Ant-Man Ant-man's reviews thread

[ironman_rick]

This film was always a question mark for me due to its premise but given who was originally involved I was willing to give the premise the benefit of the doubt. The biggest issue with this film is that it has the makings of an Edgar Wright film but done by someone else, and because of that the film is an uneven concoction. You can tell where Wrights fingerprint were over this film, and it's unfortunate that film was never made because the worst thing I can say about Ant-Man is that it just feels completely unnecessary. It's competent enough, but barely enough. It's a film that never blends it components as well as it could have.

The biggest issue with the film is that it just feels like it's a bare bones movie. A case of ticking off certain action movie cliches. Hero looking for redemption? Check. Evil corporate bad guy? Check. Old teacher with estranged daughter? Check. Wise cracking supporting character? Check. Training montage? Check. It's all just an itinerary that's being ticked off as the film progresses and worst of all there's long stretches where nothing interesting happens. We're suppose to care about this or that, but it's never presented in a compelling way. It's all just vanilla and for the most part unimportant.

The biggest crime is that the story and pacing really screws up the performances by the two main actors. Rudd works fine as Scott Lang, and Douglas is good a Hank Pym, but they are left hanging with the little they have to work with. Evangeline Lilly feels really miscast in this, she has zero chemistry with either Rudd or Douglas. And as for Corey Stroll's villain - well who cares? It's just another throw away bad guy in the MCU.

What also seems evident to me is that there's a real lack of being comfortable with the concept. When ever a film about someone being shrunk is done it's generally not done in a serious tone, and whilst this film tries to play up the laughs it also tries to add more weight. It tries to straddle the line between serious and funny but never really pulls it off. It just feels awkward. The shrunken sequences early on in the film weren't nearly as well thought out as I thought they'd be, although by films end they seemed to get better.

What's unfortunate about the film is that the ending is actually pretty entertaining, it pretty well thought out, unique, and has some funny moments (albeit maybe too many for its own good). But how we get there feels like a chore, and in some respects it almost feels like it wasn't for much. The other major action sequence involving Falcon feels tact on for no other purpose than to remind people this is set in the MCU. For the most part the ending is the only real highlight of the movie.

So in the end Ant-Man really is a throw away Marvel movie. It's not awful, but it doesn't add anything to the MCU, to the point where it makes me wonder why they bothered to make it. I can understand why Marvel let Wright go because a Wright Ant-Man film would have been widely different to this, but the problem is his marks are still evident in this movie, and I can't help but wonder if that film would have ended up much better.

6/10

I have the same views. In fact, if I wanna be brutally frank...even AOU seemed like a filler movie for CA:CW. A somewhat .... not so "needed" sequel.

Coming back to Ant Man. I have to ask, what was Marvel's intention when they greenlighted this movie ? If they wanted to uplift Antman a tier or 2 (like how Captain America and Thor have moved up in the superhero popularity ranking)...they have failed. They didn't really bring out the coolness of Ant Man's powers.

The fights scenes were not that epic. The Bad Guy (again) was just another run of the million Bad dude in MCU (how many times are they gonna get away with weak villains ?) The way yellow jacket dies (or does he go to microverse) is weak. Once again marvel decides to force humour (this time it is with the 3 stooges....similar to TDW when they gave darcy too much screen time for humour's sake) instead of spending time building up the villain (so that the final battle would have been more epic).

If marvel wants to do a Lone Superhero movie..they have to be more epic. The plot of this movie seems like an episode of Agents of Shield. Lowkey.

 

[Sean of Justice]

I have the same views. In fact, if I wanna be brutally frank...even AOU seemed like a filler movie for CA:CW. A somewhat .... not so "needed" sequel.

Coming back to Ant Man. I have to ask, what was Marvel's intention when they greenlighted this movie ? If they wanted to uplift Antman a tier or 2 (like how Captain America and Thor have moved up in the superhero popularity ranking)...they have failed. They didn't really bring out the coolness of Ant Man's powers.

