Just as is the case with every Marvel movie, and most other superhero movies for that matter, Ant-Man is rated PG-13, but it’s the most family-friendly superhero movie that has come out of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The movie might have been criticized for playing things a little too safe, and while it's true that Ant-Man is fairly risk-averse, it’s refreshing to see a superhero movie that doesn’t have end-of-the-world stakes. Between its goofy supporting cast, the relationship between Scott and his daughter, and the endearing subplots, Ant-Man is easily the best family superhero movie.
There Aren’t Any End-Of-The-World Consequences
With every major superhero movie that gets released, there’s seemingly always a blue sky beam that shoots down from space by a world-dominating threat. Superhero movies’ stakes continue to try and outdo each film that came before it in their series, but Ant-Man's stakes are much lower, and the most damage that's done is to a small family home in San Francisco.
When Thomas the Train is enlarged and smashes out of the first floor of Scott’s house, that's the biggest destruction there is in the whole movie. Even in sequels - where stakes are generally increased - the most damage that occurs in Ant-Man and the Wasp is when a few bricks on the iconic Lombard Street become loose.
It Has A Relatable Subplot Of A Step Father Trying To Be Accepted
The dynamic of a broken family is so three-dimensional in Ant-Man, as it also features the in-depth subplot of Paxton, the stepfather trying to fit in and find a role in the family where he’s accepted. Paxton is constantly trying to gain Cassie’s approval but just can’t compete with Scott’s charms.
On top of that, there’s the classic family movie narrative of the stepfather and the biological father locking horns. There’s nothing wrong with playing into common tropes, but the stepfather/biological father dynamic is pulled off uniquely in Ant-Man, as it also sees Paxton as the police officer whose in a cat-and-mouse game with Scott.
It Incorporates Nostalgic Kids’ Toys
Ant-Man has the best visual gags in the MCU, and it’s part of the series’ special appeal, as the constant shrinking and enlarging make for some creative action sequences. But what makes it so fun is the use of children’s toys. The obvious example of this is when an epic action scene takes place on a toy train set.
However, as it’s so nostalgic, that could be aimed at older audiences than children. And even for 20-year-old fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thomas the Tank is way before their time. Ant-Man and the Wasp again takes this unique selling point further, as the sequel features Pez dispensers and Hot Wheels toys as giant set pieces.
It’s About A Father Trying To Spend More Time With His Daughter
With every family movie, if the novelty of the plot is removed - whether it’s a child magically turning into an adult in Big or toys coming to life in Small Soldiers - there’s a lot of heart underneath. That’s no different with Ant-Man.
The MCU movie is a fun entry in the universe that’s full of size-altering shenanigans, but its core element is an ex-convict who is trying to right all of his wrongs just so that he can spend more time with his daughter. Casting Paul Rudd was Marvel’s greatest trick, as though he has always been a comedy actor, he perfectly plays the relatable father role.
It Owes Its Success To One Of The Greatest Family Movies Of All Time
One thing that Marvel Studios does best is look to movies outside of the superhero genre for sources of inspiration. Spider-Man: Homecoming was inspired by John Hughes movies and Captain America: Civil War was inspired by espionage thrillers. And while Ant-Man was influenced by heist movies, it was also influenced by the 80s family movie Honey, I Shrunk The Kids.
While the superhero character was created in the 60s, it was still the 80s movie that influenced the aesthetic of the movie and the way Ant-Man plays on size. And as there will finally be another sequel to Honey, I Shrunk The Kids next year, it’ll be interesting to see how the roles have reversed and how Ant-Man has influenced the 80s series.
Yellowjacket Is A Hammy Villain
Just as the stakes are lower in the Ant-Man series, the villains are less intimidating and far less harmful too, and that’s especially true when it comes to Yellowjacket. But Corey Stoll delivers the lines in a goofy way, almost like Dick Dastardly or some other animated character.
There have been loads of hammy villains in the MCU, such as Red Skull in Captain America: The First Avenger and Mysterio in Spider-Man: Far From Home. However, those characters seem like a genuine threat, and they have some world-dominating schemes too. Though Yellowjacket does have big plans to use the Pym Particle for war, he is never able to properly put that into action.
It’s Set In San Francisco
San Francisco is a prime location for tons of movies of all shapes and sizes. The Golden Gate Bridge has been destroyed in countless monster movies, and Alcatraz has been the go-to penitentiary for loads of prison escape movies too. However, San Francisco really shines in family movies.
Between the iconic Volkswagen driving along the bridge in Herbie Rides Again and Robin Williams dressing up as a female nanny in Mrs. Doubtfire, San Francisco is a perfect location for the genre. Its picturesque landscapes and ladyfinger buildings make for the perfect light look that family-friendly flicks strive for, and Ant-Man makes ample use of them. Even the Lang household is a classic San Franciscan building, despite some Redditors thinking Scott’s house is unrealistic.
Scott Lang Is The Most Wholesome Superhero
Almost every movie in the MCU sees the characters go through some sort of character development. Doctor Strange was a jerk until he lost the use of his hands, and almost every member of the Guardians is selfish at the beginning of the movie. However, though those heroes learn to overcome their setbacks, Scott was always the most wholesome superhero of them all.
Scott is an obviously great father to Cassie, as every choice Scott makes in the movie is based on how it will benefit Cassie. But on top of that, he empathizes with the ants, befriends Jimmy Woo (who is the very person who keeps him on house arrest), and in Ant-Man, he was even honest with the police.
It Features A Goofy But Great Supporting Cast
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has never been one to shy away from character actors propping up the leading roles. And more than any other movie in the universe, there are tons of famous actors that fans forgot were in Ant-Man.
The supporting cast is goofier than ever, and even the ex-convicts are silly lovable klutzes. Though they come from a dramatic background, it’d be easy to believe that the supporting cast including Michael Pena and David Dastmalchian come from comedy, as their comedic timing is so perfect.
The Action Sequences Are More Fun Than Intense
In Ant-Man, there is a whole action sequence that takes place inside of a briefcase, and even that one scene alone features more gags than the whole of some DCEU movies. Additionally, in a hilarious Siri-related gag, the scene is soundtracked by “Disintegration” by The Cure, and lasers are shooting everywhere and ricocheting off of office supplies.
Most of the action scenes in Ant-Man are as fun as this. But what makes the scenes hilarious is the ingenious way they cut to a normal-sized human being’s perspective, and it seems completely unspectacular, if a little peculiar.