ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA Review; Jonathan Majors Makes Phase 5 Opener An Epic Tale To Astonish

ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA Review; Jonathan Majors Makes Phase 5 Opener An Epic Tale To Astonish

Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania has divided critics, but we're now weighing in with our take on a movie that, while not perfect, is a showcase for Jonathan Majors and an important chapter in this Saga.

Review Opinion
By JoshWilding - Feb 17, 2023 08:02 AM EST

Despite boasting a fantastic cast, the Ant-Man franchise has never quite managed to entirely find its footing in the MCU. The first movie remains the best one (likely because it had so many of Edgar Wright’s ideas in there) with thief Scott Lang’s discovery of his newfound abilities a genuine delight to watch unfold. We welcomed the sequel throwing The Wasp into the mix, but aside from some entertaining ideas and a handful of standout moments, it was a largely forgettable affair. In the case of Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, the series heads down a sci-fi route with mixed results, and perhaps its biggest issue is the technology used to bring the Quantum Realm to life. 

Outside of an incredibly brief opening in San Francisco (which sees only one fan-favourite supporting character make a dialogue-free cameo appearance) and an ending which was only shot a few weeks ago, the threequel was clearly filmed entirely in studio in front of The Volume and blue screens. Now, the backgrounds do look very nice, but that’s really all they are. Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania has every right to be a visually stunning masterpiece, but instead feels oddly soulless as the only real thing in most of the scenes is the actors and a handful of props. An argument could be made that this was the only way to create somewhere as bonkers as the Quantum Realm, but the endless stream of bright colours soon look increasingly dull.

While the movie would have benefitted greatly from another 10 or 15 minutes back on Earth, we’re quickly thrust into the Quantum Realm where we meet all manner of bizarre new characters. You’re unlikely to remember them beyond this outing, but that’s okay, because it’s when our heroes find themselves pitted against Kang the Conqueror that Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania becomes a movie you won’t be able to pull your eyes from. 

Marvel Studios has yet to fully define the rules of the Multiverse or how Kang’s journey will or won’t echo that of his comic book counterpart (is every Kang we meet just a Variant or is there a Prime Kang who we’re crossing paths with at different stages in his life?). There are some exciting hints about what’s to come, though, and the time we spend with the Conqueror makes it apparent the MCU now has a new big bad even more formidable than Thanos. Just like in Loki’s season finale, Jonathan Majors is absolutely outstanding, and it often feels like he deserves a better movie to showcase his talents in. Ironically, it’s the villain who saves the day, and as much as we appreciate this crack at making the Ant-Man movies more than a palette cleanser, the series loses some of its charm, as a result. Marvel Studios has given Peyton Reed three chances now and he clearly can’t quite figure out this franchise, so if we do get an Ant-Man 4 - and we’d like to think we will - it’s time to move on. 

Jeff Loveness’ screenplay is very Rick and Morty-inspired (perhaps too much) but cuts corners and sometimes sacrifices strong storytelling for convenience. Despite that, there are some solid gags, a very powerful arc for Scott Lang as he does whatever it takes to save his daughter, and some wonderful material for Michelle Pfeifer to sink her teeth into as Janet Van Dyne (even if Marvel Studios appears to have forgotten those new Quantum powers she had at the end of the last movie).

While Majors is the standout, you should know by now that we have nothing bad to say about Pfeiffer, Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, and Michael Douglas, and it’s never anything less than a joy to watch them interact on screen. It’s too soon to judge Kathryn Newton as Cassie, but with stronger material, we think she could soar in the MCU. As for M.O.D.O.K., we won’t get into too much detail here for fear of spoilers, but he’s a fun addition spoiled by a CG face that is a rare misstep for a studio that usually delivers flawless visuals. 

Marvel Studios’ episodic approach to storytelling, particularly in the Multiverse Saga, occasionally makes Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantuamania feel like just another story in the wider MCU. However, this movie promises to be a massively important part of what's on the horizon and something tells us that, once this Saga ends and we know more about Kang, it will only improve with future viewings. 

Far from the worst MCU movie, there are times when Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania is actually a bold, brilliant blockbuster that you’ll find yourself fully engrossed in. Scott Lang has hit the big time, and this story is often a showcase for what makes Ant-Man great. Rudd really gives it his all, particularly bouncing off Majors, and it would be wrong to say this trip into the Quantum Realm isn’t a mostly enjoyable one even if the direction lets it down at times. Still, we can’t help but wish for a return to the simpler days of Scott pulling off a heist on the back of an ant...

Despite being an example of why a movie shouldn’t be shot almost entirely in The Volume, every time Jonathan Majors steps on screen as Kang, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania is an epic tale to astonish and a monumental chapter in the Multiverse Saga. 

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bobevanz
bobevanz - 2/17/2023, 8:38 AM
bobevanz
bobevanz - 2/17/2023, 8:45 AM
@bobevanz - sO fUn! "Breathtaking" "best marvel movie to date" "it's not that bad" "memorable side characters" "funny jokes" I'm convinced people watch shit like this to simply pass the time, whereas I don't like my time to be wasted
bobevanz
bobevanz - 2/17/2023, 10:36 AM
@bobevanz - "Phase 5 Opener An Epic Tale To Astonish" 3.5 stars lol reviewing Marvel movies is the equivalent of Ign doing game reviews
TheUnworthyThor
TheUnworthyThor - 2/17/2023, 8:39 AM
I loved it. Tons of fun. Great action. A whole new world. A great new villain.
DPSNUMBER1
DPSNUMBER1 - 2/17/2023, 8:42 AM
So..for the people who already saw this film, is it leaning towards what Josh is saying or the rest of the critics are right?

