I’m not sure what to expect from Ant-Man. The commercials I’ve seen on television (a couple are included below) seem to be selling a movie that’s a joke more than jokes that are in a movie, but that’s sort of the Marvel way. Self-deprecating to a fault. The storyline also looks like they’ve just recycled the story told in the first Iron Man movie. Smart move, that thing launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe and at this point all that need doing is reminding people Hey! This is just another one of those Avengers movies! Marketing team to the rescue.
Three new posters promoting Ant-Man have been released, all three promoting the movie as much as they are promoting the fact this is another movie in The Avengers franchise as the title character sits atop Iron Man’s shoulder, Thor’s hammer and Captain America’s shield. Gotta give Marvel credit, they sure do know how to market their movies. Hell, they’ve been releasing (and people have been paying to watch) big budgeted, feature length commercials since 2008.
I know, I know, that’s a cheap shot loaded with cynicism, but I couldn’t resist. In truth, I’m mildly interested in seeing how this one turns out. Marvel’s origin films have been rather decent and the fact this one doesn’t really have to cater to the whole Avengers storyline will hopefully allow it to be a little more fleshed out. Plus, it’s got a rather strong cast with Michael Douglas, Paul Rudd, Michael Peña, Evangeline Lilly, Corey Stoll, John Slattery, Bobby Cannavale and Judy Greer. I’m up for giving it a shot.
The next evolution of the Marvel Cinematic Universe brings a founding member of The Avengers to the big screen for the first time with Marvel Studios’ Ant-Man. Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, master thief Scott Lang must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, 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.
In theaters: July 17, 2015
