Ant-Man and the Wasp: A Delightful, Action-Packed Comedy Blockbuster
Ant-Man and the Wasp delivers a lighthearted and engaging comedic action experience, offering a refreshing change of pace within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The Plot Thickens
Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is nearing the end of his two-year house arrest for his involvement in Captain America’s “crimes.” Just days away from freedom, he’s approached by Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) with a desperate plea for help. They need Ant-Man’s unique abilities to rescue Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer), Hank’s wife and Hope’s mother, who has been lost in the subatomic Quantum Realm for three decades.
Despite the risk of extended imprisonment if the FBI discovers his breach of confinement, Scott can’t refuse the people who gave him the powers of Ant-Man. However, Hank’s groundbreaking quantum technology has also attracted the attention of Sonny Burch (Walton Goggins), a ruthless black market dealer, and the enigmatic Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), a supervillain with her own agenda.
A Smaller Scale, A Bigger Heart
If you’ve felt overwhelmed by the epic scope of recent Marvel installments like Thor: Ragnarok, Black Panther, and Avengers: Infinity War, Ant-Man and the Wasp offers a welcome change. Set primarily in San Francisco, the film focuses on a more personal and intimate story, free from world-ending stakes. This twentieth film in the MCU is one of the most human comic book adaptations in recent memory, and it’s arguably the kindest and funniest Marvel movie to date. It’s the perfect antidote for anyone feeling down after the intensity of Infinity War.
Director Peyton Reed cleverly sets the events of Ant-Man and the Wasp before Thanos’s invasion of Earth, ensuring that the film remains self-contained and doesn’t get bogged down in the aftermath of Infinity War. This allows the movie to fully embrace its own unique story, characters, and humor.
Wasp Takes Flight
The first Ant-Man film faced criticism for sidelining Hope, a highly capable potential superhero, while Scott, the bumbling novice, took center stage. However, that was necessary for Scott’s training and transformation into a true hero. In this sequel, Hope finally gets her chance to shine. Equipped with a state-of-the-art suit that allows her to shrink, fly, and unleash powerful blasts, Hope becomes the Wasp, a formidable force to be reckoned with.
As expected, Hope quickly outshines Scott as an action hero, proving to be a better fighter, a faster thinker, and a more graceful presence. However, the film’s well-paced plot ensures that there’s plenty for both heroes to do. Scott and Hope often rely on the help of Scott’s friends, led by his former cellmate and business partner Luis (Michael Peña), who steals every scene he’s in.
Laughs and Thrills
Scott is no slouch in the humor department either. While Luis delivers hilarious monologues, Scott’s comedic moments stem from his unpredictable size-shifting abilities. At one point, a malfunctioning suit shrinks him to the size of a toddler, leading to a series of comical mishaps. The film is packed with witty and laugh-out-loud moments, making it one of its strongest assets.
High Stakes, Low Anxiety
The stakes in Ant-Man and the Wasp are relatively low-key. Sonny and the FBI are more of a nuisance than a genuine threat, and Ghost, despite her formidable powers, is a sympathetic character with understandable motivations. Nevertheless, these antagonists create enough obstacles to keep the heroes on their toes. While the audience never doubts the eventual triumph of Scott, Hope, and Hank, the characters face plenty of challenges along the way, including a frantic chase to recover their “portable” laboratory – a massive building shrunk down to the size of a suitcase.
The constant shrinking and enlarging of objects adds a layer of excitement and unpredictability to the film’s action sequences. Combined with traditional hand-to-hand combat, gunfights, and car chases through the hilly streets of San Francisco, the superpowers of the Ant-Man and Wasp suits transform the film into a thrilling 21st-century blockbuster.
Heart and Humor
Despite the impressive special effects and action, the heart of Ant-Man and the Wasp lies in its emotional core. Hank and Hope are driven by their love for family, Scott wants to be a good role model for his daughter, and Luis is a loyal friend to Scott. Family and friendship are central themes, creating a sense of warmth that extends even to the villains. While some fans may prefer darker and grittier comic book adaptations, Ant-Man and the Wasp possesses enough charm to win over even the most cynical viewers.