The fights scenes were not that epic. The Bad Guy (again) was just another run of the million Bad dude in MCU (how many times are they gonna get away with weak villains ?)

Spoiler

The way yellow jacket dies (or does he go to microverse) is weak.

Once again marvel decides to force humour (this time it is with the 3 stooges....similar to TDW when they gave darcy too much screen time for humour's sake) instead of spending time building up the villain (so that the final battle would have been more epic).

If marvel wants to do a Lone Superhero movie..they have to be more epic. The plot of this movie seems like an episode of Agents of Shield. Lowkey.

Um... spoiler?

 

[Son of Coul]

Um... spoiler?

Right? I come here for one day...

Also the fact that it's really low key and not all about being "EPIC" is what interests me about this. It's really refreshing after having to save a planet over and over.

 

[jmc]

Without giving too much away ,can you describe which sections of the film felt most like they had Wrights imprint on them?
What felt most like Wright ?

Certain comedic parts and action sequences invoke Wrights style and writing, if you know his work you'll see where they.

Going in with preconceived ideas, always a good start.

I never considered Wright was that transparent and obvious, oh well. I need to read Wright's script as well to to be sure. Oh, ok you haven't read his script either? So you won't really know his beats then either? For all you know, the best parts of what you liked had nothing to do with Edgar. Ok, but lets not consider that.


My feelings on this review so far to be honest, I will persevere though (for a bit)..

Because Edgar didn't do it. Or maybe could have been worse, a lot worse. You'll never know.

All of those things will be used again, and time and again in future comic book movies, and non comic book movies because they are typical beats that film makers have used a lot because they help drive a movie's plot forward....Why is this time such a cliché for you now? Because Edgar didn't direct it to make it less cliché? For all we know, some or all of those would have been part of Edgar's film anyway.


Sorry, but that review reads like it's pandering to the worst of what I've seen out there. It's not so much a critique as a homage to one of your favourite directors and 'should-have-been' as opposed to what we have, and failing to highlight almost any positive in it at all. I don't get your 6/10 rating because it reads more like a 3/10 movie at best.

Oh boy, oh boy, one-eyed retorts are my absolute favourite! Please, go on and tell me how I watched this movie 'incorrectly'.

 

[jmc]

I'm not sure I get what your saying here. We know that essentially all that was used from Wright's drafts was that Hank was to be a mentor for Scott and it was loosely based on To Steal an Ant-Man. Not sure what fingerprints you are referencing because McKay and Rudd completely reworked the script. I felt it had their stamp on the whole film especially the comedy which I felt was done better than any MCU film before it.

There are echo's of Wright in this film in terms of style and pacing. And if they're not embers of his movie then they're just a poor mans version of said style. Either way the film doesn't hit its marks.

 

[DJ_KiDDvIcIOUs]

There are echo's of Wright in this film in terms of style and pacing. And if they're not embers of his movie then they're just a poor mans version of said style. Either way the film doesn't hit its marks.

Well I can respect your opinion but for me this is a top 5 MCU film. The humor and heart are what make this movie so great and the fact that it's not all about saving the whole world (although had the Yellowjacket tech got into Hydra's hands that would have been very bad) and that is what people are going to dig about this film. I'm in touch with the GA and they are going to eat this film up

 

[jmc]

We'll see.

 

[Vincanws]

Certain comedic parts and action sequences invoke Wrights style and writing, if you know his work you'll see where they.


Oh boy, oh boy, one-eyed retorts are my absolute favourite! Please, go on and tell me how I watched this movie 'incorrectly'.

Why would I need or want to do that? We were talking about your review and what you wrote in it, not how to watch movies after all. What you decide to write about it after the fact, and watching it are two separate things.

I just can't respect your opinion owing to how you wrote it. I'd respect your review more if it was well-written. I think I started to highlight why if it wasn't so obvious.

