By Keeva Stratton
If the thought of seeing a film about a grown man running around as an ant-sized superhero seems a little too Honey I Shrunk the Kids, you’re not alone—but, surprisingly, it’s good; very good, in fact.
In the inexorably expanding Marvel Universe, we are given yet another establishing character film. Ant-Man, who was a minor character in the original comic universe, has been given his feature moment at the hands of Paul Rudd as the ex-con, Scott Lang, trying to make good.
Lang is desperately trying to rebuild his life after a Robin Hood style crime saw him imprisoned. His young daughter misses her dad, but unless he can hold down a steady job, it will be hard for her mum to trust him with her care.
Without hope of regular employment, but with clear talents in breaking and entering, he falls under the guidance of former Ant-Man and scientist Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and his daughter Hope (Evangeline Lily), who isn’t too happy with the appointment, as she desperately wants to take up her father’s mantle.
Pym needs Lang to help him break into his former company, where the current director Darren Cross (Corey Stoll) is close to uncovering the secrets of Ant-Man, which he intends to sell as a weapon to interested (if not savoury) parties.
While ultimately there is the need to save the world, the film is essentially a heist flick, bringing a more Ocean’s 11 or Mission Impossible feel to this superhero instalment.
The secondary characters give it good humour, but it’s the dry wit of Michael Douglas that carries this film and has us accepting its central premise with ease. Rudd is as Paul Rudd always is—affable and self observant, and Evangeline Lilly offers a savvy female counterpart.
Ant-Man may come with one of the most fantastical character premises, but the delivery of the film is oddly less embellished than others in the Marvel franchise. It’s more about science than super-powers, and more about clever laughs than action.
It’s a meshing of genres that works thanks to the wonderful talent delivering it. Go see it, if you’re after a bit of fun.
Directed by: Peyton Reed
Starring: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Corey Stoll, Evangeline Lilly
Rating: PG
Runtime: 117 mins
Release Date: July 16
Reviewer rating: 4/5