Marvel’s ‘Ant-Man’ shows how less can be more

BY

Ron and Leigh Martel
Movie Reviewers, The Friday Flyer.

“Imagine a soldier the size of an insect, the ultimate secret weapon.”

“One question, is it too late to change the name?”

Those two quotes kind of sum it up. Until now, Marvel has played, “go big or go home.” Each blockbuster created more powerful characters, more substantial sets and more urban devastation; “Ant-Man” shows how less can be more.

Some say Marvel created this diminutive character because they ran out of ideas; and maybe they did. Seemingly knowing a single insect might not inherently instill fear in the hearts of anyone, they wisely approached the matter with humor. Comedian Paul Rudd (TV’s “Parks and Recreation”) provides the necessary wit and charisma to fit the bill.

More importantly, Rudd presents a sympathetic character desperate to win back the heart of his young daughter Cassie, and respect of estranged wife Maggie (Judy Greer). So, this is more than a superhero movie and more than just another “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.” It’s not quite “Guardians of the Galaxy,” but is a refreshing change of pace.

The first half of the movie explains the origins of this “mini-phenom.” Apparently, Scott Lang (Rudd) blew the whistle on the evil corporation he burgled. Now an ex-con, Scott is trying to get his life together. Unfortunately, buddy Luis (Michael Pena) and his friends in low places unknowingly lead Scott into a trap, but they do offer plucky comic relief.

Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), creator of the Pym Particle, offers Scott a way out of his predicament, “I need you to be the Ant-Man, your chance to earn that look in your daughter’s eyes, to become the hero she already thinks you are.”

Scott agrees, “My days of breaking into places and stealing ‘stuff’ are over; what do you need me to do?” Pym explains, “I want you to break into a place and steal some ‘stuff.’”

Armed with the super-suit’s astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in relative strength, Scott is ready to save the world. He also must protect this secret from Pym’s ruthless successor, Daren Cross (Corey Stoll), who plans to exploit the breakthrough for financial gain. Dr. Pym’s daughter Hope (Evangeline Lilly) resents dear old dad, but shares with his concern about the power of this discovery getting into the wrong hands.

Being an origins picture, half the fun is sitting in on the Ant-Man training. Part Spider-Man, part Iron-Man and part Rocky, Scott struggles to control his new-found powers. As he springs flat into a door several times, Dr. Pym concedes, “We’re doomed.” Fortunately, Scott gets a little help from his friends in the vast insect world.

The recklessly arrogant Cross boasts, “The laws of nature transcend the laws of man and I transcend the laws of nature!” This guy really bugs Pym and we half expected a “Bwahaha” right about there. As it’s a small world after all, the stage is set and the challenge is on. At the end, we’ll see who is living large.

Stoll describes Cross as “Not that dissimilar from Dr. Pym; a brilliant scientist, who is not ethically pure.” The film was originally meant to focus on Dr. Pym, but comic fans might recall the character abused his girlfriend, so the nine credited writers made this story about the protégé.

Rudd went through extensive gymnastic training and a workout regimen to be as convincing as possible: even purchasing a large ant farm to see how they worked together. After filming, he decided to keep the farm.

“Ant-Man” is 117 minutes and rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence. Rudd and the other actors had some fun with their roles as they improvised many of their lines. Therefore, the sequel should be even better. However, this one is thoroughly enjoyable and a welcome change from the escalating and repetitive mayhem of prior Marvel action flicks.

Rudd demonstrates technique over size and is fully credible as both an action hero and emotional father. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, “Ant-Man” was originally scheduled to be in the Phase One films as a member of the Avengers (as in the comics). It didn’t matter to us. We’re just glad they decided that sometimes downsizing is a good thing.

Ron’s Rating: B   Leigh’s Rating: B