Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania Review

It's time to welcome back another Marvel movie, and this time, it's Ant-Man's turn to take the stage. The tiny superhero, whose main superpower is Paul Rudd's outsize charm, is back in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, a breezy and bizarre sci-fi adventure that bears resemblance to Thor: Ragnarok. The film follows the Ant-gang as they venture into the quantum realm, a microscopic universe that lies below the atoms of our full-size world, to face off against old enemies and introduce fans to the Marvel Cinematic Universe's major new villain, Kang, played by Jonathan Majors.

Returning director Peyton Reed again recruits Evangeline Lilly as Hope van Dyne, with Michael Douglas and Michelle Pfeiffer reprising their roles as her parents, Hank and Janet. Along with Kathryn Newton as the now-teenaged Cassie Lang, they encounter William Jackson Harper, Katy O'Brian, and even Bill Murray, who add to the fun with their performances.

The movie's plot centers around Cassie's signal to the microscopic quantum realm, which sucks the Ant-family into a strange kingdom, like another planet on the head of a pin. Unfortunately, this is particularly bad news for Janet, who spent 30 years trapped in microscopic form. As old enemies come looking for her and her family, she is forced to face up to what she did during exile. Cassie is the heart of the film, while Hank does the science, and Janet is the plot powerhouse whose worst nightmare catches up to her.

Meanwhile, Scott Lang, played by Rudd, is also there, but he's far from the most interesting character in the film. It takes him ages to do anything of consequence, and he seems to coast along, looking baffled but always on the verge of a cheerful quip. Even MODOK, a character too ludicrous for any other movie, has a more emotional journey than the supposed hero.

The film's treatment of Evangeline Lilly's character, Hope van Dyne, is also less than satisfactory. She is introduced as a world-changing scientist but is never given the attention she deserves. Hope spends most of the movie either trailing around behind her mother or powering up to save the day, while never seeming to get any credit for it. It's hard to believe that Lilly has more than 30 lines in Quantumania, and most of them are along the lines of "Keep going!" and "Scott, I can't hold them!"

Despite the film's flaws, it's still an entertaining ride, with arresting visuals, entertaining jokes, and one or two mind-bending set pieces that take advantage of the weirdness of the micro-Mad Max setting. Fans of sci-fi comics like Heavy Metal and Saga, or even Star Wars, will find much to enjoy in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania takes a lighthearted approach to its sci-fi adventure, but it also manages to introduce some important new elements to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. One of these is Kang the Conqueror, a major villain in the comics, who is portrayed by Jonathan Majors. The character's arrival in the MCU is highly anticipated, and his presence in this film sets up future storylines and potential conflicts for the heroes.

The movie's focus on the quantum realm also offers a unique and fascinating backdrop for the action. Director Peyton Reed and the visual effects team have created a stunning and imaginative micro-world that is both awe-inspiring and bizarre. The film's smaller scale also allows for some creative action sequences and comedic moments that set it apart from other superhero movies.

However, the film's biggest weakness is its handling of the titular characters. While Paul Rudd's Ant-Man is charming as ever, his role in the story feels somewhat lacking. He spends much of the film simply reacting to events, rather than driving the action forward. Meanwhile, Evangeline Lilly's Wasp is given little to do, and her character is side-lined for much of the movie. Despite being a talented scientist and a skilled fighter, she is reduced to little more than a supporting character.

That being said, the movie still has plenty of entertaining moments, and its strong supporting cast helps to carry it through. Michael Douglas and Michelle Pfeiffer reprise their roles as Hank Pym and Janet van Dyne, and they bring a gravitas to the film that helps to ground its more fantastical elements. The addition of Kathryn Newton as Cassie Lang also adds a new dynamic to the story, as her character becomes a driving force behind the plot.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is a fun and entertaining addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While it may not be the strongest entry in the franchise, it still manages to deliver plenty of laughs and action-packed thrills, and it sets the stage for some exciting developments in the future of the MCU.

In the third film of the Ant-Man franchise, "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania," Marvel fans are in for a thrilling and hilarious ride. This time, the Ant-Man himself, played by the charming Paul Rudd, is back in action, accompanied by his superhero partner, Hope van Dyne, also known as the Wasp, played by the talented Evangeline Lilly.

However, even though the film has a lot of funny and exciting moments, it does fall short in certain areas. One of the most significant criticisms of the movie is that it doesn't know what to do with its main characters. Although Rudd's character, Scott Lang, is present throughout the film, he is far from the most interesting character. It takes a while for him to do anything of consequence, and he spends most of his time coasting along, looking baffled but always on the verge of a cheerful quip.

Similarly, the other title character, the Wasp, is introduced as a world-changing scientist, but her character is underutilized and overshadowed by her parents, Hank and Janet van Dyne, played by Michael Douglas and Michelle Pfeiffer, respectively. Janet, in particular, is the plot powerhouse of the movie, and the story forces her to confront the consequences of her actions during her exile in the quantum realm.

Despite these criticisms, "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" still has a lot to offer Marvel fans, especially with the introduction of the MCU's newest villain, Kang, played by Jonathan Majors. For dedicated fans, this film is a must-see, as it offers a deeper dive into the quantum realm and sets the stage for future Marvel movies.