There were a few moments in this year’s Ant-Man when it felt like a comedy, and then there were a few more when it felt like a biopic. The whole film is a series of amusing scenes showcasing the struggles of Hank Pym, a.k.a. ‘The Ant Man’. For a good chunk of the movie, his biggest problem wasn’t even getting the ladies, it was just staying secret as a superhero.
The casting is great, with Paul Rudd and Michael Pena giving perfectly tailored performances as Gene and Luis, friends of Pym who enlist him to help them navigate the world of superheroes. Rudd brings a lighthearted charm to the role, while Pena’s sly nature makes you think he’s hiding more than a few secrets himself.
Walking down the Street in the city, it’s easy to see how Pym, with his briefcase, looks like any other businessman. But as you get closer, you begin to notice something different about him – he’s almost glowing in the dark. This is thanks to the Pym Particle, a discovery that will change the world. While not everyone will want to be a superhero, for those who do, the opportunities are endless. The joke, of course, is that without a steady supply of Pym Particles, he’s basically useless. There has to be a way for him to make more money than he spends just trying to stay alive.
After getting a taste for combatting supervillains, Pym decides to form his own team of heroes and enlists the help of Saffron, a retired Russian ballet dancer and scientist who can teach him the basics of combat and navigation. Together, they try to figure out a way to make more money by taking on large-scale projects that will allow Pym to battle multiple enemies at once. For example, building a time portal so that he can travel through time and help his mentor, the original Ant-Man, restore order to the timeline.
As mentioned, there were many funny moments in Rudd’s performance, but they weren’t all one-sided. When Saffron finally realizes that Pym’s plan is to help other people as well, especially the less fortunate, her reaction is completely genuine and heartfelt.
Unfortunately, the script doesn’t do the same quality justice. There were a few funny quips, but they didn’t feel like they fit well with the tone of the rest of the movie. It wouldn’t hurt to add a few more, but they’ll probably have to come from a different source. In the meantime, enjoy the movie for what it is: a lighthearted romp through the Marvel Universe with some laughs along the way. If you’re looking for a biopic, this is probably not the one to watch – more like a comedy-drama with some action sequences mixed in.
Overall:
-Overall, it’s a very funny movie, and a lot of fun to watch. Paul Rudd does a great job, and gives a charming performance as Hank Pym. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a good laugh or two.
-The script could use some work. There were some funny quips, but they didn’t always feel like they fit the tone of the rest of the movie. It doesn’t hurt to add more, but they’ll probably have to come from a different source. In the meantime, enjoy the movie for what it is: a lighthearted romp through the Marvel Universe with some laughs along the way. If you’re looking for a biopic, this is probably not the one to watch – more like a comedy-drama with some action sequences mixed in.