A Reel Review: ANT-MAN AND THE WASP

Marvel’s ANT-MAN AND THE WASP, the second film centered around their incredible shrinking superhero, is the first follow-up to their massive, galaxy-altering INFINITY WAR, released only a few months prior. INFINITY WAR was set on a massive stage, with equally large consequences across immeasurable distances. How do you follow-up such a large film? By going small, of course.

Ant-Man/Scott Long (Paul Rudd) is on the tail-end of his house-arrest (a consequence of his involvement in CIVIL WAR), when he is recruited by his former partners, Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and his daughter Hope/The Wasp (Evangeline Lily), to explore the endless Quantum Realm to rescue the lost Janet Pym (Michelle Pfeiffer). Meanwhile, a mysterious adversary called the Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) appears to halt their plans.

After 19 films in 10 years, the challenge for Marvel Studios is to avoid repeating themselves, or to at least make the familiar seem new. A lot of time has been spent in this series with heroes discovering themselves while battling villains who want to destroy and rule. This time around, a new approach by director Peyton Reed immediately elevates ANT-MAN AND THE WASP to one of the most unique entries in the ever-growing series. The stakes are small, and don’t involve planet-crunching via some galactic device or power, and instead we have a film where every character has a personal stake involved. Scott merely wants to complete his house arrest so he can be a good father to his daughter (again wonderfully played by Abby Ryder Forston), while Hank and Hope just want to get their family back together. Even the villain isn’t really a villain in the old school of thought. The Ghost doesn’t want to rule or destroy, and has an interest in the Quantum Realm just so she can live. What we wind up with is a character-driven adventure that just happens to have people with super abilities.

There’s a lot of heart at play here, but it is still a superhero film, and Peyton Reed has a blast with the abilities that Ant-Man and his new partner, The Wasp use to fight, fly, and travel. The shrinking, and growing sequences are fascinating, and a malfunctioning suit provides some excellent effects and a ton of laughs. The film is very funny, but also gets serious when it needs to and the balance is perfect. Visual effects are very good, and the de-aging that is done on some of the older members of the cast is jaw-dropping and a leap forward for the technology.

Acting is excellent and injects a great sense of energy into the film. Paul Rudd has a goofiness to his character that is evened out with a great sense of sincerity; his earnestness to just be a good dad drives the movie. Evangeline Lily is also very good, and her chemistry with the always-great Michael Douglas never leaves a doubt that we are watching a family drama unfold. Scott’s old partners from the first ANT-MAN return (reprised by Michael Pena, Tip Harris, and David Dastmalchian), and are a ton of fun. The rest of the great cast; Walton Goggins, Bobby Cannavale, Judy Greer, Hannah John-Kamen, Randall Park, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Laurence Fishburne are all excellent and perfect in their roles.

There is a wonderful, innocent charm that ANT-MAN AND THE WASP wears proudly. It is a full-fledged superhero flick, but it’s ever-hanging theme of family-first gives it a unique identity among the hefty numbers of caped-crusading hero films. It is heartful, fun, full of surprises, and one of the very best from Marvel Studios.

And stick around for a mid-credit scene for one hell of a shock.

BOTTOM LINE: See it