Ever since Phase 3, the MCU has been on a rollercoaster of good and bad films, mostly on the lower side. Wakanda Forever was a glimmer of hope for the Marvel nerds as the MCU ended its fourth phase on a high note. “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” is the latest and first MCU movie of Phase 5. Always a character so different from the rest, Ant-Man stands out as the guy who could probably sneak into your kitchen, crack up a few daddy jokes and disappear without you noticing. Set with the hopes of getting to know Kang, this movie was highly anticipated. But in the end, it is but a let down, once again.
Plot
Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) has finally put his life of an Avenger behind him and is now a successful author. But just when you think he’s done with ants and shrinking suits, a quantum mishap sends him, his daughter Cassie, and the gang down a rabbit hole, quite literally. And of course, here we are in a psychedelic wonderland that’s called the quantum realm. The movie then shows you Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) ka past, when she was stuck in this bizzare realm for years. But she was not alone; there was someone else with her. And she left him there. And now that she’s back there again, he’s waiting. Aur kuch nahi bolunga, baaki ka tum dekhlo.
Performances
The cast is solid, with Michael Douglas as Hank Pym and Evangeline Lilly as The Wasp delivering commendable performances. Paul Rudd is as good as it gets, but we see a more serious side of Scott Lang in this movie. However, the real star here is Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror. He’s part mad genius, part historic conqueror, and all fascinating. He’s the guy you want to see more of, even if the writing does not fully do justice to Kang’s potential depth.
Direction and Writing
Director Peyton Reed is back for another round of Ant-Man antics, attempting to blend the grandeur of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the intimate “think small” approach of the Ant-Man series. The film does succeed in shrinking our heroes down to subatomic size and throwing them into a visually stunning quantum realm. But, like your favorite magic trick, the wonder fades once you see it one too many times. It struggles to maintain momentum throughout the narrative and feels more like a goofy funny prank trying to be serious. With Kang being introduced properly in the movie, I had really hoped for greater stakes at risk, but it is just like any another MCU movie, smh.
Screenplay and Cinematography
The screenplay introduces intriguing concepts, including the exploration of time’s nature and elasticity, a probability storm reminiscent of Douglas Adams’ work, and a nod to Schrodinger’s Cat. These elements add depth to the narrative, but they are underexplored, leaving viewers craving more substance. Cinematographer Bill Pope, known for his work on “The Matrix”, fails to leave a distinctive mark on “Quantumania.” Much of the film relies heavily on CGI, limiting the cinematographer’s ability to imprint a unique visual style. TBH, at this point saare MCU movies look the same, and that’s so damn disappointing. Here too, the creators miss the opportunity to infuse the film with a more distinct personality.
In conclusion, “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” is like a rollercoaster that occasionally stalls but still leaves you with a smile on your face. It’s not a must-see in the Marvel lineup (but agar sequentially follow kar rahe ho tab toh dekhna padega), but it’s not a total dud either. Kang the Conqueror is a highlight, despite the occasional hammy moments. The movie doesn’t quite dare to wipe that grin off your face like some of Marvel’s heavier hitters, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Just remember to leave your expectations as tiny as Scott Lang’s ant buddies.
The Ant-Man series continues to be the MCU’s quirky little brother. It’s not trying to break box office records or win Oscars; it just wants to be a clever and heartwarming diversion. So, if you’re in the mood for some shrinkable superhero shenanigans with a side of psychedelic strangeness and a dash of Kang the Conqueror’s fury, “Quantumania” is your ticket to a fun night at the movies.
