Marvel Studios has an unparalleled record for introducing superheroes that the audience at large has never heard of — Guardians of the Galaxy, anyone? So it was with great anticipation that The Movie Mensch sauntered into the theater to witness their latest cinematic comic book introduction, Ant-Man.
What Ant-Man is, more than anything, is the funniest and most child-friendly Marvel film to date. Don’t get us wrong, this is not a kid’s movie. But the youngest of the audiences out there will have a blast. And with the combination of funnyman Paul Rudd as the title character and Adam McKay serving as a co-writer (with Rudd, Joe Cornish and Edgar Wright), there is humor around every turn.
Again, let’s not confuse you… this is not a straight comedy. There is just a fair amount of humor and levity that intertwines with the breathtaking action from director Peyton Reed (The Break-Up).
Rudd stars as Scott Lang, a thief who is about to get out of San Quentin prison when we meet him. He’s served his time for a Robin Hood-type hacking crime that although noble, took him away from his young daughter and ruined his marriage. Out of prison, he’s determined to start anew. But, finding a job for an ex-con is quite difficult. So, what’s a guy to do that wants to earn the child support money he needs to see his little girl? He returns to stealing with his crew (which includes T.I., Michael Pena and David Dastmalchian).
They break into Dr. Hank Pym’s (Michael Douglas) house looking for promised riches behind the safe’s walls. Instead, it’s nothing but a goofy looking suit that might be used by a motorcyclist?! Lang takes the suit, pissed, and heads home regretting that he thought he could get back into a life of crime.
Then, he tries the suit on… and he shrinks… and Douglas talks to him through an ear piece. The whole thing was a set-up. Douglas needs Lang to be the Ant-Man and infiltrate his former company to steal another suit that Pym’s former protégée (Corey Stoll) has made (the Yellowjacket suit) that he plans on using for world domination.
Also along for the thrilling ride is Evangeline Lilly as Hope Van Dyne, Pym’s daughter and the one charged with training Lang for the big mission.
What is so fascinating about the idea of Ant-Man is not only is he as small as an ant, which allows him to go anywhere and get in anywhere, but Lang’s strength and speed multiplies in the process. He also learns to use an ability to control ants and orchestrate their labor for his benefit.
Reed clearly did his research when it came to ants! There are numerous varieties that specialize in a myriad of things which helps Lang and the team in their effort. The way that that is interwoven into the story is nothing short of a brilliant use of science meets plot necessity.
Rudd is fantastic. Much like Chris Pratt did with Star Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy, Rudd is equally as adept at humor as he is with the heroics. We could not be more thrilled for the actor who first impressed us two decades ago in Clueless. Lilly is a fine addition and she and Douglas combine with Rudd to make quite a trio of emotional power that gives us all the reasons we need to cheer for this team to succeed.
Then there’s Pena. He is the humor king in Ant-Man… even more so than Rudd! He steals practically every scene he is in and charms us throughout.
Reed was the second choice to direct, after Wright backed out. But, he’s no second fiddle. He manages to helm this Marvel movie with an extremely even hand that has it right up there in the fun department with Guardians of the Galaxy, although not quite as joyous.
See, Ant-Man has a lot of heart. This is also a story about fathers and daughters. Between Lang and his daughter and Pym and Van Dyne, there are layers of familial complexity that make Ant-Man a unique experience emotionally in the Marvel canon.
Grade: A-