WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Scott Lang (Paul Rudd), imprisoned for being a con-man and cat burglar, comes to the quick realization that life on the outside may be what he desires, that reconnecting with his ex-wife Maggie (Judy Greer) and daughter Cassie (Abby Ryder Fortson) is his goal, and that he’s changed his formerly wayward life path. But when Lang is picked up by former cellmate Luis (Michael Pena), things don’t immediately look good for going legit. Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), a brilliant scientist and inventor, may not have been in prison, but most certainly feels the weight of a career on the downturn as too many high-ranking people want to utilize a unique formula he’s created and weaponize it. Two men facing the odds, and destined to meet.
So when Lang’s attempt to pull a last job brings him into contact with a hidden secret in Pym’s home, it changes both of their path’s forever. Facing a former protégé, Darren Cross (Corey Stoll), at his soon to be taken over company, Pym recruits Lang and introduces him in more depth to the suit Lang has already experienced. Given the ability to shrink down to ant-sized proportions and control said insects to boot, the pair, along with Pym’s daughter Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly), who acts as additional brain power and Lang’s trainer, set out to stop the ruthless intentions of Cross and the weapon he’s created at great expense. As the mayhem ensues, Lang learns that heroes can truly come in small packages.
Next, my Mind:
Marvel and the Mouse House tried last year to introduce a most certainly obscure group of its universe’s characters to the big screen, and modern audiences, with “Guardians of the Galaxy“. What was seen as a huge potential misstep ended up becoming one of the top films of 2014, delivering a surprisingly entertaining, accurately tongue-in-cheek, action-driven effort with a superb cast that captured the world’s attention. With “Ant-Man”, Marvel, Disney, and director Peyton Reed take a calculated risk in trying to convince the movie-going public that rooting for a man who shrinks to tiny proportions and controls ants can be engaging. Honestly, the same surprise is present. Not “Guardians” level, but solid nonetheless, to this reviewer’s satisfaction.
The story is very much character-based and the narrative could be seen as a little slow in it’s development, but this is more from when you try to compare it with the almost constant bombast of “The Avengers” and even the other efforts in the Marvel pantheon to date. Rudd is actually a great choice to play Lang, with a serious side combined with wry humor befitting the overall tone of the story. Douglas can always play a convincing “father figure”, Lilly is perfectly at home as Hope, the wonderful mix of beauty, brawn, and brains. Corey Stoll chews up over-the-top scenery as Cross. Visually excellent in IMAX 3D, it is an actual wonder to see ants in a completely different way. The action moves along, and it all wraps up nicely for future adventures to come.
In total, “Ant-Man” wasn’t as completely captivating as “Guardians”, but it stands firm enough to believe that seeing this character again won’t be a bad thing. And stay through ALL the movie credits, folks. There are TWO fun teasers of things to come!
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
