Directed by Peyton Reed
Written by Edgar Wright, Joe Cornish, Adam McKay and Paul Rudd
Starring Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, and Evangeline Lilly
‘As Entertaining as Movies Get’
Over the last few years, superhero movies have followed a familiar formula. Aimed at youngsters, comic-book fans and those looking to pass-time, these movies have been created for one purpose only: to generate money at the box-office. Audiences have gotten exactly what they have expected: muscular heroes, a damsel in distress and an ending where the hero defeats the villain. As a result, this has divided the opinions of audiences down the middle. These types of films have fulfilled the appetite of those looking to pass-time. On the other hand, however, movie-goers looking for originality, creativity or something fresh have been left disappointed.
Every once in a while there have been exceptions to this trend; superhero movies that have managed to meet the expectations of both critical and commercial audiences. Take into account, 2008’s “The Dark Knight”, a groundbreaking movie which set the bar high for films of this genre. Not only was it entertaining, but a movie that represented a step forward for superhero films through its realism and unforgettable villains (ex. the Joker). Ever since, however, few movies have lived up to that standard. Nowadays, it’s rare, only once-in-a-blue-moon that you come across superhero movies which are more than pass-time entertainment.
Although not nearly as memorable or game-changing as the “The Dark Knight”, Marvel’s “Ant-Man” is a unique film that stands out in this genre. In contrast to Christopher Nolan’s dark and gritty take on superheroes, this is a light-hearted summer blockbuster that offers consistent laughs from start to finish. Elevated by relentlessly entertaining action-sequences, stunning visual effects and top-notch performances, it’s pop-corn entertainment that caters not only towards commercial but also critical audiences. For movie-goers that simply want to be entertained, this film offers plenty of thrills which are like an adrenaline rush to the senses. At the same time, though, there’s surprisingly more to “Ant-Man” than just entertainment. Featuring well-developed characters that you come to care about in a heartfelt father-daughter story, it will also appeal towards audiences that are serious about watching movies. The result is a fast-paced roller-coaster ride of a movie that’s a must-see, regardless of whether or not you’re into superheroes.
Even if comic-book movies are not your cup of tea, you may be pleasantly surprised by “Ant-Man”. Although it’s been advertised as a superhero movie with the usual trademarks, ranging from over-the-top action sequences to funny end-credits, this is a nice change of pace from usual comic-book fare. Take away the fact that our hero has special ‘powers’ and wears a funny looking suit, and Peyton Reed’s blockbuster is not strictly a film made for comic-book geeks. Instead, it’s a father-daughter story that’s set in the real world with real stakes, involving flesh-and-blood human beings rather than invincible heroes.
Paul Rudd stars in the lead role as Scott, an unemployed man who provides for his daughter by moonlighting as a thief. Instead of benefiting his family, this life of crime has taken away his job, caused a divorce and landed him in jail. All hope seems to have vanished, until Scott is recruited by a businessman to pull off a heist that could turn his life around. Given a suit that allows him to shrink to the size of an ant, Scott has one last shot to redeem his past mistakes and win over his daughter.
If you think this sounds like a ridiculous premise for a movie, you’re not the only one. When I first heard of the idea behind Marvel’s “Ant-Man”, I must admit that I was slightly skeptical about where they were going with this. Not least because of the title, which is far from appealing. Besides the title, though, the movie seemed like a risk in ways both large and small. My biggest apprehension was that they were bringing to screen a superhero that literally nobody had ever heard about or cared about. Over the past decade, there have been superheroes which have gained popularity. A few notable examples would be Batman, Superman and Spider-Man. These are heroes that movie-goers have grown to love and appreciate over time. Ant-Man, however, doesn’t fall in the same league. Not nearly as well-known or beloved as those heroes, he’s a brand-new character which makes the film a risk in every possible way imaginable.
Success didn’t seem like it was in store for “Ant-Man” back then; let’s just say that it was almost out of the question. Yet, maybe we were being too pessimistic. Because, miraculously director Peyton Reed along with a creative team of writers, have succeeded in bringing this superhero to the big screen. That it ever got made is surprising, but even more of a shocker is that it’s one of the best movies that Marvel has produced as a studio in years. What truly makes Peyton Reed’s blockbuster stand apart from it’s competition is a spot-on sense of humor. Humor has played a role in a few Marvel movies over the years like “The Avengers” and more recently, “The Guardians of the Galaxy”. However, none have been as hilarious to watch as “Ant-Man”. Offering consistently funny jokes throughout, this is a film that has you rolling on the ground with laughter over and over again.
