REVIEW: ANT-MAN

 

 

Over the years, comic book publisher Marvel Comics has established itself as one of the powerhouse companies in the motion picture industry. It is quite unusual to see a company succeed financially in areas other than their core business. Under the company’s motion picture division Marvel Studios, they have produced several films based on their huge stable of comic book characters. These films has gone on to become financially successful and some even have received critical acclaim. In order to ensure continuity of interesting storylines and repeat business in ticket sales, they created the Marvel Cinematic Universe where every Marvel content is inter-related to one another. Marvel had great success in bringing both their popular and lesser-known comic book characters to the big screen. In 2015, Marvel is releasing two films; Avengers: Age of Ultron (May 2015) and Ant-Man, which is the movie I will be reviewing.

 Ant-Man is helmed by director Peyton Reed. The film stars Paul Rudd as the title superhero character. He is supported by Evangeline Lilly, Corey Stoll, Michael Pena, Bobby Canavale, Anthony Mackie, rapper Tip “T.I.” Harris, Judy Greer, and veteran actor Michael Douglas. Ant-Man is co-written by Edgar Wright, Joe Cornish, Adam McKay, and Paul Rudd. As with all Marvel’s feature films, Kevin Feige is the producer. Ant-Man is based on characters created by Stan Lee, Larry Leiber, and Jack Kirby.

 

Will Ant-Man be as heroically awesome as the rest of Marvel’s superheroes? Do read on…

Paul Rudd as Scott Lang checking out his Ant-Man suit

SYNOPSIS:
Back in the 1980s, Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) is an inventor working for the government protection agency S.H.I.E.L.D. who gets upset when his superiors intend to replicate a technology he developed. The technology Pym conceived, gives the ability for a human being to shrink down from a grown person to the size of an insect and vice versa in a specifically design suit. Pym, knowing that his superiors would use his technology to cause damage, is furious with S.H.I.E.L.D. that he refuses to give up the secret formula of his technology and resigns from the agency. Fast forward to the present time, petty burglar Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is released from prison and rejoins his old crew to score a new burglary job. However, the job was a set-up by Pym who intends to find someone worthy enough to wear his shrinking technology for the good. After choosing Lang to wear the suit as Ant-Man, Pym and his daughter Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly), set out to stop Pym’s former assistant Darren Cross (Corey Stoll) who has managed to replicate the shrinking technology and intends to use it for evil purposes.

Paul Rudd having a discussion with Michael Douglas who plays Hank Pym

SCRIPT:
Light-hearted and well structured. As far back as the 1960s, Ant-Man is and always has been part of the stable of Marvel comic book superheroes. Therefore, it is no surprise that Marvel has been trying to make a film adaptation for the past few decades. The storyline and plots were well written. Despite all the tech jargon associated with the Ant-Man suit, the dialogue was easy to understand and the audience did not lose interest. Good characterization for all the main characters. Not too much of character backstories but it is kept minimal enough that it doesn’t become too boring. Great mix of comedy amidst all the action. I like the fact that the film is centered around a heist operation when the lead character is a burglar. Smart move. 

(L-R): Hope Van Dyne(Evangeline Lilly), Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Hank Pym(Michael Douglas)

ACTING:
A very solid performance from Paul Rudd and I feel it was the perfect casting by Marvel. His performance borderlines charm, wit, and heroism. It is very hard not to like him in this film. Rudd fits the part. Evangeline Lilly and Corey Stoll managed to hold their own with okay performances. I loved the inclusion of Michael Douglas playing Hank Pym. Pym has been an integral part in the Marvel comics and his casting is the most perfect.

Hank Pym (Douglas) faces up to villain Darren Cross (Corey Stoll)

FILMING: 
It was widely publicized last year that writer Edgar Wright was supposed to direct the film. However, he left the project due to creative differences. Peyton Reed did well by stepping into the hot seat. He managed to carve an interesting story which can be enjoyed by adults and kids alike. Cinematography was alright. Editing was not too sappy but just enough to feel all the drama and excitement. The high points of the film are the visual effects which were really awesome. One can only imagine how cool the visual effects are since the lead character is able to shrink down to the size of an insect. Kudos to industry giants Industrial Light & Magic (ILM).

