Ant-Man - Snapshot

 

 

After the mammoth release that was Avengers - Age of Ultron, earlier this year, it seemed as if Ant-Man was a rather miniscule follow-up (pun intended), in the ongoing Marvel universe; so much so that I was even debating whether it deserved to be watched in the theatre. With the inclusion of Paul Rudd, it has the expected comedy feel, and was unlike any of the other blockbuster superhero movies in the Marvel lineup. As the narrative got rolling, the drama elements of the movie took center stage; with Ant-Man having more in common with the Spiderman movies, wherein a very normal and unexpected hero is born; one who has to battle with himself, as he learns to deal with his changes. That said, while I’m not a fan of the pacing of some of the Spiderman movies, Ant-Man holds audience interest throughout, and eventually settles in well into the Avengers ensemble; the usual Marvel style post end credits sequence, doing its bit. Perhaps the most notable component of the movie was the masterfully planned storyboard/scenes, made keeping in mind the special abilities of the Ant-Man character, truly showcasing his ‘shrinking’ prowess. The special effects employed in the action sequences are very impressive, with the intermittently changing scale contributing both to intense action and laughs a plenty. The cast also included Evangeline Lily of Lost fame; it was nice to see her in a role that had more emotion, in addition to her usual tough as nails persona.  It was a great reprisal for Michael Douglas as Dr. Hank Pym, the scientist behind the Ant-Man suit and abilities. Michael Peña is hilarious, adding some laughs by means of his snappy dialog. Judy Greer was remarkable as always in her supporting role, playing a mature character, in keeping with her aging visage. Should you watch Ant-Man? Hell yeah! It’s an unexpected gem, which will appeal to a wide range of audiences.

My Recommendation: Watch It + (A drama feature, in an otherwise action Marvel lineup)