This isn't a "the universe is about to explode/giant portals in the sky" type of movie. It's a fairly simple heist movie, with a superhero at the center. The stakes suit the film nicely, and Marvel should consider making more films like this-- single hero stories, without the need for Avengers, etc.

Terrific cast-- weird to think that Rudd (who is good) is the *least* interesting part of a film, but here we are. Once Lang accepts his role as The Ant-Man, the movie from then on is kind of a blast. It gets legitimately *weird* for the last 20-30 minutes, which, again, is a welcome change for Marvel. It makes me really excited for what they'll hopefully let Derrickson do with Doctor Strange.

I suspect most of the negative reviews will spend at least one sentence crying over what could have been with Edgar Wright, when there's really no point. Yes, that film *probably* would have been better, because Wright is an exemplary filmmaker (certainly he would've found a way to finesse some of the more awkward expository beats in the first act, easily the weakest part of the film). Peyton Reed has made a number of good films too, though, and he has made another one here. Critics shouldn't punish this film for not being the imaginary film by a great director they've composed in their heads.

It never hits the highest of Marvel high notes (sits safely behind things like Cap 2, GOTG, Avengers)... but man, that third act in particular is a big-time winner. This may be "middle-of-the-pack" Marvel, but Marvel's got a hell of a pack, so that's not a bad place to be in the slightest.