Film Review: "Ant-Man" (2015).

"This July, heroes don't come any bigger." This is what Marvel Studios is bringing with Ant-Man. This superhero film based on the Marvel Comics characters of the same name. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it is the twelfth installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The film was directed by Peyton Reed, with a screenplay by Edgar Wright & Joe Cornish and Adam McKay & Paul Rudd. Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, con-man Scott Lang must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats. Against seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Pym and Lang must plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.

Development of Ant-Man began in April 2006, with the hiring of Wright to direct and co-write with Cornish. By April 2011, Wright and Cornish had completed three drafts of the script and Wright shot test footage for the film in July 2012. Pre-production began in October 2013 after being put on hold so that Wright could complete The World's End (2013). Casting began in December 2013, with the hiring of Rudd to play Lang. In May 2014, Wright left the project, citing creative differences, though he still received screenplay and story credits with Cornish, as well as an executive producer credit. The following month, Reed was brought in as Wright's replacement, while McKay was hired to contribute to the script with Rudd. Principal photography took place between August and December 2014 in San Francisco and Metro Atlanta.

The film stars Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Corey Stoll, Bobby Cannavale, Michael Peña, Tip "T.I." Harris, Anthony Mackie, Wood Harris, Judy Greer, David Dastmalchian, and Michael Douglas. Despite the cast giving great performances, in particular Rudd, Peña and Douglas, they lacked a few important elements that made their seem too familiar. For instance, Stoll's portrayal of Darren Cross suffers from what the other Marvel villains lack: depth. He's presents the character as a typical two-dimensional villain that are often associated with early comic-book movies. In addition the chemistry between Rudd and Lilly was weak and lacked the connection that Iron Man and Pepper Potts have.

Ant-Man provides the action and humour to please comic book fans and ignite this fledgling comic book character. What seemed, in theory, the least-necessary adaption of a lesser known superhero emerges as a perfectly solid summer action fare. It's all par-for-the-course cinematic heist, staged efficiently and with a hint of enthusiasm, and penned with sporadic wit. Visuals lean toward the light and poppy. The effects are in line with pic's generally pro and inspired achievements. However, the inevitable comparisons to Iron Man (2008) and the lament for Edgar Wright's bold and original take, Marvel Studios' second blockbuster this summer, serves as a glaring reminder of what this film lacks: true originality and vision. Despite the presence of Paul Rudd, an actor capable of unbelievable comedy chops, we don't feel a strong sense of Wright's humour that could have carried this film to cinematic greatness.

Simon says Ant-Man receives:

Also, see my review for Avengers: Age of Ultron.