Come one come all. Come see the incredible shrinking man. I bring to you Ant-Man. At first glance at the title most people will shy away from wanting to see this movie. But believe me when I say that you will want to look closer.
Ant-Man is the latest superhero addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This film is more of a heist film than it is a typical Marvel superhero film. Think Oceans Eleven meets Spider-man. Ant-Man tells the story of Scott Lang (played by Paul Rudd), a thief who is asked to get into a shrinking suit to help a billionaire scientist (Hank Pym - the original Ant-Man) get back his company and technology from a protege who seeks to use it as a weapon for evil. I like that this story is not an origin story. In this story the Ant-Man has already been saving lives and is a myth among men. The story focuses on Scott Lang who is trying to find redemption and rekindle his relationship with his daughter after serving time in prison. He has a criminal crew with him brilliantly and hilariously played by Michael Pena, T.I. and David Dastmalchian. They are his sidekicks and help him get back into the life of crime but ultimately lead him to the meeting of Hank Pym played by Michael Douglas. Hank Pym who is the original Ant-Man and creator of the suit gives us the origin story while training Scott Lang to become the new Ant-Man. Michael Douglas as Hank Pym is played with so much gravitas. He commands the role. Loved him! We are also introduced to Hank's daughter Hope Van Dyne played by Evangeline Lilly. She was a great addition to the story-line as she plays the part of someone who is trying to connect back to her father as well as service the new protege taking over her father's company. The villain Darren Cross AKA YellowJacket played by Corey Stoll felt kinda flat to me. Aside from Loki, Marvel has a problem with really grasping at a good villain and giving them a strong enough reason to turn to evil.
Other than the villain the characters in this film are so well balanced. The amount of humor that each character brings to table is astounding. Michael Pena stole the scenes that he was in each time. At first I was kind of worried that he would get on my nerves but by the middle of the film, I was wanting more. I can't count the amount of times throughout this film that the audience was laughing hysterically. The film is played up more of a comedy than it it is a typical superhero action flick. I feel this approach was a great way to bring the general audience into this "tiny" universe along with the comic book fans. It's has a very simple plot and the paint by numbers good vs evil scenario. I love that! It doesn't play up to be this over the top action drag out movie. It's just complete fun!! If you are coming off of a Avengers: Age of Ultron high then this is a completely different pace and might throw you off. The handling of the shrinking scenes with macro photography was so good. It brings you into the world of the ants and small adventures. The action sequences, the technique of the shrinking technology works and CG of the ants were so awesome! There are tons of easter eggs in the movie for comic book fans and the director reminds us of the connecting Marvel films very well without beating everyone over the head with it. Make sure to stay to the complete end credits to see two post-credit Marvel scenes.
This movie is in my top 3 standalone Marvel superhero films along with Captain America: Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy. It brings tons of fun and action to the film and gives the general audience a new take on a superhero. The villain needed some work and some would say that the pacing could have been sped up some in the beginning. But overall it is a fun ride to be had by others. I can't wait to see this again!
So should you come to the circus to see the incredible shrinking man....oh yeah!!!
4 1/2 Stars.
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