ANT-MAN (2015) 4.2

As a loyal follower of Marvel movies, my expectations for Ant-Man included a solid portrayal of the plotline, some light comedy, and of course, big action. Being an ant, the "big" part is the only expectation that was somewhat off just due to the nature and sheer size of Ant-Man. This movie is solid to the core with a tight story.

Playing Ant-Man and Scott Lang is of course, Paul Rudd. As a huge fan of Rudd, I will be honest in saying I did go into the movie questioning his ability to pull off this role. After seeing the film, there would have been no one better for the job. As Lang goes from having a Masters in Engineering to jail and even with a short stay at Baskin Robins, he fits in the role effortlessly. Upon being fired from Baskin Robins, a company who "always finds out," he is then set up to rob Dr. Hank Pym and eventually steal the Ant-Man suit. This ploy was well thought out with little introduction from Pym beforehand, as he considers Lang's crime with Vista Corp to be a strong skill set, allowing the audience to share the same ignorance Lang must have felt when learning about the plan to frame him.

Coining himself as a "cat burglar" Lang then commits himself to a heist for the intelligence that also powers his suit to avoid having the technology sold by villain Darren Cross played by Corey Stoll. Stoll plays the character with conviction, eventually also taking on the role as the Yellowjacket. However, I can't help but leave the film wanting more from him. As the Ant-Man and the Yellowjacket battle to the death, every tactic the Yellowjacket attempts to employ is somewhat forgettable. Not forgettable are their surroundings as they dual, most notably within a briefcase. Make note of this scene. Innovation and creativity is an understatement here. Further, in other battle scenes, the use of different species of ants is remarkable and a minute detail that must be appreciated.

One aspect audiences are sure to take away is the flawless and effortless use of comedy. From pointed jokes about the Avengers "dropping cities out of the sky" to the "three wombats" who assist Lang and eventually Ant-Man in the heist, the comedy is on point. During certain points in the film, there was definitely a laugh a minute factor that played a solid role, especially near the end. One of the "wombats," Luis played by Michael Pena, absolutely steals the show in this role. I would expect to see him in future Marvel movies to come.

Overall, this was a fANTasic film. Marvel absolutely can walk away with a win.