Ant-Man

With original director Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead) departing the project prematurely, uncertainty loomed over the prospects for this Marvel blockbuster. After all, Ant-Man is no household name like Spider-Man or the Hulk. The miniature hero made his comic-book debut in 1962 and is the alter ego of scientist Hank Pym, whose patented particles can shrink him to the size of an ant, but with super-strength. However, in this light-hearted adventure, a pensionable Pym (played by Michael Douglas) recruits ex-con cat burglar Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) to don the Ant-Man suit and stop his villainous protégé (Corey Stoll) from using the invention for nefarious purposes. Yes Man director Peyton Reed is on firm ground rustling up laughs, with Rudd's deadpan quips and buddy Michael Peña's fast-talking patter delivering the goods. The rapid-fire size-changing is effectively handled, too, but the allusions to the wider superhero community are never far away - Ant-Man's clash with post-Ultron Avenger the Falcon (Anthony Mackie) is a reminder that this fun-sized yarn is just a stepping stone to future films. That's not to say these scenes are unwelcome, certainly to action fans, but it's jesting not jousting that wins out here.