On set with Paul Rudd and director Peyton Reed

PACING:
Moderate pace. Not too slow, not too draggy, and not too fast either. Just nice to enjoy the movie.

 
DOWNSIDE:
Could be a little difficult to understand if you do not know about the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

UPSIDE:

For comic book fans, and Ant-Man fans in particular, this is a good beginning for the character. Great popcorn film while satisfying all types of fan base for Marvel.

Ant-Man in the shower?

OVERALL: 
Go and watch it!

RATING:
8 out of 10

 

 

REVIEW: TED 2

When major Hollywood movie studios releases a comedy film, they usually take the ‘safer’ route. There is a tendency to produce more family-friendly comedy films compared to foul-mouthed adult restricted films. Movies restricted to adults could dampen ticket sales at the box-office. However, there are several instances when R-rated comedy films were a commercial and critical success. One such instance was the 2012 hit Ted starring Mark Wahlberg and Seth MacFarlane. I will be reviewing its sequel titled Ted 2.

Ted 2 sees Seth MacFarlane return as the film’s director. Mark Wahlberg also returns as the lead star. Rounding up the supporting cast are MacFarlane, Amanda Seyfried, Giovanni Ribisi, Jessica Barth, and Morgan Freeman. The writers include MacFarlane, Alec Sulkin, and Wellesley Wild.

 
How will Ted 2 fair up to its predecessor? Do read on.

John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg) and Ted (voice of Seth MacFarlane)

SYNOPSIS:

The film tells the story of a man named John Bennett (Wahlberg) who grew up with a teddy bear named Ted which, through an unexplained miracle wish from the first film, can talk, interact, and do physical activities like a human being. The film begins with Ted (voiced by MacFarlane) who is about to get married with Tami-Lynn, his girlfriend from the first film. Not long into the marriage, Ted and Tami-Lynn decides to have a baby through John as a sperm donour. However, the state of Massachusetts where they reside won’t recognize Ted as a person because he is a toy. John and Ted engages a young lawyer named Samantha Jacksoon (Seyfried) to represent them in the legal battle with many funny consequences along the way.

Ted and his wife Tami-Lynn (Jessica Gerth)

SCRIPT:

Very funny and mildly interesting. It is one of those films where the ending of the story is predictable. The writing style of the script is basically a rehash of the previous film. Title character gets into trouble while his human counterpart helps him. There is no backstory explanation for the characters as it is assumed that the audience has watched the first Ted film. I liked the first Ted film. Not only was it very funny, the film had good emotional drama which audience can feel symphatized. This sequel lacks that emotional connection. However, the comedy moments and jokes are just as funny as the first one and guaranteed to have a lot of laughs. There are a lot of  inside jokes that  references pop culture which was creative. The dialogue is full of profanity and not suitable for children under 17 years old.

Amanda Seyfried  as Samantha L. Jackson

 ACTING:

Wahlberg did well in this film. His performance is not much of a stretch when it comes to comedies. In this sequel, he has less scree time compared to the first film. Seyfried is a welcome addition to the cast but she did little to showcase her performance. Established actor Morgan Freeman was just there to give the film some boost in terms of star-power.

Samantha, John, and Ted in a diner

FILMING: 
Seth MacFarlane is famously known as the creator of Family Guy, an animated TV series on the FOX network in the United States. He did well for the first film, which marked his directorial debut, but I feel he slack a little bit on this sequel. The focus was more on specific funny scenes and moments. Sometimes it felt like there was a lack of emotional connection from scene to scene which is essential in keeping an audience interested. The visual effects for Ted the teddy bear is as usual very good.

Filming Ted with a stuffed teddy bear being used as a visual effects reference marker

PACING:

Moderate pacing. Good start, good middle, and good ending.

DOWNSIDE:
Lots of profanity is used in film and some drug use. Talking foul-mouthed teddy bear on screen is not for kids.

UPSIDE:

A very funny film that will guarantee laughs.

Ted at his job in the supermarket

OVERALL: 
I feel the first film was much better than this sequel. Good laughs and light-hearted storyline. However, please note that you MUST see the first film in order to understand Ted2.

RATING:

7 out of 10