Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania Review - A Middling Follow-Up to a Beloved Franchise
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is the 31st film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and a follow-up to the Ant-Man series. Directed by Peyton Reed and written by Jeff Loveness, this film promises excitement for fans of the franchise, but falls short of its predecessors.
Marvel Cinematic Universe has been a massive success over the years, with a loyal fanbase eagerly waiting for each new release. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is the latest film in this expanding universe, featuring the charming hero Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and his partner Hope, aka the Wasp (Evangeline Lilly). However, this film fails to remember what made its hero special in the first place.
The Multiverse Takes Over
The relentless idea of the multiverse has taken over the euphoric joy of watching our favorite superheroes on screen. The pressure of a multi-billion-dollar franchise hanging over them has led to more sequel fodder, leaving fans craving for character-driven stories that have just enough nudge on what’s to come. Quantumania follows Scott Lang, who is now a successful author, living happily with his partner Hope, her parents Hank (Michael Douglas) and Janet (Michelle Pfeiffer), and Scott’s tech-smart daughter Cassie (Kathryn Newton).
The VFX-Heavy Quantum Realm
The majority of the film takes place in the quantum realm, a dangerous place where Janet spent years and holds dark secrets about its power-mad ruler Kang (Jonathan Majors). The VFX-heavy quantum realm has many strange inhabitants that accompany the stakes in the film by either going against our heroes or aiding them to save the day. The story that drives the film forward isn’t as cogent as it should be, as Director Peyton Reed and Screenwriter Jeff Loveness seem to have put all of their effort into building the gaudy quantum realm instead of working around dramatic urgency or conflict.
Lack of Emotional Investment
The tone of the film is primarily similar to Disney’s Strange World with its candy-colored sets and wacky premise, but it falls short on the material that would keep us emotionally hooked to the story. The main plot focuses so much on Janet and Kang that Scott leaves little impact as the film’s titular hero. Hope, who is an integral part of the Ant-Man franchise, is reduced to a sidekick, and the chemistry between the actors is incredibly dull, making it not a compelling character relationship.
The Formidable Villain
Thankfully, Jonathan Majors utilises every inch of this opportunity to give us a menacing and captivating villain. The obligatory teen aide, played by Kathryn Newton, is here as a mere plot device and has no real personality.
The Marvel Humor
MCU’s humor is definitely among its strong selling points, but the facetious tone used feels pointless and undermines any sense of real danger. Despite Kang’s formidable presence, the stakes are never quite high for Ant-Man. Many scenes play out like this: Baddie shows up, Ant-Man throws some witty comment, Cassie is told to stand down, then there’s a fight.
Production Value and Set-Pieces
Marvel is known for its high production value, and the set-pieces are spectacular. There are some really cool moments involving Scott meeting his other selves, or sizing up during the crucial fight. The CGI may be jarring in the beginning, but it gets better as the film moves forward.
Conclusion
Overall, Quantumania is not an utter letdown, but it falls short of the signature Marvel magic that makes their films an entertaining and compelling affair. The well-liked Ant-Man franchise
Thanks for reading my review of “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania”! While this movie has its ups and downs, it ultimately falls short of the Marvel magic that has made their films so popular. Despite the dazzling set-pieces and impressive CGI, the story and character development leave something to be desired. However, with the Multiverse Saga finally taking shape, there’s hope that the future of the MCU will bring even more exciting adventures for our favorite superheroes. Stay tuned for more reviews and news on the latest movies!