ANTMAN (2015 - SUPERHERO FLICK) **** out of ***** OR 8 out of 10
(Here we go again. Again)
CAST: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly, Corey Stoll, Anthony Mackie, Bobby Cannavale, Michael Pena, T.I. Harris, Judy Greer, Abby Fortson.
DIRECTOR: Peyton Reed
WARNING: Some SPOILERS and some examples of rather obscure Marvel action heroes straight ahead...
IT'S LIKE THIS: In the annals of Superhero History, there are few as unlikely or WTF-worthy as our next review, ANTMAN. Yes, you read that right. How, may you ask, would a tiny creature as an ant inspire a formidable superhero? Well, ask Scott Lang (Paul Rudd). Poor Scott just can't catch a break despite looking as scrumptious as Paul Rudd. To wit, he's just been paroled from jail after serving time for a "Robin Hood" type of burglary which really proves the old adage that no good deed truly goes unpunished - and the best job he can find is.... scooping ice cream for snot-nosed punks at Baskin-Robbins. Well, it sure beats commiting more burglaries and endangering his parole.
That is, until her learns that will never be able to win joint custody of his beloved daughter Cassie (Abby Forston) from his wages at Baskins. That realization plus the needling of old pal Luis (Michael Pena) and Luis' two idiot sidekicks Kurt & Dave (David Dastmalchian, T.I. Harris) pretty much ensures that our boy Scotty will soon be pulling that trusty ol' balaclava over his gorgeous face again. Sure enough, before you know it, Luis and company send Scott into some mansion in San Francisco to steal something out of a fortified basement room. Except someone is expecting Scott in that house. Someone with an agenda. Someone who needs a volunteer. And before you know it, he turns into... ANTMAN!
Don't ask. Just go see the movie. Paul Rudd is fucking hot in in it.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Along with JURASSIC WORLD & SPY, ANTMAN is easily one of the most enjoyable movies of the summer so far. The latest in Marvel's "shared universe" of superhero flicks (and definitely not the last), ANTMAN benefits greatly from having more of a sense of humor than its brethren. This is largely because of the presence of gifted comic actor Paul Rudd in the lead. While Chris Hemsworth and Chris Evans are fine in the THOR and CAPTAIN AMERICA flicks, neither is really a comedy actor nor are their characters known for being funny. Paul Rudd, on the other hand, has starred in some very funny movies (ROLE MODELS, I LOVE YOU MAN, WANDERLUST, OUR IDIOT BROTHER) and Scott Lang is a laidback, humorous character who echoes Rudd's own personality. This good-natured feel infuses the whole movie, making a very fun experience.
Director Peyton Reed manages to wring some stirring setpieces from the unlikely scenario of a miniscule superhero. That's the best feature of ANTMAN - its constant ability to suprise and give us something new. In an increasingly over-crowded and ever-more stale category as the Superhero sub-genre, that is a very welcome thing.
In addition to the awesome Paul Rudd, the rest of the cast leaves a strong impression. Michael Douglas is his usual delightfully sardonic self as Hank Pym, the "brains" behind the "AntMan" project, while Evangeline Lilly is fetching as his conflicted daughter, Hope. Corey Stoll is both attractive and sinister as Scott Lang's adversary, Darren Cross, who becomes the feared "Yellow-Jacket". The other (besides Rudd) "funny bones" of ANTMAN, though, are Michael Pena, David Dastmalchian, and T.I. Harris as Scott Lang's cronies who come to his aid whenever he needs them - with hilarious results.
All in all, ANTMAN is a bright, engaging addition to the Marvel Universe of Superheroes. One whose inevitable sequels will be awaited eagerly. Along with the sequels to the equally-wonderful JURASSIC WORLD and SPY.
