Another Marvel movie. I didn't have particularly high expectations for this one though. I am not a particular fan of any of the major cast members. Michael Douglas is hit or miss. Paul Rudd is too often the butt of jokes rather than the instigator. Evangeline Lilly ok, I like her, but WTF is with that horrid bob? And the list goes on. Even when they draft in an existing Avenger they pick my least favourite when they draft in the Falcon for a couple of scenes. And biggest disappointment of all was watching a Stan Lee interview about 6 weeks ago where he said he was unfortunately too ill to travel to make a cameo appearance.
That same Stan Lee interview did give me some hope though, as he said that this was the first time since the origin of the character that he felt the shrinking superhero had been properly brought to life.
I needn't have worried though. Paul Fiege continues to develop the Marvel universe by somehow adding completely unique characters to their world in new and interesting ways, while tying the whole universe together.
Michael Douglas is far from his spectacular best, but is further from his worst in a solid journeyman role fairly distinct from his normal fayre. Paul Rudd is pretty good, he manages a good mixture of jokes at his own expense without taking any of the respect away from the character. Evangeline Lilly is ... no I just can't get away from being distracted by the horrid haircut, really the hairstylist on this movie needs a slap. And the rest of the supporting cast are pretty standard. The surprise appearances from Hayley Atwell and John Slattery alongside a younger (possibly CGI-ed but very clean) Michael Douglas added to both the Marvel Universe completeness and the appeal of the movie.
The story itself is a fairly simple Marvel origin tale to get the character up and running in time to slip him into the upcoming Civil War and Infinity War storylines.
I think I missed all the subtle easter eggs on the first viewing, but I caught all the blatant ones. I may have to go again before it leaves the cinema to see if I can pick some of them out.
Overall 8 out of 10.
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