Ant-Man

Ant-Man arrives after a lengthy gestation (around 8 years), ending in the departure of it's leading creative force, Edgar Wright. Along with writing partner Joe Cornish (Attack the Block), Wright developed the film for many years - long before Marvel retained the rights to bring it to theatres.
With Wright attached Ant-Man was a must-see! Even the strangely bleak At Worlds End would not have stopped film-fans arriving in their droves come opening weekend. With Ant-Man Wright was set to weave his magic with the likes of the Marvel-verse - a creative power-house which continues to grow and evolve.

The thinking is that perhaps Wrights vision was a little too left-of-centre for the likes of Marvel. Just as it is with the comics, Marvel have their way of doing things - which I guess distinguishes them from the pack.
Unlike many of the directors Marvel have employed to date, Wright is a visualist of considerable flare. Using the comics analogy once more, perhaps Wrights vision was more akin to an Image book, or even an Oni Press one (see: Scott Pilgrim vs. The World)!

Wright's a great writer too however - and this is something Marvel were undoubtedly impressed by. Marvel are the house of ideas after-all (or is that Disney - well, they're all under the same roof now anyway)! And history has proven that good ideas and a knack for humour is a prerequisite for their movie out-put thus far!

Anyway, Wright departed and in stepped Paul Rudd and his writing partner Adam McKay (Anchorman). Collectively they've turned Wrights 1960's picture into a contemporary one - moving the focus from original Ant-Man, Hank Pym to the later incarnation of Scott Lang.
Peyton Reed (Down with Love) stepped into the directors chair with the undesirable task of bringing all the aforementioned elements to the screen.
I'm happy to report that along with Marvel, Reed has respectfully shone the proverbial light on each collaborative partner. Reed has done so seamlessly of course, but it's fun to ponder which creative mind brought what to proceedings?!

So, who are Hank Pym and Scott Lang? Well, Hank Pym is a highly revered character within the Marvel universe. Along with Howard Stark and Nick Fury, Hank Pym laid the foundations for SHIELD and the Avengers back in the 1960's. Pym was the original Ant-Man of course, although in this iteration he is keen to pass the heavy mantle onto another.
Enter Scott Lang, an unlucky do-gooder who landed himself in jail as a result of a Robin Hood-style, anarchic crime. Divorced, but with a daughter to provide for, Lang agrees to help Pym in the hope he can make amends for his past indiscretions.

Having long since retired and in the process of relinquishing control of his company, Hank Pym is out, but still conscientious of people following his work.
One such ignoramus is Darren Cross - Pyms original protege, standing on the precipice of discovery. Cross is giddy with possibility, unaware that he's endangering the world with his own shrinking device.
Collectively Pym and Lang (along with Pyms daughter Hope) decide to act. In an elaborate plan they hope to stop Cross in his tracks - retrieving his designs, whilst making sure no one will follow his work.

Paul Rudd plays Scott Lang - the most unlikely choice for a super-hero since Seth Rogen donned the Green Hornet mask. Lang is an unlikely hero from the get-go however - and Rudd effortlessly convinces! Joining Rudd is Evangeline Lilly as Hope. And Michael Pina provides excellent support (gaining most of the laughs to boot) as Langs best friend, Luis.
In the role of Hank Pym is the great Michael Douglas - adding much needed gravitas to Pyms father/mentor figure.
Keep an eye out for a younger Douglas during a sequence set in the late 1980's. Along with Arnies younger self in this years Terminator, the young Hank Pym is an effectively rendered marvel to behold! A process of de-ageing this time (as opposed to Arnies full make-over). This sequence is no-less a triumph. Many have theorised of a 60's/70's-set Marvel adventure featuring the likes of Sam Jackson (Fury), Robert Redford (Pierce) and Michael Douglas (Pym). On this evidence at least, it's a project worth salivating over!

Peyton Reed, his cast and crew have successfully brought a heavily scrutinized vision to the screen. Ant-Man is far better than anticipated! A stand-alone origin tale that ties nicely into the Marvel cinematic universe. It's funny, action-packed and visually very exciting (the macro-photography is worth the price of admission alone)!
It would appear the scepticism was unfounded - as Marvel continue to impress. Was there ever any doubt?!

4/5


Poster image courtesy: http://screenrant.com