIOLIN SCRAPES) (VIOLIN SCRAPES) Oh, I'm sorry. There was an accident. Hey, tough guy! Let go of me! Let go of me! I'll show you who's tough! Stay out! Tough bugs! I knew an old lady who swallowed a fly... Wow! Move it! I've been working out. Look at my wings. Yo! Two black flags over here! Hair of the dog. Hey, who ordered the poo-poo platter? Here you go, Slick. Enjoy. Arrghh! I said no salt! Pardon me. Could I talk to you? I represent a colony of ants. I'm looking for tough bugs, mean bugs... Fired by a flea! How humiliating. Let's face it, we stink. You fired! You fired! Oh, will you shut up? Oh, will you shut up? Hey! You fired! When I am a beautiful butterfly everything will be better. I can't believe the troupe is breaking up. We've always been together. Farewell, my friends! Farewell, my friends! To the audience we'll never have. Your boyfriends from the circus are here. (GASPS) (GASPS) There she is! Hello there, girly bug. Hello there, girly bug. Shoo, fly, don't bother me. Why don't you tell our pal Thud what you said to us? Yeah. Something about a dung heap? GRRRR! Excuse me. I represent an ant colony - Bartender, bloody Mary, O positive. Sir? Ladybug, ladybug, fly away home! Not so tough now, are ya? Alright, clown, get up and fight like a girl! Ready for the Robin Hood act? Ready for the Robin Hood act? I'm Little John! Ready for the Robin Hood act? I'm Little John! What part can I play? I'm looking for warrior bugs. I'm looking for warrior bugs. Stand back, ye flies! We are the greatest warriors in all bugdom! Warrior bugs! Warrior bugs! My sword! Swish, swish, clang! Little John? Little John? Justice is my sword, truth my quiver. Wait, no. I want to watch this! Jawohl! Thrust, parry! GRRR! Me thinketh thith not working! What's going on in there? (SCREAMS) Help. Get me out! (DRAMATIC, HEROIC MUSIC) Wow. You're perfect! O great ones! I have been scouting for bugs with your exact talents! A talent scout! A talent scout! My colony is in trouble. Grasshoppers are coming. We had to prepare food. Food? Please! Will you help us? (GROANING) Where are they? We'll take the job! Hurry, hurry! Hurry, hurry! Explain the details on the way. Hey hey! OK, come on, break a leg. OK, come on, break a leg. Whoa, you're vicious! Hold on, Mr Ant. Amazing! This is too good to be true! 1 So, it's my fault that Hopper is coming back. But Princess Atta... She's one in a million! She let me go and find you. After seeing you fight the flies, boy, is Hopper in for a surprise! Ha ha ha! Ha ha ha! Ha ha ha! (MUTTERS) Dr Flora! Oh, dear, not another one? This is insane. There's just not enough food left. No way we can make double quota. We have to try, Thorny. We don't have any choice. Yeah, I know. Look who's playing lookout! Little Speck! The name is Dot. Well, Spot, you still looking for Flik? Well, Spot, you still looking for Flik? He's never coming back. Flik! He did it! What? This is it! This is Ant Island! Over here! Flik! Hey! He did it, he did it! Yeah, he did it! Cool! Argh! Argh! At the rate these leaves are dropping, we need a miracle... At the rate these leaves are dropping, we need a miracle... A miracle! Run for your lives! Ta-da! (SIGHS) Once again, our reputation precedes us. Hey, everybody! I'm back! Hey, guys! Hey! Look who's here with me! Flick! You're back! I knew you could do it! Flik? Flik has returned. He's back? He's back? With savage insects. What? How? He wasn't supposed to actually find someone! Look. (ANTS GASP) Oh, my ticker! What are you? What are you? A stick to hit bugs with. That's an oversimplification. That's an oversimplification. That's right. Like this. Ow! Hey! Hey! My, you just pop right open. Kids, he's kinda ticklish. Let's come out. Careful. (LAUGHS) (LAUGHS) (ANTS SCREAM) Ha! Well, my boy, you came through. Aphi and