Review: Ant-Man

Ant-Man

      Paul Rudd joins the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in spectacular fashion.

      Actor Paul Rudd is - in my opinion - the best addition to the MCU since Robert Downey Jr.  The existing fanbase and comedic skills that he brings with him are substantial.  And with RDJ departing after just three more movies, maybe Rudd's appointment is no accident.  Maybe we are meant to have another potential fast-talker in the ring.  The point is that he's good enough to be the heart of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as RDJ has been thus far.  Nothing against Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, or Chris Pratt, (gosh there's a lot of Chris's in this franchise) but they don't have the kind of screen presence, charisma, and charm that Robert Downey Jr. has.  Paul Rudd does.

      While Paul Rudd is very very funny in this movie, the comedy comes from all around.  Most notably from Luis (Michael Peña), who is probably Marvel's funniest supporting character to date.  Director Peyton Reed delivers the laughs and all the fun of a taut heist movie.

      What I found most refreshing about Ant-Man was the distinct lack of outer space locations, characters from outer space, or wanton destruction on any excessive scale.  The last MCU movie we had that was completely earthbound and without excessive destruction was Iron Man 3 more than two years ago!  That may not sound like a long time but there have been four MCU releases between Iron Man 3 and Ant-Man.  To have a superhero movie on a more local scale really was a breath of fresh air that the franchise needs, I believe.  A good return to a tone more similar to the original Iron Man that started this whole party, and a welcome departure from the misguided, so-called "grown up" approach to Avengers: Age of Ultron.

      As with all MCU movies, Ant-Man gently leads the audience to return to the movie theater to see the next installment (the keen observer will also note connections to prior installments Iron Man 2 and Captain America: The Winter Soldier).  Most happily, Ant-Man includes the first (very very brief) acknowledgement of SPIDER-MAN joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe!  And be sure to stay for BOTH the MID CREDITS and the POST CREDITS scenes that hint at things to come in next May's Captain America: Civil War and beyond.

      In summary, Ant-Man is a welcome and worthy addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

      Big Shot Critic