MARVEL’s ANT-MAN opened in theaters last weekend, taking the #1 spot at the box office. While the $58 million opening fell short of the $60 million projection, it still made a strong showing, especially considering it was up against two other family titles: Minions and Inside Out.
I’m going to say right upfront that I loved ANT-MAN. Loved. I mistakenly purchased a Real3D ticket and it ended up being a blessing. I’m not a 3D fan. In fact, I go out of my way to avoid watching films in 3D, but ANT-MAN restored my faith in the format. The 3D photography was used to enhance the experience. There aren’t any cheap tricks or gags. Instead, it brings the viewer in, especially when Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) shrinks to ant size for the first time. You’re transported to his miniature world and you fear the full-sized objects just as much as Steve does. Speaking of amazing special effects: can we just talk about the fact that they practically Benjamin Buttoned Michael Douglas? I need that make-up artist in my life.
I’ve seen some articles claiming ANT-MAN was unnecessary, that MARVEL didn’t need to make a movie about a comic book that wasn’t that popular. I disagree. ANT-MAN is an obscure character for some, yes, but who cares? It’s a fun superhero origin story where, for once, the world doesn’t need saving and cities aren’t being destroyed. There are tender moments, as well as great action sequences. The dialogue is clever and quick, which you’d expect from the quirky Paul Rudd. And it is funny as hell. It’s been a long time since I’ve been to a movie where the entire theater laughs out loud over and over again. For the MCU geeks in all of us, there are a ton of Easter eggs to scope out (check out this video if you want a rundown of a majority of the hidden references.)
As for the most popular question I get asked when it comes to movie reviews: would I take my kids (5&7) to see it? Yup. Sure, there’s a little bit of language (nothing worse than what they hear around my house) and violence, but it’s not scary. Again, cities aren’t being destroyed. There aren’t huge explosions and massive battle scenes. The ants may creep a few youngsters out, but I have a feeling most kids will walk away wanting a giant ant as a pet and thinking twice before they squish an ant on the sidewalk. In this writer’s opinion, ANT-MAN is the first MCU movie that’s going to entertain even the littlest of MARVEL fans. Some of the other films were a bit too intense for my kids, but this won’t be.
Oh, and be sure to stay through the credits. There are two scenes you do not want to miss. I’ll talk about those in a future post because: spoilers.
ANT-MAN is in theaters nationwide now and I’m giving it two very enthusiastic thumbs up.
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