I are very impressed. Princess Atta! Hey, guys, this is Princess Atta! She sent me to find you. See that really big bug? See that really big bug? He looks absolutely ferocious. They're our ticket out of this mess. They came just in time. So, Princess, what do you think? No. This was not supposed to happen. Mayday, mayday. We're losing the job. We don't fight grasshoppers. We don't fight grasshoppers. We don't. But they will. We don't fight grasshoppers. We don't. But they will. Bingo! We gotta sweeten the deal. Your Majesty, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls of all ages, our troupe guarantees a performance like no other. When your grasshoppers get here we are gonna knock them... dead! (CHEERING) Boy, these folks are hard up for entertainment. Hurry. Wow! (DRUMS AND PIPES) Honey, relax. You should be proud of yourself. Your instincts on that boy were right on the money. (APPLAUSE) And to make our official welcome complete, Mr Soil... Yes, Your Highness? Yes, Your Highness? He's our resident thespian. Last year he played the lead in Picnic. Ha ha! The children - and myself - have quickly put together a little presentation in honour of our guests. Dot, Reeve, Daisy, Grub. Aren't they adorable? Cute. The elementary school second-grade class would like to present you with this, a mural we have drawn of you bugs helping us fight the grasshoppers. Oh, look at the beautiful colours of the blood. We drew one of you dying because it was more dramatic. (GASPS) (GASPS) (WHIMPERS) I tell you a tale of heroes so bold who vanquished our grasshopper enemies of old. Look, the last leaf has fallen. We are the grasshoppers! Where's our food? Who will come to save us poor ants? We are the warriors, here to defend you! I die, die! Die! (APPLAUSE AND CHEERING) Hurrah! Thank you! Thank you! I say we go. I say we go. OK, honey, you're up. I say we go. OK, honey, you're up. Oh, um... Oh... We're all very grateful to have THE WARRIORS... Thanks. First, I must thank the warriors... Who'll tell him? Who'll tell him? ..against the grasshoppers. And I thank Flik for his forthright thinking. Thank you, Your Highness. I'd like to take credit for this but I can't. It was you, Princess. You believed in me and sent me on my quest. Talk to him right now. Talk to him right now. I hope that this will make up... Flik... Flik... Not now. I'm making a speech. I believe that these bugs are the answer to our... No, there's no circus here. So I... Huh? They want to talk about a circus... circumventing the enemy to trapeze... trap them with ease. Shouldn't I come, too? Shouldn't I come, too? No! Ha ha... It's classified in the DMC. Gotta go ASAP. Strictly BYOB. Bye! Sorry I have to take the warriors away early but they have a lot to do with the battle looming. So, everyone enjoy the party. BYOB? Thanks again. Bye. Bye-bye. Just get in there. Go! Go, go, go! Circus bugs?! How can you be circus bugs?! You said nothing about killing grasshoppers. You lied to us. Ja! Are you kidding? This is false advertising! How dare you! You, sir, are the charlatan, touting your wares as a talent scout, preying upon the hungry soul of a hapless artiste! Good day to you, sir! Wait! Wait, wait! You can't go! You have got to help me. I'll come up with a plan. Just tell them the truth. Just tell them the truth. I can't! The truth is bad. I will be branded with this mistake all my life! People will point out my children's children - "There is the spawn of Flik the loser!" Oh... Alright, fine. OK, just go. But can you do me a favour first? If you can just squish me... Because when they find out, I'm as good as dead. Flik! > I think I should be part of this meeting. Argh! Princess Atta! What a nice... surprise. What is going on? I want to speak with the warriors. No. They're in a meeting