Say what you want about Marvel, but they know how to make a fun movie. There are a lot of critics who love to blast Marvel as a blockbuster making machine that produces nothing but high budget, super hero schlock and from their perspective, they are correct. However; one thing you can’t say about Marvel is that they are afraid to take risks. The multi-movie story franchise was a Marvel innovation from the very beginning. While most studios would have been content to crank out the exact same formula until the well runs dry, Marvel takes chances and, for some reason, the naysayers are salivating for Marvel to fail. It hasn’t happened yet. Critics predicted (hoped) that last year’s Guardians of the Galaxy, about an unknown ragtag group of aliens that the mainstream knew nothing about, would mark the end of the Marvel machine, but it turned out to be the highest grossing film of the year. Likewise now, a film about a tertiary Marvel hero with ridiculous powers, shrinking, has bloggers searching for the chink in the Marvel armor. After Friday’s box office results and a projected $80 million opening weekend, the headlines read “Ant-Man has second lowest opening weekend for Marvel”. Really? In what other universe does an $80 million opening weekend constitute a failure?.
‘Ant-Man’ is a much smaller (pun intended) movie than its’ blockbuster brethren and not a typical superhero movie. I applaud Marvel for giving us something different, yet still weaving it seamlessly into the broader Marvel universe. This is a much lighter and fun movie that goes for a younger demographic, but is still fun for all ages. Instead of a super-hero, we have a reformed cat burglar who is in no way looking to be a hero. His goal is not to save the world rather find a way to be with his daughter. The movie had a feeling of a cross between ‘Honey, I Shrunk the Kids’ and ‘Iron Man’. The difference is that special effects have exponentially improved since 1994 and some of the effects of the world from a miniature perspective are truly awe inspiring.
Marvel has never been afraid to mess with the comics storyline orthodoxy. Currently, even in the comics, the company is changing the story line of characters that have been around for over 50 years. It has to be changed and rebooted to remain relevant. I’m a purist as much as the next comic geek, but there comes a time when characters and stories need to be brought up to the current time. In this case, the story centers on Scott Lang (Paul Rudd), a down-on-his-luck father, just out of prison and looking for a way to earn enough money to be able to see his daughter again and be a part of her life. During a bungled burglary attempt, he inadvertently steals a mysterious suit belonging to the reclusive inventor, Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglass, still showing that he can do an action film). Hank was already in turmoil as his protege, Darren Cross (Corey Stoll) has cracked the secret to his shrinking technology and is seeking to weaponize it to make his fortune. Desperate to stop this, Hank recognizes the burglary talents of Scott and recruits him to break into Cross’s labs and steal his prototype suit and destroy all the research located there.
At its’ core, this is an exciting heist movie with a super hero twist, but it also has the heart of a family movie as well. Hank Pym’s estranged daughter, Hope (Evangeline Lily) is now CEO of Cross industries and Hank’s attempts at reconciliation with her are some of the most touching moments in the movie. Likewise, Scott’s desperation and the lengths he will go to be a part of his daughter’s life are equally touching and provides the driving force for the movie. Despite all this, it is a fun and funny movie with Paul Rudd being an inspired choice for someone who brings both comedy and action to the role. The special effects are truly awe inspiring and the pseudo-science involving controlling ants is fun if not a strain on credulity.
Despite the different tone, this is a Marvel movie and part of the greater Marvel universe, so many cameos and Easter eggs are scattered throughout. One of the best fight scenes in the movie involves Ant-man breaking into the Avenger’s headquarters and fighting the Avenger he finds there. Frequent Avenger references and two great post credit scenes assure us that Ant-man will be an integral part of the Marvel universe in the future. As always, keep your eyes open for a cameo by the 92 year old Marvel comics founder, Stan Lee.
Of all the Marvel films, I feel this is the most kid friendly, but don’t think this doesn’t have something for everyone. This will not be a record breaking blockbuster, but it will do well and be another building block in the Marvel universe. This is a perfect Saturday morning matinee to bring the kids and enjoy it thoroughly yourself.
I give this film *** stars
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