Movie Review: Ant-Man12/15/2015 Every year or so, Marvel debuts a new film about our favorite - and sometimes idiotic - superheroes. Based solely on the title, I assumed this was going to be a total disaster. From the start, you have the perpetually youthful and simplistic baby face Paul Rudd in the lead. While Rudd may be a great supporting character in any comedy, it would seem impossible to sell him as this kick ass action hero. However, I was completely wrong. This movie kicked major ass. Rudd pulled it off by just being himself, only hitting the gym and getting physically committed to the role of Ant-man. The character's ex-con background and team of hilarious friends, delivered laughs from beginning to end, while Michael Douglas (Hank Pym) seamlessly acted with authority and old-man wisdom and straight faced witty quips. Paul's sidekicks included Luis (Michael Pena) and Dave (Rapper T.I.) which set off alarms in my head they were really reaching for Michael Bay style token ethnic sidekicks. Once again, they pulled it off. Pena's relentless story telling and Dave's "Captain Obvious" approach were dynamite. You'll laugh your ass off each time they are on screen. The lines were raw and felt natural. T.I. maintains his super cool, chill attitude, while staying connected to each scene and never detracting. Hope, Pym's daughter, is played by the timelessly beautiful Evangeline Lilly. Her fight scenes are wicked brutal, but her hairstyle reminds me of Frau Farbissina from 'Austin Powers.' It's dreadful. I only pray it changes in the next chapter of the Ant-Man story as it seems the go-to hairstyle for characters who need to feel tough and masculine while maintaining a high volume of sex appeal. She doesn't need it. She's hot. Bring back her hair from 'Lost' and give her a hair tie for crying out loud. Perpetual badass, Bobby Canavale plays Paxton; Ant-Man ex-wife's new boyfriend. He is much more reserved than you are used to. Coming from HBO's "Boardwalk Empire," he somehow avoided typecasting in this setting and it worked. Although, I wouldn't be surprised if he initially read for the lead villain role of Yellow Jacket. Honestly, I hate giving away any spoilers so I will refrain from any details. Instead I'll give you my final thoughts. I think this movie is definitely hilarious. The action is convincing, the CGI is spot on, and it feels like Marvel tapped into the soul of "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" without cheesing it up. This is a great film for parents and kids - minus the couple of swear words (sh*t) used very sparingly - and the laughs are non-stop. Ant-Man is available now on Blu-Ray, DVD, and Digital Download from Amazon. Click on the links above to support this website!
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