Ant-Man (2015)

I personally feel that the MCU treatment of Ant-Man was long overdue. The Hank Pym version of Ant-Man had been a founding member of The Avengers along with his wealthy socialite girlfriend (later wife) Janet Van Dyne (aka The Wasp).

While the new version changes a lot it also doesn’t ignore the origin. Hank Pym was the first man to discover the ability to shrink himself to the size of an ant and communicate with the insects and also was married to Janet who shared his missions and shrunk herself.

In the comics the role of Ant-Man went to ex con Scott Lang, and that’s what happens in this film.

The film is fun, I hadn’t realised just how much fun until I rewatched it. Some of this stems from the fact that lead actor Paul Rudd is a comedian and had a hand in the writing.

Paul Rudd played the title character, and he did with a great sense of humour and plenty of comedy, to be expected with his background, but never overdone.

The big name of Michael Douglas played Hank Pym and he did a great job. He made an excellent elder statesman, was always believable and I liked his tough love mentor role.

Lost and The Hobbit star Evangeline Lilly was cast as Hope Van Dyne, and she does a good job with both the physicality of the role and the gradual relationship with Scott.

Scott’s former cell mate Luis is also played with plenty of humour by Michael Pena, who while he is well known for serious roles was great as the fast talking Luis.

Chief amongst the villains was Corey Stoll as Hank’s former protégé Darren Chross.

Bobby Cannavale appeared in a rare turn as someone who wasn’t totally bad. His character of cop and Scott’s ex-wife’s fiancé Paxton was a thorn in Scott’s side, but was essentially a good person doing what he saw as his job.

There were cameos from Hayley Atwell as an aged up Peggy and John Slattery as Howard Stark again. Stan Lee’s cameos seem to be getting smaller as he gets older, this time he was a bartender in one of Luis’ stories. Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson also appears.

Peyton Reed was another one of the MCU’s left field directing choices, but he seemed to work and had a good light touch for the film.

I have to admit that I really liked this one. It was probably the sort of action super hero comedy that audiences needed after the overly serious and disappointing Age of Ultron.

Post credit sequences hint at two things: Hope will become The Wasp and Scott is going to be called into service with The Avengers.