Ant-Man and the Wasp Review

The Marvel Cinematic Universe brings joy back into the franchise with Ant-Man and the Wasp. After the gut-punching finale of Avengers: Infinity War, Paul Rudd, and company deliver a great time. Marvel does not disappoint with this installment, and there certainly is plenty of fun to be had for both fans and families.

An Action-Packed Adventure

Set two years after Captain America: Civil War and before Avengers: Infinity War, Scott Lang finds himself on house arrest. Due to his capturing in Germany while helping Captain America, Ant-Man has been idle for quite some time. Hank Pym and Hope van Dyne have not contacted Scott since his capturing due to his incriminating actions on foreign soil. Of course, this won’t be going on for much longer. The two have a desperate mission that must put together the newly established Wasp, alongside Ant-Man. A story about reunion, redemption, and revenge, it’s a formula for another successful installment. How the film handles its villain is unique and not often seen in standalone hero movies. There are some twists and turns that make plot points interesting but it is a setup that has been seen before. Yet, where the story falls flat, its characters more than make up for it.

Small Heroes, Big Personalities

Paul Rudd’s Ant-Man takes center stage, of course, but this time he has a new partner. Evangeline Lilly’s Wasp plays a pivotal role in the overall story, in addition to Michael Douglas’ Hank Pym. Wasp is a welcome element introduced to the film that helps to bring a new tone to the series. These three share the majority of screen time, and their charisma makes for an entertaining adventure. The highlight, on the other hand, is not in its main characters, but the supporting cast. Michael Peña, T.I., David Dastmalchian, and Randall Park steal the show. Each scene that features any of the above mentioned, bring a ton of laughs and memorable moments. Ant-Man and the Wasp shine with its actors’ charisma and energy. It may not be Marvel’s best film, but it is one of Marvel’s best group of actors for a standalone installment.

Not-So-Little Anymore

Longtime fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe will definitely feel at home with this release. There are nods to what happened after Civil War and, of course, the original Ant-Man. Mentions of other major characters help to make the universe feel much bigger, yet more connected. Superhero fatigue definitely does not take its toll here, especially since this year has already seen other major hero based movies. It’s able to stand out on its own and leave fans wanting more. Viewers should obviously stay until after the credits because what happens will leave everyone wondering what might be next for the franchise.

Ant-Man and the Wasp is another meaningful addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Its cast performances, new characters, and how its villain is handled are definite highlights. The plot does fall flat, but there are some memorable moments that will keep audiences entertained. Fans of comic book movies won’t be disappointed and should definitely give it a watch.