and can't be disturbed. Right, guys? (GASPS) Could you... Could you excuse me, please? Wait! Please don't go! I'm not going anywhere. What is going on? Flik? Flik! I knew it! < Wait, wait! Wait, wait! Please, don't go! No! No, no! You can't go! I'm desperate! Really? I couldn't tell(!) Really? I couldn't tell(!) Hm. Help! Mother, Flik is up to something. No! OK, Flik, time to put you down. He's cutting off the circulation to my foot. Please, don't go! Put the stick down. Drop it. Arrghh! Run! Boy, he runs fast for a little guy. TWEET!! TWEET!! Tweet, tweet! This way. There they are. A bird! (SCREAMS) Flik! (SCREAMS) Flik! Dot! Flik! Flik! (BIRD TWEETS) Arrghh! Dot! My baby! I got ya! I got ya. I got ya! Ow! Somebody do something. Are they alright? Can anyone see? Dot? Dot? They're in trouble. Dot? They're in trouble. Don't fret, don't fret! I've got an idea. I've got an idea. Here! Wake up! Wake up! Help! Yoo-hoo! > Early Bird! How about a nice, tasty worm on a stick? I'm going to snap! Come catch the juicy,... succulent... Let's go. There they are! There they are! Flik, help! OK! Flik! It's OK. Yoo-hoo! Bye-bye, birdie! Help. I'm stuck! Pull me down. Schnell! The caterpillar is live bait! The caterpillar is live bait! How brave! Arrghh! Suck it in, man! Ow! My leg! H-e-l-l-l-p! Helppppp! The bird! Look out for the bird! Flik! Up, up, up, up, up! Up-up-up-up-up! (ALL GASP FOR BREATH) (PATTERING) (PATTERING) What is that? That is the sound of... applause! (CHEERING) Applause! I'm in heaven! Our Blueberry troop salutes you bugs for rescuing Princess Dot. As a tribute to Miss Frances, we've changed our bandannas. As a tribute to Miss Frances, we've changed our bandannas. We voted you honorary den-mother. What? Great! (MUTTER) Let's move out of here. The patient needs her rest. Excuse me. Flik, can I talk to you just for a second? Oh, sure. Oh, sure. Oww! Again, thank you all very, very much. Thank you kindly. Danke. You don't think I've offended the warriors? You don't think I've offended the warriors? You? No. Oh, good. When you brought them I thought they were a bunch of clowns. You did? Ha! Don't tell 'em I said that. That's all I'd need - another royal blunder You're doing a great job. You're doing a great job. Thanks. You're sweet. You're wrong but sweet. I know what everyone thinks. I don't follow you. I don't follow you. Everyone. The whole colony. Nobody really believes I can do this job. It's like they're watching me, just... just... Waiting for you to screw up. Flik, I owe you an apology. For what? For what? I haven't been nice to you. Sorry. If there's any way I can make it up... Hey, I know! The Queen's Official Aide to the Warrior Bugs. Me? Me? Sure. You've got a great rapport. And that rescue was very brave. Really? No, no... Really? No, no... To face a bird... Even Hopper is afraid of them. I guess. Maybe I have... Say that again. Say that again. Even Hopper is afraid of birds. Thank you! Hopper is afraid of birds! Hopper is afraid of birds! I don't blame him! Hopper is afraid of birds! I don't blame him! This is perfect! We can get rid of Hopper! You just pretend you're warriors. Whoa, we are not about to fight grasshoppers. You'll be gone before they arrive. It's easy! Not another word. I don't know what you're concocting in your ant brain but we'll have no part of it. Excuse me. Could we get your autographs? Autograph? Ja! Autograph? Ja! Wow! So you fellas catch the action? The bird just missed you! Aren't you sweet? The way you pretended to be stuck! The way you pretended to be stuck! All part of the plan. Then you dive-bombed... Nyaaahhh! There you go, my boy. Wow, thanks! Ma-Ma... That's Major Manny, young cadet. Remember that. Yes, sir! Yes, sir! Dismissed! When I'm big, I'm gonna be a praying mantis. When I'm big, I'm gonna