In 2015, criminal-turned-superhero Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) introduced fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) to the Quantum Realm, a unique yet feared dimension in the Multiverse. But in his first outing as Ant-Man, he not only transported to the realm and escape it but proved to scientist Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) that the realm is accessible – establishing a new world for them to explore, not to mention the battleground for Ant-Man’s latest adventure.
Marking the 31st film of the MCU, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania sees Lang and his daughter Cassie (Kathryn Newton), as well as Pym, Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer), and their daughter Hope (Evangeline Lilly) transported into the Quantum Realm, where they face off against Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors).
Although Ant-Man has been at the forefront of some of the MCU’s more light-hearted films, it means that it doesn’t dare to delve into hard-hitting, emotionally fraught narratives. In other words, it feels like Scott Lang/Ant-Man hasn’t fallen into the deep, dark end of being a superhero. His latest instalment kickstarts Phase 5 of the MCU, so there is no better chance for Marvel to establish him as a protagonist who has suffered as much emotional conflict as Iron Man or Captain America. But despite Peyton Reed back as director and MCU veterans – Rudd, Douglas, and Lilly, reprising their respective roles, Ant-Man continues to heavily rely on comedy over drama.
With supporting characters such as Scott’s now-teenage daughter Cassie (Newton) and Janet van Dyne (Pfieffer), as well as new nemesis Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors), having significant roles, screenwriter Jeff Loveness has to not only shape a narrative that reaffirms the family dynamic between the Langs and van Dynes but establish the Quantum Realm, a place that has only been teased in previous Ant-Man instalments.
There is a level of ambition driving Quantumania amid the vast visual effects while the MCU settles into its latest phase. But Reed and Loveness have a lot on their plate and ultimately try to do too much, so the film subsequently caves under the weight of its numerous elements. Scott is milking his role as an Avenger to the point that he overcompensates for being a dad to Cassie, who is evidently following in his footsteps in becoming a superhero. Meanwhile, Hope (Lilly) and Hank (Douglas) are getting used to the return of Janet, whose traumatic experiences in the Quantum Realm stop her from sharing her memories with her family.
All of these small elements exacerbate when they are accidentally sucked into the Quantum Realm, which exposes them to a new world and Kang, an exiled ‘traveller’ and a former acquaintance of Janet. When her secrets are unveiled, all hell breaks loose as the plot struggles to find momentum as it strays into all-too-familiar but underdeveloped emotional conflicts among characters, plot holes and almost redundant characters such as freedom fighter Jentorra (Katy O’Brian) and telepath Quaz (William Jackson Harper). In addition, the overly cryptic dialogue and numerous monologues make it hard to gauge the significance of the Quantum Realm and what it means for the MCU. After Marvel shows such as Loki and Wandavision, not to mention last year’s Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness, have shown that there are limitless possibilities to the MCU so it is a shame that Quantumania relies on convention.
However, the casting prevents this instalment from being a misfire. Rudd and Newton have a great on-screen chemistry as father and daughter while Pfeiffer has a more prominent role than her brief appearance in Ant-Man and the Wasp. While Bill Murray and Michael Douglas offer occasional bouts of comedy, the film belongs to Majors, who makes an impact as the quietly menacing yet physically imposing Kang.
There are certain moments in the film that tease audiences about future instalments but as we are now in the depths of the Multiverse saga, everything within the MCU should be starting to come together rather than stay apart. After the mixed reviews of the last few Marvel films, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania looks set to continue the trend with the cast, especially Majors, stopping this from being a complete bore.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is out in UK cinemas on 17 February 2023.
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Director: Peyton Reed, Jeff Loveness (screenwriter)
Stars: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer, Kathryn Newton, Evangeline Lilly, Jonathan Majors, Bill Murray,
Runtime: 124 minutes
Country: USA
