Expectations are a funny thing.
Unlike the plan to debut the Avengers: Age of Ultron trailer in an episode of Agents Of SHIELD only to have it show up online by less than reputable means ahead of it, there was no such leak for the first Ant-Man teaser, which clocks in at just under two minutes. I’ll admit, I was looking forward to the trailer a lot, but I actually kind of forgot about it while watching Agent Carter as I was enjoying that show a lot.
The first trailer is a familiar enough piece to be sure as Marvel cuts their trailers in certain ways, so there’s no surprises here. We get heavy dialogue, we get a sense of responsibility and purpose and we get some fun visuals, showing off the first view of the costume off and on and then giving us some ant-action.
I’ve been amused by the initial reactions because, for some reason, people were expecting a lighter tone like Guardians of the Galaxy and aren’t pleased that it’s not another light and fun movie. But as Marvel has been doing, while working in their framework, is to show that you can apply different things to it from different genres. That was made really clear with The Winter Soldier. Ant-Man is a heist movie, a smaller and more personal story, one with the larger implications but also kept small.
And, so far, it also has a dynamic that will definitely appeal that’s not in the other Marvel films. We get two fathers from different generations dealing with events here. We get Michael Douglas as Hank Pym, who has to deal with his daughter to be sure, played by Evangeline Lilly. But we also get Paul Rudd as Scott Lang, who as a father to a young child has to secure her future.
Fatherhood has not really entered the picture in the Marvel movies so far, at least in this strong of a way. Most of the characters are without family in some way as well, outside of a few of them. This alone provides an interesting angle to work with.
The trailer goes for a mostly somber approach and it ends with the light note, which of course is Marvel basically saying, “hey, we know, it’s goofy. Let’s just run with it.” And after Guardians of the Galaxy, they can definitely try to run with most things.
Unlike something like Avengers: Age of Ultron, this trailer is not going to be huge since it’s a little known property for many – though a lot of kids know the character from the animated series. And it’s also not trying to replicate Guardians of the Galaxy in its tone, which is also a good thing. Nor will Doctor Strange or Black Panther or Captain Marvel and so on and so forth.
I have no vested interest in the success of the film. I have an interest in seeing a good film and I hope it will be because it can continue to open the door to other characters, films, TV series and miniseries being made that might hit some of my favorites from years past. I’ve been keen on this film for as long as it’s been gestating and I’m excited to finally see it coming to life and wondering what it’ll do. I suspect it’ll be a film that will have some real admirers and real detractors, though a number of them will be from the fans of Wright camp that are still feeling stung.
I’m just pleased to see that Paul Rudd looks like he might damn well pull off this role, which was the thing I was the most worried about.
Directed by Peyton Reed, the film lands on July 17th, 2015. It stars Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Michael Peña, Patrick Wilson, Evangeline Lilly, and Corey Stoll.
Plot concept: Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, con-man Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats. Against seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Pym and Lang must plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.
