We have all seen the Rotten Tomatoes' score at this point, sitting with a disappointing 48, making it the second negative reviewed MCU film since Eternals. Is that a fair representation of Ant-Man and the Wasp Quantumania? Is it because it's being review bombed like the rumors say? Or is it just a bit too comic book-y for the world of film critics, and spot on for Ant-Man fans?
Quantumania takes Scott Lang and his cast of bug-related characters back to the place where Janet and Scott have both been stuck in the past, but elaborates on what it means to be stranded in a universe smaller than an atom. Outstanding visuals are at center stage in the cosmic feeling, almost Star Wars-esk adventure, whose real importance is to set up the Thanos of the Multiverse. Jonathan Majors’ Kang is captivating and menacingly charismatic, taking him from a character in the comics I despised and making him one I can’t wait to see more of. I call it the Hemsworth/Thor effect (Not you Love and Thunder, you sit in the corner and think about what you have done). Paul Rudd is as charming and witty as we have come to expect, and you love seeing the life he has carved out for himself since Endgame. Cassie is a fun addition who will shine when the Young Avengers inevitably rolls around. While Hope, Janet, Hank, and good ol’Bill Murray are present and crucial to the plot (for the most part), it’s not their movie and it shows. Michelle Phifer's Janet is a bit of an exception until the movie truly takes off and Jonathan Majors steals the show from everyone. They even made MODOK ok, and that’s saying a lot (can you tell I don’t like that character either).
Then the movie finished, and I’m sitting patiently waiting for the end credit scenes (there are two) I thought back to the Rotten Tomatoes score that was saying the movie was trying to do too much. I don’t agree. It’s wild and at times Doctor Strangely mind-bending, but I had a lot of fun. I feel like to expect something more for the third installment of the Ant-Man franchise is like the people who complained that Godzilla: King of the Monsters didn’t have enough character development. This movie will not top anyone's MCU list. I wouldn’t even call it the best Ant-Man movie, but it was worth the price of admission. I had a lot of fun watching it, and I’m excited about things to come. Isn’t that the point of these movies? Ant-Man may not be your thing (looking at you Maurer, and if you don’t get that listen to our podcast) and that’s fine. For those that enjoyed the first two, it’s a wild wide.
The official plot synopsis from Marvel Studios for Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania reads: "Superhero partners Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) return to continue their adventures as Ant-Man and the Wasp," reads Marvel's description of the movie. "Together, with Hope’s parents Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer), and Scott’s daughter Cassie Lang (Kathryn Newton), the family finds themselves exploring the Quantum Realm, interacting with strange new creatures and embarking on an adventure that will push them beyond the limits of what they thought possible."
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is in theaters now.