When it comes to Marvel’s cinematic universe (MCU), you’re probably a lover or a hater by now.
The likes of Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk and Thor have enjoyed a huge amount of exposure in the big screen in recent years – and together they’ve changed the face of cinema.
But Marvel is now looking to introduce a few of its lesser known comic heroes to the big screen, a process that started with the awesome Guardians Of The Galaxy last year. The smallest of those characters, Ant-Man, is their latest offering – and its another movie masterclass.
He may have the worst super-hero name in the business, but Ant-Man is perhaps the hero viewers can relate to most in the MCU.
Scott Lang (Paul Rudd – I Love You, Man) kicks off the film in prison, having committed what many would consider a vigilante crime.
He’s down on his luck, meaning he can’t provide for or look after his daughter Cassie (Abby Ryder Fortson) in the way he’d like to.
That sees him fall back into the crime world, with buddies Luis (Michael Pena), Dave (T.I.) and Kurt (David Dastmalchian) tempting him into “one last burglary”.
However, the job soon puts Scott on the radar of scentist Hank Pym (Michael Douglas – Basic Instinct).
Pym is the man responsible for creating the Ant-Man suit, with his famed Pym particles able to shrink whoever is wearing the outfit down to the size of an ant – while still maintaining their strength.
It’s perhaps a little more complex than that, but you get the idea.
Pym needs a new protege to take on the role of Ant-Man, as he bids to stop his former colleague Darren Cross (Corey Stoll – Homeland) from replicating his tech and selling it on the black market.
Meanwhile, Pym’s daughter Hope (Evangeline Lily – The Hobbit) is slap bang in the middle as Cross’ colleague. She must decide whether to help Scott become the Ant-Man, or stand by and watch her dad’s legacy be ruined.
Those of you that love the MCU won’t be surprised to hear that Ant-Man is the perfect combination of character-building, action and comedy.
I very much enjoyed the scenes that saw Scott shrink down to ant size. They made for inventive sequences that were both funny and eye-catching, especially in 3D.
The casting is also as good as it gets, with Marvel once again bang on the money. The always excellent Rudd is perfect as the lead, while Douglas and Lily bring the gravitas and star power that a film of this size demands.
Ant-Man slots perfectly into the wider MCU (there’s even a guest appearance from an Avenger) and I’d certainly love to see him fight alongside the regulars at some stage in the future.
But it also serves as a stand-alone experience that you can enjoy without having seen any of the other films.
And that alone is perhaps one of Marvel’s greatest achievement to date.
Voice Verdict: 9/10 (reviewed at Boston’s West End Cinema)
+ Spot-on casting
+ Rudd, Lily and Douglas being in the MCU
+ Pint-sized action scenes
+ Very funny
SHOWTIMES
Boston’s West End Cinema (Fri, July 24 to Thurs, July 30)
**MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: ROGUE NATION (12A)
2.30pm (Thurs), 5.25pm (Thurs), 8.20pm (Thurs)
**INSIDE OUT 3D (U)
10am (daily), 2.45pm (daily), 6pm (daily)
**INSIDE OUT 2D (U)
12.20pm (daily), 8.30pm (daily)
**SOUTHPAW (15)
2.30pm (not Thurs), 3pm (Thurs), 5.30pm (daily), 8.30pm (daily)
ANT-MAN 3D (12A)
2.40pm (daily), 5.40pm (daily), 8.20pm (daily)
ANT-MAN 2D (12A)
10am (daily), 12.40pm (daily)
THOMAS AND FRIENDS (U)
12.40pm (daily)
THE GALLOWS (15)
6.40pm (daily)
TED 2 (15)
8.40pm (daily)
MAGIC MIKE XXL (15)
8.45pm (not Thurs)
TERMINATOR GENISYS 2D (12A)
6pm (not Thurs)
MINIONS 3D (U)
10am (daily), 12.30pm (not Wed)
MINIONS 2D (U)
2.15pm (daily), 4.30pm (daily)
JURASSIC WORLD 2D (12A)
11.45am (not Wed), 3.15pm (not Thurs)
KIDS’ CLUB
Sat/Sun 10:30am – Two By Two (U)
SILVER SCREEN
Wed 11.30am – Mr Holmes (PG)
** free list suspended
SHOWTIMES
Spalding’s South Holland Centre (Fri, July 24 to Thurs, July 30)
THOMAS & FRIENDS (U)
11am (Sat/Tues), 2pm (Mon/Wed)
MR HOLMES (PG)
2pm (Tues/Thurs), 6.30pm (Wed), 7.30pm (Mon/Tues)
