ANT-MAN (B+)

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE meets OCEAN’S ELEVEN by way of HONEY, I SHRUNK THE KIDS in Marvel’s silliest titled film to date – which, for a new-to-the-party property, turns out to be one of its most light-footed, breezy and entertaining…  ANT-MAN is an efficiently slick, comedically sharp and excitingly action-packed addition to the ever-expanding marvel Cinematic Universe.  With their world’s bulky bullpen of big time heroes (Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Hulk, et al) firmly in play, the diminutive size and scope of this future Avenger’s journey is actually quite refreshing.  It easily engages while effortlessly folding itself in to a much larger schematic blue print of things to come.  If you found yourself digging the zaniness of a talking raccoon in GAURDIANS OF THE GALAXY, the self-aware humor of IRON MAN, the parent/child dynamic of THOR or the fight-for-what’s-rightedness of CAPTAIN AMERICA, then you’re sure to enjoy what this bug’s life has in store.  And with slivered elements of action, comedy, science fiction, romance and familial bonding, it’s a bantamweight, multi-genre delight.  In fact, couple that with winning performances from Rudd, Douglas and Pena, and I’d say this is one of the easiest superhero films to recommend to the masses.  It’s not the best – just one I’m sure most people can easily wrap their head around and enjoy.  My two oldest boys (10 and 8), not surprisingly, loved it and double downed on A grades.  I now plan on taking them again, bringing our 5-year old and selling my wife on the idea that a movie called ANT-MAN isn’t just for nerds.  I’ve said many times before that size doesn’t matter – after the top-to-bottom, summer fun had with this flick, I’m starting to think it’s actually true.

Starring: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangaline Lily, Corey Stoll, Bobby Cannavalle and Michael Pena
Directed by: Peyton Reed (YES MAN, THE BREAK-UP and BRING IT ON)
Rated: PG-13
Running time: 1hr. 55min.
Story: 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 his 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. -- (C) Marvel

Official site: www.facebook.com/antman