Marvel Comics had to dig deep into its archives to recruit Ant Man (1962) as a new super hero. But it just does not seem right to have an insect size gladiator join the ranks like those in “Avengers” and “Guardians of the Galaxy.”
Scott Lang (Paul Rudd), a master thief, is released from prison. He vows never to be involved in crime again. When getting a legitimate job becomes impossible for the ex-con, former cellmate Luis (Michael Pena) talks him into “one last job” of cracking the safe of millionaire Hank Pym (Michael Douglas). The safe yields to Lang’s talents, but contains only a weird helmet and suit. For some unknown reason, he puts it on and becomes the liege of Pym as Ant Man.
Pym explains that the suit allows Lang to miniaturize himself instantaneously into an ant-sized figure who can recruit and direct colonies of ants “to save the world.” His assignment is to prevent Pym’s partner Daren Cross (Corie Stoll) from stealing his transformation formulae and using it for nefarious purposes.
Lang is aghast. His first task is to use his powers to change size in order to pass through a locked door. Full sized, he leaps for the door intent on transforming himself small enough to pass through the keyhole, then reconstituting full sized on the other side. Simple! But Lang is slow to learn in the funniest sequence in the movie.
Douglas deserves to share top billing in this flick and does his usual brilliant job of acting. Rudd plays the unlikely superhero well. Action scenes are average at the best.
Ant Man will never become another Captain America, but the film is mildly entertaining and had me watching where I stepped after the show. Overall, best grade I can give it is C.
“Ant Man” is currently showing at all three Villages theaters.
Jack Petro reviews movies for Villages-News.com