Marvel Studios has come up with yet another most anticipated superhero film titled as Ant-Man and the wasp Quantumania, which has been released Friday. The film is directed by Peyton Reed, who has directed the previous two films Ant-Man (2015) & Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018). Lead roles are played by Paul Rudd (Ant-Man), Johnathan Majors (Kang the conqueror), Evangeline lilly (Wasp) and Kathryn Newton (Cassie/Ant-Man’s Daughter). The film has been carrying positive responses from fans and critics as well. Although there are not so many surprising elements, it can be termed as a decent attempt by Marvel.
Story:
After the events of Avengers: Endgame, Scott Lang has become a successful memoirist and has been living happily with his girlfriend Hope van Dyne since the Battle of Earth. Cassie, Lang’s now-teenaged daughter, has become an activist, and her actions have resulted in Lang bailing her out of jail. As shown in the trailers, Cassie reveals that she has been working on a device that can make contact with the Quantum Realm while visiting Hope’s parents, Hank Pym and Janet van Dyne. Accidentally, a portal opens and pulls the five of them into the Quantum Realm. Later, how they 5 survived in the quantum realm, how they fought against Kang the conqueror and saved the quantum realm, and what challenges they faced during their visit to the quantum realm form the whole story. There is a scene in the pre-climax where Hank Pym walks into the war zone with his army, this scene definitely gives you goosebumps.
Overall, the writers of the film did a pretty good job balancing the iconic comic timing of the Ant-man’s character and all other emotional & action sequences in the film.
On-screen performances:
The whole film has limited actors, but every lead actor did a top-notch performance. Jonathan Majors who played Kang stole the show with breathtaking acting. Though we have seen his acting in LOKI series yet this time it felt fresh and he proved that he is the perfect choice for a character like Kang where there is a lot of scope as a main villain in the MCU.
Paul Rudd as usual looked much younger than his actual age in the film and he really impressed with his character as Ant-Man yet another time.
Kathryn Newton (Cassie) is the new lady in the MCU who is been the talk of the town with her performance in the film.
Evangeline Lilly (Hope), Michelle Pfeiffer (Janet) and Michael Douglas (Hank Pym) performed extraordinarily.
The return of Darren formerly Yellow Jacket in first Ant-Man film is the key element in the film.
Off-screen Talents:
For this kind of genre movie, VFX is the key. Although the VFX team have done a decent job but it could have been a little better for a film like ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ that takes place in a separate universe like the quantum realm. Although the screenplay is good but at times it feels a bit lag and not gripping enough but once the Kang’s character introduces it coped up the audience’s attention. The director excelled at writing and executing the film’s climax. This is the major highlight of the movie.
The background score is one of the biggest assets for the movie, which, as it elevates some scenes to the next level, The cinematography of the film is good, and so is the production design.
Plus points:
The acting of Johnathan Majors (Kang)
Good Second half
Climax
Minus points:
Lack of importance for side characters
Visual effects could have been a little better
Verdict: Ant-man and the Wasp: Quantumania is a good attempt by Marvel to build it’s future phases. It is a feast for Marvel fans and it shall be experienced in the theatre. Overall, it could impress the audience.
Rating: 2.75/5