I have never seen the Antboy series of films before so I was curious to find out what all the fuss was about. Having watched many adult superhero movies I started viewing with certain expectations. I shouldn’t have, because Antboy 3 is in a superhero genre all on its own.
The last movie of the Antboy trilogy finds Pelle (Antboy) now grown up and preparing to leave his crime-fighting alter-ego behind. With crime under control in his small Danish town, Pelle is now dating his long-time friend Ida and making plans for a future.
When Pelle discovers his nemesis, The Flea, has been released from prison, he turns to his book-obsessed sidekick Wilhelm for help but Wilhelm turns his back on Pelle, forcing him to track down The Flea alone. To make things even worse, a new superhero soon emerges and begins to steal the limelight. Will Antboy have to rely on an unexpected ally as he sets out to face his greatest challenge?
Antboy 3 is a very entertaining children’s comedy-meets-superhero film. Oscar Dietz (Pelle) handles the changeover from child to teenager well, experiencing many of the problems that come with transitioning into adulthood and having to give up many cherished things from childhood.
The film is an interesting juxtaposition of adolescence, loyalty and friendships: Pelle and Wilhelm, Pelle and Ida, and Pelle and The Flea. The story moves along at a steady pace, never lagging and the characters are totally believable for a superhero movie.
Special mention should be made of Samuel Ting Graf as Wilhelm and Nicolas Bro as The Flea. Their portrayals show a depth that the other characters do not achieve.
My biggest criticism of the film is the translation. I do not speak Danish but the English subtitles seemed simplistic and stilted, somewhat spoiling my enjoyment of the film.
Overall, an enjoyable children’s film that can be watched without seeing the preceding two films of the trilogy.
Reviewed by Barry Hill
Twitter: @kinesguy
Rating out of 10: 7
Antboy 3 will be released on DVD from 21 September 2016.
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