Superhero movies are all the rage right now. They are in movies, TV shows, cartoons and video games. What they represent is a person or group of people coming together for a common goal to save those who cannot protect themselves from bad people who want to conquer the world. For a long time the formula was the person under the mask having a good heart but they are usually misunderstood by their peers. In recent years though this formula is changing and evolving. Ant Man is a part of this evolution, and brings some familiar elements to the table but in new ways.
Scott Lang is a thief, and a good one too. But he doesn’t rob houses, no his crimes are better than that. His specialty is hacking into computer systems. It is a job that he does well, but one that has gotten him into trouble with the law many times. He is not sure what to do with his life, but an opportunity comes his way. It is a sort of job offer, and it is one that has the ability to change his life in ways he never thought possible.
He has the chance to become a superhero, and it is not one that audiences see everyday. His powers begin at being able to shrink, but with this ability their are other powers that come with it. They are skills that take more than brute strength, and will push Scott to his limits. How will he become a superhero? Why was he chosen for this role? And will he be able to learn these new abilities in time to stop a dangerous threat from happening?
This is an odd role for Paul Rudd. He has played many different characters in his long career but never something like this. His character is not pure, and honestly has made some big mistakes in his life. Scott is a man with a good heart but at the same time he is not perfect. But he has many attributes that men should be able to relate to. He wants to be a man and be able to grow up, but there are always barriers that come his way. But his determination is refreshing and is what makes this one of Rudd’s best characters to date. He has fun playing this character and is a good fit for the direction the movie goes.
The film has a few important messages. The biggest one is how important it is to be a good dad to your kids. No matter what has happened in the past or the mistakes that have been made, don’t let them hold you down. There are many scenes that emphasize this point, and show that love can heal all wounds. The only other real big message is how everyone deserves redemption. This is something that comes rarely, but when it does it is best to embrace it. If you do that the possibilities can be endless.
The movie is not the best Marvel has delivered in recently and comes with a few flaws. The acting is good, but Rudd does have to stretch himself far with this character and it shows on the screen. Towards the end the film seems to speed up and this can affect the quality of the story. For these reasons and more the film gets 6.5/10. It is a good film but those who don’t like Marvel will be lost and confused for much of it.
The special effects are what really help bring this film to life. Every shrunken moment is amazing, and the suit turned out wonderful. The laboratory also looks great and shows a world that is full of tons of potential. There are also a lot of cool surprises going on here that you will have to see to believe. A good attempt by Marvel that the fans will enjoy this summer.
If you liked the previous Marvel films, you will want to check this one out. If you are a fan of superheroes this is a movie you should run out and see. It is good for fans of all ages and is a fun trek into a different view of the world around us.
See the trailer here: