ANT-MAN AND THE WASP (PG-13)
Released by Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Pictures
Review by Adam Mast
Anyone out there familiar with Marvel Studios? Apparently, they make the occasional superhero movie. Joking aside, Marvel is back with a follow up to ANT-MAN and all things considered, this movie is a lot of fun. While many of us are still left to ponder what an Edgar Wright ANT-MAN movie might have looked like, it’s clear that director Peyton Reed has done a more than admirable job swooping in and picking up the pieces. His light approach continues in this follow-up.
As ANT-MAN AND THE WASP opens, Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is on house arrest following his involvement in the events of CIVIL WAR, but he’s given a bit of a reprieve by Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly). This father and daughter seek Lang’s aid in finding the whereabouts of a once-thought-to-be-dead Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer). It now seems that Janet might be alive after all.
Lang reluctantly agrees to help but the arrival of a few unsavory types and a powerful adversary called Ghost to complicate an already complicated set of circumstances. Ultimately, Scott’s and Hope’s size-shifting alter egos Ant-Man and Wasp are all but forced to spring into action and through a series of zany new adventures, Lang strives to do what he can to help reunite Hope with her mother and Hank with his long lost soulmate.
Like its predecessor, ANT-MAN AND THE WASP is light and breezy. It should also be noted that, aside from a not-to-be-missed post credits stinger, this movie is refreshingly low stakes. Furthermore, the wonderfully creative visuals here are likely to give you a HONEY, I SHRUNK THE KIDS and INNERSPACE flashback and if you happen to be a fan of either of those miniaturization-based 80s gems then you know that’s a big-time compliment.
There’s a lot going on in ANT-MAN AND THE WASP, at times, a little too much, but this thing is so lightweight, so energetic, and so darn likable that it’s pretty easy to forgive the film for its overstuffed nature. While Reed is to be commended for his light touch, the cast certainly has a great deal to do with this movie working as well as it does.
A forever affable Paul Rudd hits all the right notes here as lovable Scott Lang, an ex-convict and loving father attempting to change his ways and do right by his daughter. Likewise, Lilly is solid as a fiercely independent Hope Van Dyne. Truth be told, Rudd and Lilly had stronger chemistry in the first picture, but it’s still a blast seeing this pair play off of one another. What’s more, Lilly gets to don a suit and see more action this time around and she’s more than up to the challenge.
Douglas is as classy as ever as a brilliant mentor seeking redemption while new to the fold Pfeiffer brings much needed emotional weight to the proceedings. It’s a shame we don’t get more of Pfeiffer in this movie but a little Pfeiffer is certainly better than no Pfeiffer at all.
Scene-stealer Michael Peña also returns as a hilarious Luis, a security salesman who has a gift for spinning a good yarn. A moment involving Pena sharing his definition of “truth serum” is high among the most amusing bits in the entire movie.
Rounding out a game supporting cast are Laurence Fishburne as a professor with ties to Pym’s past, Hannah John-Kamen as the mysterious Ghost, Abby Ryder Fortson as Scott’s cute-as-a-bug’s-ear daughter, Walton Goggins as a self assured baddie, Judy Greer as Scott’s happy-go-lucky ex-wife, Bobby Cannavale as Greer’s likable beau, and Randall Park as a clueless fed who keeps a watchful eye on Lang.
ANT-MAN AND THE WASP certainly does not re-invent the wheel but it’s a very fun time at the movies. Further props to Reed and crew for essentially creating a Marvel property that stands on its own. Yes, there are a couple of obligatory references to events in past Marvel movies but for the most part, the ANT-MAN movies are pretty much their own thing in the same way that the GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY movies are their own thing.
Furthermore, ANT-MAN AND THE WASP is one you can take the whole family to see. For the most part, it avoids the darkness of INFINITY WAR and it steers completely clear of the irreverence of DEADPOOL 2 making for a more light and airy superhero flick that’s a little more all-age appropriate.
