If there is anyone that Marvel fans trust now more than James Gunn, I don't know who it is. Joss Whedon used to be that guy, but with AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON not meeting many expectations and his departure from the studio ranks, Gunn seems to be the guy everyone looks to for confirmation. Gunn is very outspoken on social media and does not mince words with what he thinks about everything Marvel and otherwise. He even called out Kevin Feige for spoiling the title reveal for GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2. Now, he has something to say about ANT-MAN.
Gunn took to Facebook to share his review for ANT-MAN, a film mired in production woes stemming back to Edgar Wright's departure from the project. We have all been apprehensive about whether the movie sucks or not and some have even gone as far as to say Marvel Studios may not have faith in it. Well, take a look at Gunn's words and see what you think.
Ant-Man may just be my favorite Marvel film since Jon Favreau's Iron Man (well, maybe excluding one film to which I'm partial). Honestly, the movie is a complete blast! I was so happy after seeing it. It's never boring for a second and it's hilarious and warm throughout. It doesn't get caught up in the webbing of its own science-fiction concept like so many movies do these days, remaining simple and elegant. It's a part of the Marvel universe without being ruled by that fact. Paul Rudd is nuanced and charming and funny and is a surprisingly natural fit as a modern superhero (side-fact – Paul must be a nice guy, because he and I dated the same girl in college, and yet I still love him). Michael Peña KILLS IT – this movie is going to make him a huge star. My old pal Judy Greer (she was Deadly Girl to my Minute Man in The Specials (film) many moons ago) is great in a small role. And Michael Douglas is awesome. I think all of Peyton Reed's years directing have led him to making something as deft and nimble and joyous as this; he did an incredible job. And, despite Edgar Wright's parting from Marvel, his spirit is felt through the entire project, and there is no doubt everyone owes him a huge debt of gratitude. I left the theater incredibly happy. So often I see movies by people I love which are just okay – it's great to love a movie as much as I love the people who made it.
This is a photo of me and David Dastmalchian at the premiere after-party last night – David plays a Russian hacker in the movie and nearly every single line out of his mouth gets a laugh. He's getting on a plane this morning to fly back to Colombia to resume filming his other movie – my movie, The Belko Experiment.
Congrats to the the whole Ant-Man team. Amazing work, guys! And, for the 99.99% of the people reading this who aren't part of the Ant-Man team, go check it out when it hits theaters (in a lot of places) July 17.
Again, Gunn is paid by Marvel Studios, so his word is not completely unbiased, but the guy has not been known to bullshit before. He had glowing things to say about Netflix's Daredevil and he was right on about that. The vast majority loved GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY and I would say this is probably going to be the consensus from fans as well.
ANT-MAN is looking to be a very different kind of Marvel movie but one that fits into the universe just the same. Paul Rudd will appear next in CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, but it seems safe to say that if audiences feel as strong as Gunn does, ANT-MAN 2 will not be far behind.
ANT-MAN opens on July 17th.
