Ant-Man, rated PG-13
****
The twelfth and latest of the modern Marvel superhero films is directed by Peyton Reed, and it’s a good one. The story begins back in 1989 with Dr. Hank Pym (a young looking Michael Douglas) in a tense meeting with Tony Stark’s dad (John Slattery), Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell), who will be recognized as “Agent Carter” from Captain America and Agent Carter, and Mitchell Carson (Martin Donovan). Dr. Pym, the founder of the company that bears his name, has possession of a red vial containing the Pym particle (a shrinking technology) that he developed, and SHIELD wants it badly.
Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is just out of San Quentin State Prison for his cat-burglar work. His old cellmate Luis (Michael Pena), offers to let him stay at his apartment. Scott doesn’t want to go back in to prison. Instead, he wants to get a real job, so he can have more time with his young daughter Cassie (Abby Ryder Fortson). Cassie and his ex-wife Maggie (Judy Greer), now live with Paxton (Bobby Cannavale) a policeman. But with Scott’s record he’s finding it hard to find a legitimate job.
Dr. Pym developed an Ant-Man suit that when used with the Pym particle is extremely powerful. But he doesn’t want his daughter Hope (Evangeline Lilly from Lost), with whom he has a strained relationship, to put it on because of something that had happened years ago. So Hank recruits Scott for a job that will involve putting a stop to Darren Cross (Corey Stoll from House of Cards). Cross is an old protégé of Pym’s, and Hope’s boss. He’s about to make billions on a weaponized “Yellowjacket” suit that uses Pym’s technology. He wants to make an army of Yellowjackets, and his buyer, represented by Carson, is an organization called HYDRA.
We loved this movie. It was creative, fun, and with Paul Rudd and Michael Pena it was also very funny. It does include about a dozen profanities that are certainly not necessary, and the expected violence that Marvel films contain.
Don’t forget to stay through both sets of the credits following the movie.
See this short video of how Downtown Disney is promoting the film with tiny billboards.
