Ant-Man

Directed by Peyton Reed

Starring Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lily, Corey Stoll, Bobby Cannavale, Judy Greer, Michael Pena, David Dastmalchian, and T.I.

Backstory

Of all the Marvel Cinematic Universe films, none has had a longer gestation than Ant-Man.  Announced way back in 2006 when Marvel Studios was first formed.  Almost forgotten when Marvel announced the rest of their Phase I, but we were assured, “It’s still comin’…It’s still comin’.”  Tragedy struck last year when original director Edgar Wright pulled out a few weeks before filming began, and Peyton Reed was brought in to take over.  Would the film survive such last-minute changes to gain an honoured place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

Plot

Scott Lang, a career thief with a bit of a Robin Hood flair (he robs from the rich and gives back to the poor), is finally released from prison and vows to go on the straight and narrow for his daughter.  But, finding a job is way too hard for an ex-con, and he soon goes back to his burgling ways.  He breaks into the home of famed scientist Hank Pym, and swipes what looks to be a motorcycle suit.  But, Pym soon reveals that he set the whole thing up to test Lang.  The suit allows the wearer to shrink down to the size of an insect, and gain super-strength in the process.  Pym’s former protege, Darren Cross, has finally figured out the secrets of the shrinking process, and is getting ready to mass produce it and weaponize it.  Pym wants Lang to don the suit, break into Cross’s HQ, and wipe out every trace of Cross’s research before it falls into the wrong hands.  Lang dons the suit, and, under Pym’s tutelage, can he become the hero the world needs…the Ant-Man?

What I Liked

First up, the film is funny.  Lang, being a thief, has a whole crew, and they provide the majority of the film’s comedy.  They are so lively and so quirky.  The visuals are amazing.  The shrinking and enlarging effects provide so many fascinating combat scenarios.  I’m sure you’ve seen the trailers where the hero and villain battle it out atop a Thomas the Tank Engine in a little girl’s bedroom, but when you see the entire sequence, it’s a thing to behold.  And I like how Marvel is trying to mix up genres and drop superheroes into them because, at the end of the day, this is a heist film.  And a good one.

What I Didn’t Like

Well, yeah, it’s cliched.  I mean, the hero winds up battling a villain with powers just like his…just like in every Marvel movie.  And as much as I loved the battle against a certain Avenger in the middle of the movie, it did seem kind of shoehorned in to link everything into the bigger Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Final Verdit

A very fun and enjoyable film.  It’s nice to see Marvel reduce the scale a bit, no pun intended, as this is a much smaller film than their gigantic superhero epics.

3 Nibs

Inside Out

Directed by Pete Docter; co-directed by Ronaldo del Carmen

Starring the voices of Amy Poelher, Phyllis Smith, Richard Kind, Bill Hader, Lewis Black, Mindy Kaling, Kaitlyn Dias, Diane Lane, and Kyle MacLachlan

Backstory

I love Pixar, but let’s be honest, they’ve been in a slump lately.  Cars 2...well, the less said the better.  I found Brave mildly disappointing, and with Monsters University, my expectations had been lowered so much that I thought, “Meh.  Could have been worse.”  But, still, I was getting excited for Inside Out.  Pete Docter, the director of Up, was back in the director’s chair, with another original story.  Since Up was considered too original back in 2009, would Docter give us another highly unique tale?

Plot

The story takes place within the mind of an 11-year old girl named Riley.  We find that her actions and attitudes are shaped by five dominant emotions that run the show.  Joy is in charge, ensuring that Riley remains happy.  Joy has given assigned tasks to Fear, Anger, and Disgust, but couldn’t quite figure out what the purpose of Sadness is.  But, young Riley’s life is thrown into turmoil when her family moves to San Fransisco.  Joy does all she can to make sure Riley remains happy, but it’s difficult.  One day, while trying too hard to prevent Riley’s memories from being tainted by Sadness, Joy and Sadness are ejected from the Headquarters, and must make a dangerous journey though Riley’s mind to get back home.  Meanwhile, without Joy to lead them, Fear, Anger and Disgust to their best, but under their mismanagement, various aspects of Riley’s personality begin shutting down.  It’s up to Joy and Sadness to make it home before Riley does something drastic, and perhaps, Joy can find that Sadness plays an important role after all.

What I Liked

EVERYTHING!  This is such an imaginative landscape, with such imaginative characters.  I found one set piece in the Land of Abstract Thought that made quite imaginative use of 3D.  And of course, the trailers made no mention of Bing Bong, Riley’s long-forgotten imaginary friend who helps Joy and Sadness, and gets one of the most dramatic character arcs.  The voice acting is all beautiful.  Amy Poehler seemed destined to voice Joy.  Michael Giacchino’s score is one of the most unique I’ve head in a while.  Everything is great.

What I Didn’t Like

Well…let’s be honest, ever since Toy Story, the road movie has been Pixar’s go-to formula.  And this is another road movie.  But hey…this it’s the journey, not the destination, right?

Final Verdict

Pixar is back.  This had that emotional gut-punch that I hadn’t felt since Toy Story 3.  Well done, Pixar.

4 Nibs

Bonus Materials

As is Pixar tradition, it opens with an animated short.  This time out, it’s Lava, a cute little love story between two volcanoes.  It’s an unusual subject for a love story, but Pixar makes it work.  3 Nibs.