Ant-Man (5 Stars)

This is the 12th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, released in July 2015. Stan Lee appears so late in the film, less than a minute before the closing credits, that his fans might despair and think he won't be in the film. Don't worry, we finally see him as a barman. It's only for 2½ seconds, but that's long enough for him to give his opinion about the YouTube star Anna Akana, who he sees sitting in his bar.

"Crazy stupid fine". Those are Stan's exact words to describe her.

Take another look at her. Stan Lee wasn't just a brilliant writer, he also had good taste in women.

When the film was first announced it was predicted that this would be the MCU's biggest failure. The press wrote things like, "How can a super-hero be taken seriously if his super-power is being able to shrink to the size of an ant?" Then they went on to mock his name. On the other hand, dedicated comic fans expected something amazing, because Ant-Man was one of Stan Lee's first super-heroes. He first appeared in Tales To Astonish #35 in September 1962. He was one of the founding members of the Avengers. His lack of size could always be used as an advantage, either to sneak up on someone or to slip through the smallest of gaps.

Ant-Man could also fly by riding on a flying ant.

Far from being a failure, "Ant-Man" was a big box office success. Judged by my rating system it was one of Marvel's most successful films.

One thing that didn't hit me fully until I watched the film today – for the fifth time! – is the contrast between the two Ant-Men, past and present, both trying to be reconciled with their daughters. This is so important a theme in the film that I'm shocked that I never realised it before.

Dr. Hank Pym

Hope Van Dyne

Hank Pym, the original Ant Man, pushed his daughter Hope away from him after the death of his wife Janet Van Dyne, also known as the Wasp. He put her in a boarding school and didn't see her for years. People react to sorrow in different ways. If I lost my wife I would cling to my daughter tighter than ever. Now Hope herself is seeking contact with her father, but she can't bring herself to call him Dad. That takes time.

Scott Lang

Cassie Lang

Scott Lang, the new Ant-Man, was sent to prison for four years as a thief. His wife moved on. She has a new fiancé who lives with her. The future step-father isn't a bad man. Scott's daughter Cassie loves him, but she loves her real father more. She forgives her Dad for whatever he's done wrong. He'll always be the most important person in her life, but her mother is blocking the contact. In America – unlike most other countries – there's a connection between paying child support and visitation rights. Scott is four years behind with his child support payments, so his wife has the right to refuse him access to his daughter. That's cruel. She thinks she's punishing her husband, but she's hurting her daughter even more.

Success Rate:  + 2.0

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