Just got back. I'm going to write a full review later, but in short, this was a lot better than I expected it to be. It was funny, but had a solid emotional foundation. I'd give it a 4/5 overall. More on this when I post a full breakdown tomorrow.
I loved the movie, which was very surprising to me! Absolutely hilarious, had tons of heart, and the action/spectacle was such a breath of fresh air. Ruud, Douglas, Pena, and Stroll were standouts. This movie was just so different and so fresh, and at the same time it felt like the most interconnected movie in the MCU yet!
Marvel does it again. This goes right with GotG as another obscure Marvel movie I didn't think I'd like but ended up thoroughly enjoying. I think I may even like it more than AOU.
jmc is not wrong about his opinion of ANT-MAN. I share basically the same opinion.
At the end of the film, all I kept thinking is "what's the point?" "What was the objective of the movie ANT-MAN?" I can't come up with an answer. It's just another Marvel film that thinks it's smarter and funnier than it actually is.
And for the females out there who love this genre, frankly, I'd be bit pissed about Hope is handled in this film. I don't know if it was intended to be a meta commentary or not but Evangeline Lilly's character has every damn right to be upset about why she can't be the Ant-Man. And the excuse, while acted very well by Lilly, still doesn't excuse it. And the mid-credits sequence doesn't damn sure doesn't excuse it either.
I will give the film major props in how the visual effects of the Ant-Man technology are handled but that's about it. Having said that, I am curious to see how Scott and Hope are handled in the MCU from here on out. Otherwise, this might be the first MCU film I don't revisit. If I do, it's because of Rudd and Lilly and how much I like them as performers, not so much what this film has to offer.
And yeah, their kissing scene gag was the only one that made me laugh out loud.
Just got back from the film and really thought about the film on the way back from the theater.
In short, it was really enjoyable. Some people kinda bag on the simplicity of the film, but after the convoluted AoU, I enjoyed the rather simplistic and straightforward nature of the narrative.
One of my favorite parts from the first time we knew we were getting an older Hank Pym and an adaptation of To Steal an Ant-Man was the fact that this would be a passing of the torch kind of story. Even if Ant-Man hits familar and somewhat contrived story beats, it does it with a lot of heart. I liked the parallels between Hope/Hank and Cassie/Scott as well as the surrogate son in Darren Cross, and I believe while Hope was Wright's idea, fleshing out Cross was introduced after his departure? I feel like I read that somewhere. Either way, it gave some depth and heart to a film that could've easily just been really run of the mill.
Paul Rudd plays the everyman well. Didn't really need to have him be a master thief, but I can live with it. Michael Douglas to me, stole the show as Hank. And that opening flashback to 1989, man he looks better than anyone who has been deaged by CGI. Way better than Arnold in the new Terminator Genisys.
Hope as the new Wasp is something I can embrace as well. It's good that we have Janet and I like how we live in a world where she's gone. I think it provided the necessary emotional stakes in terms of Hank not wanting to lose someone special to him again. They also wisely made her really capable to begin with, clearly to set her up as the Wasp!!!
The action was surprisingly great! I would've honestly loved to see what Edgar would've done (probably edit it a lot faster for comedic effect like Hot Fuzz), but I thought it was rather imaginative and the Ant-Man/Yellowjacket suits themselves are very aesthetically pleasing.
Some of the more negative aspects of the film would definitely have to be the pacing. The opening flashback felt really rushed, even though it was cool to see Hayley Atwell and John Slattery. I guess it was necessary to introduce that Hydra guy in a weirdly indirect way of saying, "Hey, Hydra was here in 1989! Remember TWS?".
In retrospect, the entire Baskins Robbins segment was really unnecessary. It was funny, but I felt like we could've cut that down a bit and put more 1989 and perhaps some more Hank/Hope moments in the beginning, because I think might've helped some of the more meaningful dramatic moments between the two in the second and third acts. The film does find its rhythm later on so I guess it had to rush through some of the exposition, but it really felt like the film was just rushing through everything in the beginning.
The stuff with the Falcon was really deliberate setup for Civil War. Necessary, but maybe ran a bit too long? I guess it was cool to see Ant-Man fight Falcon though. Maybe Pym, who has experience fighting the USSR, can help with the problems seen with Bucky and his arm? But I'm actually really excited to see Scott in Civil War, and I could really watch an entire Avengers film with just Cap, Widow, Scarlet Witch, Vision, War Machine, Falcon, Ant-Man and Wasp.
