In a time when it seems like every 8 years you see a new remake of either Batman, Superman, or Spiderman over the past 5 decades, simply because they are believed to be guaranteed money makers, the remakes are boring et nauseam to a man of my years at age 67. I've seen it all, since I could read comic books dating back to the early 1960s. Now comes Antboy!
I had just purchased a new 55 inch Insignia TV at my local Best Buy recently and decided to take time each day just to see what was out there on my new smart TV, while working at a semi retired level from my home in Sherman Oaks, California. I love children's movies, because they tell me what today's kids are seeing and what is happening with their idea of the world. So, when I saw the icon on the screen for Antboy and after reading the short summary. I set it aside to view when I had time. Well, guess what? This week I had time.
I was ready to turn it off with my new remote, IF it did not "grab me" after being 5 minutes into the movie, which is why I keep my remote in my right hand, as I go into a new movie I have not yet seen. Well, I'll have you know that about 5 minutes into the movie, I put the remote down and just kicked back in my bed to watch the movie in surround sound. I was enjoying the feel of the movie already.
As I watched the first movie more and more into the unveiling of the story, I simply didn't want to leave the room. I feel I know all the movie plots possible these days, having gotten one of my degrees in the Communication Arts out of Loyola University back in the 1970s, while reviewing movie plots for decades in my free time. I love the arts and sciences, both as a scholar and scientist these days. While I could see how Antboy was borrowing from other movie plots along the way, the way it was all stitched together was full of surprises as well, causing me to laugh or be jolted emotionally, as I watched the first movie. Amazing! I would not have expected this from a movie about a super hero called "Antboy". I think kids will get a thrill watching all three movies. I also think any adult who is in touch with their inner child or who remembers what it was like to be a child, will also enjoy all three movies too.
I feel for our world of kids today and all they have to grow up in, but the child in me is still healthy and alive in my heart of hearts. I want you to know that the child I once was, was jumping for joy, watching this movie, which was truly fun to watch.
Antboy is well scripted (not mundane), well filmed, edited with excellent lighting, very well done acting, set design: It also has a good balance between character development and action sequencing: Also full of surprises I didn't expect in a super hero child. A must see: All three movies too!
In fact, I didn't even know there was an Antboy 2 and 3 right away, until Antboy 2 accidentally came on, after watching Antboy 1 for the second time. I think I've watched all three movies 10 times now, just to examine the production value of each movie. I'm not tired yet of watching the movies. This overall work of all three films flows too, with very good chemistry overall.
The ambiance of the film is just as impressive as any of the major super hero movies, such as Batman, Superman or Spiderman and I've seen them all to date over the years. What especially makes the writing attractive, is that this story is not written with comedy in mind, even though it's real life approach to the character makes for humorous moments in the movie: In fact all three movies.
It's very hard to get a film in the can, let alone far enough along to make 3 movie sequels in the competitive movie business, when it comes to doing sequels and yet I found all three movies to be equally as drawing as the one before it, all the way through the third one. Very impressive.
One thing has never changes when it comes to critics, which I was learning back in my film schooling years at Loyola University: The more the critics hate something, you can be sure the more the average joe public is going to love what the critics hate. It never changes too. Why does this old wheel relationship between the public and the critic keep going round and round in our world entertainment industry like it does? Simple. The critics grow old and lose the ability to see through a fresh set of eyes having seen too much as they get older. The young adults and kids are new to the whole revelation process of life's plot lines and as such are open to new ideas and approaches. Any film maker who knows this little secret to life in the movie business, can make a good living in the business I should think, even if he or she is borrowing from old plot lines from other movies along the way. When you stop seeing through the eyes of innocence, then you too can become boring to be around, as are many critics I've learned through life. Never let someone else's criticism of you, push you away from your dreams.
Just because someone can tear down a motion picture movie, does not make them an expert movie critic. I'd like to see any of them have enough formic acid in them to sell a motion picture script to venture capitalists and get the film in the can, let alone take care of the distribution successfully and at least break even with their investors in the business. Most of them have never made a motion picture movie in their life I learn when I read a critics background.
I've been an entrepreneur most of my life and nothing is easy in the world market place and marketing is 90% that goes into the sale of any product in this world of ours. That this subject of Antboy got to the third sequel level of production is a grand achievement in the movie business. Too bad this didn't get more of a marketing budget.
It's a great series of films covering an ongoing story that is truly wonderful to view many times over I'm finding out. Just my personal opinion, but If nothing else, Antboy was refreshing to discover and watch! I think this movie will touch the child in everyone who watches it.