Ant-Man (BluRay): Review

Film

Recently out for prison, Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is talked into doing a small job breaking into a house to steal from Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas). However, things do not go according to plan, and he ends up with only a suit.

Scott soon discovers that this is no ordinary suit, but one that can shrink the user down to the size of an ant, and gives them super strength. Though a series of events, Scott ends up being mentored by Dr. Pym who enlists his help in stopping antagonist Darren Cross.

Scott needs to embrace the powers of the suit in order to become Ant-Man, and save the world from Cross’s alter ego the Yellow Jacket.

Fitting into the bigger Marvel universe, including many references and an appearance by Falcon, Ant-Man still manages to keep its own style. Bringing together action, adventure and some humour, the film can be viewed as part of the bigger whole, or as stand alone.

A talented cast bring the characters alive. Stunning visual effects transport the viewer into the macro world each time Ant-Man shrinks himself down with the suit. And an entertaining story, that is sure to delight Marvel fans. While there are not many plot twists, and the story is easy enough to follow, even for younger audiences, this is a fun ride and we are sure to see more of Ant-Man in the future.

A fun story, in a disc containing many additional features, Ant-Man is a great addition to any movie collection.

Disc And Bonus Features

Ant-Man, another addition to the Marvel universe, is available now to purchase on disc in South Africa.

Video

The video is encoded at a high average bitrate, with no visible artefacts on screen, and a very clear full HD image. Those with larger or higher resolution screens would be able to scale up, given the right hardware or software.

Audio

Audio is presented in a DTS-HD 7.1 mix. And while not common place yet, more and more titles are shipping with Dolby Atmos, and one would be right to assume that Disney would have included this on the disc, given that Ant-Man was originally mixed with an Atmos soundtrack.

Audio on the disc is clear and encoded at a high average bitrate. The film makes extensive use of the surround channels, fully immersing the viewer in the on-screen action, and greatly enriching the viewing experience.

Navigation

Navigation, and the menu screens, are very stylish and detailed, while still being easy to follow and understand. The menu backgrounds comprise of some video from the actual movie, but these do not give away more than what was generally on the trailer.

Bonus

Feaurettes:

Making Of An Ant-Sized Heist: An insight into Ant-Man and supporting, with interviews from the cast and filmmakers. A look behind the scenes.

While not spoiling the story, this featurette is made far more interesting once you have seen the main title. Fast paced, yet coming in just under fifteen minutes running time, this is a very interesting addition to the disc, and is sure to be enjoyed by anyone interesting in learning more about the people involved in the film, as well as a bit more about the characters themselves.

Let’s Go To The Macroverse: The filmmakers talk about the look and visual effects of the film, and its style. A closer look at the film units involved, from first and second unit, to the macro unit used to film the world from the perspective of Ant-Man himself.

WHIH New Front: A bunch of clips giving some further information on the events in the Marvel universe. Starting with a clip about the robbery at Vista Corp.

Next up is some purported surveillance footage, showing Scott Lang perpetrating the break in that lead him to being convicted and sentenced.

An interview with Darren Cross of Pymtech by Wired Insider, speaking about how this character (played by Corey Stoll) furthered the technology created by Dr. Hank Pym.

Another WHIH broadcast with an interview with Scott Lang, and giving a history of the character, his work history, and giving yet more insight into how this character fits into the Marvel Universe with The Avengers and SHIELD.

Deleted and extended scenes: Scenes presented here are those that affected the pacing of the story, or revealed too much information, or what was not necessary as the audience would have figured this out for themselves. Some scenes also provide some interesting insight into the directors vision for the film and the story itself.

Gag Reel: Some of the outtakes, and funny incidents caught on camera. A fun and humours interlude to the viewing experience.

Audio commentary with Peyton Reed and Paul Rudd: Rewatch the film with narration by the filmmakers. A great insight for those who are, or wish to become, filmmakers themselves. A great addition to the disc, as audio commentaries are often an interest to a wide audience, but are also often missing from new releases.

By Andrew Germishuys

Founder of SAMDB | Actor | Armourer | Tech Enthusiast With over two decades in the film industry, I'm a seasoned actor and skilled armourer. I hold numerous certifications in acting and filmmaking, complemented by degrees and diplomas in IT and technology, giving me a unique blend of creative and technical expertise. When I'm not on set or in the workshop, you'll find me immersed in the world of gaming and VR, fuelling my passion for cutting-edge technology. Connect with me: X / Twitter Facebook Instagram Mastodon Threads Explore my work on SAMDB IMDb