The funniest moments to me were Luis's stories, and I was beginning to wonder why and then I realized...it was so blatantly Edgar Wright-esque humor. The use of editing to create humor physically rather than just say, let a naturally funny guy adlib something. I don't know if Luis was in Wright/Cornish's original screenplay, but if it was Peyton, Paul and Adam who brought him in and tried to do something Edgar Wright-esque, then I think they did a pretty good job.
Overall, enjoyable film, lotsa heart. We're always gonna wonder what an auteur like Edgar could've brought to the MCU, but to hell with what could've been. Bring on Civil War! 8/10
Positive:
- super likeable lead & supporting characters
- great comedy
- incredible and unique action/ special effects
Negative:
- flat dramatic moments
- poor villain
- bland music
Overall grade: 7.5/10
MCU Ranking:
Captain America: The Winter Soldier 9/10
Avengers 9/10
Iron Man 9/10
Guardians of the Galaxy 9/10
Avengers: Age of Ultron 8.5/10
Iron Man 3 8.5/10
Ant-Man 7.5/10
The Incredible Hulk 7/10
Thor 6.5/10
Captain America: The First Avenger 6.5/10
Thor: The Dark World 6.5/10
Iron Man 2 6/10
The funniest moments to me were Luis's stories, and I was beginning to wonder why and then I realized...it was so blatantly Edgar Wright-esque humor. The use of editing to create humor physically rather than just say, let a naturally funny guy adlib something. I don't know if Luis was in Wright/Cornish's original screenplay, but if it was Peyton, Paul and Adam who brought him in and tried to do something Edgar Wright-esque, then I think they did a pretty good job.
I loved the movie, which was very surprising to me! Absolutely hilarious, had tons of heart, and the action/spectacle was such a breath of fresh air. Ruud, Douglas, Pena, and Stoll were standouts. This movie was just so different and so fresh, and at the same time it felt like the most interconnected movie in the MCU yet!
Marvel does it again. This goes right with GotG as another obscure Marvel movie I didn't think I'd like but ended up thoroughly enjoying. I think I may even like it more than AOU.
jmc is not wrong about his opinion of ANT-MAN. I share basically the same opinion.
At the end of the film, all I kept thinking is "what's the point?" "What was the objective of the movie ANT-MAN?" I can't come up with an answer. It's just another Marvel film that thinks it's smarter and funnier than it actually is.
And for the females out there who love this genre, frankly, I'd be bit pissed about Hope is handled in this film.
I don't know if it was intended to be a meta commentary or not but Evangeline Lilly's character has every damn right to be upset about why she can't be the Ant-Man. And the excuse, while acted very well by Lilly, still doesn't excuse it. And the mid-credits sequence doesn't damn sure doesn't excuse it either.
I will give the film major props in how the visual effects of the Ant-Man technology are handled but that's about it. Having said that, I am curious to see how Scott and Hope are handled in the MCU from here on out. Otherwise, this might be the first MCU film I don't revisit. If I do, it's because of Rudd and Lilly and how much I like them as performers, not so much what this film has to offer.
And yeah, their kissing scene gag was the only one that made me laugh out loud.
8.5/10 for me, maybe even a 9/10. I might could have used a bit more justification for Darren's actions. The overall tone was nailed, the action was incredibly inventive, the humor was spot on, and all the performances were really solid. Possibly in my top 5 MCU films.
I actually shed a tear a couple times in this film, I felt there was a love for the character and his history in this movie that I feel came from Reed who actually loves the character.
Just like GotG Ant-Man finds it's own little niche in the MCU, a comedy heist film with 3 very likable leads and a supporting cast of entertaining misfits. Corey Stoll is also on form as Cross, a simple but suitably evil corporate science villain.
The story is simple with powerful weaponry and corruption as the backdrop to two father/daughter stories. The strength of the movie lies in the dynamic between Scott, Hank and Hope and thankfully the casting means this aspect works perfectly, Michael Douglas in particular gives the film a real touch of class and salty gravitas.
On the action side of thing the film is smaller (no pun intended) than most of the MCU output in scale, but it utilizes Ant-Man's suit to the fullest and is very inventive and laced with humour. I didn't realize there was a full on fight scene between Ant-Man and The Falcon, which was great.
The mid and post credits scenes are both good but personally I loved the mid credits one the most and hope they follow through on it.
Overall a fun film with good leads, plenty of heart and some inventive visuals.
Another awesome Marvel movie! Here comes my noob review:
It started slow, not that much going on (except for the first part before the Marvel logo). The pace started when he wore the suit, and it gets more and more awesome after that. Action scenes are amazing! The shrink and grow fight style is just awesome every time! TI and Bobby had their share of great scenes, and Pena is just hilarious although sometimes I can't understand what he is saying (maybe the bad, low volume audio of the cinema). It's on a lighter tone compared to other Marvel movies, with Lang and his daughter being the heart of the story.
jmc is not wrong about his opinion of ANT-MAN. I share basically the same opinion.