I really want to know if the critics that are bashing this film are exaggerating again. If the humor was considerably reduced and the tone is more serious, It could not be that bad.
bobevanz
bobevanz - 2/17/2023, 8:46 AM
@DPSNUMBER1 - there are no real stakes, and most of the jokes are bad. Hope that helps lol
Spawnnn
Spawnnn - 2/17/2023, 8:51 AM
@DPSNUMBER1 - Its not like critics love to trash the MCU. I mean dog shit like Iron Man 2 or Love and Thunder have a fresh rating.
Toonstrack
Toonstrack - 2/17/2023, 9:57 AM
@DPSNUMBER1 - notice how neither of the other two actually answered your question?

Josh is about right on the money with the score. 7-8 out of ten. It is more serious and has much higher stakes than the first two ant man movies. There are jokes but some of them are pretty solid.
SauronthePower
SauronthePower - 2/17/2023, 10:26 AM
@DPSNUMBER1 - Josh is pretty close in this review
SATW42
SATW42 - 2/17/2023, 8:42 AM
Did I miss it or is Ror just waiting for the right time to drop his hinted at terrible review for the movie?
EZBeast
EZBeast - 2/17/2023, 8:43 AM
@SATW42 - he said he didn’t finish it and may release it this weekend.
TheHumanSpider2
TheHumanSpider2 - 2/17/2023, 8:50 AM
49%
FilmGuy7878
FilmGuy7878 - 2/17/2023, 8:55 AM
@TheHumanSpider2 - Damn, you think it will go any lower?
TheHumanSpider2
TheHumanSpider2 - 2/17/2023, 9:03 AM
@FilmGuy7878 - Nah.
I do wonder about the CS rating...B? C+?
FilmGuy7878
FilmGuy7878 - 2/17/2023, 9:10 AM
@TheHumanSpider2 - I feel maybe a C or a B-
mountainman
mountainman - 2/17/2023, 9:13 AM
@TheHumanSpider2 - At least it’s doing better than the Whinny the Pooh slasher flick.
FilmGuy7878
FilmGuy7878 - 2/17/2023, 9:14 AM
@mountainman - That actually looks hilarious. I'm probably just gonna watch it for the memes.
mountainman
mountainman - 2/17/2023, 9:22 AM
@FilmGuy7878 - Im not a fan of slasher horror so it’s not for me but it was just an RT score joke.
FilmGuy7878
FilmGuy7878 - 2/17/2023, 9:25 AM
@mountainman - Ah makes sense. I do agree that it can't get worse than it is now.
mountainman
mountainman - 2/17/2023, 9:31 AM
@FilmGuy7878 - Did you see the grinch slasher film that came out last year? It seems like this is a new trend.
FilmGuy7878
FilmGuy7878 - 2/17/2023, 9:38 AM
@mountainman - Yup, with the same guy who played Art the Clown playing the Grinch. Seriously what's next? Bambi turning into a mutant bloodthirsty deer monster and mercilessly hunting the hunter that killed his mom?!


Okay that would actually be f**king badass ngl.
mountainman
mountainman - 2/17/2023, 9:58 AM
@FilmGuy7878 - I think there is a Bambi one coming soon. I think they can only go after public IP stuff, so older properties only. Pinocchio maybe?
supermanrex
supermanrex - 2/17/2023, 10:17 AM
@TheHumanSpider2 - that don't mean shit. the score that matters is the audience score. it stands at 84 percent now. the critics are now just dog piling on it to get clicks and views.
SauronthePower
SauronthePower - 2/17/2023, 10:30 AM
@supermanrex - fair enough but, to be truthful, there is A LOT about this film that is not great. Majors and Pfeiffwr pretty much save this thing
TheHumanSpider2
TheHumanSpider2 - 2/17/2023, 10:42 AM
@mountainman - What was even that
TheHumanSpider2
TheHumanSpider2 - 2/17/2023, 10:47 AM
@supermanrex - #RestoreTheSnyderverse
TheWalkingCuban
TheWalkingCuban - 2/17/2023, 8:50 AM
Ima hold off til I can watch it with my kids, so hopefully next weekend
TheClungerine
TheClungerine - 2/17/2023, 8:53 AM
I Need to hurry up and see avatar so I can see this 😭
MotherFuckerJon
MotherFuckerJon - 2/17/2023, 8:57 AM
After this, I'd be much happier with less projects if it means we get better quality. With the exception of NWH, WV, and Loki, what we've got post Endgame feels like a far cry compared to what we've grown accustomed to. I remember watching WV when it came out thinking Phase 4 and beyond were going to be incredible.

I don't think this Kang is THE Kang that will be the next Thanos. I think the statue of the Kang at the end of Loki S1 is the "Kang Prime" if you will. I also think the fact some Kangs have scars and some don't will turn out to be significant in some way. If Feige can course correct and tighten some things up, this could make for an epic story.

DoubleD
DoubleD - 2/17/2023, 9:02 AM
Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania going at High Noon today with a Party of 4 :)

GhostDog
GhostDog - 2/17/2023, 9:04 AM
This movie was AWFUL. Majors was so good in a movie that was so undeserving of him. Might be one of marvel’s worst efforts in my opinion. Peyton Reed is a MENACE. Send him to director jail.

That Cassie recast was for nothing. Newton was so bad in this.
FilmGuy7878
FilmGuy7878 - 2/17/2023, 9:09 AM
@GhostDog - To think Peyton actually pitched FOX a Fantastic Four reboot and they shut him down.

Also sad to hear Newton was bad. I really love her as an actress and she was so fun and charismatic in Freaky, was really hoping for her to be one of the saving graces of the film.
GhostDog
GhostDog - 2/17/2023, 9:33 AM
@FilmGuy7878 - thank god they shut him down.
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