Alright, Bingers. Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Avengers: Infinity War got most of the hype for all of the comic book movies this year. But still, there were still some left for Ant-Man and the Wasp. Clearly, there is still an immense excitement for the movie. I witnessed it myself during the special advanced screening on June 29 at the IMAX Theatre in SM Aura Premiere. The next question is, how does it live up to the hilarious first movie, Ant-Man? Continue reading my non-spoiler review to find out!
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Contained Narrative
One of the factors that made Ant-Man a success was it’s ability to stand on its own. It may be part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe but at its very core is a plot that separates it from the larger picture, sans the eventual references and cameos. Set after the events of Civil War and before the apocalypse in Infinity War, Ant-Man and The Wasp is set to be the bridge that will connect the narratives and answer Scott Lang’s absence from the fight against the Mad Titan.
The sequel shines the spotlight on Hope van Dyne as she dons an enhanced version of the Wasp costume from her father, Hank Pym. They embarked on a mission to retrieve Janet van Dyne from the Quantum Realm. Thirty years have passed since she got stuck there but the events of Ant-Man provided their much-needed hope that she could still be saved. With this knowledge, Pym developed a technology that can take them to the Quantum Realm
Meanwhile, a ghost from the past emerges to foil the plan. A villain, literally called Ghost, can phase in and out of objects. Lang, on the other hand, deals with the aftermath of Civil War and the Sokovia Accord. With his costume and freedom to go out taken away, he is now left with nothing to do but to be a father to Cassie.
Ant-Man and the Wasp is All About the Family
Behind the craziness, Ant-Man and the Wasp puts a deeper thought into the value of family. The Pyms want to bring back Janet from the Quantum Realm. The Ghost is haunted by a tragic incident that struck her parents. Scott wants to be a role model for his daughter, Cassie. This sudden emotional touch to the story is, to be honest, a welcome and refreshing move. The film focused on it and it was not subtle about it.
Speaking of the Ghost, Hannah John-Kamen, gave life to a multi-layered character. To most viewers and even casual comic book readers, her character was almost obscured but in the movie, the character had depth. It was nuanced yet weak and regrettably forgettable. The movie is in some way, an exploration of Hank Pym’s consequences. Everything that happened can all be traced back to him. Including of which is the first appearance of Dr. Bill Foster, Pym’s former colleague, or as Goliath! Did he transform in the film? That’s what you have to find out!
Ant-Man and the Wasp worked on what it does best: comedy. With Rudd and Pena on-board, there was no doubt that the film will succeed on that aspect. The addition of Randall Park was also a perfect choice! He and Rudd knocked the audiences off. Evangeline Lilly no longer held back and proved herself as the right one to wear the Wasp costume. Her aura and strength simply kicked ass! Ant-Man and the Wasp may have been the bridge between Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War but it told a story that is good on its own. If anything else, it can be taken as a mere sequel to the first one and not a direct tie-up to the rest of the movies in the MCU. And that’s what’s great about it, it did not carry the major responsibility of hiding clues for the future of the franchise.
Director: Peyton Reed
Cast: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer, Michael Pena
Binge-level: 4 out of 5 stars