 

[PokeJ]

Jmc you sound like an idiot.

 

[jmc]

Why would I need or want to do that? We were talking about your review and what you wrote in it, not how to watch movies after all. What you decide to write about it, and how you watch it are two separate things.

I just can't respect your opinion owing to how you wrote it. I'd respect your review more if it was well-written. I think I started to highlight why if it wasn't so obvious.

I don't really give a crap if you think it's well written or not.

 

[Joeyjojo72]

I never ever base BO/popularity predictions on my own opinion about a particular film. See: every Michael Bay movie ever made. Or Titanic.

 

[marvellover]

Age of Ultron is last? Really!?

Even if Malekith sucks as an villain,I still enjoy the final battle and the story overall much more than AOU

I have higher expectation for a team up movie
Plus it feel different from what I have seen in Thor 1

The other movies in no question,are much more enjoyable to me

AOU almost bored me to sleep starting from the fight in Korea
It's like watching A1 but with bad pacing and worse villain and threat

The only good thing coming from that movie is a few new heroes are introduced,and action scenes are better than the first one

 

[MahvelBaby!]

Just got back! Loved it! 9/10 freaking rocked! Bring on civil war!

 

[Superhero 101]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRGJsJcbeJU

Jermey Jahns Review

 

[SomeOldGuy]

Just got back. It's a very sweet movie, probably the most Disney of any Marvel movie. Its a solid phase 1-style entry. 3D was well worth the extra couple bucks. There was less humor than some reviews led me to believe, but still some good gags. Good villain, contrary to some reports. Rudd seems like he's not sure what to do out of the suit, but in uniform he's a hoot. Michael Douglas is excellent; Pena didn't do a lot for me. I'd give it 3.5/5 stars.

 

[SomeOldGuy]

Oh, the theater had about 30-40 people for the 7 pm show. More people coming in and cars pulling in as my teenage daughter and I left. Did I mention this is definitely a daddy-daughter film? (And she loved it, too).

 

[MrSpyder]

Just got back from watching Ant-Man. Solid movie with some hits and misses. With

Spoiler

A Spider-Man reference

. I'll check it out again

 

[Milla4Prez66]

I've noticed that 90% of bad reviews for this movie are based around Edgar Wright in some way....kind of pathetic.

Anyways, I give this 8.5/10. Very good movie, and Douglas stole the show as Pym.

 

[Tony Stark]

Need some time to sink in before I give it a full rating. Overall, this was good. It's not Iron Man, or Guardians of the Galaxy good, but I'd say it's a solid base hit, if not a double to right center.

There are some miscues but nothing glaring.

First off let me say it was somewhat refreshing to take a movie that's just simple, isn't trying to outdo the Dark Knight or be anything more than entertaining. Look I loved the Winter Soldier, but that just wouldn't have worked for this film.

And before anyone goes off on it, I enjoyed what Reed presented probably more than I would have anything Edgar Wright would have done. I like Edgar's work but I can see how it just wouldn't have worked for this film.

Corey Stoll was an excellent villain, and Warner should be kicking them selves that he wasn't picked for Lex Luthor, he would have been the quintessential Lex.

The weak parts of the script, mainly deal with Hope Van Dyne, somehow some of her moments didn't seem to work, and the bit of romance, seemed out of left field. I am looking forward to her return to give her something more substantial.

What absolutely makes this film work is Rudd and above all Michael Douglass. Michael Douglas is Hank Pym. He is everything that that character was in the comics, brought to life on screen. I don't know how much research he did into the part, but they just nailed it. The aloofness, the not knowing how to work with others, the short temper. Yes it's an aged Hank Pym passing the torch, but I thought it was terrific.

Bottom line, this movie is just plain fun, and represents what we love out of summer movies. As I said, I need sometime to fully rank the film, but I would put it in Just behind Avengers, Iron Man, and TWS. Age of Ultron is a better movie, but surprisingly I kind of enjoyed this more. At least that's my first impression.

