Directed By: Peyton Reed
Written By: Paul Rudd, Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers, Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari
Based On Characters Created By: Stan Lee, Jack Kirby & Larry Lieber
Cinematography By: Dante Spinotti
Editor: Dan Lebental & Craig Wood
Cast: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lily, Michael Douglas, Michael Pena, Walton Goggins, Laurence Fishburne, Michelle Pfeiffer, Hannah John-Kamen, Randall Park, Judy Greer, Bobby Cannavale, Tip T.I. Harris, David Dastmalchain
In the aftermath of CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, Scott Lang grapples with the consequences of his choices as both a superhero and a father. As he struggles to rebalance his home life with his responsibilities as Ant-Man, he's confronted by Hope van Dyne and Dr. Hank Pym with an urgent new mission. Scott must once again put on the suit and learn to fight alongside The Wasp as the team works together to uncover secrets from their past.
The first film ANT-MAN was more built like a superhero movie set around a heist or heists. This film is more of an adventure and not structured as tightly.
It still provides the same energy and comes off more comedic at times then most of these films. As this film has the adventure but never an over abundance of danger and doom that the other films usually in the marvel canon have. So in other words this film offers more of the same.
So far this series of films has never been built on the strength of it’s villains. They come off as encasing but never very memorable.
This films villains is more of a team up. Where as you have one set that are on a mission to find a cure. They have a questionable moral code. The other villains seem more tacked on and menacing but also more just to throw a wrench in plans that the main heroes have in try by to get to the phantom realm and save Hank Pym’s wife who is stuck there.
The film manages to have it’s own identity but also fit into the continuing series of marvel films. It also is one of the movies of the series that feels the most like a comic book. Full of fun and adventure though lighthearted throughout.
Paul Rudd is still strong as the lead by man here. Which comes off as an Everyman who just happens to do and fall into extraordinary things. What can be appreciated is that his character isn’t a genius or necessarily all that heroic he is just an average guy who leads with his heart and more or less falls into things.
Wish the film had more room for Michael Pena’s character and his security associates. They are here but used much less and it’s a shame and understandable. It’s just a shame as Michael Pena’s character was such a breakout and made the first film memorable. He steals the show really playing up the comedic side kick angle
While it is nice to see Michelle Pfeiffer in this move though her role is crucial it more plays like an extended cameo or a small supporting role. It also seems that with her and Laurence fishburne in the cast. The film feels a bit stronger and more distinguished.
The villain here is mainly out of focus her character trying to get back in focus before she is literally phased out. As she is not quite sharp and finds it hard to be real and steady. Which also explains her character as far as the script goes it at least how she is written. She is supposed to be the main villain but comes off more as someone trying to survive not necessarily by the best means and if anything just happens to fall into the heroes plans. As she needs the technology and know how to become whole Again. So while most villains do have a tragic story and you can find some sympathy. They also usually have a point of no return in thinking and actions. Where as here the villain seems more just trying to survive. Not making anyone else suffer or trying to take over anything. By the end she is the stronger enemy but still feels more just added so that any man and wasp can face a more powerful enemy then just mob thugs. Who are the other villains of note in this film.
It’s nice that the film gives us a female superhero who is quite frankly tougher than then main hero but also they make her so serious. That she seems to appreciate humor while not having a sense of humor herself. I can understand to make her the grounded one and then put forth the opposites attract theory. But they also invest her with very little personality and seems there to add the more emotional moments of the movie other then the hand to hand fighting sequences. It just comes across that the all male screenwriters use her more as a device then as a character or person to write for and to.
The film ends up being more of a screwball comedy with fantasy action adventure with the prim and proper Big Bang of action sequences.
When it comes to not being able to control his size during parts of the movie. Is it really a kind of sly comment in the size of films like these productions?
As a former comic book collector myself. I Remember every week going to buy my allotment of selections and how there would be major issues of battle and development, but also there would be filler issues that might be leading up to something bigger hopefully or a one off with a brand new villain of the week. Sort of like when watching Wrestling and it’ s a superstar vs an amateur usually on the television weekly special. Basically filler until the pay per view event. This movie while fun feels more like filler.
While I will say the main villain with a cause is kind of weak. The actress playing her is so attractive that it becomes a bit of a distraction. Which might help certain audience members to more care about her cause or at least not be as against her character.
The film is pretty cut and dry not too much nuance. If anything this film is just fun.
Grade: B-
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