At the end of the film, all I kept thinking is "what's the point?" "What was the objective of the movie ANT-MAN?" I can't come up with an answer. It's just another Marvel film that thinks it's smarter and funnier than it actually is.
>>>
And yeah, their kissing scene gag was the only one that made me laugh out loud.
But the point is to have fun, let your hair down, have a laugh...Having obviously seen the movie now, doesn't that all seem kind of clear? It doesn't always take itself seriously. It isn't going for high stakes of some of the other MCU movies, but do they all need to? Really? Does the 'point' always need to be the same things for every movie? But it sounds like you didn't get the humour elements anyway, which is fine. I can respect that. Not everyone laughs at the same things. It wasn't a perfect movie which I'll highlight in my review, but as to it's 'point'... uhh, well I said it.
I really don't get this whole, "what's the point?" Attitude.
Ever since the Comicbook movie universe has exploded I can't help but feel that a handful of fans have become so pretentious towards the genre.
Ant-Man isn't a cinematic masterpiece, but it's just straight solid entertainment. It's not overly complicated nor is it taking itself too seriously. It's fun. Isn't that ultimately the point of summer movies?
If you wearn't entertained and didn't find it to be that good, fair enough. But to question the entire purpose of making the film? I'm sorry but that type of 'holier than thou' mentality is just off-putting.
Same "what's the point?" attitude could be had towards most films. The primary point is to entertain you. If it achieves something else in the process, that's great. But it's art, and it supposed to catch your attention somehow.
As for Ant-Man, there's a whole father and daughter relationship, both for Hank and Scott. Redemption, and doing things right. And then a heist, humor, great and inventive action, and a much more personal film in the MCU.
People who don't like a film like this is pretty much dead inside, I'm sorry.
I really don't get this whole, "what's the point?" Attitude.
Ever since the Comicbook movie universe has exploded I can't help but feel that a handful of fans have become so pretentious towards the genre.
Ant-Man isn't a cinematic masterpiece, but it's just straight solid entertainment. It's not overly complicated nor is it taking itself too seriously. It's fun. Isn't that ultimately the point of movies?
If you wearn't entertained and didn't find it to be that good, fair enough. But to question the entire purpose of making the film? I'm sorry but that type of 'holier than thou' mentality is just off-putting.
It's always the usual suspects that do this. You know it's so ironic, their whole "this is just another unessesary Marvel film...etc." attitude, when they pretty much cut and paste the exact same criticisms time after time. It's become nothing but hyperbole at this point.
The reason they are acting like that is because the movie is good and they can't deal , a lot of them sadly are on here masquerading as fans but are really passive aggressive trolls, some I do genuinely respect their opinion , even if I don't agree because they have a history of good posting.
I'd really love to hear from the Pym/Lang fanboys (used with affection) once they've seen the movie. Do you guys feel the film, despite the changes, did the characters justice? Are the way Pym particles and Ant-man's powers are represented satisfactory?
Just like GotG Ant-Man finds it's own little niche in the MCU, a comedy heist film with 3 very likable leads and a supporting cast of entertaining misfits. Corey Stoll is also on form as Cross, a simple but suitably evil corporate science villain.
The story is simple with powerful weaponry and corruption as the backdrop to two father/daughter stories. The strength of the movie lies in the dynamic between Scott, Hank and Hope and thankfully the casting means this aspect works perfectly, Michael Douglas in particular gives the film a real touch of class and salty gravitas.
On the action side of thing the film is smaller (no pun intended) than most of the MCU output in scale, but it utilizes Ant-Man's suit to the fullest and is very inventive and laced with humour.
I didn't realize there was a full on fight scene between Ant-Man and The Falcon, which was great.
The mid and post credits scenes are both good but personally I loved the mid credits one the most and hope they follow through on it.
Overall a fun film with good leads, plenty of heart and some inventive visuals.
Really good film easily top five Marvel film for me.
The film was a lot more intimate and low key but that was fine with me. After the bombastic and bloated Age of Ultron I was happy to see a smaller simple film in the MCU.
In no particular order my Marvel top five are
Ant-Man
Avengers
Iron Man
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Guardians Of The Galaxy
It was a shame we didn't get to see Ant-Man go
Giant Sized
Good use of the powers regardless. Really liked the villain and the mythology.
The comedy was great. It isn't obnoxious or juvenile which I was expecting it to be.
Sorry, I thought I had tagged that part. In truth though if you don't want to see anything that you feel will spoil the film, I'd recommend staying out of the section (especially review threads) until you see the movie.
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