Ant-Man

Marvel’s next step in its separation from the Avengers takes the form of an obscure superhero with a ridiculous name (acknowledged even by the protagonist of the film). He has the power to shrink to the size of an ant, but the kicker is that he retains power, communicates with and controls the little insects, and can shrink and grow with the push of a button on his gloves.

The story starts as most Marvel ones do; at the beginning. It’s 1989 San Francisco, and we are introduced to Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas in some fantastic anti-aging visual effects making him 25 years younger). He refuses to compromise his morals after making a breakthrough scientific discovery and locks it up to protect humankind. Basically, it’s a serum to separate the space between atoms that is controlled through the Ant-Man suit. Fast forward to present day, and Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) gets caught up with Pym and his onetime protégé, Darren Cross (Corey Stoll), who has some naturally sinister motives involving the technology to miniaturize soldiers.

The story is slow to get off the ground, but when the action starts, the effects are incredible. Because the audience needs to be brought up to speed, there is a bit of a stall in the action in lieu of character development, but I never really thought Hank Pym was given quite enough of an explanation as opposed to the less interesting characters surrounding him. Paul Rudd gives some great dialogue deliveries, which add to the humorous feel that is a bit more refreshing than some of the more mainstream Marvel films of years past. Evangeline Lilly plays Hank’s daughter, Hope, and will surely be part of the next generation Avengers herself, along with Ant-Man. The best contributions to the film however, are the underrated Michael Pena, who might be a bit over the top here, but provides some great comedy, and the obligatory Avengers cross-over cameo of Anthony Mackie’s Falcon.

Director Peyton Reed (Yes Man, The Break-Up, Bring it On) is yet another peculiar choice on Marvel’s part, but it pays off. The scenes of miniature Scott are slightly reminiscent of Honey I shrunk the Kids, but they are much, much more fun.

Paul Rudd is an interesting casting choice for the protagonist, but, like Iron Man’s Robert Downey Jr., he is an everyman. His back story is a bit less glamorous, and without superpowers, it’s a hero that audiences can root for. Where I found myself a bit torn is in the evolution process from nice guy thief who is just the victim of his own circumstances, to the one man who can save the world with his skills and intellect. It’s just a bit unbelievable.

By the climax of the film, Darren Cross becomes the Yellowjacket with his own miniaturized suit, and I just didn’t quite buy the two of them doing battle as anything more impressive than a couple of kids fighting over toys (which they literally do near the end). There just isn’t enough real peril for this film to be anything more than an action comedy that is entertaining once you get through the build-up and back story.

Marvel has the genre on lockdown at this point. Finishing phase 2 with Ant-Man, and moving into phase 3 with next year’s Captain America: Civil War, and no fewer than eleven more films lined up over the next five years, this will likely become the most successful movie studio in town for the foreseeable future (until James Cameron’s Avatar 2, 3, 4 come out). They are bringing Spider-Man back into the Avengers universe, and have the parallel X-Men, and Fantastic Four franchises that offer an interesting opportunity for some more character crossovers.

I am impressed with the studio’s patience and vision. Sending Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, and The Hulk out to pasture in deference to the next generation of heroes will keep things fresh and interesting. We are seeing just about every actor around given the opportunity to play a superhero, and until audiences tire of it, I don’t see this trend stopping anytime soon. The question is; when will Marvel try something more critically ambitious, like Chris Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy?

Ant-Man might not be the best of the bunch, or even near the middle of the pile, but he will be a fun addition to the New Avengers, and shrinking and growing and controlling ants is nothing short of fun. 6/10.