Ant-Man: Movie Review
Marvel’s “Ant-Man” has had an uphill battle making its’ way onto the big screen. When Edgar Wright left the project and Payton Reed (“The Break-Up”) was brought in as director, excitement seemed to diminish. The original screenplay by Edgar Wright and Joe Cornish was also given an overhaul by Adam McKay and Paul Rudd. It was clear that the new writers and director that Marvel wanted “Ant-Man” to be more of a comedy.
Although I wasn’t thrilled by the choices that were made, I knew the people at Marvel were not going to allow “Ant-Man” to be a bad film. Thankfully, I was right. It may not be the best film in Marvel’s cannon to date, but it does a good job setting itself apart from the likes of Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America. The comedic tone actually serves the material best.
Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) has just been released from prison in which he was doing time for robbery. All he wants to do now is help provide for his daughter Cassie (Abby Ryder Fortson), who lives with her mother (Judy Greer) and step-father (Bobby Cannavale). Scott plans on keeping away from crime, but that changes when he gets fired from Baskin-Robbins for lying on the job application.
With the help of his friend (and former cell mate) Luis (Michael Peña) and a couple other criminals, Scott breaks into a house to steal something in a huge safe. What Scott doesn’t realize is that the house belongs to Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and it is part of a test that has been set up for Scott.
It turns out that Hank wants Scott to be the new Ant-Man. Pym’s former assistant, Darren Cross (Corey Stoll) now runs the company that he started and Cross. Not only that, but Cross is getting very close to figuring out the technology that makes the Ant-Man suite work. If he succeeds, he will unleash the world’s most dangerous weapon. Hank along with his daughter Hope (Evangeline Lilly) need Scott’s help to break into the facility and not only steal Cross’s suit, but also destroy all the research.
Paul Rudd fits in the Marvel world much better than I expected as the Ant-Man. I had a feeling that the comedy was going to be pushed much further than it was. Thankfully it never goes over the top and feels about right for a movie about a guy who can ride on top of a flying ant.
Many of the shrunken Ant-Man sequences are terrific. In one scene we see Ant-Man fall into a party in which he is trying not to get stepped on by all the people dancing. There is also a great fight between Ant-Man and Cross as Yellowjacket that takes place within a briefcase.
The problem with “Ant-Man” is that it feels a too light for a super-hero movie. Especially coming after something like “Avengers: Age of Ultron”. Those who are familiar with the comics know that the upcoming “Captain America: Civil War” will go dark as well. Expect Scott Lang to show up in that one next year. Regardless of its’ issues, “Ant-Man” is still a pretty solid film for Marvel and though I don’t expect it to pull the same numbers at the box office as the films of Captain America, Thor, or Iron Man, I imagine it will still do fine. Also, make sure to stay through the end credits. There is a mid-credits scene and an end-credits stinger.
By: Marc Ferman