Superhero movies are weird. If we see people walking around in our world with such zany costumes, we either figure they're on their way to a convention or some sort, or that they're nuts and loving breaking society's norms. But superhero movies are the wave right now, the Most Popular Thing. And people are buying tickets. There's sequels and interconnected storylines, bad baddies and do-gooders with great abs.
It's wonderful.
But it's weird.
And, until Deadpool opens, we'll have to satisfy our realization that this world doesn't really work within the rules of reality with such wonderful schlock as Ant-Man.
Instead of explosions, we have a brief and sincere tale of a thief hired to heist a piece of superhero equipment-the MacGuffin, if you will-and, of course, he'll become the hero he was meant to be. Of course, we've been down this road before. I'm not giving any spoilers by giving you that one sentence encapsulation.
This time around, it's Paul Rudd, who, in all honesty, one of the best actors out there, but, for some reason, likes his mumble comedies. I guess they pay the bills and keeps his fans happy, and this movie actually plays to them, as well as, all of those comic book fans who rarely venture beyond Big Bang Theory. Paul Rudd plays Scott Lang, and, in desparate need for cash upon release from the slammer, steals the suit the hero the Ant-Man, once owned by Dr. Frank Pym, played by Michael Douglas.
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| If you shiver at bugs, well, yes, they are on the table there...and every where with a bloody title like Ant-Man! |
In terms of the plot that is.
See, you have really good performers here and they take the familiar story and play with it, and with a certain sincerity. In effect, this movie is very aware of how weird this whole Marvel Cinematic Universe is. They have running gags about the Ant-Man's name, size jokes, whistling "It's a Small World," stuff that make this focus very different from the bruiser-fests that end up on the screen as in the Avengers and Age of Ultron.
Don't get me wrong, those movies are good too, and the perfect ending to a summer's evening. Drive-in spectatulars, if you will.
But this film's lighter tone is, by far, more approachable and the giggles are much needed. The pace is still that of an actioner, with ticking clocks and deadlines. But it seems the characters are aware of what they're doing and work to that happy end. Easter eggs permeat the works as well, so that all the fans of the comic books won't walk out after their popcorn's bag is empty.
Should you go see it? Why wouldn't you? It was made for mass consumption without my help. Enjoy. It's good stuff.
I liked it. Sorta like drinking a large, ice-cold Coke. Refreshing and sweet, but, ultimately, just another drink.
Peace,
Roo
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