Unadulterated entertainer minus all the darkness of a superhero

Rating: 8/10 (6 August 2015)

Analogous to the creation of most superheroes, there is some radical science behind Ant-Man's suit. Dr. Hank Pym invents a serum that can chemically alter the distance between atoms and when introduced through his suit, the wearer simply shrinks to well, ant size. The concept, even by the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) standards, is quite far-fetched to even consider but a credible script and a solid, commanding performance by Michael Douglas as Dr. Hank Pym, makes you believe that those ants can move sugar cubes into your coffee. Director Peyton Reed ("Yes Man", "The Break Up") simplifies a comic book character's origins story, neglecting the usual darkness associated with such backgrounds and makes it a light, fun, family entertainer. Something the MCU has grown out of unfortunately.
The genius mind of Dr. Pym, while proud of its creation, was equally fearful of it being used by the wrong people. With Howard Stark and S.H.I.E.L.D. already in its pursuit, Hank abandons his research, which results in him being ousted from his own company. Years later, it is revealed that his apprentice, Darren Cross (Corey Stoll) is secretly re-inventing the formula for the serum with multiple trials. His desperate ambition is witnessed by Hope (Evangeline Lilly), who is Hank's estranged daughter but an ally to his moral stand in this battle for atomic supremacy. They must find the one who is worthy of carrying the burden. One who also possesses the necessary skills to become an expert burglar when the situation arises. Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) has been in prison for breaking into a very hi-tech facility but is now struggling with finding a job, spending sufficient time with his daughter and of course, monetarily. Here's a simple guy with simple issues that we can relate to, who needs to prove to his daughter that he can be her hero. A ploy involving a break-in at Hank's home reveals the suit to Scott, who at one instance tries it and barely survives water gushing into the bath tub, a growling rat, tumbles through floors, carpets, being sucked into a vacuum and scores of footsteps on a dance floor after being miniaturized. Hank speaks to him through the suit and assures him that once he gains control and understanding of the suit's power, he can be the hero he needs to be and actually make a difference by stopping the real enemy. After some painful practice and learning to communicate with the ants, this superhero can really kick some tiny ass. He will soon have to infiltrate the Pym servers and break into the vault where the serum is stored, before Cross sells it to HYDRA.
There are several easter eggs in the film with references to agencies, an encounter with an Avenger and of course, not 1 but 2 post credit scenes. Ant-Man is one of the original Avengers in the comic series and Peyton Reed acknowledges his strengths. He keeps the story simple, characters uncomplicated and action pertinent. Most of the CGI sequences look credible while the action sequence along the train tracks is fun to watch especially when you watch it from the normal perspective as the toy train simply tumbles off. Thomas the train engine plays a dramatic role which is one of the film's brilliantly imagined scenes. Then there's the weird looking dog bug that randomly pops up. Several sequences are funny the way 'Honey I shrunk the kids' was and that's quite an unavoidable comparison for a movie that's diminutive in a sense.
Paul Rudd isn't the ideal hero. He's not overly muscular, doesn't possess Robert Downey's swag nor Hemsworth's God-like demeanor. But his inability to relate to any of those action heroes is precisely what works for Ant-Man. The responsibility of wearing the suit came upon him. It clearly wasn't his first choice even though he eventually adopted it like a hero should. That just makes him a charming protagonist for whom burglary is his top skill. He won't head a team against an alien invasion but he could possibly break into the mothership's mainframe unnoticed and take the whole thing down. Michael Douglas makes Ant-Man believable. His conviction in his science, communication with the ants and the importance of such technology remaining hidden from society's evils, is what enables such belief. His part failure as a husband and father, together with his weakness against Cross' power is well conveyed in his expressive performance. Evangeline Lilly looks stunning in a bob-cut and her emotions are spot-on especially in the scene where her mother's true tragedy is revealed. Big spoiler at the end for her too. The most entertaining side-kick performance has to be of Michael Pena. He is hilarious in every scene and the ones where he narrates recent secretive conversations in flashback are among the movie's highlights. His comic timing is impeccable and is a welcome addition to the Marvel side- kick universe.
For all the darkness and destruction that Marvel usually brings on screen, Ant-Man is not only a welcome relief but an entertaining one at that. The one true family viewing of a superhero movie that is unadulterated fun. Could it have been more than just that? Certainly and it did have the potential to take everything up a notch. Do we need a stand alone sequel to the tiniest superhero? Perhaps not, but we would enjoy him as a worthy Avenger who can lighten things up.
8.352 on a scale of 1-10.