The twelfth installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a really fun family film that brings a founding member of The Avengers to the big screen for the first time with Marvel Studios’ Ant-Man. Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, master thief Scott Lang must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, protect the secret behind the spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats. Against seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Pym and Lang must plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.
Several months after the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron, thief Scott Lang, former systems engineer and petty criminal, acquires a suit that allows him to shrink in size but increase in strength. Michael Douglas plays Hank Pym/the original Ant-Man, former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, entomologist and physicist, who in 1963 discovered the subatomic particles that make Ant-Man’s transformation possible and later mentors Lang to take over as Ant-Man.
Evangeline Lilly plays Hope van Dyne, daughter of Hank Pym and Janet van Dyne (the Wasp, who had died preventing a nuclear war and saving the world), senior board member of Pym Technologies who helps Darren Cross take over the company. Describing her character, Lilly said, “I was raised by two superheroes. So, I’m a pretty screwed up human being. I am also fairly capable, strong, and kick-ass, which is wonderful to play, but the most fun to play was just how messed up she was from being raised by two superheroes. And the clear message sent by my name is that I’m not a big fan of my father and so I took my mother’s name.” Be sure to stay after the film for two special scenes during the credits.
Corey Stoll plays Darren Cross/Yellowjacket, former protégé of Pym, who takes over Pym’s company, militarizes a similar version of the Ant-Man technology and creates the Yellowjacket suit. Bobby Cannavale plays Paxton, police officer and friend of Lang’s, who has married Lang’s ex-wife Maggie, played by Judy Greer. Michael Peña plays Luis, Lang’s cellmate and member of his heist team. Tip “T.I.” Harris plays Dave, member of Lang’s heist team. Wood Harris plays Gale, Paxton’s police partner. Martin Donovan plays Mitchell Carson.
John Slattery (Howard Stark), Hayley Atwell (Peggy Carter), Chris Evans (Steve Rogers/Captain America), Sebastian Stan,(Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier) and Anthony Mackie (Same Wilson/Falcon) reprise their roles. Ant-Man co-creator Stan Lee makes his traditional cameo appearance in the film, this time around as a bartender.
I highly recommend this film, produced by Marvel Studios, distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Rated PG-13 (for sci-fi action violence) that runs1 hour, 55 minutes. Directed by Peyton Reed, with screenplay written by Edgar Wright, Joe Cornish, Adam McKay, and Paul Rudd, Ant-Man opens everywhere July 17. See it in 3D or IMAX 3D at your local Carmike Cinema.