be a praying mantis. I'm gonna be a stick bug! < They are so cool! Ho hoo! Delightful lads. You were saying, Flik? Alright. We are going to build a bird. A bird we can operate from the inside. Then it's hoisted above the ant hill and hidden in the tree. When Hopper and his gang are below, we launch the bird and scare off the grasshoppers. It'll take everyone's involvement to make this plan a reality. I know it's not our tradition to do things differently. But if our ancestors were able to build this ant hill we can rally together to build this bird! (CHEERING) Perfect! OK! Yee-ha! Hi, Flik. Oh. Oh! (LAUGHS NERVOUSLY) (GIRLS GIGGLE) I love what you did with your antennae. Oh look, she's a natural mother! Alright, that's it! Out! Out! (GIRLS WHIMPER) Now you're gonna cry. (GIRLS CRY) (GIRLS CRY) Please don't cry. Huh? Ta-da! Ta-da! Yeah! Lower, lower! Lower, lower! (DIM GIGGLES) Is that it? Is that it? THAT'S IT! Rabbit through the hole, get in the barn, two by two, there's the yarn! Hey! Good job! Nice work! Up! Down! Up! Down! Up, down... Hm... Hm... (LAUGHS) Read 'em and weep. Read 'em and weep. Huh? (LOUD BUZZING) Arrghhh! Whee! Yahoo! Flik, watch out! Whoa! Look. I'm a beautiful butterfly! There you go. Good job, fellas. Keep up the good work. OK! You're fired! (ANTS CHEER) Yes! 1 (MEXICAN MUSIC) Whoo-hoo! Look at me! I'm bare-footin'! Yo, bugito, dos granitos, pronto! You gotta try this, man! (BAND PLAYS) # La cucaracha! La cucaracha! Da da da da da! # (WHIMPERS) ..all the way back there when it starts to rain we might as well be stuck in bug spray. Ooh, don't even say that! But, yeah, why take the risk? You should tell Hopper. Good idea. But... it's really not our place. You're his brother. That makes you the vice-president of the gang. Wow. It kinda does, doesn't it? OK, I'll tell him. I should talk to you more often. What if Hopper doesn't like it? What if Hopper doesn't like it? Then Genius will get smacked, not us Vice-president Molt! Yeah, that's good. Oh, a little lower. Lower, lower. Hiya, Hop. Go away. I won't tell you my idea. Good. OK, I'll tell you anyway. I've been thinking, like I do, being Vice-president. Why go back to ant island? You don't even like grain. What? OK. It wasn't a good idea. It wasn't my idea. Axel and Loco talked fancy. I got confused! Ahh... (BAND PLAYS ON) Guys, order another round. Because we're staying here! (CHEERING) What was I thinking, going back to ant island? We just got here and we have more than enough food to get through the winter. Why go back? But there was that ant that stood up to me. Yeah, but we can forget about him. It was just one ant. One ant! One ant! Yeah, you're right. It's just one ant. Yeah, boss, they're puny. Yeah, boss, they're puny. Hm. Puny. Let's pretend this grain is a puny little ant. Did that hurt? No. How about this one? How about this one? Are you kidding? (LAUGHTER) How about this? 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 want to stay? He's quite the motivational speaker, isn't he? Let's ride! To the bird! To the bird! (ALL) The bird! (STEEL BAND PLAYS) Get down, boys! How low can you go? Sing it! Do it, Princess! So my 12th husband died. So now I'm a widow. I mean, I've always been a Black Widow but now I'm a Black Widow widow. Ha ha ha! Wheeeee! Thorny... Any sign of those fiends? Any sign of those fiends? Let me check. Not yet but we'll be ready for them. Blueberries, dis-missed! And quit beating the boys up. Those little raisins do grow on you. How you doing? Some party, huh? Is that grain dip fresh or what? I've told them you're in the command bunker. You sneak out the back, then you're outta here forever. Dim don't wanna go. If Dim stays, he'll need me. He's not fully trained. I mean, housetrained. I told the Blueberries I'd teach 'em canasta. It