Why Hopper is a Fantastic Villain [A Bug's Life]

I decided to make a video about why I think Hopper is a great villain after my most recent rewatch of A Bug's Life, enjoy.
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All footage used is for review purposes and is fair use.
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Music Used from -
Super Mario 3D Land
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door
Super Paper Mario
Fire Emblem: Thracia 776
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
Disney Princess Enchanted Journey
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#disney #pixar #abugslife #hopper #villains #villain #disneypixar #animation #analysis
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0:00 - Intro
0:50 - Hopper's Power is Fear
2:57 - He Even Makes His Own Minions Fear Him
3:36 - He Knows His Own Weaknesses and Seed Scene
4:46 - Flik Stands Up and Hopper Loses His Power
6:56 - Hopper's Poetic Downfall
8:07 - Final Thoughts and Outro

[ViewerOnline]

I think Hopper's power obsession is related to his scar. We know he got it when he was almost eaten by a bird (at least that's what was implied). That must have been terrifying and traumatic for him and made him feel weak and helpless. This made him a control freak where he needs to feel in power and put others down so he doesn't feel weak or insignificant, and he gets that power trip by bullying the ants and his gang.

[gustavoneridesouza]

Also, Hopper is somewhat philosophic and way more realistic, as he told Atta that the first step of leadership is that everything is your fault. And we all know this is absolutely true. He is also a bug of word, as he honored the promise he made to this mother in her deathbed. I think Pixar could consider making a spin-off of the grasshopper's gang, or the Circus Bugs.

[andrewchilds]

Hopper is a great example of lawful evil. He is evil and doesn’t mind it. He has a code and obeys it. He has a plan and does his best to keep it going. However he stands on a house of cards and Someone managed to knock a card out from the bottom.

[roiroije]

A villain who understands their own flaws are so refreshing. Out with the overconfident smuglord who thinks that nothing can pose a threat, in with the intelligent warlord who *knows* how to win.

[LowEffortDucks]

"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!"- Hopper
A people shouldn't fear their government, a government should fear their people. Sometimes we need to remind them.

[jare]

Hopper's mistake is he let the illusion of power fail.

He should have gone for kill moment the hero call him out bringing fear back and showing a small amount of power to reform it.

[alexanderjackson]

What made Hopper so great is not exactly how physically strong he was, but how much of a mental manipulation he was able to pull off, with literally just about every character in the film.

[shadowwriter]

Hopper is one of my favorite villains yet is underrated. It was just something about him that made him so cool to me as a kid. Every scene he is in he pretty much steals the show from how he was introduced, to the scene where he threatens his brother to the scene of the seeds and crushing/killing the gang members, he just sells it. And while he is bigger then even his gang members (due to the size and coloring I theorize he is more a locust then grasshopper) we see he isn’t as big of a monster that he wants to appear. Truly a good villain and one that is underrated.

[peterrealar.]

The fact this villain is the most relevant PIXAR antagonist today is what I love most about Hopper. He's the definition of the authoritarian figure who trades independence for FALSE security.

[nemonomen]

Part of the reason Pixar doesn’t have a lot of great villains is that they’re uncommonly great at making interesting stories _without_ villains. That being said, I can’t believe you skimmed over Charles Muntz.

[housel]

This hits even harder when you consider the fact that realistically, this movie could've easily ended within the first 10 minutes. Most ants are ravenous, aggressive, and extremely territorial (basically hornets without wings).

If anything, this only further shows how false Hopper's power was, because if he and all his buddies had chosen any other ant colony to break into and bully, they would never emerge to see the sun again.

[USMCer]

Hopper getting eaten by the Bird was also set up by the initial chase the Bird had with Flik and the Circus Bugs.

The gang had a full head start to get away from the Bird but when Hopper was trying to escape, the Bird learned from its mistake and cuts off his only escape route.

[axis]

Hopper is also a great foil to Flik. Flik ultimately understands his weaknesses and also tries to cover them up by seeking help. First from the circus bugs, then by trying to create a makeshift bird. He was using similar tactics against Hopper, trying to get something stronger or selling an illusion of strength. Yet at the end of it all, Flik found the inner strength to stand up against the false strength and inspired all the ants to rise up against Hopper.

Flik found true strength, while Hopper remained as someone trying to cling to a false strength.

[adammartinez]

This has to be one of the greatest analyses I have heard. To me when Flik stood up to hopper and Hopper began to lose it…..he may not have shown it but you can secretly see the fear in Hopper. To me Hopper actions weren’t out of anger but of fear and desperation…..each word that came out of Flik’s mouth……more fear…….fear because Flik was right. Hopper’s action to squish Flik to me was more out of Fear and desperation…….because Hopper knew that he was going to lose everything but it was too late for the truth had been said and all took was one Ant to speak out for hopper to lose everything…….his control over the ants……..his Gang, even his Feral Pet Thumper took flight and left. All It took was one Ant.

[bradleyhauertheedtruncanfa]

This guy needs more focus. I really enjoy him, tho I prefer Waternoose and Chick Hicks a lot more than this cruel grasshopper. The only reason he isn't Pure Evil is that he promised his mother on her deathbed that he wouldn't kill Molt and kept it despite really wanting to kill him, proving he is somewhat honorable, which Pure Evils can't be. Also, amazing video.

[nategraham]

While Hopper may be evil, he does have one line that is beyond true, and I have used it on many occasions, even in the military. "First rule of leadership, everything is your fault."

[chavamara]

I think my favourite part of this movie is the moment that Flik not only calls out Hopper on his actual weakness, but realizes that Hopper always KNEW about his weakness.

[mrx]

_"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!"_

[sophieamandaleitontoomey]

Hopper’s speech about power after completely crushing some of his subordinates is genuinely chilling.

People still use this illusion of power to hold control and it’s really unsettling how accurate that speech is for a movie about ants and grasshoppers.

[Society.]

The best part about hopper being a great villain is because he was voiced by a real villain