Ant-Man (2015) debuted as a breath of fresh air in the Marvel Cinema Universe (MCU). Paul Rudd was all-in playing Scott Lang, a lovable clever cat burglar who stumbles into becoming the new Ant-Man. Scott also happened to be a goofy, endearingly devoted divorced Dad to his daughter, Cassie. In addition, the movie featured a romantic comedy subplot between Scott Lang and Hope Pym. Factor into the mix a heist film vibe coupled with zany sidekicks and you achieve cinematic magic. Alas, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) possesses little of the original’s quirky brilliant fun.
How’s the story?
At some point a meeting must have been held to figure out how to expand the Ant-Man universe. Armed with a horde of CGI artists and a script tailor-made to flesh out the MCU’s big villain (Kang) for the next phase, the team went all-in on epic storytelling. And that’s where they failed. The key to Ant-Man movies succeeding is if the narrative focuses on a human level. Scott Lang is not Tony Stark. He’s never going to be larger than life. He doesn’t even possess the goofy confidence of Star Lord. Instead, Scott typically wins when he surprises himself. That coupled with luck and the timely assist of friends. In Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quatumania, the grandiose level story is the focus. Ant-Man and the rest of the main cast are merely slotted in to help us bolster the threat of Kang. It’s difficult to feel for the protagonists. As an audience member, I never sensed any of the main characters were truly in danger. There were just a lot of folks going through the motion, scene after scene, on a CGI laden screen. The one intriguing aspect of movie that was never fully explored was Janet Van Dyne’s (Michelle Pfeiffer) past.
How are the special effects?
A majority of the movie’s resources were spent creating the quantum realm’s look and feel. Despite the abundance of visual eye candy, there was a noticeable hollowness to the environment. The native inhabitants lacked the cohesiveness of an established society.
The movie has a PG-13 rating. Can I take my kids?
Yes. But be warned, the movie’s pacing can be laborious at times. Their attention may drift during several lulls throughout the film.
Are there any ideal moments for Bathroom Breaks?
You’ll have many opportunities. For example, Lord Krylar’s (Bill Murray) entire scene doesn’t make an impact to the story whatsoever.
Final thoughts
Other than a device to establish Kang as the new ominous threat much like Thanos, Ant-Man and the Wasp:Quantumania is a forgettable movie. Which is a shame. Fans love Scott Lang as well as his wacky burglar turned security expert friends. They revel in Scott’s dad jokes and his relationship with his daughter, Cassie. They love the blossoming relationship between Scott and Hope Pym. And they root for Scott to save the day despite being over his head most of the time. Ant-Man movies are not meant to be big budget blockbusters. They’re more at home embracing an independent film vibe. In short, less is more.
Overall Grade: B-
Recommended for ages 10 and up.
Pros: Exquisite visuals.
Cons: The story lacks the comedy, depth, and heart of the previous two Ant-Man movies.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania official Movie Trailer
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