Paul Rudd stars in "Ant-Man," Marvel's latest superhero endeavor and a film that desperately attempts to cash in on the same idiosyncratic formula that permeated throughout the likes of "Guardians of the Galaxy." However, when it comes to this particular anti-hero (a warranted designation considering the fact that our protagonist is really only "in it" for himself), there seems to be a certain lack of interest involved. I guess it's because his unique ability is simply the act of shrinking himself down to the size of an emmet; subsequently, bestowing him with the capability to fit through keyholes and to mount the thorax of a flying ant.
The concept here is undoubtedly absurd and even laughable to a point, yet the film proceeds in the only manner that Marvel is accustomed to: that being, an approach that consists heavily of fast-paced action and numerous scenes infused with tawdry humor. (The former being a pure obstruction to the few dramatic moments that actually make it into the picture, and the latter, well, it surely does little to entertain and mostly adds to what can be considered an already puerile atmosphere.) We know going in that there will be no sense of poignancy, and although this is certainly not a requisite characteristic, it would assuredly make the material more unforgettable; a color palette composed of blacks and dark grays cannot satisfy what the film lacks in mood.
Scott Lang (Rudd) is a good man who seems to be down on his luck. After completing a recent stint in San Quentin for a larceny charge, Lang struggles to gain employment, as most former convicts do. Throw in a resentful ex-wife and a disappointed young daughter, and you pretty much have the gist of Lang's portion of the story, which clearly sets up an opportunity for redemption; a foolproof design of the superhero genre. Enter Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), a legend in the field of science and a man who regrettably cannot let go of the past. This unlikely duo will ultimately team-up in an effort to thwart the devious Dr. Cross, who has developed a rival miniature hero, aptly named the Yellow Jacket.
Our storyline here obviously has good intentions, yet when it comes to plot unification, there seems to be a smidgen of inconceivability. Let's see: Although Lang has a troubled past and despite the fact that he is routinely burdened with conflict, there is little plausibility when it comes to this divided family subplot. (I mean, Lang's offense could even be deemed honorable to an extent, and his master's degree in electrical engineering only alludes to qualities such as discipline and rabid intelligence.) He even finds the time to visit with his daughter--who he is forbidden to see--and somehow he is regarded as a bad father. It is forced, unnatural in a sense, and unquestionably contrived, which simply makes for poor film. (Of course, this may be a subtle comment on the seemingly unfair justice system of this nation, yet it is never a good idea to supersede authenticity with a political statement.)
Nevertheless, what one has to remember when viewing "Ant-Man" is the fact that its primitive motivation is to showcase the talents of Rudd, who is predominantly an actor of comedy. He is the perfect casting choice for this role, however, his down-to-earth disposition and charm can never fully overshadow the imperfections of the film's design. (This is in reference to a subpar script and to an accompanying cast comprised of several uneven performances.) Douglas can never muster up enough vigor to warrant interest and although Evangeline Lilly is a superb actress and a radiant display of gender equality in this instance, she seems to just be running through the motions, especially when it comes to the rather ineffective romance involving her and Rudd. Just add "Ant-Man" to the extensive list of Marvel films that teeter between greatness and mediocrity.
*On a side note, it would seem that the film industry has once again proven the decline of the actor's importance, as the utilization of computer graphic imaging unfortunately takes center stage in yet another Hollywood blockbuster. And this is the problem with filming today. An actor can almost certainly shoot his or her scenes in their entirety in a matter of weeks, and this plainly hurts the picture's continuity. As long as there is no drop-off in regard to salary, however, I'm sure most complaints will go unheard.
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