A shout-out must go to the talented writers, because the writing is the main reason why “Ant-Man” is hysterically hilarious to watch. Filled with colorful characters, witty dialogue and jokes that hit the bullseye, the screenplay pokes fun at and acknowledges how silly the idea behind the movie is. We’re not just talking about chuckles every now and then, but consistent out-of-breath laughs that leave your throat aching. Even more impressive is that the jokes don’t rely on crude humor, unlike most comedies these days. It’s refreshing to come across a comedy that chooses to be smart rather than ‘dumbing it down’ for audiences. One of the funniest jokes in the film, for example, is a reference to the movie “Titanic” which relies on the viewer’s knowledge to create humor. As far as superhero movies go, this is as funny as they get.
When you’re not laughing your ass off, however, you surprisingly come to care about the characters in “Ant-Man”. Although the film has been advertised as a comedy, on the flip side of the coin it’s also a character-driven story that tugs at the heartstrings. Scott (aka ‘the Ant Man’) and Hank Pym are two characters that stand out, allowing the viewer to get engaged in the story. Scott has a history of making bad decisions, yet you can’t help but feel sorry for him. All he wants to do is take care of his daughter and be accepted by his family. On the other hand, Hank Pym is a scientist who has a broken relationship with his daughter. He doesn’t allow her to get involved in his risky plans, because he fears that she will suffer from the same fate of his deceased wife. These larger-than-life characters add surprising depth and complexity to what could have otherwise been a run-off-the-mill superhero movie.
Director Peyton Reed has assembled a top-notch cast of actors that bring life and personality to these characters. Each and every star is at the top of their game, and seems to be having a blast of fun. Although these performances are by no means award-worthy, they elevate “Ant-Man” to another level.
Whoever came up with the decision to cast Paul Rudd, a comedic actor, in the lead role is a genius. Not since Robert Downey Jr.’s scene-stealing turn as “Iron Man”, has an actor been so perfectly cast as a superhero. Given that he’s always been a supporting actor, the chances that Rudd would be able to carry such a huge blockbuster as “Ant-Man” seemed slim. Count in the fact that he’s never done a superhero movie before, and this could have been a recipe for disaster. Thankfully, however, he’s the exact opposite: a shining success. Charming, enthusiastic and hard to overlook, Rudd is the ideal actor- maybe the only one- that could have played this role. There are only a handful of actors in the world that are so good at portraying characters that you can’t imagine anyone else in their roles. Paul Rudd is definitely one of them.
Even though he is also a newbie to superhero movies, Michael Douglas delivers one of his most memorable performances in years. It is unusual for an actor of his age to be at the top of their craft, but that’s exactly what makes this old-timer star so impressive. Adding wisdom, heartfelt emotion and the kind of sophistication rarely ever seen in superhero movies today, Douglas has made a stunning comeback to the big-screen after a long time.
As amazing as these actors are, though, it’s hard to ignore the talent of a supporting cast that is equally deserving of recognition. Everyone in the ensemble, from a touching Evangeline Lilly to an unexpectedly funny rapper-turned-actor T.I., gets their moment to shine. The star who steals the show, however, is Michael Pena as an overly excited thief who can’t control his enthusiasm. Providing hilarious comical relief that makes way for the film’s funniest moments, Pena is simply a joy to watch. Whenever he appears on screen, you feel like jumping up and down in joy just like his exuberant character.
As is always the case with superhero movies, “Ant-Man” is a marvel to behold from a technical point-of-view. The visual effects are dazzling, encapsulating the viewer from the first minute to the last. Also used to engage the audience is an upbeat soundtrack, reminiscent of the theme for “Mission Impossible”. Bringing out the energetic mood and ‘feeling’ of the film, the score is perfectly used. Particularly attention-grabbing is the use of a Spanish song in the opening scene; a rather unique way to begin a film.
Despite starting out on a spectacular note, however, unfortunately “Ant-Man” is let down by a predictable ending. Although this is one hell of an entertaining film from start to finish, it ends in a happy-ever-after way that you can see coming from a mile away. Another problem is that the villain is rather forgettable; a step down from what we usually come to expect from superhero movies. Corey Stoll puts his best foot forward in the role, yet his one-dimensional bad-guy doesn’t hold a patch on the best villains (ex. Loki) that Marvel has offered in the past.
Nonetheless, at a perfectly paced running time of 2 hours, chances are that you won’t come across a blockbuster as entertaining as “Ant-Man” this Summer. Not only is it the most fun I’ve had at the movies in a long time, but also one of the most accessible superhero films in recent memory. Even my brother, who was dragged to the film against his wishes, ended up enjoying “Ant-Man”. Considering that he’s the type of person who normally can’t stand superhero movies, that’s saying something.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 
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