“Ant-Man” is another Marvel comic-book character making the leap to the big screen in hopes of starting a potential franchise, and you know what? It deserves it. While a notch or two down from the likes of fellow Marvel film “The Avengers” or “Guardians of the Galaxy,” for most of its length, “Ant-Man” is not bad.

Paul Rudd stars as Scott Lang, an ex-con who’s been hired by his former boss, Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), to steal a top-secret suit. When Lang tries on the suit, it accidentally shrinks him down to the size of an ant.

Pym’s estranged daughter, Hope (Evangeline Lilly), believes that Lang’s involvement is a bad idea, but they offer him their full support anyway. Lang is willing to do whatever it takes to be reunited with his own daughter after his divorce, and he sees this suit and his new mission as his only chance. However, Darren Cross (Corey Stoll) takes over Pym’s company and uses his technology to manufacture his own suit known as the Yellowjacket.

We do get some great details on the origin story of Ant-Man, and Rudd especially delivers a very charismatic and endearing performance. He’s probably Marvel’s best actor to suit up since Robert Downey Jr. in the first Iron Man film. You’d probably freak out aplenty as well if you knew that a suit like this would transform you down to the size of an ant. However, Rudd’s transformation and the events that follow are played mostly for laughs.

That’s both one of the strengths and weaknesses of this film, which relies a little too much on humor and occasionally loses some credibility. Having said that, I give points to “Ant-Man” for energy, imagination, humor and terrific performances from its cast to carry it through. It might not belong in the echelon of other Marvel movies, but for it’s worth, it’s a nonstop joyride.

Grade: A-

(Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence.)

Hall is a syndicated columnist in South Georgia.