Ant-Man is one of Marvel’s finest films. Filled with humor,
heart, and a heist, Ant-Man delivers on all fronts and brings plenty of
surprises along for the ride.
Ant-Man is one of the forgotten properties of Marvel. Making
his first appearance in the 60’s, Ant-Man was one of the founding members of
the Avengers. With the ability to shrink to the size of an ant and communicate with
his name sake, Ant-Man was kind of a strange hero to sell. A morally grounded
scientist with absurd powers. However, we are talking about a group of heroes
with an egotistical billionaire in a suit, a Norse God, an assassin, an expert
archer, a super soldier, and a scientist who has anger issues, Ant-Man really
doesn’t seem all that strange when put into perspective.
Where the movie succeeds is not over explaining Ant-Man’s
powers. Hank Pym, the creator of Pym particles and Pym Technologies, discovered
a way to shrink the distance between atoms, decreasing the objects size. The
technology was going to fall into the wrong hands so he hid it for years. Until
someone else discovers it and now he must stop them from selling the technology
to the highest bidder. That’s the generally plot of the movie. Nothing terrible
original but the way it is presented is unique and unexpected. However, the
movie is not bogged down in the science, but in the story of Hank Pym and Scott
Lange, two of the Ant-Men.
Hank and Pym are both tragic characters, trying to do good
in a world that just won’t let them succeed. Both have families they are trying
to save, both for themselves and from themselves. Rather than the big spectacle
like Iron Man or Captain America, Ant-Man hits closest to home, with family and
redemption being the central theme. Everyone deserves a second chance. While
Hank Pym’s story is more heart-breaking than Langs, we feel for both characters
and want them to return to the family they used to know.
The ants are a highlight of the movie. Each species gets a
great introduction in a montage while Ant-Man trains to fight and control the
suit. They are as much as a character in the movie as Pym and Lang. They are
presented as cute but formidable and make the most enduring chirping noises. They are believable and the special effects
are phenomenal. It may turn some people
off from the movie but the ants literally save the day!
There are plenty of surprises along the way, which I won’t
spoil here. The humor was spot on, breaking tension and diffusing emotional scenes.
It is one of the strongest aspects of the movie and sets it on par with
Guardians of the Galaxy. It was refreshing after the heavy hitter that was
Ultron, and yes, we don’t forget about those events in this movie.
Stay for themed credits scene.
Stay for the post credits scene.
Overall, Ant-Man is a triumph. It is easily one of my favorite
Marvel movies and I cannot wait for Scott Lang to make an appearance in Civil
War. Bigger is not always better and Ant-Man proves that a good hero with a
good hear and ant friends can save the day, whether it be for the whole world
or a single family. Go see Ant-Man on July 17th!
I highly recommend it in 3D!
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