ANT-MAN
Sometimes smaller can be better.
Well this was a fun-size surprise! Ant-Man, Marvel’s tiny super hero shows that he belongs in the same arena as the rest of the powerhouses. It wasn’t but a few months ago that most people including myself shook their heads with skepticism at the idea of an “atom-ant” superhero reaching the ranks of a hammer swinging god, a green juggernaut, or a billionaire gadget maker, but that is precisely why it works.
Paul Rudd plays Scott Lang, a misunderstood cat burglar with a politically motivated agenda. After his release from San Quentin, he returns to his old ways with the help of his former friend played by Michael Peña. After trying to stay in the straight path but unable to, he must make the difficult decision to once more turn to petty crime in order to make a quick buck and be able to see his daughter Cassie (Abby Ryder Forston). With the help of the most ethnically diverse trio (Tip “T.I.” Harris, David Dastmalchian, and Peña) Scott breaks into the home of scientist and original Ant-Man Hank Pym played by Michael Douglas. Through some clever plot mechanics Pym recruits and trains Scott Lang with the help of his daughter Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) to break in and destroy a project named “Yellow Jacket” spearheaded by Pym’s former apprentice Darren Cross (Corey Stoll) and save the world.
Unlike former Marvel juggernauts where entire cities are leveled, Ant-Man has nothing more than a couple of buildings, and a train set destroyed. But what it lacks in destruction it makes up a smart straightforward plot and characters brought to life with a cast that seemed to gel well together. Paul Rudd brings the absurdity of the comic book character to life and makes it a believable persona and average Joe without the need for billion dollar toys or a god like powers. The only downside to the film was the over cramming of cheap laughs not needed at times courtesy of comedic filled screenplay written by Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hott Fuzz), Adam Mckay(Anchorman, Talladega Nights, Step Brother), Joe Cornish (Attack the Block, The Adventures of Tintin) and Paul Rudd.
Overall Ant-Man delivers a punch filled super hero comedy that doesn’t take itself too seriously while poking fun of its own Marvel Universe.
9 out of 10 stars
