Ant Man (2015) Review

Distributors: Marvel Studios, Walt Disney Productions

Starring: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lily, Corey Stoll, Michael Pena

Director: Peyton Reed

Screenplay: Paul Rudd, Edgar Wright, Adam McKay, Joe Cornish

Producers: Kevin Feige, Nira Park

Running Time: 1hr 57m

Release date: July 17th 2015 (UK)

Rating: 12

Ant Man has often been described as the butt of Marvel jokes because of his silly concept and unlikable personality and as such, the movie based on the character has raised some concern to the general movie-going audience, especially as he is in the same universe as the now legendary Avengers. This didn't help when acclaimed director, Edgar Wright dropped out of the movie because of creative conflicts. 'Yes Man' director, Peyton Reed, stepped in and finally, after years of development, we have our 'Ant Man' movie and did it pay off? Hell yeah... for the most part.

What's the story? A scientist named Dr Hank Pym (Douglas) used to be a superhero named Ant Man: a hero who can shrink down to the size of an insect with twice the strength and can also communicate with ants. When SHIELD is after the technology, he retires. Years later, Pym's former protégé, Darren Cross (Stoll), recreates and has weaponised the technology in the form of Yellowjacket whom he plans to sell to evil organisations such as Hydra. When Pym realises this, he recruits a thief name Scott Lang (Rudd) to become the new Ant Man and with the help of Pym's daughter Hope Van Dyme (Lily) and Lang's friend Luis, they go on the heist to steal the Yellowjacket prototype to save the world.

What's great about this movie (besides the shrinking) is the casting. Paul Rudd is great as Scott Lang. He plays the everyman hero complete with a family and the most adorable daughter ever. Rudd brings a warmth to the character as he is funny and heart-warming. In a world full of billionaire playboys, green monsters, Norse Gods, super soldiers from WW2 and aliens, it is nice to see a normal guy become a superhero for once which is what makes Lang a unique character in the MCU.

His story arc is very good as even though he is a thief, his heart is in the right place as he wants to impress his daughter who he currently cannot see unless he can financially support her. This is a brilliant motivation to his character as it emphasises how human Scott Lang is and his moments with his daughter are the emotional highlights of the movie.

Whilst Evangeline Lily plays her role very well, Hope Van Dyme is the weak link of the character. She is a strong female lead and a more capable hero than Lang but that's the problem, she could have easily been the new Ant Man which would've been fine if the movie didn't harp on about it. Van Dyme always says that she could easily be Ant Man (or... woman) and with good reason. She's tough, she's a good fighter and she's already close with the villain so she can do it. Granted there is a good reason why she can't but that's revealed half way through the movie and Pym could've told her this earlier or at the very least, have a good reason why he didn't. That said, the mid-credits sting promises much more of her character which is good.

Douglas is the true star of the movie as he gives an almost Oscar winning performance as Hank Pym. Pym is a broken character as the Ant Man suit and a recent loss has took its toll on him and it is one of the reasons why he stops being Ant Man and also why he has a friction with his daughter. This helps the main theme of legacy as it is too late for Pym to give his daughter the support she needed but not too late for Lang and Pym hopes that the same doesn't happen to Lang's daughter. That doesn't mean he doesn't care for Van Dyme, just think about why he doesn't let her be Ant Man and you will see (though that does contradict the mid-credits scene thinking about it but whatever). Douglas could have easily phoned in his performance but he gives it his all being funny but also playing the role with gravitas that outshines the other actors and actresses.

Darren Cross/Yellowjacket is sadly just another Marvel villain but that is by no means the fault of Corey Stoll. In fact, he makes the character work. He plays Cross with such charm that he is almost likable until he shows how ruthless he is in some of the grossest scenes in the MCU (Daredevil excluded). Honestly, he is more intimidating without the Yellowjacket suit because with it, he is another mad ranting humourless baddie. His motivations are murky as well. Why does he hate Pym? Why is he mad? The movie explains that his brain chemistry was addled by the shrinking technology but we never see him in a suit before the climax so that feels odd, especially as he is evil throughout the film, like I said he is more intimidating without the Yellowjacket suit.

Pena's character, whilst likable and memorable, isn't really that funny and can be annoying at times. That being said, he is likable and there is one moment that most heist movies miss out that makes him great. Plus, how he gets his information is very Edgar Wright in terms of editing and scripts.

The action is phenomenal and some of the best in the MCU with creative uses of both the Ant Man and Yellowjacket suits, the ants and Thomas the Tank Engine. Yes Thomas the Tank Engine is in the Marvel Cinematic Universe... deal with it. The shrinking effects look great as do the ants, especially a flying and called Anthony (geddit?) who if you do not feel sorry for by the end of the movie, then something is clearly wrong with you. There is also a surprise appearance from a certain MCU character in the second act of the movie

The final fight is where this movie elevates to awesomeness with fights inside a helicopter, a suitcase and a child's bedroom complete with a trippy sequence into another dimension. That scene was fun from start to finish to the point where you are left wanting more. And that is the movie's biggest downfall since the amazing stuff is in the final act and even though the first two acts are still well written and acted, they do feel slow and cluttered at points. For example, we see Lang train as Ant Man then we get to some Father-Daughter issues for 5-10 minutes then back to the training. That felt very odd and took away from both moments.

Despite this, 'Ant Man' is an awesome movie with phenomenal action, hilarious scenes, great acting and an entertaining script. The problem is that more was needed. More motivation for the characters and more Ant Man action could have made this one of Marvel's best (though it is in the top 5) and it is curious to see what Edgar Wright could have done but as it is, it's an amazing film that is I would highly recommend. Oh and stay through both credit scenes.

'Ant Man' gets 4 ants out of 5.