cult film freak: PAUL RUDD & MICHAEL DOUGLAS IN ANT-MAN

Written by James M. Tate / 7/17/2015 / 1 Comment / 2015 , marvel , michael douglas , paul rudd

PAUL RUDD & MICHAEL DOUGLAS IN ANT-MAN

7/17/2015 | 1 Comment

year: 2015 rating: ***1/2

Michael Douglas is one of those great good actors, and he not only steals ANT-MAN, but his exposition-wielding Dr. Hank Pym is pretty much everything here. In fact, before working class hero thief Scott Lang, played by Paul Rudd, conveniently discovers the suit that can shrink him to the size of... you know... there was a whole history between Hank and his wife that could have been its very own movie, shown in flashbacks during the plan and execution of a big caper against Pym Industries, now run by a nefarious short-cutter who wants... like your usual comic book heavy... to rule everything his way.

The Heist genre is taken to the hilt, including funky instrumental music lifted straight from Quentin Tarantino's JACKIE BROWN, and a band of ragtag underdog thieves including comic relief Michael Pena, a funny enough guy who often tries too hard.

Beneath the engaging caper, a busy hybrid of MISSION IMPOSSIBLE and SPIDER-MAN yet with the origin story built straight into the central plot-line, much of the film feels like a hard sell to make this unlikely hero fit within the "serious" Marvel mainline, including one battle against the least important Avenger. In that, Lang, with a neat way of getting in and out of danger, is worthy of the canon: Unfortunately there are too many real (overly CGI) ants on board, making him more passenger than driver while turning an otherwise legitimate adventure into HONEY I SHRUNK THE SUPERHERO. Thankfully, Paul Rudd is likable enough despite attempting to be Tony Stark Light, and Michael Douglas really keeps things in check: helping his creation rise above expectations for both the characters and the audience.

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Tags : 2015 , marvel , michael douglas , paul rudd

James M. Tate

1 comment:

Ripper MadnessJuly 18, 2015 at 8:00 AM
Another great review.

Unfortunately I'm completely burned out on this never ending wave of super-hero movies. It is the unwanted gift that keeps appearing day after day on the front porch. After the first couple days, thanks but no thanks, and then its take the box from the front porch and throw it in the trash without looking inside.

When is the, "Jump the shark" moment coming for comic book movies? Howard the Duck? Batman & Robin? Ha! Not for awhile I'm afraid. Oh I'm sure Superman v Batman will qualify but unfortunately DC is just getting started in this obnoxious stage play.

Blame Sam Raimi for Spider-Man 2 or Christopher Nolan for The Dark Knight? Ah if I had only hated those movies...alas I love them. Well next up is the Disney Star Wars movies, multiple trilogies and stand-alones. I can't wait...sigh. I guess I have to have something to watch on my new completely ridiculous television
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