Director: Peyton Reed
By Alex Watson
Once more the Marvel universe reminds us just how entertaining and original their creations can be and Peyton Reed's adaptation of Ant-Man is another slum dunk. After spending time in development hell since 2006 (which saw original director Edgar Wright depart), the wait has been a worthwhile one and this year we have this summer's finest blockbuster so far. After the big and slightly overblown spectacle that has become Marvel's trademark, Reed cleverly mixes through formula's and delivers something delightfully new.
Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is a former technician turned thief who has recently been released from jail. Hoping to turn over a new leaf, he finds his chances limited as an ex-con. Out of the blue, things take a drastic turn when he is recruited by inventor Hank Pym (Michael Douglas). Through this meeting, Pym convinces him to take on his old persona, Ant-Man. A superhero who can shrink to miniscule size and communicate with Ants. Seizing his chance to go straight, Scott faces competition from Hank's protege turned nemesis, Darren Cross (Corey Stoll).
Ant-Man is a gleeful throw back to old days when Marvel movies were just pure fun. An unlikely choice for director, Reed makes this movie part comedy, part action thriller and part heist movie. Together combined with a great leading turn makes for an engaging new hero. Scott Lang isn't the most original character this universe has created, but he is certainly one of the most likeable. At the centre he holds the movie together well as the shrinking hero alongside the world weary Pym and his dismissive yet intrigued daughter. Scott is a man whom life turned sour upon him simply doing the right thing (albeit overblown) and he was forced to turn to cat burgling to get by. In short, he is a man simply trying to get back to who he was and provide for his daughter. Over the course of two hours he is both a sincere straight man and wonderful comic relief that makes us pray for a sequel to come soon.
Story wise there is nothing really ground breaking, Hank and Hope's relationship is on a continual knife edge due her mother's unexplained death. Overlooked in her father's eyes, Hope both resents yet admires Scott for having her father's trust. Villain Darren Cross is a former student who is close to replicating Hank's precious formula for devious means which could have devastating effect. Hank knows the only way to stop things is to steal back his own technology. This section produces a new fresh look at how heists can be thrilling and watching Scott command his ant arm through water mains, cracks in the wall and all in between makes for excellent viewing. Reed here shows great vision and awareness that one may not have guessed from his previous comedic work Yes Man or Bring It On.
Thankfully Ant-Man goes against the Marvel default ending set in the air and instead delivers something all together more memorable. Together we see miniature sized Cross and Scott do battle in a briefcase (hilarious set to Plainsong by The Cure), a backyard during a barbeque and most memorable on the train tracks of a model train set. An unusually comic feel is brought over when you see a giant Thomas The Tank Engine come rushing forward, which looks big and imposing to our heroes. Moments later we see it gently drop to the side with a quiet flop. One of this summers more memorable and original finale's, this tiny hero is the everyman with powers we can all do with. If anyone was fearing the universe becoming boring and predictable, then one is a movie that changes the game.
Paul Rudd was a surprise choice for many, but he is more than up to the task. Bring across his great ordinary guy charm, Rudd convinces well as Scott Lang. Fans of his former work will known he has always been a capable leading man, but it now also seems he is comfortable anchoring a new franchise all together. In a underused but memorable supporting turn, Michael Douglas does well as the troubled Hank Pym. Used to his work being sought after for evil means, Hank is both worried father figure and fierce protector of his work and subjects. Also look out for the standard Avengers cameo, this one might surprise you a little.
Ant-Man proves that there is indeed room in the Avengers empire for the little guys (literally in Scott's case) and we now have one hero that could well breathe fresh life into this franchise. For summer's most fun and silly experience, look right here.
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