DAVID ADAMS enjoys the light-hearted tone of Marvel’s Ant-Man…
Ant-Man (M)
In a word: Fun
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A DIFFERENT SORT OF HERO: Played by Paul Rudd Scott Lang (aka Ant-Man) rides one of his friends. PICTURE: Film Frame Copyright: © Marvel 2015 “Not since 1989’s Honey, I Shrunk the Kids has a film had such fun with the idea of shrinking somebody and yes, fun is generally the name of the game in this film.” |
The latest in the Marvel series of films which regularly pop-up on our screens, Ant-Man introduces the character of, yes guessed it, Ant-Man, who is able to rapidly shrink (and return to human size) along with a range of other super-human powers, thanks to a special suit.
Not since 1989’s Honey, I Shrunk the Kids has a film had such fun with the idea of shrinking somebody and yes, fun is generally the name of the game in this film.
Paul Rudd is cast in the lead role as Scott Lang, a Robin Hood-like ex-con who is looking to make a new life for himself when he encounters scientist Dr Hank Pym (played by Michael Douglas) who is trying to prevent his former, now misguided, student Darren Cross (Corey Stoll) from destroying the world with his “Yellowjacket” creation – a shrinkable weaponised suit that will revolutionise warfare and possibly destroy the world.
The story is laced with references to the other plots taking place in the Marvel universe – there’s mention of Shield and, of course, the Avengers (Ant-Man even encounters one) and, as has been the case with Marvel films, it’s worth hanging around to the credits to scroll through with two short scenes taking place after the main event.
Director Peyton Reed keeps the tone light-hearted throughout and while this is a Marvel film, it’s cast more in the vein of Guardians of the Galaxy rather than the latest – and more complicated – Avengers films. The cast, who also includes Evangeline Lilly as Dr Pym’s daughter Hope, is well-chosen and romantic comedy stalwart Rudd in particular was an inspired choice for the self-deprecating “hero” we come to know as Ant-Man.
Looking forward to seeing more of him.
