ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA – A Review by Cynthia Flores
I have lost count of all the Marvel universe films that are out now. So I won’t try to out-geek you by referencing all the subplots or characters from other storylines. Does M.O.D.O.K. (Corey Stoll) ring a bell?
I feel like my hands are tied since I can’t do spoilers about the plot or the Very Famous actors that pop up in this film. I can, however, give you the Marvel-approved overview-
“Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly), along with Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer), explore the Quantum Realm, where they interact with strange creatures and embark on an adventure that goes beyond the limits of what they thought was possible.”
Peyton Reed directs this film. He also directed the other two Ant-man films. Ant-Man, Ant-Man and the Wasp. So he knows this character and its universe. And with the technology we have today, if you can imagine it, you can create it for the whole world to see. But sometimes, just because you can does not mean that you should.
It may be a case of too much of a good thing going sour. There are essential scenes in this film in bars and especially in major battle elements that are so full of extras, flash, and trash that the core characters often get lost in the spectacle of it all. It was hard when I watched this on an I.M.A.X. screen to keep up with who was where, which pulled me out of the storyline. Don’t get me wrong, I love good battling evil in epic wars, but it helps when the action does not drown out the sentiment or the people we are cheering for.
Other than that, this is your typical Marvel tale of good guys fighting against evil villains. Add your bucket of popcorn and some fun, snarky lines from Paul Rudd as Ant-man, and you have yourself a movie. It is not as fresh or exciting as the first two Ant-Man films, but it is passable for a good time at the movies.
I give Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania only 3.75 stars. It’s, of course, going to start a new branch of the Marvel storyline that is braided into all the others. So I am sure there will be a sequel or two or three. And yes, there is an extra scene in the middle of the credits and another at the end.
Directed by: Peyton Reed
Written by: Jack Kirby, Jeff Loveness
Rated: PG-13
Selig Rating: 3.75 Stars
Running Time: 2hr 5min
Action / Adventure / Comedy
Wide Theatrical Release: February 17th
Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Jonathan Majors, Kathryn Newton, Michelle Pfeiffer, Michael Douglas
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.
4 Stars – Good movie/show
3 Stars – OK movie/show
2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…
1 Star – Total waste of time.