seems we've been booked for an extended engagement. Look at this colony! Just look! I don't even recognise it. (LAUGHS) I feel 70 again! Work that ab, baby! Ha ha! And I have you bugs to thank for it. Thank you. And thank you for finding 'em, Flik. Me? (TWANG!) I'll get it. I'll... All tangled up... There. I think I'll go check on the bird. Bird's this way... The bird's that way. (LAUGHS NERVOUSLY) What? (GASPS) > Jiminy H cricket! (HOOTER) They're back! Get ready! They're back! Get ready! Get to your posts! Battle stations! This is not a drill! C'mon, you know your jobs! Let's go, go, go! Look out! Whoa! Steady, girls! It's PJ! Greetings and salutations! Ooh-bop-a-doo and how do you do? I am the great PJ Flea! I'm in need of your assistance... Oh, let's cut to the chase. I've been going from ant hill to ant hill. I'm looking for these circus performers. Have you seen 'em? (GASPS) Ain't that Staff Sergeant Slim? Ain't that Staff Sergeant Slim? No. No, I'm sorry. (BANG!) Be quiet. ..Hey! You'll probably want to go. There's a lot of ant hills to check. Guys, I've been looking all over for you. Flaming Death is a huge hit! Shh! Next day there was a huge line of flies outside the tent. It must have been a foot long! You burn me twice a night, I take a day off to heal, then we do it all over again! We'll be the top circus act in the business! You're not warriors? Are you kidding? They're the lousiest circus bugs you ever saw! And they're gonna make me rich! Our entire defensive strategy was concocted by clowns?! Hey, we thought Flik's idea was gonna work. Oops. Tell me this isn't true. You-You don't... But the last leaf is about to fall. We haven't got food for the grasshoppers! If Hopper finds out... If Hopper finds out... Hopper is not going to find out. We're going to hide this, pretend it never happened. You bugs were never here, so I suggest you leave. But the bird! The bird will work. To think I've seen the day when an ant put himself before the colony! What? The point is, you lied to us. No, no, I just... No, no, I just... You lied, Flik. You lied to her. You lied to the colony. You lied to me. And like an idiot, I believed you. But I... I was just afraid that... if you knew I'd got circus bugs... I just wanted to make a difference. I want you to leave, Flik. And this time, don't come back. (COLONY GASPS) (GASPS) (GASPS) (WHIMPERS) Tough crowd. Yee-ha! Flik... (WIND BLOWS) 1 That's it? There's gotta be more food! If we give up any more, we'll starve If we give up any more, we'll starve Hopper won't accept this! (ROARING ABOVE) (APHI WHIMPERS) It's not enough! What do we do? It's not enough! What do we do? I-I don't know. (ROARING STOPS) (FOOTSTEPS) (GASPS) (SNARLS AND SCREECHES) 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? Is this a game? No, please... No, please... Well, guess what! You just lost! SCREECH! Not one ant sleeps until we get every scrap of food on this island! Do what he says. Don't make him mad. No. You're staying with me, Your Highness. Where do you think you're going? Get on with it! Quick, to the clubhouse. Hurry! Shh! Shut up. I heard something.> Have you checked over there? Have you checked over there? No, not yet. Have you checked over there? No, not yet. Well, go check it out! Wait a minute. Wait a minute. (GASPS) Wait a minute. (GASPS) I think I found something. (LAUGHS) Cool! Hey, how do I look? Like an idiot. Like an idiot. Maybe it'll keep me dry in the rain. Moron! We'll be gone before it rains After the ants pick the food, Hopper's gonna squish the Queen. She's dead, they cry, we go home, end of story. Oh. Cool. I love our job. Stay here. I'm gonna get help. SCREEECHHHHH! Arrgh! SCREEECHH! Arrghh! Arrghhh! Come on, wings, fly! SCREEEECHHHH! Arrghhhhh! (SNARLS) Yeah! Whoaaaa! # I'm gonna be rich, rich, rich # I'm gonna be the richest flea in the land. Ker-ching! # The streets will be paved with golden retrievers... Poor fellow. Poor fellow. Maybe we can cheer him up a bit. Don't worry, Flik. Circus life isn't so bad. Circus life isn't so bad. You can be part of our act. Yeah, like this! Slapstick! Get it? < I'm a walking stick! < Oh, never mind. (FAINT) Flik! (FAINT) Flik! Dot? Flik, wait! Wait! Dot? You're flying! What are you doing here? What are you doing here? You have to go back... Hopper's moved into the ant hill. His gang's eating everything! His gang's eating everything! No. Good heavens! One said that when they're done, Hopper is gonna squish Mom! We gotta do something. How? How? I know. The bird! Of course! Of course! That's brilliant! Of course! That's brilliant! The bird won't work. What? It was your idea. You said that everything... You said that everything... Forget everything I ever told you. Let's face it - the colony is right. I just make things worse. That bird is a guaranteed failure. Just like me. Listen to me, my boy. I've made a living out of being a failure and you are not a failure. You've done so many good things. You've done so many good things. Yeah? Show me one thing I did right. Er... Us. Dim is right, my boy. You rekindled the long-dormant embers of purpose in our lives. And Francis got in touch with his feminine side. Oh, yeah? Well... Hmm. You know, he's right. Lieutenant Gypsy reporting for duty! Lieutenant Gypsy reporting for duty! We'll follow you into battle. We believe in you, my boy. Flik, please. Pretend it's a seed, OK. Thanks, Dot. What's with the rock? What's with the rock? It must be an ant thing. Alright. Let's do it. That's the Flik we know and love. That's the Flik we know and love. We're on! So what do we do first? # Bugs will pay big bucks to see # A bonfire that is starring me! PT, look! Money! Where? Where? Arrghhh! Alright, get moving! Get going! Move your abdomens! They're rounding everyone up. Hey, turn your butt off! Psst, guys! Get me out of this thing! I promise to start thinkin' about payin' ya. < They've finished collecting food. We must get the Queen now. Once she's safe, we move on Gypsy's signal. Someone's coming. Hello, kids. Ready to make some grasshoppers cry? It's payback time! Blueberry style! Blueberries rock! Blueberries rock! (ALL) Yeah! Ladies and gentlemen, larvae of all stages, rub your legs together for the world's greatest bug circus! Wait a minute! I think I'm going to wet myself. I think I'm going to wet myself. Steady... What's going on here? Well... Yes. We were invited by Princess Atta as a surprise for your arrival. Squish 'em. Hey! Hey! (THEY SING MERRILY) (SHOUTS) (BOTH ARGUE) Now that's funny. (LAUGHTER) (ARGUING) We could use some entertainment. You did something right for once. (LAUGHS NERVOUSLY) On with the show! Hiya! The circus, the circus! I love the circus! Bottle all gone. Baby wants pie! Pie? He asked for it. Should I give it to him? Yeah! Give pie! Yeah! Now... How many roaches does it take to screw in a light bulb? Can't tell. Soon as the light goes on, they scatter. Can't tell. Soon as the light goes on, they scatter. (LAUGHTER) Almost there. From the mysterious regions of uncharted Asia... Come on, girls, quick. ..Chinese cabinet of metamorphosis. Utilising psychic vibrations... Ooh, oohh! Pick me! Ooh, oohh! Pick me! ..I select the perfect volunteer. I'm asking ya with my brain! A-ha! Why, Your Majesty! Me? Me? SCREEECHH! Thumper, let her go. He might saw her in half. As you ascend the dung beetle to the unknown, put your trust in mysteries beyond mortal comprehension. Ooh, this is gonna be good. Blueberries, ready? Blueberries, ready? (BOOMS) Ready! Blueberries, ready? (BOOMS) Ready! Shh! I call upon the ancient Szechwan spirits to inhabit the