Disney released the teaser for Marvel’s Ant-Man last night which stars Paul Rudd as the titular character. Ant-Man is certainly not the most well-known character in the Marvel Universe, but that’s no cause for worry because no one knew who the Guardians of the Galaxy were either and that movie was a critical success which also grossed more money domestically in 2014 than any other. That said, I’m not quite as optimistic for Ant-Man.
Who Is The Ant-Man?
The teaser introduces us to Scott Lang, Ant-Man, and how he differs from most other superheroes. He’s a family man, a tech genius, and a thief who is getting a second chance at making something extraordinary out of his life. Unlike so many other superheroes, he is not a powerless orphan who stumbles into super powers and now seeks to better the world as he couldn’t before. In fact, he’s given his opportunity after his most recent incarceration. Perhaps closest in origin to Captain America, Scott is chosen as a candidate for a superhero upgrade.
In the beginning we see Scott get arrested and Hank Pym, played by Michael Douglas, tells Scott that he wants him to become Ant-Man. I’ll be honest; Michael Douglas’s speech seems underwritten and over acted. Nothing at all original or interesting is said, but the tone and swelling score would lead you to believe we’re supposed to be impressed.
Too Little Ant Action
We don’t see too much superhero action in this teaser. We see Ant-Man get ant-sized in his shower and we see him ride a fly, but we never see him utilize his powers in battle or understand how the costume works and what it empowers him to do. We also don’t even see a formidable villain, just plenty of meaningless gunplay. When Ant-Man does shrink down, the visuals become high contrast and glow like neon, but also feels very fake and computer animated.
Ants Are People Too
Despite the weak monologue, what the teaser gets right is putting character first. Ant-Man is a pretty relatable character for adults. He’s not perfect, he’s a father, he isn’t mutated, and Paul Rudd isn’t a jaw droppingly handsome beefcake.
Little Laughs
Even the humor falls short in the teaser. For being the everyman, Paul Rudd’s reactions seem stunted strictly for humor’s sake. I can’t imagine not being a little more excited about becoming a superhero than, “huh” and then complaining about the name. Peyton Reed is directing this film and his past work has been broad comedies like Yes Man and Bring It On. Given this resumé, it’s worrisome that even the humor seems stilted.
The film was originally set to be directed by Edgar Wright who directed Scott Pilgrim vs the World and the Cornetto Trilogy, (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World’s End.) The director left due to creative differences and I can’t help but feel as though a major opportunity was missed. Nothing about this teaser looks as funny or as visually inspired as anything from Wright’s catalog.
How Ant-Man Fits In
Ant-Man is curiously part of, and ends, Marvel’s Phase 2 instead of Avengers: Age of Ultron. It doesn’t make sense to me, but that’s how Marvel is placing it on the timeline. In the newest Avergers NOW! Comic book reboot, Ant Man is in the Avengers alongside other Phase 3 heroes Doctor Strange and Black Panther. Ant-Man will be the only Marvel film released before May 2016 (Captain America: Civil War,) and has been touted as a sort of epilogue to Phase 2.
The Short Of It
I get it, this is labeled as a teaser and not a trailer, but it’s 2 minutes long and nothing exceptional happens. We’re still 7 months out from the release so it’s certainly too early to write the film off, but this teaser didn’t blow me away. Marvel does have a respectable track record, but my reaction to this is much like the, “huh,” of Scott Lang.
Ant-Man will be released on July 17th.
What was your reaction to the teaser? Are you already sold, or are you also reaching for your magnifying glass?
