Ant-Man (2015)

“My days of breaking into places and stealing shit are over! What do you need me to do?”

“I want you to break into a place and steal some shit.”

 “...makes sense.”

            One of the reasons I love superhero movies is because of all the gadgets and technology they use and all the scientific stuff goes into making some of the superheroes. Some of the science in these movies such as Ant-Man is so far-fetched but I absolutely love it. I love thinking about how intelligent the people must be, even though they are fictional characters, to have come up with the technology for these superheroes to use. Ant-Man was one of the most technological and scientific of the Marvel universe (well to me anyway. Maybe Iron Man beats him out). And, also, in my opinion, the most unique.

            Ant-Man begins with Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) being released from jail. He got thrown in jail on robbery charges. He is trying his hardest to go straight he does not want to be a thief anymore because he wants to see his daughter Cassie again. Cassie’s mother (Judy Greer) does not want Scott to come around again to see Cassie unless he can get himself together, get a job, and pay child support. Scott tries to get a job but no one wants to hire an ex-con. A thief buddy of his has a job lined up to break into the safe of some old rich guy his cousin cleans for. Scott and three of his other jail bait buddies break into the house only to find what looks like a motorcycle suit. Scott tries the suit on and it makes him smaller! The incident freaks him out and he tries to take it back to the house and of course the cops come. While in jail a group of ants bring him the suit and he can hear the same voice that was with him when he first put the suit on. The voice tells him to make himself smaller and get to his (the voice’s) house.

            The voice belongs to Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) who is the creator and innovator behind Pym Industries and the creator behind the Ant-Man suit. Pym had issues with his suit when he was younger. S.H.I.E.L.D and Howard Stark (and Peggy Carter!!!) wanted the suit but Pym refused to give it to them because he knew that they would not use it for good. Pym’s protégé Darren Cross (Corey Stoll) is obsessed with finding Pym’s formula for the Ant-Man suit and selling it. Darren has created a suit but he cannot get the right formula for shrinking human things. Pym and his daughter Hope (Evangeline Lilly) are working together to bring down Cross so he cannot sell the technology to create human weapons.

            This is where Scott comes into Pym and Hope’s plans to steal Darren’s Yellow Jacket suit and destroy the technology. Scott had broken into a high tech building when he was younger so Pym thinks Scott would be perfect for the job while wearing the suit.

            The cast of Ant-Man is awesome. Besides the writing and the action Marvel knows to bring together excellent casts for their movies. I beyond loved seeing Paul Rudd as an action superhero. I never would have picked Rudd to be a superhero but he was so perfect! I cannot see anyone else in the role. If anyone has ever read my reviews of the Captain America movies you will hopefully know that I am obsessed with and have a massive girl crush on Hayley Atwell. When I found out Agent Carter was in Ant-Man I freaked out. She is only in the beginning for a few minutes but that is alright I never care how long Agent Carter is in a marvel movie she is just so incredible. And so is Hayley Atwell. Evangeline Lilly was a delight to see in a Marvel movie. I am so glad she is getting these big roles like Ant-Man and The Hobbit. Michael Douglas made a great former superhero. Pym was not a totally cranky old man or even a crazy nutty old man he was perfect. Pym was still with it and he was not cranky. Sure he had some demons but doesn’t everyone in superhero movies? I was also very excited to see Judy Greer in a big movie. I just like seeing her in movies in general. Corey Stoll made one of the most perfect bad guys ever! I have to give a big huge mention to the actress who plays a character simply known as “The Writer” at the end of the movie. That actress is Anna Akana. Akana is a YouTuber who also happens to be a writer and a director. She is incredibly talented and funny and insanely creative. Her videos are hilarious and the editing is goals. Go right now and check Anna Akana out and subscribe to her channel.

            Ant-Man was so much fun watching. It did not feel like I was watching a Marvel movie because it was not as serious as the others. It is not as dramatic as the others it was a great mix of comedy and action. The technology in Ant-Man was awesome. It is crazy to think about what the world would do with technology like Ant-Man where men can shrink and attack without even being noticed. It is a really scary thought actually. I have zero complaints about Ant-Man I liked it that much. I am looking forward to the next Ant-Man and seeing Paul Rudd back in a superhero suit!