*** out of ****
It’s funny that Judd Apatow's Trainwreck opened last
weekend against a superhero movie starring Paul Rudd, an actor whose fame was
escalated by Apatow. Rudd has made the bold leap into potential
superstardom by joining the ranks of actors on the Marvel payroll. It helps
that Ant-Man is a pretty fun movie too.
How is this Ant-Man guy different from the others? Well,
he’s a burglar with Robin Hood-like intentions, whose skills caught the interest
of an aging industrial scientist (Michael Douglas) with a secret identity he
wished to pass on. That identity is that of a man who wears a suit that can
instantly make one the size of an insect, provide super-strength and the
ability to control ants –when in need of assistance. These abilities come
together, making the ultimate infiltrator.
Like all ideas, no matter how silly, it’s really a question
of execution. This movie’s special effects action is constantly engaging and
whimsically imaginative. Like Guardians of the Galaxy, this movie is another
Marvel entry that leans more toward comedy. Knowing that Edgar Wright (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) was behind its development until he left due to creative
differences with Marvel frustrates me. However, the underrated director, Peyton Reed (Down with Love) makes a good replacement –even if he lacks the
over-the-top ambitions of Wright.
The movie suffers a little. It’s an example of what I don’t
like about the PG-13 rating, but I’ll get into that another time. The film’s
main troubles stem from a weak story and character drama that comes off as
cheap. However, Rudd, Douglas and the supporting players such as Evangeline Lilly,
Corey Stoll, Bobby Cannavale, and Michael Peña all manage to make something out
of their characters. The movie ultimately works because of its very fun
spectacle, which outdoes most of the previous Marvel films.
No comments:
Post a Comment