Ant-Man – The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has grown since the late 2000s, and fans are eager to hear more about forthcoming films.
With the release of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in late 2022, the fourth phase of the MCU—now divided between movies and television episodes—was completed.
With the release of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Marvel is kicking off Phase Five.
The Ant-Man sequel seems to be developing the multiverse idea in advance of the upcoming Secret Wars film.
Following the screening of early reviewers, reviews and leaks have already started to pour in.
While the previous several MCU movies have earned positive reviews, Ant-Man seems to be following the trend of performing below expectations.
The movie
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which also includes some new and some recognizable characters, presents Phase Five.
Cassie Lang unwittingly sends Scott Lang, Hope Van Dyne, Hank Pym, and Janet Van Dyne into the Quantum Realm in the most recent Marvel movie.
In order to bring his family back to Earth, Scott must work for the looming threat Kang the Conqueror while Janet must face her past.
Among the returning characters are:
- Scott Lang/Ant-Man – Paul Rudd
- Hope Van Dyne/Wasp – Evangeline Lilly
- Dr. Hank Pym – Michael Douglas
- Janet Van Dyne/Wasp – Michelle Pfeiffer
- Jimmy Woo – Randall Park
- Veb – David Dastmalchian
Meanwhile, the new characters and faces are:
- Kang the Conqueror – Jonathan Majors
- Cassie Lang (old character, new actress) – Kathryn Newton
- Lord Krylar – Bill Murray
- M.O.D.O.K. – Corey Stoll
- Quaz – William Jackson Harper
- Jentorra – Katy M. O’Brian
What critics are saying
Contrary to the bulk of MCU movies, Ant-Man and Wasp: Quantumania has drawn mixed reviews.
It would be impossible to overlook the plot as a whole, despite Jonathan Majors’ performance and the visuals from the third Ant-Man being two highlights.
“I can say with 100% certainty that viewers are in for a treat,” wrote Danielle Solzman of Solzy at the Movies.
In her review, Jenna Anderson, a critic at ComicBook.com, expressed similar enthusiasm:
“Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is an eccentric and essential spectacle, which further expands the possibilities of what the MCU’s tentpole projects can still be capable of.”
Hoai-Tran Bui of Inverse, on the other hand, was underwhelmed, proving that not everything is as it seems.
“It commits the worst sin a movie can me,” wrote the Inverse critic. “It’s boring.”
“Marvel movies have long become less like movies and more like feature-length commercials for the next big thing,” she continued.
“Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is sadly the greatest embodiment of that.”
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Similar views were stated by Andrew J. Salazar of Geeks of Color and Louisa Moore of Screen Zealots.
“This isn’t the worst Marvel movie,” wrote Salazar, “But it is one of the more forgettable.”
“It’s one of the more unremarkable entries in the MCU,” wrote Moore.
Notably, several people had negative opinions on the screenplay.
Many individuals felt that Ant-Man was diminished by the chaotic tone of the storyline.
“A bit uneven, it feels like Jeff Loveness’ script wasn’t sure what genre this movie wanted to be,” said Jamie Broadnax of Black Girl Nerds.
According to Peter Canavese of Groucho Reviews, the film’s premise was uninteresting:
“Screenwriter Jeff Loveness’ themes are half-hearted and his dialogue sounds like it was written by ChatGPT.”
The action and the visuals stood out as two highlights in an otherwise mediocre MCU film.
“Its action sequences at times get to go to particularly wild places most blockbusters can’t go,” said Canavese. “Most notably when Scott encounters something called a ‘probability storm.’”
“One of the most ambitious visual feasts that Marvel has put out yet,” said Jenna Anderson.
“Quantumania is easily a contender for the most Kirby-esque visuals in a superhero adaptation.”
The jurisdiction
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is one of Marvel’s less creative flicks in terms of plot.
Without a doubt, Jonathan Majors’ acting, the action, and the cinematography will be the film’s key draws.
The design of the Quantum Realm will appeal to Dune and Star Wars fans.
Like previous Marvel movies, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania mostly serves as a stepping stone for the next main story.
Despite its uneven attempts at humor and lack of character development, the movie is nonetheless worth viewing.
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