Small Hero, Big Impact!!! Marvel’s Miniature Heist Film is a Satisfying Conclusion To Phase 2!!!!
By: Brandon Porter
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| Thief, Hero, Avenger. Scott Lang aka Ant-Man |
Story
Everyone
has the chance to make themselves into something better than they were before.
All that person needs is a second chance. Notorious thief and hacker Scott Lang
(Paul Rudd) gets his chance at redemption with the help of a mysterious ally.
Inventor and genius Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) uncovers a weaponized
prototype at his own company, he enlist the help of Lang to recover the weapon
for it could spell doom for the entire world if put in the wrong hands. With
Hank’s assistant Hope (Evangeline Lilly), Lang’s crew (Michael Pena, Tip
Harris, and David Dastmalchian), and a powerful shrinking suit, Lang goes on a
daring mission to save the city and soon rises to become one of the world’s most
powerful heroes…The….Ant-Man?!!!!...Is it too late to change the name?
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| Scott, Dr. Pym, and Hope go over the plan at Pym's secret hideout |
Analysis
As Marvel revealed their plan for Phase 2, one of the films
that stood out was Ant-Man. Being that Ant-Man is historically one of the
founding members of the Avengers, people were interested but incredibly skeptical
about this character being brought to life on screen. After a passably successful
performance from Avengers Age of Ultron
two months ago, audiences were eager to see how marvel would close out Phase 2
of the ever expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe. After the films over the
weekend, the film performed very well financially and very strong critically.
The filmed earned a surprisingly strong 79% certified fresh rating from critics
and an enormously strong audience response of 92% fresh from audiences. This is
a surprisingly critical response for it shows Ant-Man having a stronger and
more positive critical ratings than Age of Ultron. Financially, Ant-Man
performed well capturing #1 at the box office with $58 million and $56.4 million
overseas for an overall worldwide total of $114.4 million. Though not as big of
a financial monster as its previous MCU predecessors, Ant-Man continues Marvel’s
streak of #1 box office spots. With this film putting the close of Phase 2,
focus now seems to be shifting toward Ant-Man’s next endeavor in 2016’s Civil
War.
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| Tremble in terror at the most fearsome weapon ever used. |
Review
At
first glance, I had no initial interest in Ant-Man. I was aware about how
important the character was to the Marvel Comics but it didn’t have the appeal
or fanfare that the other Marvel characters or the other movies. Then again,
Guardians of The Galaxy was in the same situation and became one of the most
talked about movies of 2014. I decided to give it a chance and caught it in
IMAX 3D. The movie exceeded my expectations entirely. Marvel once again
delivers a unique, fun, and highly entertaining addition to the MCU that stands
on its own among the other films in the Cinematic Universe. Marvel has
earned a reputation for trying different things and testing the waters and as a
result have a variety of films within their Universe that can fit into different genres. They have
their political thriller in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, their cosmic
space opera in Guardians of the Galaxy, and their folk legend epic in the Thor
films. With Ant-Man, the movie serves as the studios first ever Heist film and
helps the movie become a stand out amongst the other MCU movies. In terms of
the cast, they are a joy to watch. Paul Rudd is fantastic as Scott Lang. He
gives the character such charm and likability that you can’t help but root for
him. I’m ecstatic that he is apart of the MCU and that he’ll play a bigger role
in future Marvel films. Michael Douglas is great in his role as Hank Pym. I can
clearly see his perfected craft as an actor and he is a true pro on
screen. Evangeline Lilly is equally solid as Hope Pym. She joins the ranks as
one of the Marvel Cinematic Universes various strong female protagonists. Lilly
is a delight in the role and there are subtle hints that her involvement in the
MCU will be expanding in Phase 3. The supporting cast of TI, Bobby Cannavale,
and Michael Pena pull their fair share of the weight with Pena delivering the
film’s best comedic gags. Action wise, as I said before, Ant-Man is Marvel’s
heist film, so the movie features some slow but great heist sequences before concluding
with a loaded final showdown. Overall, I came into this movie with rather low
expectations which is surprising given this is a Marvel movie. Fortunately, Marvel
Studios delivered a unique and fun film that is just as heartfelt and engaging
their other movies. Let’s hope the can keep that mojo going as they set their
sights to Marvel Phase 3.
Rating and Final Thoughts
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With Phase 2 in the books, dark times are preparing to descend
on the MCU as a monumental event prepares to take place that promises to be the biggest showdown since the
invasion of New York.
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