Antman (2015) brings Phase 2 of the MCU to an end on a much lighter note than Age Of Ultron (2015). Scott Lang is a burglar recently released from prison and desires to set his life right so that he can see his daughter Cassie. Meanwhile, Hank Pym and his daughter, Hope, are conspiring against evil, corporate, crazy, daddy-issue villain, Darren Cross. Cross is obsessed with rediscovering Hank's shrinking technology. He thinks that if he completes his goal and sells it for a lot of money then Hank will love him, or something; It's not really clear what the deal is here. Hank puts Scott through an interview by tricking him into stealing the Antman suit from his house and then giving him a test ride in it.
This is where the fun begins. Scott Lang represents us in the MCU. He is the "what if we were pulled into the super-hero world" of the MCU. Scott reacts as we would react. When Hank explains the dire situation and proposes that Scott helps save the world, Scott responds, "I think our first move should be calling the Avengers." This is totally what any normal person would do. This conversation, of course, leads us into the Antman franchise being one of the most heartwarming stories that Marvel shares. The whole story is about family. Scott wants to be a better dad. Hank wants to be a better dad. Hank and Hope reunite. Hope sees that her father's resistance to her involvement in "superhero" life is because he cares for her. Hank, in turn, realizes that Hope was always meant to become the Wasp. Everyone learns a lesson about family and begins to move forward and accepts the pain of what has already happened.
Quick Hits
Stan Lee's cameo is in one of Luis's monologues as a bartender.
The post-credits scene is a clip from Captain America: Civil War (2016)
The comedy trio is amazing. Michael Pena's performance is particularly memorable.
"Well, one could say, I let you let me."
The way the shrinking segments were done was extremely cool and fun to watch.
I think the exploration of different visual styles in Antman is a precursor to those done in Dr. Strange (2016) and other MCU flicks.
The Falcon's appearance in this was awesome and unexpected. I think it gives credit to the idea of putting less in the trailers of films. It really integrates the Antman story into the MCU quickly and effectively. Watching characters with different types of powers fight one another is extremely enjoyable.
You can definitely tell that this film had a creative leadership switch during the process of development. Sometimes Scott Lang seems like a serious broody type and then, most of the time, he is the loving, silly goofball we've all come to love. Essentially, it's Paul Rudd at his Paul Ruddiest. I'm sure Rudd and Adam McKay delivered more silliness to the script. Michael Douglas and Evangeline Lilly also give great performances as the former and future superheroes. It is honestly one of Marvel's funniest films. It's funny in a different way than say Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) though. Antman is more of a traditional family comedy mixed with the super-hero genre. Through superhero stuff, all of the characters grow in their familial roles.
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