ANT-MAN Proves Marvel Doesn't Have To Go Bigger And Louder.

Ant-Man

Director: Peyton Reed

Cast: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Corey Stoll, Michael Peña, Bobby Cannavale, and Michael Douglas.

Rated PG-13 sci-fi action violence.

People should probably just stop doubting Marvel Studios. No one will argue the studio's monetary success, many will even claim the majority of these films are critically sound, and yet whenever Marvel attempts something unusual or risky, e.g. Guardians of the Galaxy, many have falsely predicted the studio's eventual downfall. Well, plenty of people, critics and fans alike, were sure Ant-Man would be the first crack in a strong foundation. I was skeptical myself, but really people, let's just let Marvel do their thing, because Ant-Man is loads of fun.

Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is a smart, but unlucky thief who wants to put his life of crime and mistakes behind him, so he can focus on being the man his daughter thinks he is. When life gives Scott a second chance, courtesy of the retired Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglass), he must embrace the hero that's inside him and help Dr. Pym keep his research from getting into the wrong hands; of course, with a little help from a shrinking suit and an army of ants.

Those who follow the Marvel films closely know that Ant-Man has had a rough journey to the big screen. Fan-favorite director, Edgar Wright, was attached to write and direct the project for a number of years, back when the MCU was still in its infancy. It gained some traction once Marvel produced hit after hit, then Paul Rudd was cast in the titular role in 2013 and everything seemed to be going smoothly. However, Wright's vision of Ant-Man no longer fit in the connected universe that the studio had established. Wright left the film over creative differences, and Peyton Reed was brought in to direct. Reed isn't exactly known for his glowing filmography (The Break-Up, Down with Love), so many fans were concerned the film would end up being a disaster.

We'll never know what Wright's film would've been like, which is a shame. However, the Ant-Man we do have is pure entertainment. The story is quite simple and, at its core, one we've seen before. Nevertheless, it's a formula that works when executed well. Fortunately, Marvel has wisely cast its lesser-known properties. How do you get fans to embrace a hero who can shrink to the size of an ant or a human thrown into a wacky space adventure with aliens? Well, you cast two actors who are almost impossible not to like: Paul Rudd in Ant-Man and Chris Pratt in Guardians of the Galaxy. A big reason these two obscure movies work is because these two actors are experts at charm, humor, and wit.

Michael Douglas gives a heart-felt supporting performance as the original Ant-Man, Hank Pym, and Evangeline Lilly adds an interesting dynamic as his daughter, Hope. The scene-stealer, however, is Michael Peña who shows a comedic level that I didn't even know he had. Two of my favorites scenes involve his character, Luis. Let's just say his narration skills are hysterical.

You should know going in that this probably has the least amount of action in any Marvel film. There is some fun adventure, especially when Rudd is learning the ropes of the suit, but there's really only a couple action sequences. What you do get is an intimate story, humor, fun new characters, a cool heist, and an exciting new hero that will eventually team up with the Avengers. The movie certainly has some flaws, but overall it'd be hard not to enjoy the hell out of it. I sure did. Oh, and be sure to stay through all the credits; there is a mid-credits tease and a post-credits one.

RATING: B+