Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10
Cast: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly, Corey Stoll, Bobby Cannavale, Judy Greer, Abby Ryder Fortson, Michael Peña, David Dastmalchian, T.I., Wood Harris, Hayley Atwell, John Slattery, Martin Donovan, Stan Lee.
Into every family remains one forgotten member, one who was there at the very beginning and saw some of the early stories, the heartaches and the extreme highs; every family has one and yet some have deserved to be amongst the biggest names.
For Marvel comic books and especially the films that have been released in the last decade one name missing has stood out more than others, that of Ant-Man; finally at least though the record his existence, that of both the second and the glorious but very troubled original, is out in the Marvel universe and it was truly about time. For Marvel, the graphic novels of the Avengers would arguably not be anything like they became if Henry Pym had not first found Captain America and the rest had followed in place.
The controversy surrounding Dr. Henry/Hank Pym, the slow descent into multiple personalities, the quite right disdain and scorn placed at the character’s door for his abdominal treatment of his wife Janet Van Dyne, always meant that there was no way he could fit in as a hero to stand alongside Captain America, The Vision or Scarlet Witch. However with the film concentrating on reformed burglar Scott Lang; the lesser of two evils makes a more palatable and indeed, a more entertaining and moralistic tale of right overcoming wrong.
Rather than coming across as many might fear as a version of “Honey, I shrunk the superhero” the film, thanks to generous C.G.I. and great writing is perhaps arguably on balance the best of all the Marvel films so far. It doesn’t have the overwhelming style and classic abundance that makes both Avengers films such tight and powerful films, nor does it capture the sincerity of Captain America or the heavy scorching completeness of any of the Iron Man films. What it does have though is fun and tension etched through each of its frames and a great cast that brings home both the serious side of responsibility and the wizardry attached to such film making. For that alone it makes a tall ask for any of the phase three films in production to come close to beating it.
The film benefits immensely from the inclusion of Paul Rudd as the centre piece to the film and with Michael Douglas making a long overdue contribution to the Marvel storyboards, Evangeline Lilly giving arguably her finest performance on screen since the epic Lost was finally completed and a brief but tremendous cameo appearance by Hayley Atwell reprising her role as Peggy Carter, Ant-Man is by far the most fun attached to any of the superheroes to be placed forever on celluloid from Marvel.
Great things sometimes come in small packages, unbelievably distinguished and celebrated ones come from seemingly nowhere, for Ant-Man the lack of respect shown one of Marvel’s first true heroes has finally been rectified and acknowledged. Mighty, moody and magnificent, Ant-Man is entertaining and eye-catching, this is an ant that really brings power to the screen.
Ian D. Hall