Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is a movie that lives up to its title: it’s more than just a movie. After two separate films and multiple inclusions in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s crossover events, the newest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (which begins Phase 5, if you’re counting), Paul Rudd’s Scott Lang/Ant-Man is back with plenty of heavy lifting to set up what’s to come.
And when Quantumania rises, it’s often thanks to Jonathan Majors’ Kang the Conqueror, an alternate (alternate version) of He Who Remains. If you ask “who?” We recommend that you come back and watch Loki.
Unfortunately, it somewhat seems like Quantumania has a lot more work to do, paving the way for upcoming Marvel movies and shows, since Kang’s name is literally in 2025’s Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. Besides, well, the problems continue. Marvel’s CGI is starting to bore their heads, and this time it’s sharper than ever.
So grab a couple of shrinking/growing discs, as our spoiler-free Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania review will help you figure out if you need to see it now – or if you should wait until it comes out on Disney Plus.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania review – Team Up with Majors Upgrade
Paul Rudd’s Scott Lang is living the sweet life after saving the universe with the Avengers. Rod’s natural charm makes Scott’s silly dad moments elicit a smile or a chuckle. However, he can also present more serious scenes; Even just reading a book, for Scott’s memoir, feels emotional.
But Jonathan Major’s supervillain Kang the Conqueror is taller here – even above the towering Ant-Man at times. As the successor to Josh Brolin’s Thanos, the big bad that the Avengers and other heroes will battle over a series of films, Kang Majors always feels like a huge deal – even if you don’t know what he can do. Emotional and engaging, even as he delivers dialogue that needs deciphering, Kang captivates on a high note.
However, Michelle Pfieffer also does a great job with the material she’s given for Janet van Dyne, a character finally fleshed out. With her past from the Quantum Realm back to bite her, Janet deals with the mysteries of nature both dangerous and humorous.
Unfortunately, Janet’s background in this film doesn’t exactly support the emotion Pfieffer brings to the character – thus giving her a tougher task of making things compelling. It is a condition that is often told rather than seen for ourselves.
Michael Douglas and Kathryn Newton work similarly magically to Hank Pym and Cassandra “Cassie” Lang, lending a script that needs a bit of magic. Newton is in the unfortunate position of being the third actress to play Cassie, but she makes things work.
While there are a lot of characters that I can’t explain without spoiling, all I will say about MODOK is that you will go “Huh?” She’s a totally baffling character. Elsewhere, you have a lot of neat little characters, who you think are mostly forgettable.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania review – Bad CGI makes a good screenplay worse
Suspension of disbelief is often impossible. I want to know; I am a fan of professional wrestling. But when our heroes encounter the Quantum Realm for the first time, I found it impossible not to think, “Well, this is a green screen.” And it got worse with the more quantum realm-like section that’s so soft-focus Old Hollywood wants to use it.
The big problem, visually, is that much of Quantumania is frustratingly dark. I can’t imagine that my parents, who complain about this problem when we watch Marvel movies at home, would find this chapter to be any improvement. Sometimes CGI walls provide beautiful visuals, so it’s not a complete loss. If you can lose yourself in the visual overflow, you will be able to have a good time.
The cities of the Quantum Realm are also somewhat lacking, appearing as a vast and uninteresting series of buildings. This may be the point at which Kang conquered and created a soulless cityscape – but it could be more straightforward. Nothing gets time to breathe, and Evil Kang suffers from it.
Likewise, the big narrative question of the movie, as to when you help others fight them or just protect yourself, feels like cookie cutter here. And maybe that’s why I found myself checking the time, which is something you shouldn’t do in a two-hour, five-minute movie.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania review: Verdict
As our Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania review points out, the film’s flaws lie not in its capable cast, but in the world they’re trying to bring to life. Both the visuals and the scenario may leave you wanting more. The actors – and the drama they provide – could have had a much easier job.
But like The Dude’s rug in The Big Lebowski, Jonathan Majors ties Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania together. While a movie can often turn audiences off with CGI, Majors brings Bond’s villainous brilliance to the MCU and continues to chart a course to be an all-time franchise player.
[ad_2]
