In A Bug's Life the hero is also a misfit. He is despised and rejected by most in his colony. Instead of turning this rejection into violent behavior against his community, Flik responds positively. He uses rejection as a motivator for doing something good.

I wonder how many potentially hostile actions have been diverted by movies such as A Bug's Life. I remember growing up with Western films that had much the same plot as this one. The stranger to town, the misfit, returned community rejection and misunderstanding with acts of heroism and kindness.

I don't mean to minimize the effects of violent media on people who have a capacity and desire towards violence. But, I do know that such media does not make me want to shoot up my community. Nor, would it so motivate anyone that I know. Most people are more influenced by films like this one that present positive responses to rejection.

A Bug's Life was well received by movie goers. I think this says something about our culture. We are more motivated by themes of compassion, community and unselfishness than we are by themes of self centeredness and acts of random violence.

Bug's Life is a very important film. It has an important message. I recommend it to every child and family. And, I recommend it to all those inclined toward violence. Please watch it and grasp its message. Let God speak to you through it.

BUG'S LIFE AND LITTLETON TRAGEDY
May 12, 1999. Hi! David. I really like your review on A Bug's Life. And I agree not everyone is attracted to violent types of movies. And if I can just add my thoughts on the Littleton tragedy, and other similar tragedies involving so many young people. I think we as a society are too quick to blame violent movies or video games.  It seems that a lot of people think that if you get rid of the latter, this will solve the problem. I don't agree. I think if young teenagers go around committing this kind of senseless crime, there is a problem much more deeper than a violent movie.
     Like most people I don't have the answers to why these young kids are acting in such a violent matter. But I have observed this when watching the news.
     1. Most of these crimes (involving shootings like Littleton) have been
committed by males. (That's not to say that a female couldn't or would
commit the same crime).
     2. We live in a society, where most guys are taught not to show their
emotions, or to share their problems. And what happens when we bottle up all our emotions (especially if they are of hurt and anger)? It builds up to the point, where we have no control over it, and in that case may do something that we wouldn't normally do.
     3. If a person who has committed a crime, also likes violent movies, it is usually a case of the person watching the same movie or playing the same video game over and over again.
     Nearly all of us, have watched violent movies or played violent video
games, and yet we don't go committing these kind of crimes. And maybe the reason for that, is that unlike some people, we don't brainwash ourselves with the same thing over and over again. So I think instead of blaming the media for violent movies. Maybe it would be better to find out why these people are watching the same movie over and over again.
     Maybe if we communicated with these people more, and got them to share their emotions and their thoughts, we may get a few answers, and we may also prevent further tragedies.
      But like I said I don't really have the answers. The latter is just what
I've observed, and my thoughts on what we could do.
-kind regards, Wendy wendy1@hotkey.net.au

SEEKING GOD IN FILM & LITTLETON
30 Apr 1999  Here are my private thoughts: I found your website yesterday, and was really impressed. As a Christian, convert to Catholicism I have always viewed films and literature as sources of seeking the gospel and God's Incarnation. Even in the midst of the tragedy of Littleton, without seperating the horror, we find God's grace, if even in the last response of young Cassie: 'Yes' (I believe). May we all pary for such faith. God Bless