body of our volunteer. No, just stay in there, Your Majesty Transformation! Transformation! (THUNDER) Transformation! Wow. He's getting good. Not now... Not now... If it rains, the bird will collapse. And now,... insecta... transformitas! (FANFARE) Ooh! Ooh! Pretty. Thank you. That's the signal! The signal! This is it, girls. Get ready to roll! It's stuck! It's stuck! Amazing! How did they do that? I've no idea where she went. Thank you. Thank you. WAIT! Where is she? Where is she? Er... I'm sorry. A magician never reveals his secrets. True. Where would the mystery be - True. Where would the mystery be - Shutting up. You can do it! You must make it work. Hey. I said, where is she? Hold on! (CAWS INTO HOOTER) Arrghh! Bird! It's a bird! (ANTS SCREAM) CAW, CAW! Ha ha ha! We're outta here! Don't let it get to me! CAW! Help me! Ha ha ha! Up, down! Up, down! And turn! Arrghhh! My eye! Help me! My eye! Help me! Arrghhhh! Arrghhh! ARRGHHHH! Mmmm! Poison berry! Huh? Argh! No, no, no! Arrgh! The pain! There goes my magic act! Flaming death! No, PT! A direct hit! (SCREAMS) Run! Flik, help us! (SNARLS) Dot! 1 OK, everyone out! Hurry! (ANTS COUGH) (ANTS COUGH) Where's Dot? Has anyone seen Dot? Argh! Whose idea was this?! Huh? Was it yours, Princess? Just get behind me, girls. Leave her alone! The bird was my idea! I'm the one you want! (THUMPS) Ooh! Where did you get the gall to do this to me? You were... gonna squish the Queen. (ALL GASP) It's true. It's true. I hate someone spoiling the ending. SCREEECHH! You piece of dirt. No, I'm wrong. You're lower than dirt. You're an ant. Let this be a lesson to all you ants. Ideas are very dangerous things. You are mindless, soil-shoving losers put on this earth to serve us! You're wrong, Hopper. Ants are not meant to serve grasshoppers. I've seen these ants do great things. And year after year they somehow manage to pick food for themselves and you. So who is the weaker species? Ants don't serve grasshoppers! It's you who need us! (ANTS MUTTER) We're a lot stronger than you say we are. And you know it. Don't you? Well, Princess... Hopper, I hate to interrupt but... You ants stay back! This was such a bad idea. This was such a bad idea. You see, nature has a certain order The ants pick the food, the ants keep the food and the grasshoppers leave. (CHEERING) Arghh! I'm so proud of you, Flik! I'm so proud of you, Flik! Yeah! Yeah! Where are you going? They're just ants! Argh! (SNARLS) No! Bad grasshopper! Go home! SCREECH! GRRRRR! (YELPS) Ha ha! Yeah! Come back here, you cowards! Don't leave! To the cannon! (DRUM ROLL) Ha ha ha! Happy landings, Hopper. (THUNDER) Huh? Run! (SOUND OF BOMBS DROPPING) Grrrr... Arrghhh! Flik! Quick, after them! Quick, after them! Yarghhh! (SNAP!) Argh! Slim! Francis! I'm stuck! Where are you? I'm over here! Where? I'm the stick with eyeballs! Help! Help! Get him! Yeah! Arrghhhhhh! No! Hee hee! (MUTTERS) (BOTH LAUGH) Grrr! Go that way! Go that way! But the ant hill... Go that way! But the ant hill... I've got an idea! C'mon! There! C'mon, gotta hide! No matter what happens, stay down! No matter what happens, stay down! Flik, no, what are you doing? Hopper! You think it's over? No, no. I can explain. All your stunt did was buy time. All your stunt did was buy time. Please, Hopper! I'll get more grasshoppers and be back next season! But you won't! CAW! Well, what's this? Another of your bird tricks? Yep. Are there little girls in this one? Hello, girls! ARRRGHHHHHHH! Arrrghhh! No, no! No, no, no! No! Arrgh, arghh! No! TWEET, TWEET! No, no, no! ARRGGGHHH! (HOOTER) C'mon, boys. I finally get a second to relax and I gotta get out of my chair. You can rub lotion on me later, shade boy. Hubba-hubba! (HEIMLICH) Thank you. All in a day's work. Dim... Oh... I'm so sorry. I wish you could come, too. I'm not gonna cry! (GABBLES) Let's go. We got a schedule to keep. Tiny, let's get this show packed up. We got customers. Yes, Mr Flea, of course, sir. Thank you for giving me a chance to work with creative guys. Shutting up. Sure you can't come on tour with us? Sure you can't come on tour with us? Sorry. My place is here. Good answer. Your loss. One minute, insects! 