After Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Thor: Love and Thunder failed to lay the groundwork for the Marvel Cinematic Universe to expand beyond its original scope, many have been eagerly awaiting the start of the fifth phase. According to Kevin Feige, the uncertainty of the seven films in Phase 4 would solidify and give us a clearer idea of where the overall narrative is headed. And the movie that was about to start? Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Hmm..
Yes, it seemed like a strange choice to us then. And it continues even after the credits for the third (but not the last) Ant-Man movie. But by upping the ante, allowing more narrative and visual freedom, and granting screen time to the MCU’s most promising star, Quantumania proves it has the necessary energy even if it isn’t. still not up to par with the best films in the saga.
Paul Rudd returns as Scott Lang, content to have survived the Blip with Hope van Dyne, played by Evangeline Lilly, Hank Pym played by Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer as Janet van Dyne and his now eldest daughter Cassie, played by Kathryn Newton. That tranquility is quickly disrupted as our ragtag crew find themselves dragged into the depths of the Quantum Realm by none other than Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors), who attempts to escape his imprisonment.
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The Quantum Realm is an “alternate universe to ours,” which basically means writer Jeff Loveness and director Peyton Reed can go crazy over the film’s somewhat Star Wars-like cinematography. For the most part, its visual splendor works and gives the film an appropriate sci-fi aesthetic. Of course, we don’t delve into the details of the world we explore, and much of it is just a superficial facade rather than an attempt to really get into something meaningful. This mistake was made not too long ago in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, although it’s funny… most of the time.
But let’s be honest. this movie is very intense and it often goes off the rails, throwing ideas and sequences at you at breakneck speed, leaving you unable to understand the story behind it. It’s the same thing in Thor: Love and Thunder, but it lacked the charm of Paul Rudd, who is always a good hook with his clever jokes, lovable personality, and often underrated acting gift. Also, something very important was missing from Love and Thunder: Kang. Jonathan Majors is the breakout star here, stealing every scene he appears in with a terrifying presence and strength never before seen in the MCU. In Loki’s season finale, he was spectacular, and it looks like in this movie, he will be too.
Rudd and Majors create a solid core, two like-minded but totally opposite extremes that build a framework around which the film will unfold. It’s lucky, really, because there are other elements that are very out of place, like Katy O’Brian’s rebellious Jentorra. We can’t really directly experience or understand Kang’s dictatorial rule over the Quantum Realm, so the rebellion that takes place in the film feels very empty and insubstantial.
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There are a few exceptions, like Corey’s brilliantly comedic role as MODOK, which initially serves as a laugh, but works great as comedic cannon fodder. However, he only appears in a sea of semi-interesting side adventures. Unfortunately, Newton’s first stint as Cassie mostly falls into this category.
In conclusion, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is not bad. By giving Majors’ Kang so much screen time, we finally have a better idea of where this is headed. They don’t show us new paths and even cause us to stumble more times than we’d like, but it works pretty well.