Can The Tiniest Hero Make A Big Impact?

Rating: Null/10 (22 November 2018)

As Phase Two of the MCU came to a conclusion, Marvel decided to sneak in one last movie before it officially ended. Ant-Man has been in development Hell for years, it had originally been planned to come out in Phase One. But what we got was a funny Phase Two movie with really likeable characters.
Originally Edgar Wright (director of Shaun of the Dead, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, and Baby Driver) was directing this film. But Marvel wanted to put connections to the other films in the universe in there, so he left. Marvel hired Peyton Reed instead, and he did a pretty good job in my opinion, but I would've loved to had seen what Wright would've brought to the table.
The cast is very good, with a likeable charm to most of the main characters. Paul Rudd is very charming, and his goal to make his daughter proud is very well done. He is also very funny. Michael Douglas is great as Hank Pym, this mentor to Scott with an estranged relationship with everyone else in his life. Evangeline Lily is great as Hope van Dyne, who really shows that she should be wearing the suit, which makes it very satisfying when she does in the sequel. Corey Stroll is fine, unfortunately another forgettable villain. Michael Peña is very funny as Luis, and his flashbacks are comedic highlights. The cameo from Falcon is also done very well and is a very entertaining fight scene.
The writing is very comedic throughout the film, but it does have a good heart to it. The father-daughter relationship of both Scott and Cassie and Hope and Hank is done very well, and is very touching. The film is very funny as stated, and self aware about how goofy it's premise is. You can tell some scenes are leftovers from Wright's script though. It also follows a formula very similiar to Iron Man.
The effects are cartoony, but very well done. The first scene when Scott shrinks is amazing to look at, and every shrink scene afterwards is just as good. The final fight between Ant-Man and Yellowjacket is so entertaining, just taking place in a children's play set is awesome. The effects are great.
Ant-Man is the little movie that could, pun intended. The somewhat formulaic plot and weak villain are carried by one of the most likeable solo film casts in the whole MCU. Ant-Man is just a fun side film, and it relishes in that fact.
7/10