Ant-Man (12/17/2015)

Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence.

Starring Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Pena and Tip ‘T.I.’ Harris

Directed by Peyton Reed (The Break Up, Bring It On, Yes Man)

Ant-Man is the “smallest” superhero film to date.

The next evolution of the Marvel Cinematic Universe brings a founding member of The Avengers to the big screen for the first time with Marvel Studios’ “Ant-Man.” Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, master thief Scott Lang must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats. Against seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Pym and Lang must plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.

Marvel Studios has had an amazing run of wildly entertaining blockbusters like Iron Man, Captain America, Guardians Of The Galaxy and The Avengers. These films boast some of the most visually stunning special effects, Hollywood A-listers, loveable characters and genuine laughs.

And while Ant-Man has some very familiar faces, it lacks the excitement and humor you would expect from a Marvel film. The story is smaller than what I expected, making it feel more like a Netflix film than a summer blockbuster. SPOILER: Even the appearance of a lesser-known Avenger proves my point.

Rudd is likeable but very ordinary as the lead character, Scott Lang. Michael Douglas is surprisingly flat as Hank Pym and Evangeline Lilly is pretty forgettable. I actually cared less and less about Judy Greer and Bobby Cannavale’s characters as the film progressed. And Corey Stoll was a big disappointment in the role of the antagonist Darren Cross. I’m actually a fan of his, but he really overacted in almost every scene.

The film is directed by Peyton Reed; who isn’t exactly at the top of my favorite director list. I was actually pretty disappointed when Edgar Wright was no longer attached to the film. It’s hard not to imagine what could have been.

The special effects were ok. Watching him shrink and run around with ants was pretty cool. But when we see the ants from our full size perspective they looked very CGI.

There were a few attempts at humor, but for the most part the jokes fell flat with the audience in my theater…and I only remember laughing two or three times. One of my least favorite gags involved Michael Peña telling Rudd about a chain of conversations. So not funny.

Although Ant-Man is entertaining, it is a far cry from the exciting, action-packed, hilarious Marvel films…for me it was just a “Rental.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
There is no sex or nudity and the language is pretty mild for a PG-13 film (especially one starring Paul Rudd). There are some violent/intense scenes that may be too much for younger viewers.

CONVERSATION STARTER:

1. What would you say the overall theme of Ant-Man is?


2. How would you define redemption?

Read Colossians 1:20-22

And God was pleased for him to make peace by sacrificing his blood on the cross, so that all beings in heaven and on earth would be brought back to God.
You used to be far from God. Your thoughts made you his enemies, and you did evil things. But his Son became a human and died. So God made peace with you, and now he lets you stand in his presence as people who are holy and faultless and innocent.


3. How did Scott experience redemption?


4. When was the last time you experienced a second chance?