F-ANT-astic!

Ervell E. Menezes

The latest in the line of Superman, Batman and Spiderman series is the “Ant-Man”, but it is amazingly different. Unlike its predecessors, which were FX heavy and slam-bang, this one is an amazing blend of narrative and visuals, not to mention dashes of humour to provide first-rate entertainment.

It all begins in 1989 when scientist Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) resigns from S.H.I.E.L.Ds after discovering that they attempted to replicate his Ant-Man Shrinking technology. Pym’s estranged daughter Hope Van Dyke (Evangeline Lilly) and Pym’s former protégé Darren Cross (Corey Stoll) have forced him out of his own company.

In retaliation, Pym wants to make Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) the new Ant-Man and makes use of former cell-mate Louis (Michael Pena) to get him out of jail. Scott, a petty thief, wants visiting rights for his daughter and that makes him accept the job.

The stage is now set for a confrontation between the two sides and this involves a change of heart for Hope, who finds in Scott a willing learner and this helps defuse their initial hostility. On the other hand, the cocksure Cross slowly but surely diminishes in stature. In the process, Scott undertakes another break-in assignment only to find a motorcycle suit in the safe. But it is this suit that does the trick. Makes the wearer shrink into an ant, but much stronger! Remember “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids?”

Here the creation of the ants is brilliant. They also fly like helicopters and turn into humans at will. The wizardry with which this is done is impeccable and all credit goes to director Peyton Reed for judicious use of his FX team. He keeps the viewer entranced for all the 117-minute duration.

Paul Rudd in the lead role is excellent and depicts his change in moods succinctly. That he is one of the four script-writers also shows his versatility. Evangeline Lilly does well in a supporting role and Michael Douglas (with and without his beard) shows he has lost none of his skills. Of the rest, Michael Pena is excellent in his cameo. “Ant-Man” should not be missed.