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. For you. For you. Oh. It's a rock. What's with the rock? What's with the rock? Must be a circus thing. (GIGGLES) Well, Flik, you really goofed up. Thanks. Yeah. You, too. (GREAT CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) (CHEERING) Hee hee! (SOBS) Alright! Now it's gettin' mushy. We're outta here! Woahhhh! See you next season! Bye! Miss you already! Miss you already! You're fired! You're fired! We forgot Heimlich! I'm finished! Finally I'm a beautiful butterfly! My wings! Oh, they're beautiful! The wagon's taking off. You'd better start flying! But I am flying! From way up here you all look like little ants! Auf Wiedersehen! Bye! Present stalks! Harvester salute! (FIZZ!) # Was a bug, little bug # Hardly there # How he felt, what he dreamed # Who would care? # Without any evidence # His thoughts were many # He was full of confidence # Some people haven't any # He didn't have much common sense # He 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 around one time # Stop as I get there # It's the time of your life, so live it well # We may only go around this 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 < Marker. < And action. Are you saying I'm stupid? Do I look stupid to you? (LAUGHS) I'm sorry! Are you saying I'm stupid? (LAUGHS) I'm sorry. I got it. Just do it again. Are you saying I'm stupid? Yes! (LAUGHS) This is the 15th take. I cannot work like this. I will be in my trailer. I will be in my trailer. I need a break. < Marker. Flik, honey, we are not - (BANGING) (BANGING) Is someone hammering? Can we hold the work, please? Am I in this shot? < And action. To infinity and beyond! (CREW LAUGHS) (LAUGHS) Sorry. I couldn't resist. Can you blame me? OK, let's go for real now. < OK. Cut! Why go back to ant island? You don't even like grain. What? What? I didn't think it was a good idea. (CRASH!) (CRASH!) I'm sorry. Is the camera broke? Did I ruin the tape? And thank you for finding 'em. Me? (TWANG!) Oh, ow! Ow, ow, ow! Oh, no. It hurts. It hurts. I'm sorry. So, is there a Mrs Ant you have to tunnel home to? Oh, I'm sorry. I thought he was real. Oh, dear. Put that thing in my car. Marker. > After much deliberation... After much deliberation... Whoaaaa! (CRASH!) (LAUGHTER) Ohhhh! Oh, my eye! No, seriously, I've got berry juice in my eye! It stings. I'm not acting. Stop the camera! (LAUGHS) (APHI WEES) (APHI WEES) Uh-oh. I need a towel over here! (APHI FARTS) Cut! > SCREEEECHHH! I'm sorry. Can we cut? I don't think I'm coming across. Hmm. I know. I could lather up a bunch of spit! Oh, that's good. One more for me! < Marker! ..spinning a web of safety in less than - (THUMP!) # 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 around 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 # He knew in order to succeed # They had to work together # And turn a rock into a seed # And turn a rock into a seed # And they were changed for ever # Then they'd have the strength they'd need # Then they'd have 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 # You may only go around one time # As far as I can tell # It's the time of your life, so live it well # Isn't it a bit surprising # How our 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... IMS Subtitles JULIE SUTHERLAND # It's the time of your life, so live it well # We may only go around 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 # Able 2017