Ant-Man and the Wasp

By Jonelle

In 2015 Marvel Studios made the decision to bring Ant-Man to the big screen. When I first heard, I thought why? That seems so silly. It ended up being one of my favorite films of 2015. I’m a huge fan of Paul Rudd and thought he was hilarious as Scott Lang.

Flashforward to 2018 and we get the second installment of the Ant-Man trilogy, Ant-Man and the Wasp. All things happen in threes with the MCU, (or fours if you’re talking the Avengers). Ant-Man and the Wasp is a sequel to Ant-Man, obviously, and a very loose “sequel” Captain America: Civil War.

Disney Studios graciously invited me to a special 3D screening of the film. At the opening of the movie, we find Scott is under house arrest because of the events in Civil War. Hope and Hank have no communication with him anymore. They are also in hiding from the FBI. With only three days left under house arrest Scott is trying to stay out of trouble, but Hope has other plans for him. She is in a desperate search for her mother, who is stuck in the quantum realm. Scott, so far has been the only one the enter the quantum realm and escape.

Cassie Lang (Abby Ryder Fortson) and Ant-Man/Scott Lang (Paul Rudd). Photo: Ben Rothstein© Marvel Studios 2018

I love the opening sequence when Scott is with Cassie, at his house of course, he’s under house arrest, and he builds her this massive indoor playground. Remember Scott is under house arrest and cannot leave his property. This is a slight mishap and Scott’s leg breaks through a fence alerting the FBI, including FBI agent Jimmy Woo played hilariously by Randall Park. Would someone please invite him to dinner? You’ll know what I mean when you watch the film.

There were many great scenes. The best scene in the entire movie isn’t even an action scene. Luis, played by Michael Pena, is given a “truth” serum, but there’s “no such thing”. After being given the serum there is the super funny, super crazy montage. This is by far the best scene in the movie and Luis is one of my favorite characters in the film. The chemistry between Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly is wonderful. Paul Rudd is a “normal, everyday” kind-of-guy and that’s what makes his Ant-Man so endearing. Hope and Scott look very cute together.

He also has amazing chemistry with Michael Douglas. In the film, Scott (Rudd) channels Janet van Dyne while she is in the quantum realm. Because Scott has been there, they are connected in some way. It’s hilarious to see Paul Rudd become Michelle Pfeiffer. He strokes Douglas’s cheek and grabs his hand. This was a very funny scene.

Evangelina Lilly’s has some serious kick-butt action scenes. I love her costume. I’ve recently stated that it is probably my favorite suit worn by a female in the MCU. I like the fact that the MCU gives young girls smart female heroes.

This movie isn’t without its issues. There is a scene where Scott is talking to Cassie about Hope and says that Cassie reminds him a lot of Hope, his love interest. I know that this conversation isn’t meant to be creepy, but it is. I understand what Scott is trying to say, but it could have been done in a much better way. I felt that all of the great action sequences were already given to us in the commercials. The Hello Kitty Pez dispenser and the “knife run” were both in the commercial. In terms of action, there wasn’t much left for us to see.

The films villain is very ambiguous. While yes, its supposed to be Ghost, couldn’t it also be Hank Pym? He’s the reason Ava becomes Ghost. Hope and Hank are trying to save Janet, who’s been missing in the quantum realm for over 30 years. Ava is just trying to save herself from potential death and the pain she feels as she’s phasing. Instead of trying to help Ava, Hank and Hope are so focused on trying to save Janet, even pulling Scott back into the mix, not worrying at all about his house arrest or what will happen to him if he gets caught. FYI, this Ghost is a very different from the Ghost in the comics. I don’t mind the change.

While there were a few mishaps, overall the movie was a lot of fun. It’s hard to be the film to follow Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War. In the Marvel timeline, this film actually takes place before the events in the Avengers. Can I say that this film is as great as those two, probably not? Can I say that this one is even as good as the original? Not quite. Is it worth seeing? Oh, most definitely. It’s funny and endearing. It makes me love Paul Rudd all over again and Michael Pena has some of the best scenes in the movie. I would definitely recommend seeing this on the big screen, I personally would just skip the 3D version.

Ant-Man and The Wasp stars Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Peña, Walton Goggins, Bobby Cannavale , Judy Greer, Tip “T.I.” Harris, David Dastmalchian, Hannah John-Kamen, Abby Ryder Fortson, Randall Park, Academy Award nominees Michelle Pfeiffer and Laurence Fishburne and Academy Award winner Michael Douglas. Peyton Reed returns as director.

In Theaters NOW! Go see it!