'Ant-Man' A Review

Ant-Man is a Marvel superhero movie about a cat burglar released from prison who gets the opportunity to redeem himself and reestablish a relationship with his estranged daughter. In the 80's Hank Pym(Michael Douglas) discovered the Pym-particle which he used to create a suit which enabled him to shrink as well as multiply his strength. Pym kept the science behind the particle and the suit secret as a matter of security. Years later one of his disgruntled proteges Darren Cross(Corey Stoll) has discovered the particle and is creating his own suit with the intent to selling it to the highest bidder. Pym with the help of his daughter Hope(Evangeline Lily) recruit ex-con Scott Lang(Paul Rudd) to wear the Ant-Man suit and steal the suit being created by Cross.

It is impossible not to compare superhero movies given the gluttonous number of them being released as well as Marvel's continued misguided quest to shoehorn each movie into the same universe. So, comparatively Ant-Man's small scale is refreshing. It is not an explosive spectacle but a heist movie. Humor, personality, and fun with the shrinking visuals propel the movie as opposed to elongated CGI carnage and hyperbolic world-ending catastrophes.

Rudd as the titular hero displays his characteristic charm although his inherent humor is a bit underutilized. The most engaging aspect of the movie is Rudd's relationship with his three ex-con friends most specifically Michael Pena who steals all of his scenes with an infectious childlike optimism and sense of play. The diverse casting paired with unstereotypical characters are one of the major refreshing elements of the movie.

Refreshing when put into the Marvel context but lacking significant laughs or heart as a stand alone.

Rent It.