Following Marvel’s biggest cinematic crossover event Avengers: Infinity War, Ant-Man and the Wasp probably doesn’t come across as a must-watch for most fans. But if that’s what you’re thinking, then you’re absolutely missing out.
Ant-Man and the Wasp opens in Singapore from July 4th.
Quick Synopsis (minor spoilers if you haven’t watched the preceding movies):
The second movie continues somewhat seamlessly from the first movie through a flashback focusing on Scott Lang’s (Paul Rudd) accidental trip into the Quantum Realm which sparks Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and daughter, Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) into figuring out a way to bring back Hope’s mother Janet (Michelle Pfeiffer) who was lost 30 years earlier – the main premise of the movie.
The movie is also a follow-up for Ant-Man after Captain America: Civil War as Scott has been under house arrest for two years for his role in Germany (a deal that was mentioned in Infinity War as well), helping to gel the entire Marvel Cinematic universe together by filling in some minor gaps like why Ant-Man wasn’t involved in Infinity War.
The Cast:
Paul Rudd is definitely at home in the Marvel Cinematic universe now as Scott Lang and brings out his comedic chops that he’s known for in full force. Like Chris Pratt, Paul Rudd validates Marvel’s great casting choices once again where comedians are as appealing as action stars, especially in a superhero movie. Michael Douglas and Evangeline Lilly also work marvellously as the dead-pan and serious counter to Paul’s character which makes the scenes with all three of them together hilariously amusing and some of my favourite moments in the movie.
The movie helps to further flesh out the world that Scott Lang has around him including his relationship with his ex-con buddies Luis (Michael Peña), Kurt (David Dastmalchian) & Dave (Tip ‘T.I’ Harris) who definitely add more flavour to this comedic caper family film.
The icing on the comedic cake is the introduction of Randall Park (Fresh Off the Boat), as Jimmy Woo, the FBI (S.H.I.E.L.D?) agent overseeing Scott Lang’s house arrest and still looking to arrest Hank and Hope for violating the Sokovia Accords.
The rest of the Lang family (including the stepdad) is also back along with Abby Ryder Fortson putting in a great and cutesy performance as Cassie Lang.
There isn’t much I’m able to talk about the ‘villains’ in the movie without spoiling the movie outright but Sonny Burch (Walton Goggins) and Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) do put in their parts to tie the whole movie together well and providing the required foils for the action scenes throughout the movie.
Laurence Fishburne as Bill Foster (no relation to Thor’s Jane Foster), a former associate of Hank Pym, helps to expand the history and size of the MCU along with more exposition into the magic and mystery of the Quantum Realm.
Ant-Man and the Wasp brings a holistic and homely feel that is refreshing to the Marvel Cinematic Universe slew of movies and reinforces the importance and strength of family echoed throughout many of the other MCU films with Hank and Hope working to rescue Janet as well as Scott doing his best to be a great father figure to Cassie – be prepared for lots of soft awwws and dawwws while watching.
The Movie itself:
It definitely has my vote as the Feel-Good Marvel movie of the year where it’s also not afraid to laugh at itself for being silly, especially after the heavy emotional weight laid on us by Black Panther and Infinity War earlier in the year.
The action and comedic scenes are laid out well enough that the audience shouldn’t feel bored at any point – with both types of scenes making good use of the enlarging and shrinking abilities. Some aspects of the movie may seem reused from the first movie with a bit of spit polish, but the formula still works if you aren’t particular with wanting to watch new ideas in every movie.
Feel free to sit back with drink and popcorn in hand and enjoy the film as it is because it’s a fun entertaining roller-coaster ride, without the heavy emotions.
P.S. Two post-credit scenes in this movie – with one that will shock you!
