Score: **** out of ***** (B+)
Directed by Peyton Reed
Starring Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Corey Stoll, Michael Douglas
Running time: 117 minutes
Rated PG-13
Long Story Short: Ant-Man introduces another lesser-known Marvel superhero, one literally overshadowed by the likes of Iron Man and Thor. Positioned as a change of pace film, like last year's Guardians of the Galaxy, Ant-Man's success is driven by Rudd's reluctant and hilarious hero and a refreshingly reduced set of stakes. A well-made film that may not match Marvel's top efforts but also should (non-cynically) appeal to a broad audience.
Scott Lang, released from prison as the film begins, is nevertheless down on his luck. He just wants to start fresh, a life of new possibilities and one that includes his young daughter. Unfortunately he and his wife, who has custody of their child, are divorced, and with his record Scott finds it difficult to keep a job even at Baskin-Robbins. To pay child support so that he can see his daughter, Scott relents and joins his old partners in crime (literally) in robbing a house. Adding to his bad luck, he breaks into a vault to find only an odd suit. Messing around in it the next day, Scott finds that it is no normal suit: it allows the wearer to shrink to the size of an ant. He also soon finds the owner of the suit, who turns out to be less angry about it than he expects.
The suit's owner - and inventor - is a man named Hank Pam, who has kept the suit a secret but has watched with worry the development of a similar technology by his old company. With few alternatives - and with the possibility of becoming worthy of his daughter's adulation - Scott agrees to help Hank try to keep this incredible but dangerous technology out of the wrong hands.
Ant-Man has an impressive cast, full of unexpected but well-chosen actors. Paul Rudd plays the lead as Scott/Ant-Man and the role fits him like a glove, so much so that it's difficult to imagine someone else in his place. Rudd doesn't have to deviate much from his characters' usual quiet, charming, yet (as already mentioned) down-on-his-luck ways. His excellent comic presence is also here, and his own brand of "hero" fits into the Marvel universe. Michael Douglas has the biggest supporting role; my film history is skewed recently enough that I really haven't seen him in much else but he does a great job here. He banters well with Rudd, and also is crucial in driving the superhero plot forward and giving it meaning. His character's daughter, played by Evangeline Lilly, unfortunately doesn't get written beyond the tough-but-skeptical heroine cliche. There's plenty of room for growth there. Corey Stoll plays a solid but unmemorable villain (Marvel's specialty, it seems). Rounding it out are Scott's old cronies, led by Michael Pena; they, particularly Pena, provide excellent comedy but also good hearted partnership; and a small but important scene with a lesser known Avenger.
This is Marvel's "goofy" (read: not guaranteed box-office smash) release of the summer, following last year's Guardians of the Galaxy which, of course, went on to be the #3 grossing film of the year. Ant-Man, with smaller stakes, (slightly) smaller star power in the cast, and smaller fireworks, is an even bigger exception than Guardians. Without size and quantity, Ant-Man depended on the quality of its creativity, and it largely succeeds. The backbone, its story and writing, are strong overall, especially in the first half. We get tantalizing hints at the superhero nature of the film, before concentrating on Scott. The main character here has the advantage of not being heroic (if anything, apathetic) yet also likable, thanks largely to Rudd. His personal life and troubles are handled well (Hank and his daughter's, less so). With Rudd as lead, comedy is of course a central theme and quite well done, everything from the aforementioned Baskin-Robbins to my old childhood buddy, Thomas the Tank Engine. The superhero stuff eventually filters back in, wisely not trying too hard for "big reveals" but also keeping it relatively subtle. We get a brief (if familiar) training period before the inevitable action-based final act. The effects are done well and creatively - especially when mixed with comedy - but I wasn't all that impressed by the scale or creativity (possibly because of my headache and tiredness). The film is somewhat too long, as superhero films often are; I would've cut down especially on the last act, but it's nevertheless entertaining throughout.
***
Ant-Man may not be yet another "A" film to join the ridiculous parade of such films this summer, but it is just what it needs to be. I've wavered between a "B" and an "A-" on this one, so I think a "B+" is about right. Taken for the usual superhero elements, Ant-Man is mostly average, with some strengths but also a little disappointing (i.e., the villain). Fortunately, that isn't what Ant-Man is aiming for: it's a more down to earth (no pun intended), comedic and character-driven film. Following the bombastic - though also underrated - Avengers 2, this is a perfect complement. Marvel has shown me that it is both quite savvy at the macro level of filmmaking - tying its films together, in both plot and style, timing their releases well - and simply making quality films every time (certainly making other, lesser movies like the new Spider-Man's stand out as the poorly conceived and executed efforts they are). Ant-Man continues this pattern just fine so I say keep it up! Recommended for a trip to the theater, especially for superhero and/or Rudd fans, of course.
Rolling rankings of the summer's movies (click to go to my reviews):
- Inside Out (A+)
- Tomorrowland (A)
- Jurassic World (A-)
- Spy (A-)
- Mad Max: Fury Road (A-)
- Avengers: Age of Ultron (A-)
- Ant-Man (B+)
- Terminator Genisys (C)
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