I was never really an Ant-man fan in the comics, other than him being an Avenger. I didn't have much hope for this movie early on, but seeing the fabulous marketing, and the visuals, I was hooked. It pays off and is satisfying.

 

[Tony Stark]

I've noticed that 90% of bad reviews for this movie are based around Edgar Wright in some way....kind of pathetic.

Anyways, I give this 8.5/10. Very good movie, and Douglas stole the show as Pym.

Spot on, on both points. There is no way Edgar Wright could have made this a better film experience, fitting in with the rest of what Marvel is doing. And yes, Michael Douglas alone is worth the price of admission.

 

[DyeLorean]

Just came back.
I LOOOOOOOVED THIS FILM.

 

[Tymminator]

Saw the movie, loved the film.

Stuff I would love to see in future Ant-man or related MCU films in the future...

Spoiler

If they know what they are doing n the future, they can keep Douglas in the role of Dr Pym (a cool role Hank played in West Coast Avengers), have Lang as Ant-Man, have Hope be Wasp and hopefully introduce Bill Foster as Goliath.

Douglas as Dr Pym could really come off as a cool addition for the Avengers, and if they save Janet, it would be awesome for Hank and Janet to both take mentor/advisor types of roles.

 

[pr0xyt0xin]

Cute. Quaint. Small. 8/10

That about sums up my review.

Things I liked:
- Stunning visuals. Some stuff had my mouth hanging open like an idiot.
- Good showcase of his powers. [BLACKOUT]Showing off gadgetry, different ants and what they can do.[/BLACKOUT]
- Scope of the film. I like that it wasn't bigger than Avengers 2. I like that it took a step back from the one-upping game.
- [BLACKOUT]Wasp's role. [/BLACKOUT]
- [BLACKOUT]Falcon's role.
[/BLACKOUT]
Things I didn't like:
-[BLACKOUT] Not a single mention of Ultron[/BLACKOUT]
- I would still have liked to see Edgar Wright's. No matter the result.

 

[Quasimod0]

I loved this movie! It had charm, emotion, and heart. (something missing in a lot of superhero films). The humor and charm were in a very different vein from Guardians of the Galaxy, which I appreciated. The humor wasn't as sarcastic or "edgy" as it was in that film.
The story was actually very engaging. I knew going in that this was going to be a heist film, but I didn't know how close it would stick to that theme. Turns out it was very much a heist film! There was spy music, plan making montages, pre-heists, etc. I loved all of that. In that respect, it was totally unlike any CBM I've seen before.

Each actor did a great job at embodying their character. Paul Rudd made for an excellent lead, and he fits right in with the other extremely likeable Marvel heroes. Michael Douglas and Evangeline Lilly nailed their roles as Hank and Hope Pym. The standout character (aside from Lang), was Luis (Michael Pena). He stole every scene he was in. My audience was laughing at all of his lines.

The shrinking effects were very cool. I've never seen anything quite like that in a movie. They made for some of the most visually interesting scenes I've ever seen.
The ants were also used very well in some excitingly creative ways.

The villain, Darren Cross, was pretty decent. He was a few steps above villains like Malekith, Ronan, or Vanko. Cross was at least fleshed out enough to make you see why this guy could be so bad. He could've used a little more screen time, but I thought he did well with what he had.

All in all, I loved this movie. It was definitely one of my favorite MCU films. I'm not exactly sure where I'd rank it, but its probably in my top 5.
I saw the movie in IMAX 3D, and I would definitely recommend that format to anyone. The 3D actually made the shrinking scenes even more immersive, in my opinion.

9/10

Oh and the cameo appearance of a certain Avenger was one of the highlights of the film for me. What a great scene that was.

 

[LostSon88]

Loved it. ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT.

I expected it to be good because it's Marvel but man...that was fun. Top 5 in my rankings of Marvel movies.

That's right. TOP 5.