Earth's Tiniest Hero. He doesn't exactly size up to the usual host of blockbuster superhero's, but Marvel have indeed once again created yet another brilliant element to their ever-growing Avengers ensemble.
For those who are unfamiliar with the story of Ant-Man, listen in, it's fairly simple. It's 1989, Hank Pym (Michael Douglas - The Game, Wonder Boys) is a scientist who has invented the necessary means to control the "space between atoms", or in our terms, the ability to shrink stuff. Guess who wants this revolutionary technology? SHIELD. But Pym isn't selling, due to fears of the suit falling into the wrong hands, he creates his own company and hides the suit from the world.
Jump to the present day and Pym's company has not only grown, but has been taken over by his once "loyal" assistant, Darren Cross (Corey Stall - House Of Cards). After years of being kept in the dark over Pym's previous technological advances, Cross is closing in on the final stages of replicating the science behind the once hidden Ant-Man suit.
Pym is desperate, not wanting Cross to complete his advances in shrinking technology, and so reaches out to Scott Lang. A Robin Hood-esque cat burglar who once stole from a millionaire, only to return the money to the people who it was once belonged to. Played by the always amusing Paul Rudd (Role Models, Anchorman), Lang teams up with Pym to become the Ant-Man, and to stop Cross.
Lang doesn't fit the bill of a superhero as we know it these days. But after doing jail time, struggling for work, losing his once true love and access to his daughter, he's relatable. Not in every aspect but at least enough for viewers to like him, to want him to succeed.
Sarah Finn has once again excelled herself in casting for this movie, and being part of Marvel's team since Phase 1, its hardly surprising. Rudd is brilliant as always, and partnered alongside Michael Douglas, the two of them create a father-and-son like synergy that flows well with Edgar Wright's script. Rudd gives the humour, Douglas brings us back to earth, but lightly. Evangeline Lilly (The Hobbit Trilogy) plays as Hope Pym, Hank's daughter. She brings emotion to the table. Having lost her mother at a young age and having not seen much of her father since, she distances herself from him, blaming him for her difficult childhood yet works alongside him all the way, as she too understands the severity of what is at stake. Despite being three completely different personalities, the trio bounce of off each other throughout the movie to create an easy yet engaging story. Corey Stalls portrayal of Darren Cross is spot on. Ruthless yet somewhat misguided, his character is strong, but as with many superhero movies these days he doesn't quite get the screen time to give us a fuller understanding of his alter-ego's motives.
Ant-Man is closer to Guardians of the Galaxy than it is to The Avengers. This is a good thing. Both are light-hearted and humorous, but have a deep story that leaves viewers feeling for it's characters and wanting more. The Avengers can verge towards dark and serious at times which is perfect for those epic blockbuster moments, but not for an origin story like this one. Ant-Man works well as a standalone movie, as well as tying itself neatly into an ever-expanding Marvel Universe that ceases to amaze. It's relatable, it's full of action, and it's funny. Rudd is just as great as Stan Lee's obligatory cameo's.
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